Now that the dust has settled and we've had a chance to see Iverson on the floor with the Sixers, let's talk about what we expect from him going forward.
Let's get a few facts straight before we get into it, though. The Sixers played worse offensively last night than they have been. In fact, it was their least-efficient offensive game in the past 10. It was also their most efficient defensive game, against a very good offensive team, since November 18th vs. Charlotte.
I attribute the better defensive rating to the use of the big lineup. The crazy rotations still allowed Denver to get whatever they wanted, but they were good on the defensive glass, limiting second-chance opportunities. Plus, Iguodala locked down Melo. The only contribution Iverson made to the improved defense was maybe an extra spring in the step of his teammates.
I'm going to give some leeway on the offensive problems. Iverson was obviously out of shape, so I'm not going to say definitively he's going to make this team worse on that end of the floor simply because I liked a lot of what I saw in that game, and I don't know where he's going to be, athletically, when he rounds into shape. How much has he lost?
Overall, I saw a lot more to be optimistic about from Iverson than I thought I would. His shot selection was pretty good, even if he only shot 4/11. He wasn't playing like Willie Green out there, he took good shots for the most part, they just didn't drop.
What excites me, however, was how he seemed to sublimate himself for the better of the team on the offensive end. He ran a brilliant two-man game with Brand on several occasions, leading to clean looks for Brand from the elbow, or an open jumper for himself. He was looking for his teammates on drives that got cut off (one nice pass to Thad for a wide-open baseline J sticks in my mind). Even though this was clearly Allen Iverson's night, he didn't try to make the game about him. He was working well with his teammates, showing a level of trust never witnessed in his first go-round in Philly. Of course, this is a much more talented offensive team than any he played with back then, who knows what the old AI would've done with this crew.
There were definitely dry stretches, thanks mostly to too much dribbling. The funny thing is that the Sixers still ran their insane Princeton dribble handoffs ad nauseum, and when they weren't killing the shot clock 30-feet from the hoop, it was too much isolation for my taste. The offense worked, and I mean, worked to the point where it could be an efficient scoring machine, taking advantage of the best qualities of their best players, when Iverson worked that two-man game, or used his handle to get into the lane for a kick.
Simple sets led to easy, high-percentage shots. If we see more of that, and Iverson gets his legs back under him, I believe we could see improved offense with him on the floor, with the caveat that he can never take 20-25 shots in a game. That's just counter-productive.
What do you guys think, can he help on offense? Can he help on offense enough to make up for what he costs on defense? Will Jordan stick with the big lineup, or was that a one game concession to the powers that be in hopes of getting a W in front of their first (only?) sellout crowd of the season? Thoughts in the comments.
I hope EJ doesn't sub Green for Dalembert anymore. One thing that upset me is that he doesn't drive toward the basket anymore.
I think this is the starting line up until lou gets back...
I don't think he's tht much 'help' on offense cause he breaks offenses
So no I don't htink he'll help much to offset the succotash defense.
I think the Iverson bump might last a few more home games, but not many, especially if they continue to play like succotash
I think Jordan will stick with the big lineup. He said something in his press conference about possible going small to help perimeter defense but he sounded like he didn't think a small lineup would work. One of the things I think Iverson will help with is toughness which I haven't seen from this team. Sammy had a swagger in that 1st half and Elton showed some toughness rebounding. Iverson himself said he never played with as talented a team before with the Sixers. If they come out with that type of intensity every night they should win some games. However I think the novelty will wear off with Iverson if they don't win games eventually the crowds will get smaller again. I liked the way Sam played and I like the way Elton played although I would like to get him more shots maybe a few of the ones that Andre got. I would like to see Elton get to the line also. I think Iverson is going to get more assists then he did before especially when he gets his legs under him as he said to penetrate more. I thought it was ironic they asked him about Ty Lawson. I suppose after last nights game a few people will be going to the I love TY site.
