shooting under 40% as a team. It just isn't going to happen. The fact that the Sixers had a three-point lead with 2:40 left to go means this is a game they should've won, but from that point on the Sixers would hit only 1 of 6 shots while the Heat would score on every possession but one.
After the jump we'll talk about the shooting, substitution patterns and defense, or lack thereof.
Let's start with Iguodala. I've been keeping track of where his shots have been coming from for the past three games, and it's alarming. Over the past three games, he's hit a total of 5 jumpers. Against the Nuggets he only attempted 1. This isn't just a case of his jumper going cold, it's a case of him losing all confidence in the shot. He's the type of guy who isn't going to force things if they aren't there, but if he isn't even a thought from the outside the team becomes much easier to defend. Not to mention the fact that his selfless play leads to Lou Williams attempting 19 shots.
As for Lou, he continues to kill this team. It's funny, because if you knew nothing about the game, like most opposing team announcers, you'd look at his 22 points off the bench and think he was a pretty potent weapon. Of course, when you realize it took him 19 shots to get those 22, and the fact that he had 1 assist in 30 minutes of action, and the key turnover with 1:53 remaining in the game, well, then you'd know the Sixers would've been better off if Lou had never taken off his sweats today.
On defense, it was ugly early, very ugly. Sam Dalembert was dominated by Jermaine O'Neal in the first. So dominated, in fact, that Tony DiLeo went to Theo Ratliff before Sammy even picked up his requisite second foul in the first. Theo came in early in the third for Dalembert as well. For the game, Theo was +4, Dalembert was -10, and those weren't coincidental numbers.
Forget about the bad shooting and the poor interior defense for a minute, though. Forget the first 45 minutes of the game, actually, and let's focus on four possessions that won the game for the Heat. With 2:51 to go, Andre Miller hit a pair of free throws to push the Sixers' lead to 87-84. On the ensuing possession, Dwyane Wade blew by Iguodala on the perimeter, sucked the defense to him, then threw a lob to Jamario Moon. Andre Miller fouled Moon to break up the alley-oop, but Moon hit both free throws.
The next time down, Wade blew by Iggy again, this time Speights made a nice play to cut off the lane, but was called for a block. Wade hit both free throws.
The next time down, the Sixers made an adjustment. Udonis Haslem set a screen for Wade at the foul line, this time Speights jumped out on Wade and Iggy fought around the screen to apply a double to Wade on the right wing. Unfortunately, Haslem was left wide open at the foul line for an easy jumper, which he hit. Thad should've been the guy to rotate to Haslem, but he never took a step in the right direction.
The next time down the floor, the Sixers left Iggy on an island with Wade, Wade blew by him, Speights again tried to draw the charge, but Wade slipped him and hit an uncontested layup. The Heat went from 3 down to five up in 4 possessions, 1:51 off the game clock. That was your game.
So, I know you're going to have people saying, "That's why we need a superstar," and while that's true to an extent, it's a futile explanation. The truth is, Tony DiLeo didn't have the correct personnel on the floor for the key possessions late in the game. Royal Ivey had a miserable game offensively, he was 0/3 from the floor. He didn't contribute statistically in any other areas either. Zero's across the board. Of course, the one thing he did extremely well, was defend Dwyane Wade. He completely shut Wade down every second he was on the floor. I realize Tony was leaving Lou on the floor because he's the "offense off the bench" guy, and you need scores down the stretch, but you need stops even more. As soon as it became apparent that Iguodala couldn't stop Wade, and it was really apparent after the second of the four plays I listed above, Tony should've gone to Ivey.
I'll never understand why Lou is immune to punishment for poor play. Of course, when your other option at the two is Willie Green (0/9 from the floor, plus a foul on a Dwyane Wade three-point attempt) you're kind of screwed either way.
Two bright spots for the Sixers today, Andre Miller and Marreese Speights. Miller's calf looked just fine most of the day. He finished as the team's first 30-point scorer of the season. 21 shots is too many for Miller to be taking, but not when he's the only guy who can hit one on the entire team. He also had 9 boards, 2 assists and zero turnovers.
Speights' defense was shaky early, especially on Beasley, but in the second half I thought he played an excellent all around game. He helped from the weak side twice on Wade, getting there in time on both occasions, even though Wade would draw a foul on one and slip past him on the other, he was in the right place at the right time. He played solid positional defense on O'Neal, but had a silly foul on a short jumper. And he closed out and double the ball hard on a pick and roll, the rotation was pitiful and it ended in an open jumper, but again, Speights made the right play. He was also a monster on the boards down the stretch. He had 4 boards (3 offensive) in the final 12:00, he also chipped in with a steal and 10 points.
