If you look at the teams who have tanked successfully, without having a roster devoid of talent, traditionally they've had injuries to grease the skids, if you will. The Sixers have had some injuries this season, but none to the players who really matter when we're talking about winning and losing games. Heading into tonight's game against the Nets, perhaps quantity will make up for quality, where the injury bug is concerned.
If you
missed the news yesterday, Thad Young broke his thumb in Monday night's game. He's out for tonight's game, as is Marreese Speights. Lou Williams is a game-time decision.
Personally, I think Lou should rest his back. I think everyone and anyone should rest whatever ails them. If Lou, Thad and Speights are all out, we're talking about a seriously thin roster for the game. Expect every able body to appear, maybe even Jodie Meeks. The Sixers will be down to Brand, Dalembert, Iguodala, Jrue, Willie, Kapono, Smith, Carney and Meeks, so 9 bodies. Assuming Willie starts, that means your bench consists of Carney, Smith, Meeks and Kapono. That rivals NJ's pathetic bench.
Forget about tanking for a second, though. Even if you're a purist and you're worried about the integrity of the game (even if the league isn't, Donaghy, cough, cough) what's the point of rushing any of these players back at this point? Even if there's a 5% chance of aggravating the injury, play it safe. Get these guys some rest if they aren't absolutely 100%.
For the record, I believe Eddie Jordan will do everything in his power to win this game tonight. He's more worried about the headlines if he loses to possibly the worst team (record-wise) in the history of the league than anything else. I wouldn't put it past him to pressure Lou to play.
We have something else going for us.... the Nets play thier hearts out every night. At 7-60, they ae on pace to tie the worst season in NBA history (9-73). no one wants to break that record.
what worries me most is that i think the Sixers are better than all of the teams we want to catch - sacramento, detroit, indiana, washington. we have lost 9 out of 10 and barely made up any ground. eventually, we are going to drop a load and win a game or 2. i dont think washington will ever win again
How does our coach not use Meeks tonight if Lou is out? Maybe he suits up himself to spite E.S.
Brian, after scouring the draft sites, below are the different players i see come up around the 6-9 range. we have discussed some of these names, but what about the lesser knowns. i have heard one analyst call James Anderson the best SG in the nation. Amnino, whats his deal, they make him sound like a guy with a ton of upside. Motiejunas ? Nellie has raging boner for this guy.
Cole Aldrich, C/PF, Kansas
Wes Johnson, SG/SF, Syracuse
Hassaan Whiteside, C, Mich St
Al Farouq Amino, SF, Wake Forest
Greg Monroe, C, Georgetown
Donatas Motiejunas, PF, Lithuania
Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas
Ed Davis, PF, UNC
James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma St.
St. Patty’s Day Special
Free beer for every Three Iggy makes tonight!
So one free beer for every seven people?
Hey Brian, I have a suggestion. Do you think that you could give us a preview of the couple players that the Sixers would draft anywhere in the lottery? Could you give us a scouting report on them, and tell us ow they would be implemented into our lineup? Don't want to be demanding, but thought that would give us something to hope for. Just a way to make an already great blog even better!
ESPN UPdate
Fractured Thumb for Young - no timetable for return
I say done for the season