In what is sure to be a sideshow compared to the Bynum news we're expecting to hear today, Lou Williams is coming to town for the first time in a uniform other than the Sixers. The 15-8 Atlanta Hawks haven't missed a beat without Joe Johnson (or his $125M contract), but the Sixers have to be desperate to kill their five-game slide prior to leaving for their Ice Capades trip.
Jrue and Turner have both said they will play tonight, which helps. Whether it will help enough to stop the Hawks remains to be seen. Thad is going to need to match Josh Smith's energy, and find a way to contribute offensively against a tough matchup. Al Horford remains the Hawks best player, and also remains under-utilized. Let's hope that continues tonight.
The Sixers need to take advantage of Lou defensively when he's in the game, and force him to be a passer when he has the ball in his hands. Stay on the floor for pump fakes, make him shoot off the dribble and keep him out of the lane/off the line.
Apparently, Tony DiLeo is going to give an update on the Bynum situation at 5:30pm, so by the time the game starts there's a very good chance not too many of us will care about the outcome.
The tip is at 7pm. This is your game thread. I'll be here throughout (unless I'm blinded by rage). Join me if you feel the need to celebrate, or commiserate.
Does Lou get a montage at a T.O.? Iggy did while Brand did not. If so the background music should be http://youtu.be/f9BkKVhMQ-E .
I also sorta hope Lou blocks Hawes, which is not at all unlikely.
I always liked Lou. He's an exciting player.
Actual advertisement I heard this morning for tonight's Sixers game, on 1060 am radio here in Philly: "Jason Richardson and the Philadelphia Sixers take on the Atlanta Hawks..."
I guess that is our most marketable star since everyone else is questionable or out--sad state of affairs. I'm just glad they didn't plug Hawes...
yep noticed that too, at least they're not talking about how swaggy this team is...yet...
Its a bit surreal that there are no leaks about what Dileo is going to say about Bynum at 5:30. I wonder why they work so hard to keep a lid on things, does it really matter if we find out at 3:30 or 5:30? u
Maybe they're hoping to sell as many tickets to their last home game of the calendar year before crushing the spirit of their entire fan base.
According to ESPN.com, Sixers went from +2.5 to +2.0 when news broke that Jrue and Turner would both play.
Anyone know if there will be a telecast online?
For some reason I allowed myself to get overly excited thinking that sending Arnett down meant Bynum was coming up...I pictured Andrew posting a modest double double in his first game back in limited minutes and the excitement that would build.... I pictured the team growing together over the regular season with Thad building on his early season success at the 4, Turner and Richardson spotting around the key.... I pictured us in the playoffs squaring off against Miami with Jrue and Bynum running the pick and roll in crunch time.
Then I came to...
So better headline for a bad presser in 20 minutes:
Andrew-geddon or Arme-Bynum?
Dileo's on Comcast now. total bullshit. no information whatsoever. his knees are improving and he's going to start more activity but they have no timetable for a return.
Cleared for more activity, rehab plan in place, no timetable. Good news, considering the alternative. Now just hold your breath for another month or so. Think late Jan is best-case scenario.
Isn't this kind of in line with what they said a month or so ago? Resume bball activities in December and then need about 6 weeks to get in shape? Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but if he can get back in February after all-star break, it would be huge, no?
lavoy starting at center tonight
even with jrue returning, hope wright still gets minutes
Here's my take:
There were 3 possible outcomes:
1) He needs more surgery
2) He needs more rest
3) He can begin activity
Ideally, DiLeo would've at least given us a best-case timetable, but the fact that it wasn't #1 or #2 is good news. Essentially, expect him back if there isn't another setback (or hold your breath for a while longer).
I guess it could be worse. Just glad we don't have to sit through a jrue and Evan-less squad tonight
Phew. I'm glad the news wasn't that he needed surgery. Anyway, ET and Jrue back deff gives us a chance at winning tonight. Let's. Go.
So Bynum has lost a lot of cartilage in his knee. Does this mean that he will never be the player he once was?
Don't think anyone really knows, but my feeling is that his game wasn't really about quickness so much as power and skill. The thing that really matters is if he can become durable, rather than as explosive as he was when he was 20. For a guy like Rose, without the insane athleticism, he isn't much of a player. For a guy like Bynum, he's still huge with great hands and great touch. My take, anyway. Gonna have to wait and see what he's like if/when he gets back.
Bowie had great hands and touch also, not to mention huge. And we all know...
eh. Bowie was tall. Wasn't very big. Also played in an era where legit big men weren't rare. We'll get a chance to see, hopefully, what he's like.
