Unforgivable. That's the only way to describe the final possession. Sixers up by two, 6.8 seconds left on the clock and Ray Allen gets a wide-open look at a three from the corner for the win. Absolutely unforgivable.
Let's get the blame out of the way. Thad, I love you, but it was your fault. Andre Iguodala is the best defender on your team. He's probably a top five wing defender in the league at this point. He had Paul Pierce locked down, and Pierce was inside the three-point line. There is no conceivable reason why you would leave your man to go double him. Especially when your man is Ray Allen who hit a three only 24 seconds earlier.
You could probably make a case that Sammy should've rotated out to the corner when he saw Thad go to help Iguodala, but that's a lot to ask of your center. The fact of the matter is, Thad should never have left Allen in the first place. He got caught up in the moment, tried to do too much, and it cost the Sixers a game they really needed.
In that situation, you just can't allow them to even think about shooting a three. It was a nice play by Boston, perfectly designed and executed. It played on the Sixers aggression and inexperience. In your mind, 6.8 seconds is a lot less time than it actually is on the floor. Thad probably didn't think Pierce had enough time to pump fake, drive and dish, but obviously he did.
This season is turning into a "what could have been" story for the Sixers. Think about this, for a second. Over the past 15 games, they're 10-5. They lost at New Orleans by 15 points, so forget about that one for a second. The other four losses went like this:
- @ San Antonio: Tony Parker hits baseline jumper at the buzzer off long rebound.
- vs. Dallas: Dirk hits game-winner at the buzzer over Reggie.
- vs. New Jersey: Lopez follow dunk for the lead with 16 seconds left.
- vs. Boston: Ray Allen three for the win with 1.6 seconds left.
Not to mention these other games:
- vs. Orlando: Rashard Lewis three with 2 seconds left.
- vs. Indiana: T.J. Ford jumper with 2 seconds left.
- @ Denver: Kenyon Martin dunk with 9 seconds left.
That's 7 games in which the Sixers had the lead in the final 16 seconds and they lost all 7 of them. You can try to lay the blame on the Sixers' lack of a go-to-guy on offense, but tonight Iggy hit a huge shot to give them a two point lead. Against Dallas, he hit a shot to tie it with 8 seconds left. In San Antonio, Iggy tied it at 106 with a dunk. Lou gave the Sixers the lead with 17 seconds to go in Indiana. Iggy hit two foul shots with 14 seconds to go against Orlando to give the Sixers the lead.
Only the Nets game and the Denver game did not being able to get a late bucket make a difference. Every other game was basically decided on the last possession. It makes me sick to think of the wins they've blown late. I'd love to have some well-thought-out explanation for why this keeps happening, but all I can come up with is that they're too young and veteran players are taking advantage of their youth to get perfect looks at the hoop when the game is on the line.
The ending shouldn't take anything away from a monumental comeback against the champs. That's quite a feat, with or without Kevin Garnett. Unfortunately, the only thing anyone will be talking about tomorrow is the final 6.8 seconds, oh, and also the fact that Elton Brand never saw the floor in the second half.
That's all I have for now.
Player of The Game: Reggie Evans. He fueled the comeback.
Team Record: 23-24
Up Next: Indiana, Thursday night.
I am still so hurt after this loss. I think my former high school coach could get an open look at the end of the game for his best player against the Sixers. What in the world is going through Thad's head? You don't let anybody shoot a 3 (maybe Rondo or Big Baby but even then you don't want them shooting a 3, that's the only way you lose), but there is no way the coaching staff didn't say, "At all costs, don't leave Ray Allen, he's made the 2nd most three-pointers in NBA history!" If Pierce has an open lane to the basket, I'd still rather him dunk than give up an open three. You nailed it though, that had herky jerky fadeaway written all over it, exactly the shot we all want because a. Iggy's all over him and it's very difficult and b. It only forces overtime if it goes in!!! This one hurts.
Yup. If Thad stays at home, it take a miracle shot from Pierce to TIE the game. So disappointing.
"but there is no way the coaching staff didn't say, "At all costs, don't leave Ray Allen"
According to Kate Fagan, the coaching staff actually instructed them to rotate, and Dalembert was supposed to run out on Ray Allen, with Young switching back to cover up Davis:
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/deep-sixer/Why_was_Ray_Allen_Open_.html
I was at the game and didn't have my DVR set, so I'm going to have to record the encore and watch it a few times in the am.
I would not have the mental capacity to watch the last 6.8 seconds, let alone the entire game again.
I read the article, and I think it takes Thad off the hook too much. Davis never even really set the screen, he left Allen to help on Pierce, the screen only came into play when he realized Allen was wide open in the corner and tried to get around it. Sammy was two steps too slow rotating out there, but Thad abandoned Allen way too early, and needlessly.
Whatever excuse they want to use, it's unacceptable. Communication, philosophy, bone-headed personal play. Thad's fault, Sammy's fault. The cause doesn't matter much to me, you can't make mistakes like that in that situation. I don't care who they want to scapegoat, it can't happen.
I didn't watch the game at all...i was at class but 'asking sam to rotate' - isn't that exactly what he did (properly no less) against the rockets to prevent T-Mac from hitting that 3 at the end of the game? Sounds like the same situation from what I've been reading.
Reggie F'n Evans, baby! We would have lost that game by 25 points or more had it not been for Reggie. Sometime in the second quarter, when everyone else looked apathetic and confused, he grabbed them all by the neck and said, "I don't care if you guys want to walk around like zombies, I'm here to win a f'n basketball game!"
I doubt he actually said those exact words, but that's what it came down to. The man was amazing... single-handedly bringing us back to life!
And thus - with one good performance - the legend of reggie evans 'good' basketball player will continue to grow
So, Reggie didn't play his heart out last night, huh John? God, you're completely clueless. It's really sad.