This is a game the Sixers could've won, and probably should've won considering the position they found themselves in late in the fourth, but it wasn't one I was expecting. In fact, I had them
losing all three of these games after the break. Indy has played them tough all year, Denver is too strong, and this one was a toss-up that I thought they'd drop. 27-27 is disappointing, but not unexpected right now. The key is going to be how they respond. They have three must-wins coming up in a row. First at New Jersey on Monday (I'll be in attendance), then at the Wizards and finally at the Knicks. Three road games against very bad teams. They have to take all three, anything less is completely unacceptable.
Player of The Game: Andre Miller. I was kind of hoping they'd go the entire season without a 30-point scorer, but so be it. Miller was a man tonight and any thought of him being selfish by playing simply for his consecutive game streak should be immediately forgotten.
Team Record: 27-27
Up Next: @ New Jersey on Monday
Yea the Iguodala opining was spot on. I thought he was coming out of the non-confidence in his jumpers when he hit that 3 and then later another long jumper. But at least once, may have been another occasion too, he had a wide open 15 footer at the elbow late in the game and didn't pull the trigger. He dribbled and penetrated and I don't remember the result.
He was pulling that jumper in rhythm the last month or so.
The lack of punishment for Lou's sporadic play is exactly what you said. Your supposed only other option is Willie. That is why I was asking the other day could Rush be that much worse defensively than Lou to not even sniff any minutes. I realize he would probably be picked on when on defense, but if he could be more efficient than the other two shooting the ball, give him some burn and rely on your help defense if he has trouble getting beat. It's not like Lou or Willie stop penetration themselves.
Seems to me like they really hate Rush. Maybe he just doesn't give a crap, even in practice. I'll have a post on what I think they should do tomorrow.
I'm so much against both Willie and Lou right now that I'd rather start Reggie Evans at the 4. Play Daly/Evans/Young/Iggy/Miller and bring Speights/Marshall/Ivey off the bench.
When those two idiots are jacking up bricks they are so detrimental to the team it's not funny. Limit both their minutes and let them earn them back with solid play. (I really mean Lou, Willie has solid play once every 21 games)
We may have lost 3 games in a row but they have been challenging games like you said. I still think we can make the playoffs but regardless of what seed we get I don't see us getting beyond the first round. So it's most important to let people like Lou know that he needs to play good basketball to get minutes. It's definitely unfair to Speights and Young in particular that Lou is the only guy exempt from getting his minutes cut.
I don't get the logic at all. Has he really paid his dues to the point where his minutes are guaranteed? Is it the fat contract that Stefanski gave him? I mean, he's actually doing more damage than Willie at his worst, because for some reason he's taking so many shots. At least when Willie's stinking up the joint his minutes get cut and/or the rest of the guys freeze him out.
And here i thought the 'higlight' of the day would be the sixers pathetic game - and then my gf gots sidesiped by two young boys in a church owned car...and i haven't put her on the insurance yet - WOO HOO
Two young boys in a church car sounds scandalous. If your girlfriend alright?
Yeah I hope your girl's alright man. What the heck were the guys doing with a church-owned car anyways?
I don't know - i wasn't there - she's fine - my car currently is crushed on the passanger side door - and i'm just freaked out over what's going to happen.
As for the sixers - we still can't figure out why they keep playing willie green can we? And neither ed nor tony signed him or idolized him.
I am extremely frustrated as all. My thoughts are since they can't get any worse:
1. Play Lou instead of Green (bench Green) OR put Iggy as the 2nd guard w/ Miller.
2. reverse roles for Speights and Dalabert. I am sick and tired of Sammy's sloppiness and playing. He doesn't even protect the inside anymore
3. Teach Reggie how to make a basket. When was the last time he had 1 2 point shot and has he EVER had a 2 basket game?
I realize that many don't like Lou BUT he is still young and I think we need to give him MORE minutes to work thru his issues. If he does not get out of it, we are sunk anyway!
I prefer Lou over Willie
Right now sam is better DEFENSIVELY than SPeights (offensively he'll never be better)
REggie is a one dimensional player - always has been - it's too late in his career to ask him something he's not.
Just remember, that one of the most important players on this roster hasn't been 100% all year and missed most of the season - it's a lost season - if for some reason the sixers aren't at least 75% certain they can re-sign Miller - i'm angry that they didn't trade him - but the sixers are a mediocre 500 teams - that's what they were when the season started and still what they are...they currently have a 500 record - i can't get upset about the overall record cause it's what i expected.
