The Sixers opened strong, then fell flat, then rallied before ultimately coming up just short (thanks to a few key errors in the final minute). Not an altogether unfamiliar story, unfortunately. Breaking this one down is actually pretty simple.
Charts
Thoughts
- If Dwight Howard shot his average from the free throw line, the Magic would've have four fewer points. The Sixers lost by four. See, I told you it was simple. (that's a joke, btw)
- Let's talk for a second about what the Sixers did well. (1) They executed their gameplan, for the most part. Howard only had one or two actual catches in the post that turned into makes, they hammered him and sent him to the line. He just hit his FTs, and there's literally nothing you can do about that. (2) They dominated the glass. 30.6% on the offensive glass and 83.3% on the defensive end. Huge, huge effort from the entire team. (3) Overall, their defense was pretty effective. Orlando was held a couple points below their season OFR. Obviously, the defense degraded as the game went along, but for the game, they were good. (4) They held Washington's former best player and the key to Orlando's deep postseason run, Gilbert Arenas, to 1/7 from the floor with 3 turnovers.
- And the bad...(1) The pick-and-roll defense in the fourth quarter was nothing short of pathetic. (2) Dwight Howard only sat for one stretch, and when he was on the bench, our second unit accomplished nothing. They didn't get the ball in the paint, they settled for jumpers, and their rotations were unbelievably sloppy on the defensive end. They actually lost ground.Talk about blowing an opportunity. (3) After a brief respite, Jrue's game disappeared again. I thought Collins had a really quick hook with Jrue in the second half, he was actually running the offense and finding guys, but one bad pass (that probably had more to do with Hawes having his head down than Jrue's pass) led to Collins giving Jrue the hook for a pivotal 8:32 stretch in the fourth. (4) Speaking of Collins, I still can't figure out why Hawes never got back in the game in the first half. The team was reeling and Hawes was extremely productive in his run at the beginning of the first. He even sent Hawes to the scorer's table at one point, only to call him back before play stopped and he could check in.
- Lou is your player of the game based solely on his
play scoring in the fourth quarter. His defense was atrocious throughout, and he really didn't contribute anything prior to the fourth, but in those final 12 minutes he scored 18 points and single-handedly kept the Sixers within striking distance. It probably should've been Iguodala, but the five turnovers left a sour taste in my mouth. Plus, the fans will probably blame the loss on Iguodala's late turnover, and who wants to be on the wrong side of the fans? That's not how you get to the top.
- Another big concern is Thad's sudden case of the yips. In the past two games he's fumbled at least six or seven passes. I mean, passes that hit him right in the hands and would've been easy finishes. I feel like he's been in a bit of a slump, but if you look at his game log, he's really only had a couple of bad games in his last five. I guess he was just such a huge factor for so long, I sort of came to expect his impact off the bench to the point where it's absence is a shock.
- @ Atlanta and home vs. the Magic, you really should've come into this back-to-back expecting two losses. A split is an accomplishment. Now they just need to split the next two.
Player of The Game: Lou. 9/15 for 23 points (18 in the fourth)
Team Record: 24-28
Up Next: vs. San Antonio, Friday night.
Game capsule
Amazing how the Sixers consistently shut down Orlando's wing superstars (VC and now Arenas) and yet fall short. If only the Sixers had a superstar like that :)
Are either of them considered super stars any more?
Sarcasm.
Games like this make me think Hawes could be a decent backup center for us but they are few and far between. Jrue looks confused and unsure of his role, but overall I like the way this team moves the ball. When was the last sixers team that shared the ball this well, preIverson?
"Plus, the fans will probably blame the loss on Iguodala's late turnover, and who wants to be on the wrong side of the fans? That's not how you get to the top."
You seem extra bitter today.
This is way too true. This was the only Sixer's related facebook status I saw after the game: "Andre Iguadala singlehandledly lost that game for us. An $80 million contract weighing this team down"
He is one of those emotional philly sports fan that only sees what he wants to see (i.e. the average philly sports fan).
It took everything I had to not to get into one of those classy facebook cyber arguments with him.
Yeah, I said the same thing last night.
http://twitter.com/#!/derekbodner/status/35524331358535680
Even though he's running at a near-historic assist to turnover ratio for a non-pg, this will be used as proof of his "low basketball iq" by some people.
One thing from that debacle of a last minute, why didn't Andre and another player go ahead and foul Redick when they were trying to trap him in the backcourt on that baseball pass he threw to the leaking teammate for the easy layup? It was around 30 seconds left, so I was not sure if they were told to try for a steal first or something b/c it looked really weird that neither of our two players appeared to attempt to foul. Anyone else notice this?