Great point on the era note. True. That chance made me such a happy son of a joker this summer. Wonder where that guy went? I guess the better question is, if that guy will return?
They've been starting Teague and Harris together, huh? Guess it'll be Stevenson tonight.
sometimes they go big with teague korver/stevenson smith horford zaza, but i think they go teague korver stevenson smith horford tonight
It's kind of insane that Josh Smith has a 26.7% usage rate and Horford's is 20.4%
I really do miss Lou, I liked him for all his warts.
Swaggy P makes him look so much better
Does that make him Swaggy Q?
Bynum's really only suffered bone bruises since last season. I keep hearing that people fear he won't be anywhere near the same player, it's not like he's had microfracture surgery. They've been VERY careful with the situation, I assume because Bynum wants to ensure another contract. But I don't believe he can't be an impact player for portions of the next 3-4 years.
There's one thing I'd like to ask, can they just win 'this' game? Just one?
Aaaand we're off...Lavoy loses the tip.
Come on, get this win. Wonder if Korver will guard Turner.
i dont know the number but i think its at least 70% of stevenson's shots are 3s
I'm fine w/ 22 footers from Josh Smith. Hope he takes 20 of them.
The courtside mics are clear as hell.
Lavoy.
Lavoy didn't budge on the bang. Heh.
Jrue loose with the ball. Gathers it. Nails a tough J.
Bad shot by Jrue, makes.
JRUE43!!!!!
Jrue 4 3!!!!
KK for 3. ugh
Korver right back. Ugh.
Thad w/ the right. Get the eff back, damn.
THAD! Behind the back and finishes w/ his right. And no one picks up his man. That's terrible.
nice move thad
Did JRue walk there?
Thad off the glass.
Nice pump fake, thad.
Jrue got lucky he didn't get a turn there.
Jrue with a stellar outlet to JRich. To the line.
Missed ya Jrue
They're free.
evan putback
Good hands Thad tipping that pass.
ET putback.
Nice work, Turner. Drive and kick, three by Jrue. ET cleans up the miss.
Thad w/ two poke-aways. And eventually ends up w/ a jumpball. Good hustle.
nice move evan
We look crisp in our movements tonight.
JRue steal!! ... ET spin move scoop shot.
Jrue has some pep in his step. Evan w/ a pretty move.
I couldn't ask for a better start, keep teasing me.
ET bringing out his old man game so far
They need to attack Lou mercilessly when he comes into the game. I appreciate what he did for this team, but seriously, make him pay.
31 was Lou's career high? Seems low.
ET over Lou postup.
2 on Lou. Man, if he's going to cover Turner, every fucking time.
Put Jrue in the post.
Turnover. ugh
Lou takes Et. Josh smith follow
evan 3
Turner for three. Gave him enough time. Nice find by Jrue.
ET stutter dribbles, reloads, deposits.
shit KK again
put young on korver not evan
agreed.
Fuck that was lazy.
OK Jrue, no more of that. Lou plays the role of Swiper.
EFF you spence...
Hawes, you are such a woman.
sorry, that was more of an insult to women everywhere than spence.
sissy jumper
Spencer elbow J, fouled. It did go in so I guess this is the moment where I cheer?
Come on, don't let them make a run and tie this up. Play some fucking D.
sissy post move?
NYoung gunning obviously.
Hawes w/ the lefty bounce-off-the-defender lay-in. heh
5-point lead w/ 2:10 to go, they have the ball. Finish this quarter up by 8 or more.
In case you missed the Hawks pregame, Jeff Teague invented the floater in the lane, so keep an eye out for that.
kinda like ET off the ball now, never thought I'd say that. He's gotten a lot better in that regard.
d3!
Was hoping D. Wright would be off the bench before Nick tonight...and there's a three from Wright. Nice.
Good work on the o-glass by Spence and Thad.
Jrue to Nick. That's a three if the pass was on the money.
EFF you Hawes with your catch and shoots.
Feel like there are better shots than a pindown for a spence 20-footer.
he had Nick Young open for 3, guess Peyton Manning missed his read on that one?
PHI 30, ATL 23 after one.
Wanted +8, got +7. Hawes, you blow.
It's ok to vent sometimes, I just wish they never signed Spencer Hawes back to another contract.
Hawes bitches a gimmie at the buzzer. He's so sexy...
OK, so maybe we weren't paying attention the past two games. Jrue out. D. Wright doesn't touch the ball on the first possession.
Thad floater, thought he should have shot the first one.