I don't think Speights or Sammy is the questions right now. I'll have a post on it tomorrow.
I'm big on earning minutes. For Lou, my main concern isn't how poorly he's shooting, it's how poorly he's making basketball decisions. That's mental, and it's something you should absolutely penalize a guy for. I mean, leaving your feet to pass, you learn not to do that when you're five. Taking bad, contested shots with 15 seconds left on the shot clock? Again, unforgivable.
If he straightens those things out, I can live with poor shooting, add them both together, though, and it's a team-killer.
Quite clearly those years playing with AI has affected him negatively. Like AI he has great ability to get to the basket to get to the line at the very least. However he falls in love with his jumper and takes it whenever he feels like it, which sometimes is a fade away w/ 20 ticks on the shot clock.
Look, I know Lou is 22 but he's been with us 4 years now and it's not as if it's a problem of his shots not falling. He's just making bad decisions, taking bad shots and as always, is killing this team at the defensive end. These are issues that can be corrected if you give a damn and work hard at it.
The only stimulus for these millionaire NBA players is their minutes (or the threat of trading them to a crap team). Cut their minutes if they play poorly and they should learn and respond positively. If they give bad attitude, they aren't worth keeping in the team in the first place.
Lou at least took the ball to the hole for much of the game... but that last airball was beyond brutal.
As for the team, I'm sure they will bounce back and go on a run of wins... Then they will loose a bunch of games. Streaky and average- that's oour young, ill shooting Sixers.
Might as well try and enjoy the wins. Fact is when this collection of streaky shooters are off, they need to play a near perfect game to beat a .500 team. When they are on they are world beaters.
As for my take on keeping Miller, I've always been strongly opinionated. I summarized my concerns here: http://www.phillyarena.com/archives/2009-02-21/FU-Andre-Miller-Trades,-the-Cap-and-Luxury-Tax...tk76
Good read. I left a comment over there.
I tend to agree with Brian on the money issue. I really do not see the tax as being an issue w/ 76ers (Comcast). Obviously they are in business to make money and IF they do not make a MAJOR move to get a shooter by draft, trade, MLE or something, they will have a horrible season in the seats next year. As of right now, I will not be renewing my season tickets and I am sure I don't speak just for me. If they show me "hope", I would like to renew. And, based upon Ed S previous statements, I do expect to renew next year. But the wait is on.
I received a call from Iggy (taped) saying I will receive my renewal in the next few days, fyi. There is a lunch w/ Ed S this week and I plan on expressing the above if given the opportunity.
Nice. Tell us how he responds. If you can, ask him directly if the team is willing to go over the luxury tax to add a needed piece.
The tax is an issue for the sixers, especially in a recession, an NBA team can make money with poor attendance (just ask the Clippers)...when your answerable to stock holders running a sports franchise is not as simple as 'let's just win' (it's why i hate corporate ownership in general)
As for lou - i mean sure he should earn his minutes - but so should willie who kind of sucks most of the time too.
Is this just supposition on your part, or have you heard someone say they won't pay the luxury tax?
Supposition - but check it out - corporate owned teams very rarely win championships as opposed to those owned by individuals - there's no corporate ownership in the NFL and I bet that's a conscious decision. I don't like corporate ownership.
There's no public indication how comcast feels either way regarding paying the salary tax - but in a depression - companies are looking for ways to limit losses...not increase them
I mean, I don't know how to look at Comcast's books, but I'd say if the bottom line is more important than winning, they could've sold off some bad contracts over the past month for salary relief.
Honestly, can you point to one decision this franchise had made for monetary reasons which hurt the team on the floor? If anything, they've spent too freely over the past 8 years.
All depends on how you look at it - if keeping miller just to try and get to the second round in the playoffs (thus more playoff home games) - and he's not re-signed - that's a monetary decision.
All I'm saying is, corporate owned teams just hardly ever win titles, in most sports, and when they do (angels, ducks for instance) they seem to be rapidly torn down or sold off.
First of all, never bring hockey into a real sports discussion here again :)
Second, you kind of just made my argument for me. Trading Miller and Reggie for LaFrentz would've saved the team a decent chunk of change this season, and a boatload next year when they didn't have to pay Evans. That's a $5M+ swing. If they decided getting to the playoffs and maybe getting to the second round was worth more than that, then it's completely conceivable that they'd go $3-5M over the tax to put a better team on the floor next year (miller + mle).
Point being, while Comcast is obviously in it for the profit, seems to me like they've managed the purse strings with the philosophy that winning + playoffs = greater income than slashing payroll and watching the attendance take a nosedive.