Guess is because Sixers were only down two and roughly 30 seconds to go, the Sixers would play out the 24-second clock and have a chance to tie it up or win in regulation if they could get a stop/rebound.
More egregious I thought was Brand motioning for the travel call while his man was streaking down the court. Very frustrating.
and there were 27 seconds left. I probably would have gone for the foul over trying to get a stop, although they did still have a timeout so I guess playing for a stop was still in play.
Story: Sixers undone by Howard, Magic's 3-point shooting:
http://ow.ly/3TRef
That was actually game 3 of a brtual 7 game stretch (starting with the Knicks game on the road, the sixers will be/were underdogs in 7 straight games, with the possible exception of AT MIN) in which an amazing goal to accomplish would be 4-3. 1-2 is not the best start, but 4-3 is still do-able. We might need to shock the world and beat SA for it to happen though.
Helps that the game will be the sixth in the Spurs' annual rodeo trip.
Williams' big fourth quarter isn't enough for Sixers:
http://ow.ly/3TSS6
Knicks lost to the Clippers and Indy came out winners of the IND-CHA game. Still basically where we were in the standings before last night, with Indiana starting to nip at our heels. I wonder if this is a temporary 'new coach bump' type thing (like CHA briefly experienced after Larry Brown's departure) or the real thing? We can even the season series with Indiana in early March - really looks like it's down to the Sixers, Pacers and Bobcats for the bottom seeds. Milwaukee has fallen off pretty badly.
Actually if i'm not mistaken all those teams have a tougher schedule in the last 30 games than the Sixers. I think they have a legitimate shot at the 6th seed. I also wouldn't count the Bucks out yet. I still think they will move past the Pacers and Bobcats for the 8th seed.
This was my immediate reaction after watching the game:
Lots of goats in this one.
1. Collins deciding to try and go Lou v. Orlando.
-I don't blame Lou. he actually did all he could. But Collins was the one who said the heck with defense, ball movement, team... lets just go back to the old Iverson days.
2. Jrue and Turner with stupid 20 ft jumpers off the dribble in transition. You can get that shot any time. I can almost tolerate assisted 20 foot jumpers if you are wide open. But off the dribble in transition?
3. If you shoot as a team worse from the foul line than Howard you should lose.
I generally defend Collins for his positives. But he is flat out losing Jrue and seems not to care. Jrue Holiday is a lousy NBA SG, just like the case at UCLA. But that seems to be his new ordained role on this team.
I suppose since I had them losing both of these games in the 4-6 in the next 10 prediction, I should be satisfied, though it's difficult to watch them play so well the previous night and play badly the next. I don't want to give the Orlando defense for shutting the sixers down, because it really wasn't that good. After the previous nights performance it's kind of disappointing they came out so warbly on the offense.
One thing I'm pretty certain of now though, the Magic aren't getting out of the second round of the playoffs.
Yeah, they kind of had an identity before. Now they are a mess after Howard. Honestly, i wouldn't be surprised if they are a victim in a first round upset. Howard won't be able to hit those free throws like that and stay out of foul trouble every game.
Plus in the second round it's probably boston (can't see orlando beating out the heat for the division), and their talent level is a bit higher.
Bostons's also sick at home - 23-4 and I think their only 4 road losses are upper echelon western teams - I don't think they've lost a home game to an eastern team - I have to double check that later though.
They're 1st round is likely the 4/5 vs the Hawks. Both teams are pretty flawed IMO.
Yeah, that's the matchup I assumed too. I think the Magic can get past the hawks with the roster they have - but I don't think they'll take out the celtics. Honestly, I think the celtics might beat em in 5 even. That would be sad
But then everyone can talk even more about Dwight wanting out now since the roster is so bad
Video: My interview with Collins on Turner's injury, play of Meeks and Holiday, becoming relevant again and facing the Spurs:
http://ow.ly/3U2Jp
I told Jodie "just play"
Well thank god for that Doug
Thanks, Tom. Really like what he had to say toward the end about sort of the environment they're creating around the team, not just on the court, but "this is how we do things around here, we work hard." It seems like that should go w/out saying when guys make this much money, but it obviously doesn't. A couple years down the road, that may be the most important thing Collins has done for these young guys.
Video: Spencer Hawes on Elton Brand as a leader, going uo against Dwight Howard and Friday's game vs. Tim Duncan and Spurs:
http://ow.ly/3U3VA
No questions about the communist news network?
It is an incredibly lousy news network, but yeah, I'm not really seeing the communism.
It's a better news network than Most
if the C stands for Communism then I guess the F stands for Fascist?
Questions for another day ...
I really hope Collins has a plan for Jrue. Especially for Collins sake, as his career will most likely be tied to the growth and production of both Jrue and Turner.