Depends on the coach. If he puts the proper lineup that makes up for AI's lack of defensive effort, they'll compete for a playoff spot, again. If not, forget about it. Since AI determines when he comes in and out of games, maybe he'll also dictate who else is on the court with him. He'd do a better job of than the coach has up to this point.
It's much too soon to say because his legs seem very weak. His selfless play may reflect that he knows he doesn't have it right now. Hopefully, when he's back in shape and has more quickness, he'll maintain his facilitator-first approach. I agree that he's a much smarter player than Willie Green.
"Of course, this is a much more talented offensive team than any he played with back then, who knows what the old AI would've done with this crew."
We know what he did with Denver and that's shoot too much. But this was a surprisingly promising debut. What's the chance, though, that he keeps this sort of play up? Sooner or later he'll probably think it's his responsibility to shoot us out of our losing streak and awful record, never understanding, of course, that he'll just be shooting us into an even worse record.
Yup, that's the big question for me. He's really happy to be back here right now, he probably looks at the team and says to himself "we can win with this roster," but what happens when he wakes up one morning, realizes his coach is a moron and the team is 15 games under .500. What does he do then? In the past he'd (a) try to do everything himself to turn the team around or (b) call Stephen A. Smith and start hammering the coach in every imaginable way. I actually think option B could be a good thing for the team, believe it or not.
Agree! I am actually hoping the sixers get a very good lottery pick! And play exciting, fun basketball in the meantime.
And maybe SAS will be the one to get Jordan fired??????
Crap. Crap. Absolute crap.
Have you actually LOOKED at AI's '07-08 numbers in Denver? Huh? My guess is the answer is NO...because that "we know what he did in Denver, and that is shoot too much" statement is absolute garbage.
In 2007-08, AI cut his shots per game from an average of over 25 shots a game to 19 (which was LESS shots per game than 'Melo). He shot almost 46% from the field that season...he also shot almost 35% from 3 (well above his career 31% average), he averaged over SEVEN assists a game and his 2.4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio was by far the best ratio of his career.
THAT is what he did when he had a full season in Denver. He gave up some of his game for 'Melo, and had - statistically at least - the best all-around season of his career.
Get your facts straight.
Anyone else rally frustrated with Jason Smith and Rodney Carney?
I'm not - but then again i expected very little from them while others seem to think they were major impact guys
I didn't realize Smith lacked opposable thumbs. That guy has gotten his hands on so many balls without actually collecting the rebound. Complete butter fingers.
Carney's just on a cold shooting streak, and his defense isn't valued in the least if he isn't making shots.
I think the defense was improved because they gave more effort. Not because of coaching. Because they were playing in front of a pecked house with national attn and adrenaline kicking. Sort of like the increased defensive intensity during the playoffs.
I expect the increased intensity to wear off after few more losses. But they might steal some wins in the meantime.
pretty good performance for the most part. Everything was going great until that 4th quarter which always seems to be a huge problem for the sixers. Another thing i didn't like was that iverson wasn't introduced last. they were probably trying to show iguodala that he was still the man on this team but basically everone forgot about him because of iverson's ovation and who can blame them. all in all though a lot better on the defensive end and a very entertaining game to watch.
I remember a preseason game against the Knicks when we were all wondering whether a nice third quarter run was PO and we got a taste of Jordan, just saying they NBA sets or something. That's all we need to run and I hope Iverson makes the Princeton Offense extinct. It won't be all isos either because even though he wasn't in shape, AI can't get his shot whenever he wants now. Maybe Allen and Iggy off curls, some pick and pop play with Brand, AI9 two man game with Thad and Brand. I was encouraged to see EB doubled last night because we were getting it into him. He needs more work getting it quickly out of the double to an open shooter like Allen or Kapono. That's something to keep an eye on in the next couple of games.
So the nuggets had 26 FT's last night and the sixers had 9
Can someone explain WTF?
Well, it wasn't because the Sixers weren't getting fouled.