Though the third quarter saw the Nuggets run all over the Sixers, it was the first that left me steaming. Yes, the first quarter which saw the Sixers outscore Denver 25-13. If not for 5 blown easy opportunities, Philly would've been up 20 early. If not for ice cold shooting, they could've put this game away early. The third was about a run, an injury, foul trouble and Chauncey. Those things happen, you live with them, you overcome them. The mistakes we saw in the first, though. They linger. They
turn into losses.
Let's get one thing straight before we go any further, the Sixers really shouldn't beat the Denver Nuggets. I had this one as a loss before it began. The deck was stacked against them (coming off a back-to-back, Denver's first game after the break, etc.). The first quarter was probably more about rust on Denver's part and a chip on the Sixers' shoulder after losing badly in Indy last night. Things normalized and they hadn't built enough of a lead to hold on.
This game was officially over when Andre Miller went down. Miller hasn't missed a game in about 25 seasons, so I have a feeling he'll be back on the floor on Saturday. Two days of rest is like an eternity for this guy.
You lose Miller, Iguodala fouls out with 5 minutes to go. You're going to lose. Simple as that. Lou + Willie = 6/23 from the floor. That never helps.
The only guy I was even moderately happy with in this one was Speights. He looked like he was playing on a gimpy ankle, but the hustle was there. Yes, he lost his man a couple of times, but he also made two nice steals by jumping into the lane, came to help from the weak side on an alley-oop (b.s. foul call) and finished with 10 boards, 2 steals and block in 22 minutes.
Two off days to lick their wounds. For us, it's about 13.5 hours until the trade deadline and I have to think we're going to hear rumors about the Sixers, especially coming off these two losses. Whether there's anything to them or not is anyone's guess, but the vultures will feed off this mini-slide. Hunker down, we'll have an open post tomorrow for rumors and/or trades.
Speaking of traded, OKC rescinded the Chandler trade earlier tonight because he failed his physical. We've talked about how even Chandler and Sammy are, statistically (the edge actually goes to Dalembert), should Ed be on the phone trying to get Wilcox and Joe Smith?
Player of The Game: Marreese Speights (he even hit a garbage time three!)
Team Record: 27-26
Up Next: @Miami on Saturday afternoon.
ok, with the trade deadline just hours away and a lot of teams scrambling to free up cash, i'm going for broke with a home-run trade proposal.
OK City Thunder gets: Slammy D and Mikki Moore
Sacto Kings get: Chris Wilcox and Muhammed Sene (and probably a pick or two from the other teams)
Sixers get: Kevin Martin and Joe Smith
sounds crazy, right? how could we get kevin martin for so cheap? here's how: the Maloof brothers (who own the Kings) just loss a significant amount of money to Bernie Madoff and they're desperately trying to get some immediate relief. this deal saves them over 50 mil and gets them in position to make a couple minor moves and still be under the luxury tax for next season. sure, it's a step back, but they basically have no choice. plus in 2 years they'll be in an new stadium with fresh revenue and they can rebuild then.
as for the thunder, they get a slightly better (and younger) version of the defensive minded athletic center that they were looking for at just about the same price. the extra year of paying Mikki Moore shouldn't bother them too much since right now they're one of the few NBA teams making money.
for the sixers, it's a slam dunk. they exchange Sammy, who looks to supplanted by Speights eventually anyway for an elite, lights-out shooter who is just entering his prime and his locked up for 5 years.
generally i think most trade scenarios are pipe dreams, and i'm sure there are those who would consider this one. however, the current state of the economy has created the best buyer's market the NBA has ever seen. if ever there was a time to move aggressively to improve the team, it's now.
Sacto may trade him, but I think they'd want a bigger haul than that to give him up.
All reports indicate there is just one untouchable in sacramento.
Kevin Martin is it - not to mention the violation of the Sacramento Kings in this trade - doyou slip them GHB and rohipnol to get them to agree to this trade. They are giving up the best player in the trade, and on their team, for nothing but picks which would have protections probably?
I'm not convinced that anyone outside of LBJ is untouchable at this point. Apparently the league sent out a memo saying the cap and luxury tax numbers will probably drop over the next two years, teams are scrambling. I seriously hope Stefanski is working the phones, because Miller's expiring deal may bring back way more than anyone expects right now.
Well, anyone is tradeable for the right deal I'm sure, but that suggestion of what the kings would get for martin is a fleecing of the kings up there with the Gasol to the Lakers deal...the kings give up their best player and get squadoosh
john, i agree with you completely and that is in fact, my point. that Gasol trade was unprecedented, but the situation around the league right now is ten-times worse. someone's going to get fleeced, and i want to be the... fleecer.
Or no one is going to get completely fleeced because of what happened to the grizzlies. Additionally - if you're thinking fleecing - think ownership as well - Heisley is a cheap bastard who has been running his franchise poorly for years - the maloofs while not the smartest guys in the world are less worried about spending money when they think it's on talent - they wouldn't have made the gasol trade to the cavs or celtics for the equivalent 'talent' that the griz got from the lakers (if that makes sense).
I've no trouble with the idea of fleecing, but the maloofs and petrie are a smarter combo than the grizz have I think.
At this point I still just want miller moved and don't see it happening