He probably does -b ut it doesn't seem to be 'just play' :)
Wow, Jerry Sloan resigned.
There were some rumblings (if you read the rumors page at hoopshype) of something about to happen in Utah, but everyone was very mum and non speculative. Sloan didn't talk to the press for a while after the game even though he's usually right there - the GM declined to be talked to, the players seemed off.
And this was just after he signed an extension less than a week ago.
It's not really his fault
Wow indeed. Historical moments for Jazz fans... I certainly did not expect this.
Utah may be underachieving, but not all that much. They have too many defensive weaknesses to be very good. I hope he wasn't forced out because that would be insane.
I don't know if he was nudged or not, but they did not look like a Sloan team, and you really couldn't expect them to. Al Jefferson was a horrible addition for them, imo.
Clearly nudged, who signs an extension only to walk away a week later?
I just saw something that said the extension news wasn't quite true. Assume more details will follow. But on the same note, who gives a guy an extension only to nudge him out a week later? Other than Snider/Shanahan, that is.
Very few Jazz fans at the one (newspaper) site i want to happy with it.
A few have this kind of feeling
If Williams wasn't the slowest PG in the world and could have defended Rose and Westbrook, Sloan would still have a job.
D-Will is way overrated. He is a good PG, but not an elite one.
Deron Williams is the one player being called out the most if a player is called out.
Deseret News Link
Sounds oddly familiar.
There's a link coming in this weeks around the web that speaks to this with which you imply?
I'll take him...
sounds like it was "we'll pay you for an extra year if you just resign"
Yeah, if I was Sloan, trying to coach up Al Jeff into my kind of player would push me over the edge.
Lots of reports the past couple weeks have implied that Sloan 'lost' the team...now to me that means you have the wrong players because Sloan is one of the best there is, and Doug Collins should call i mright away and see if he wants to help out :)
I shudder to think if this is 'deron' influenced. It doesn't get the talk of Paul or Howard but I think Williams is a mover in 2012 as well isn't he?
Sloan was the last of the old-school coaches. He didn't have a star system for Stockton and Malone, and treated them similar to his other players. His guards also set the best picks I've ever seen.
He made it through 13 Sixers' coaches.
Poppovich seems to be a pretty old school coach?
Interesting that the Sloan resignation came about reportedly because of major ongoing conflicts between Sloan and Deron Williams. Speculation is already beginning as to whether Deron will be traded. If you're the Sixers, would you make an attempt for him (most likely with Jrue as the centerpiece of what would be going back)?
I'd say if there is any chance Williams hits the market Thorn will be very very interested. That kind of a trade fits his style.
Yes, you go after deron williams, but you face the 'keeping him' issue cause his contract is up in a year just like pauls and howards...(at leat that's what i read)
So - are you willing to take that risk that after 18 months he moves on?
I'd give them Brand/Iggy/Jrue/ET for Millsap/Deron Williams/filler or big Al if they insist.
Iggy/Deron wouldn't work together imo. Deron needs ball in his hands. Iggy's atleticism would be great, but you can find that for MLE imo, you want to try and find a catch and shoot player on your wing, and Jodie isn't a long term solution.
Here's a possible trade.
Incoming Players
Andrei Kirilenko
29.5 year old , 6-9, 225 lb F from CSKA Moscow (Russia)
11.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.9 apg in 32.6 minutes
Deron Williams
26.5 year old , 6-3, 210 lb G from Illinois
21.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 9.5 apg in 37.8 minutes
Jeremy Evans
23 year old , 6-9, 196 lb F from Western Kentucky
3.1 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 0.3 apg in 6.3 minutes
Outgoing Players
Andre Iguodala
27 year old , 6-6, 207 lb F-G from Arizona
14.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 6.0 apg in 37.2 minutes
Andres Nocioni
31 year old , 6-7, 225 lb F from Saski Baskonia (Spain)
7.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.9 apg in 19.7 minutes
Jason Kapono
30 year old , 6-8, 213 lb F from UCLA
0.8 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 0.1 apg in 5.2 minutes
Jrue Holiday
20.5 year old , 6-3, 180 lb G from UCLA
13.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.3 apg in 34.8 minutes
Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/5843171#ixzz1DapucErZ
OR
Incoming Players
Deron Williams
Mehmet Okur
Outgoing Players
Andre Iguodala
Jason Kapono
Jrue Holiday
If you can get out of Iguodala's contract, take back Deron, free up cap space+get a role player by moving ET+brand deadline before 2012 Summer..... DWIGHT HOWARD!!!!!!!!!!
Unless of course the NBA institutes a hard cap this off season
And the contract that is a problem is Brand, not Iguodala, you keep iguodala because Deron Iguodala and Howard wouldn't be half bad I don't think
way to ruin the euphoria.
