Sixers Run With A-Lineup, The Name Game Goes On First things first, it now looks like we won't have to call the Wach, the Citi going forward. Wachovia, the bank which owns the naming rights to the Sixers' arena, eschewed a government-backed deal to sell itself to CitiGroup in favor of a $15.1B offer from Wells Fargo. "The Wells" sounds much better to me. The "WtF Center?" Better possibilities with Wells Fargo than Citi, plus the potential stink of sharing a name with the Mets is gone, so that's good news.On the court, the Sixers ran their first full-court scrimmage yesterday and they also unveiled their starting lineup, unless there's a shakeup in the next four weeks:
Thad showed tremendous feel on the court as a rookie, especially in moving without the ball. I'd love to see him knock down threes at a good clip (35% plus), but that's not the only way to beat a double team, or avoid it. Last year, as an under-sized power forward, we saw Thad do great work down on the blocks. This year, he'll be a small forward with good size. There's no reason he can't start offensive sets down on the blocks. The Sixers could throw a wrinkle in and play the high-low post game with Brand at the foul line. If the double teams do happen, and it's Thad's guy that's leaving him, a jumper isn't the only option. I'd like to see Thad cutting through the lane, swinging the ball to the opposite side quickly, forcing the defense to adjust. Truth be told, if teams force Thad to beat them with jumpers, he probably won't be able to do it. Not yet. I'm getting ahead of myself, though. The first scrimmage is in the books, we've still got nearly a month to go until the games count. The best news to come out of yesterday's scrimmage was Andre Iguodala's participation. He sat out on Wednesday with a sprained ankle, but it was obviously just the team being overly cautious. 4 Comments | Leave a commentLeave a commentLatest Posts• The Rockettes Come To Town • Iguoadala As Playmaker • Welcome To The Network • Stefanski Does the Legwork • I Hate Texas • Can They Salvage the Trip? • Dirk Is Still A Bright, Shining Star • The Trip Continues In Dallas • The Celtics Deserve Stephon Marbury • Ending On A High Note • Closing Out 2008 • Four Factors, New WorksheetSearchBlogs in The NetworkSixers BlogsPassion and Pride Sixers 4 Guidos Liberty Ballers Recliner GM | ||||||||||||||||
Mo is going to have work to do with Thad, to be sure. Early in the season, teams will probably choose to double off of him. I think the key is to make them pay with high percentage shots.
One of the most disheartening things i have read out of camp was when mo said "Thad is an oppurtinity scorer, so we're not going to run alot of plays for him." I hope mo doesnt mean that.
Actually, I don't have a problem with that at all. He's only 20 years-old, if I was Mo, I'd sit Thad down and tell him that his job is to be the best defensive three in the league. That should be his focus. Defend and crash the boards. He'll get his shots in the rhythm of the offense, he'll get his points on put backs and fast breaks. They have more options this season, he's probably #4 in the starting lineup. If he can defend at an elite level right now, which I believe he can, they have plenty of time for his offensive game to develop.
That's how I'd start the season, and as the season goes on I'd give him more and more responsibility, when he earns it. Set the bar somewhat low and then sit back and watch him exceed it, just like last year.
The chain of bankruptcies this year has caused some banking panic and might cause a long economic recession. Many of the recessions in the United States were caused by banking panics. nomedals.blogspot.com
GO SIXERS! GO WELLS FARGO!
It looks to be a big improvement over last year's lineup...I'm excited!
Any day of the week when you're not starting Reggie Evans, Rodney Carney or Willie Green has got to be an improvement!
GO SIXERS!