Jesus, Hawes. That's embarrassing.
Hawes instantly moves his matador cape! But only to let Zaza by.
Nick is guarding Ivan. Think we might have a rebounding issue.
Come on Lavoy, relinquishing inside-position...
the wrath of zaza
Let Wright initiate. And someone put a fucking body on Zaza.
Lou blows it, zaza follow. shit
DC timeout, good one.
3/3, 7 points, 3 o-boards for zaza in 6 minutes.
I wonder what the price for Gortat might be
Tie game. Nice work, bench.
NYoung BRICK!!!! Rim went ...deeuuunnngggg
Evan short brick...deeeuuuuuunnnggg again. heh
Fucking attack him, Turner. Don't settle for a 22-footer w/ Lou on you.
Come on Thad, get off that pick quicker.
j-rich 3
Wright drive and kick to Richardson for three. Nice.
JRich money!
Atta boy, Thad. Back up three, TO ATL.
I hesitate to say it, but "Welcome back to Philly, Bad Lou!"
Nice pass, Lou.
It almost seems uncanny to me at times but, Jason is always either getting a steal or closely around one. And he doesn't mind attacking the glass also. He's had a really nice career, that I probably once dreamed of. Kudos to him.
Dorell on Ivan, Was Dorell fouled. shit teague lay in
Dorell with a smooth J.
j-rich 3
Nice look, Thad. Richardson again for three. OK, get Jrue in now.
Ugh, if Lavoy only would have outleted that one to Thad, instead of Dorell.
JRich!
Somebody mentioned Gortat, what would it take to get Zaza? He's an active mofo
I'll give you Spence and Kwame for either of them. Deal?
Good hands again Thad. Still their ball.
F me, Teague 3.
... somebody say something?...
said real quick
oops was supposed to be a reply above at the 7:51.
Really bad stretch for Jrue there on D. First, let Teague get wide open for 3 with 3.3 left on the clock when they passed it in. Then backed off Korver and gave him a three.
Hawes. You rock.
I seriously thought it was painful back on July 4th when the Spencer news broke, but it sooo much more painful to hate to sit here and watch his ass. It really is.
*it's .. and *have ...oops again
jrue long 2
Late in the clock, won't complain about that J by Jrue.
Good save Thad, Jrue directing.
Evan is fronted, knocked away.
nope foul on Evan, he was in no mans land though
Please attack Lou.
There you go.
Close hard here.
Thad J. Swish!
Good run. Stop and a hoop, now.
Too damn much juice on that pass Evan. UGH!
22 fg, 18 assists
But not on that one ET, timely lay-off to Lavoy.
Zaxa at the effing buzzer. ugh
Nice pass, Turner. Lavoy with the flush. Nice.
PHI 51, ATL 45 Good, good finish, even with that mess by Zaza at the buzzer.
Boy, I just have to say, this team looks like small glimpses they've shown several times this year, few and far between they've been, but they are just active and engaged and motivated tonight. Like, someone's finally friggin' mad that they're getting their asses handed to them w/ this losing streak. About damn time, I say.
I also say, Hi Jrue! Heyyyy I'm waving at you over here kid....
What also makes this game more fun is I haven't even checked the stats for the game, have absolutely no idea what anyone's numbers are at the break. That's a relief just from less information consumption than what I'm actually seeing, however lacking it may be.
Richardson has 7 assists, believe it or not.
Bender, a Larry disciple. heh
Coach K disciple too.
Richardson attacking Korver. Good start.
Stats are overrated. They're playing with heart tonight.
Jrich starting it off nicely.
Ugh, that three was halfway down.
Richardson again. Let's play some D.
Nice shot.
jrue
Jrue jumper, early but went down.
Jrue is a bit hesitant. Think he doesn't have the same burst.
j-rich from the post
Richardson is working over these mismatches.
Guard him please. KK.
Thad to JRich in the post, successful easily.
That's three fouls Jrue has drawn. No trips to the line, though.
thad tip in
Damnnit turnover. Lou turns it back over, Jrue almost gives it back.
THad follow!!! yeah.................
Good cut, good look, great follow. Nice.
Up 12 on these cats... keep the pressure on,.... liking the aggressiveness. just don't turn it over please
Think Thad might be getting a fine for that one, but got the call.
Thad draws the charge. Good d.
What was that? Looked horrible, can't tell if it was the camera angle or it was really that bad. Jrue's definitely hampered.
Who was the def 3 sec on?
How does Korver come up w/ that board?