Delusions are bad for your psyche
Like nate robinson bad
Two sources close to the situation told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that Sloan reacted angrily during Wednesday night's home loss when guard Deron Williams called his own play on the floor different from the play Sloan called from the sideline.
That led to an emotional dispute at halftime, sources said, which was followed by Sloan's closed-door meeting with O'Connor after the game.
But one source stressed that the play-calling flap was just one incident among a number of flare-ups in recent weeks, indicating Sloan's relationship with Williams has been deteriorating.
well now that sloan has resigned what's the point of trading dwill? sounds like it was one of those either he goes or i go situations.
I doubt he's traded this season. But I am very confident this move is a jab to the fan base to expect D-Will to be gone next year at trade deadline if things don't magically turn around with a new coach.
lol confident. I suspect*
I disagree
I think there was a conflict between Sloan and Williams and the Jazz chose Williams. They gave Sloan the out of resigning but he wasn't going to be brought back next year and they let him know it.
I think this is the kind of move that a team makes when trying to placate a potentially bolting free agent (18 months away) and that the next coach who comes in will be very Deron friendly.
Yeah, if next year deadline, the Jazz aren't contending, and are 6th seed or worse and get an offer ~Jrue+1st round pick. Jazz would be fools not to ship him out.
Well yeah, next year is an entirely different animal though.
If the NBA has 'franchise tags' by next year - the whole leaving super star takes on an entirely different tenor
If the NFL is any guide, the Franchise tag is a bad idea. It works well in terms of strengthening a team's negotiating position, but once used that player almost always leaves within a year.
placating to the needs of the free agent to be superstar has worked out well for so many franchises so far...
Well I didn't say it was a good idea, I'm just saying it's kind of what it smells like.
Agree. The Jazz following the trend of catering to their big name players- hoping the won't bolt in 2 years. This will be to the Jazz's detriment, just like what happened in Cleveland and what is evolving in Orlando.
Team's making bad decisions to appease their stars... only to have the star leave in 2 years and the team a mess in their wake.
I don't know what Cleveland did to placate LeBron that's hurt them. Trading for Jamison was a sensible move to win a title; unfortunately, Brown, offensively at least, was a moron and couldn't figure out how to integrate him. Then they fired Brown and hired Scott. Well, that's certainly a downgrade, but I don't think Brown would be doing much better with this roster. They may have had a Hickson + things offer for Amare on the table that they declined; if so, that, more than anything else, was what killed their franchise. LeBron and Amare might well have won the Finals and LeBron might still be there today (then again, if Amare bolted he'd probably still leave). In any event, now they're really lousy and will get some great draft picks for at least a couple years. If they draft right, they'll be good again.
I thought the Jamison and Shaq moves were bad. but I guess if you are only focussed about that 1 year then they can be explained.
One championship's worth a lot of cap issues, and with the best record in the league and best player in the league, one of the best defenses in the league, the only problem being the lack of legit second options, I think you do those sorts of things.
http://www.nba.com/live1/
Jerry sloan press conference live. Not started yet.
This sounds pretty awful, certainly changes my perception of Williams:
After repeated clashes with star point guard Deron Williams(notes) and a belief he had become undermined with ownership, Jerry Sloan resigned as the Utah Jazz coach after 23 seasons, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
The increasingly contentious relationship between Sloan and Williams boiled over when they clashed at halftime of a loss to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. The showdown between Sloan and Williams became so heated on Wednesday, at least two Jazz players feared that the coach and star could come to blows – even though the confrontation ended before reaching that point...
“He decided right there in halftime that he was done,” a league source told Yahoo! Sports. “He felt like ownership was listening more to Williams than they were to him anymore. He was done.”
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-sloanretiring021011
wonder what the reception will be like for DWill at their next home game. Could be ugly.Sloan is the face of the franchise
Turner expected to play Friday after suffering back spasms:
http://ow.ly/3UhmY
Utah is hosed - given the choice, I would have kept Sloan and traded Williams. Keep it quiet at all costs and maximize your return.
When Williams gets painted as the bad guy, he'll get pissed and leave via FA, Utah is left trying to build around Al Jefferson (see Timberwolves, Minnesota).
Looking at their contracts: http://hoopshype.com/salaries/utah.htm
They could have positioned themselves to have Deron, Milsap and a ton of cap space (Howard?) in 2 seasons- if they could get a taker for Al Jeff a year early.
The problem is, no way Howard goes to SLC to live, so they are sort of hosed from the get go...
Brian
No Radio Show TOnight?
Unfortunately, no. Life intervened.
Sixers to face Spurs team that just keeps winning:
http://ow.ly/3Uq0i