Dammit Lavoy, come on man, that's terrible
big lineup for the hawks
keep leaving korver open is not a good gameplan
Great job, Lavoy.
Since I'm quick to mention other teams' shooting. We're shooting 55%. 4 still to go in the 3rd.
Wright off the bench before Young in the second half. like that.
thad jumper
Come on Lavoy, not a good shot. Evan misses a 3.
Jrue to Thad J. swish
Double pick, Jrue chooses Lavoy's side, then hits Thad for the wide open J. Nice.
Thad is a man!
Thad all over that place!!! yeah good ass effort!!!!!
wilkins over young?
Don't let Lou go off, only a 2 pter.
Damien!@!!
good lavoy tonight
Wilkins frustrates the hell out of JSmith on the perimeter, forces Josh right into a Lavoy jumpball.
We win the tip. Wright fouled. to the line.
Fuck. Don't let Lou get hot.
Ugh, Lavoy.
like that.
Lou.
Come on guys....Jrue dribbling too much. Pass to Lavoy, Lavoy pass to the Hawks bench shit
here come lou
Lou step-back 3. over Jrue outstretched. Good ass shot
Pretty drive, no finish by Jrue.
PHI 72, ATL 64 after three.
Terrible finish to the third. Jrue will be on the bench. Can't have a letdown by the bench here to start the fourth.
Bring this one on home, OK?
Spencer with his second run.
ET!!!
really bad offense, but Turner hit the J over Lou to salvage the opening possession.
Turner leaking for a dunk after Lou misses a three on the other end. Good job.
Heh. Hawes outlet to ET!!! yeah.............
Keep this effort up here while the Boy Wonder is getting his undeserved proverbial run.
he proceeds to shut me up, but probably only for a few
sissy running hook!
Nice work, thad.
Dammit DOrell shitty fucking selfish shot.
F me they get a Morrow 3. Yeah F me
Nice pass by Turner.
evan
Sweep the leg.
ET nifty and thrifty!!!!! heh good job
P.l.e.a.s.e. finish
Come on Thad, don't pull that.
Lou drives, Hawes blocks it.
ET finishes on the other end. Thad dime to him. heh
Turner abusing Lou. nice.
sissy dunk!
Thad's fifth steal leads to Jrue directing traffic on the break, then dropping a pass in to Hawes for the slam. Pretty, pretty basketball. Welcome back, Sixers. Been a while
Anyone with kids Sixers fans, put the filter on, but we've been kicking these guys asses all night.
ET turnaround. over Lou.
SPencer steal. Jrue to Hawes.
HE DUNKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. you're so manly Spence you truly are.
Thad's steal, but the rest was true :)
thanks mixed up
Ah, Spence.
Zaza is blatantly moving on every screen.
Ugh, how is that not a shooting foul?
sissy 3
Everybody... Seventy Sixers!!!! Love that song.
Hawes 33333333333333333333333
Sissy three! From Jrue...Hoooooolllliiiiiddddaaaayyyy!
I always wanted us to end up with John Jenkins. He may not end up being shit, but still.
JRich moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!
Evan aggressively splashes a turnaround in his defenders eye. 21 for him heh
I swear Teague hasn't set foot in the lane all night long. Think about what PGs did to this team while Jrue was out.
Must not go without mentioning, the building is ELECTRIC tonight. Most brews sold all season tonight I bet. They're really really into it. Just as I. heh
Turner's bitching about not getting the ball :)
Stop it not a Hawes finish.. nope he traveled. yep
Do they shoot for 100? They better not.
Damien 3!!! Crowd goes wild.
Man they're loud as shit!!! I mean on their damn FEET!!!!
I say YEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH tooo
good game
PHI 99, ATL 80 Big win. Big effort. Now they just need the big man.
POTG is Thad, but Richardson had a really solid effort as well and Turner came on late.
Thad at the 4 with Bynum down low? Wow is all i can say, Thad needs just that, he really does. Cause he's noticeably bigger and more stout this year, it's just if he'd only execute basic fundamentals more often (boxing out particularly). He is surely coming into his own though.
Thad was an absolute maniacal tonight. What a performance.
YES Thad has done so much work underneath all season, just imagine how much easier life would be for him with 33 down there...these guys actually outrebound soembody and win a game!
Interesting that DC said Thad got sick before the Boston series "and i don't think we ever got the same Thad," he was playing at 216 and is up to 231 now...
And who was it that said the other day this team doesn't have a W over a decent team yet?
Look, they not only kicked their ass, they rubbed their British Knights right smack dab into their face while laying flat on the ground. Love it. Fuckin' love that shit.
Doug Collins is an asshole
Who is POTG? I say Thaddeus Young- 18 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 assists
Turner and J-Rich get honorable mentions.
I despise Boston. Pierce got passed over for Hughes and bad thing was, that he was one of LB's players on a lower level. Puzzling to say the least. Because how much of a force could it have been if they paired him and Iverson, or for that matter even after Iverson, with others. Instead he's in the hated green.
Hope MIL wins this one.
imagine iverson and dirk
please stop
p
l
e
a
s
e
Somebody around here liked Larry Sanders just a little more than I did way back when, he's an intriguing younger version of Sam, but not in the literal, but similarly in multiple respects. Kudos to whomever that was. Good acumen
Heh Tommy actually whined about the refs "not" making a call. Weird to hear. He lamented the refs not whistling it.
They some lucky mofo's.... ha
This one going to overtime looks like. Can Mil hit one?
Nope. Sanders airball. Bad bad look from the last person you probably wanted shooting it.
Sanders is a bouncy son of a gun. Bet they won't let him go, wish they would though.
I 'spise them bastages...
So the big man is able to ramp up his activity, huh? Isn't that merely what today's report said, but what we all already knew from previous statements released?
No, that was the question, whether he'd be able to ramp it up now, or if he'd have to shut it down or have surgery.
But is it just being glossed over to keep up interest and hope amongst the fan base? The shut it down thing?
I meant though, didn't they already say he could resume basketball activity around now and potentially be ready the end of January? I thought that was their latest update and foregone conclusion way back in Nov.
Wasn't that their last proclamation in other words? This doctor visit didn't actually "reveal" anything did it? Nothing injury-status specific. Just more semi-vagueness. He will begin activity, which we already had been advised of all along. Is that what DiLeo basically said?
If memory serves, and it rarely does, they said best case was basically what happened today, but it would depend on results from the MRI yesterday. I'm not sure what Dileo said back then, think it was Bynum who said that.
And yes, it could all be a smokescreen. I guess I just have to hope it isn't. Not sure what the alternative is. Either way, I don't think there's a viable move they could make to drastically improve the roster this season.
But like I said, this visit or resulting results from this MRI didn't reveal anything necessarily "new".
Oh, hell yeah I'm hoping too. And totally agree there's nothing they could do to become suddenly relevant. The alternative is to not be foolish but sagacious in your decision-making concerning him.
DeMarcus Cousins benched at halftime and ordered to remain in the locker room after an argument with coach Keith Smart during last nights loss to the Clippers.
Just DeMarcus being DeMarcus...
Obviously the coach's fault.
suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team. wonder if the Sixers could trade Bynum for Cousins. Collins would never sign off on it, but i just can't stand the thought of Philly maxing Bynum out if he looks good in 20-30 games. this is going to happen every season.
Aside from the salary imbalance - I think Brian would quit the sixers if they made that move
I'm not even sure brian would trade hawes for cousins
ha i know Brian hates him. he's enormously talented though (despite the low FG%) and he's surrounded with knuckleheads. i mean that roster is just hilarious.
I'm sure they love the calming, veteran presence and influence a guy like Cousins brings to Thomas Robinson.
I'm pro bringing cousins to the sixers for any variety of players (including evan turner) but Cousins issues are his own - they aren't because of the locker room...I don't think the Kings have properly dealt with his issues, but they are his, he'll have them anywhere he goes if he doesn't learn how to handle them, and I don't think the mythical 'locker room presence' would help him at all at this time
LETTING THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG
Bynum's six-step process for recovery:
1) attend some games, strut duds, tweet when the spirit moves
2) joke with end-of-bench "teammates", refrain in game tight spots; avoid all eye contact with Collins
3) wear 'Sylvester the cat'-swallowed-Tweety expression during close-ups when the WFC is quiet and/or emptying
4) quietly shop for homes and discos in NY, Boston and D.C. metro areas
5) finish reading "Mr. Capone" while under hairdryer
6) after much excitement, controversy, consultation and reflection, announce new '13-'14 destination - Knicks, Nets, Celtics or Wizards
Let the road trip commence!
Let's stay around .500, please.
Fun fact. Kobe took 41 shots tonight (and has just 34 to show for it). Of the 16 games since the 1985 season in which a player's taken 41 shots, Kobe's had half. Jordan had just 4 in his career, and Robinson, Wilkins, Iverson and Webber had the other 4. Kobe's also had 5 of the 7 games in which a player took 44 shots or more.