As I said last night, I'm cutting the Eddie Jordan grace period off early. His rotations infuriate me, his comments have my systolic skyrocketing, his logic is anything but logical. I was unhappy when he took the job, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt. From this point forward I won't be hedging my criticisms with "give it time" or "yet" disclaimers. I've seen enough to form an informed opinion of his coaching style, skills and approach, now he's going to have to actually do something to change my mind. Tonight will be his first opportunity to surprise me.
I'm not going to go into a laundry list of what brought me here, I'm sure most of you have gone through the same progression, or you're in the process right now. I will say that last night's game coupled with the info in the infamous Stephen A. Smith Iverson rumor piece was the straw that broke the camel's back. Let's recap:
Team sources confirmed on Friday that Iverson would be a starter because Jordan had planned on starting Williams with rookie Jrue Holiday anyway, just to put some excitement and more ball-handlers into his Princeton-style offense. So even once Williams returns from injury, he'd be in the starting lineup with Iverson.
As much as it pains me to admit it, Smith has been dead-on with most of the reporting he did in this piece so far. Last night, Jordan went with 48 minutes of a small lineup, slid Iguodala to the three, Thad to the four and inserted Willie Green into the starting lineup at SG, and then had the temerity to give Green 38 minutes of PT. He was right about the Iverson rumor, and the team has admitted they're at least looking into it. Therefore, I have no reason to doubt other pieces of the article, notably this one:
Jordan is said to be incredibly frustrated with everything from Elton Brand's work ethic to Andre Iguodala's inability to make plays off the dribble. The one player he absolutely loves, guard Louie Williams, is out for eight weeks with a broken jaw.
Jordan apparently hates this roster, especially the key pieces and he's not shy about letting people know this. His three-hour chalk talk session that won him the job appears to have been little more than a moment of salesmanship at this point.
Tonight, against Dallas we might have a chance to witness the full depths of Jordan's depravity. Earlier today he said Elton Brand could've played last night, and would've played if it had not been the front end of a back-to-back. I'm taking that to mean Brand will be available when the team takes the floor at 8:30pm, unless he suffers some kind of physical setback between now and then.
This is the first test. With Brand at his disposal, will Jordan go back to the big starting lineup, or was he Brand injury simply the excuse he used to implement the small lineup on a larger scale, like he's been itching to do the entire season? Will Jordan abandon all pretense of caring about defense (and the future of the team) and tap Willie Green as the starter at PG, will he nominally start Jrue and then give Willie the lion's share of available minutes or will he give Jrue, the only thing even casually resembling an actual point guard, on both ends of the floor, 30 minutes?
Speaking of Jrue, was starting him when Lou Williams went down Jordan's idea, or was it a mandate from his boss? I'm leaning toward the latter and I also believe Jordan is simply biding his time until he can bury Jrue on the end of the bench again.
If Brand is back, Jordan has every opportunity to choose defense over offense. Sam Dalembert is playing some of the best ball of his career at the five. Brand was on a hot streak before the hammy injury, Jrue has been doing an excellent job of limiting penetration. If he uses the proper starting lineup, Thad is the only true defensive weak spot on the floor. I'm anxiously waiting to see what adjustments Jordan will make tonight, and I have to say, I'm fairly confident we won't see the lineup of Jrue, Iguodala, Thad, Brand and Dalembert very much, if at all. There's a 50/50 chance Jrue has seen his last start.
Since I'm obviously in a particularly prickly mood on this fine Monday morning, here's a poll to gauge the confidence people have in this team:
Have at it in the comments, the preview/game thread will be up late in the afternoon.
hit the nail on the head, right down to whatever animal that is with braces picture. I will never understand why Eddie Jordan doesn't play to this roster's strengths. My high school coach knows you have to play to the strength of the personnel.
It's sad that I agree Thad would be the weak link in the lineup you proposed, since I remember vividly during his rookie season Thad was active defensively and was a semi-decent rebounder. And I certainly was so excited about the prospect of Iggy and him dominating in the wings.
I've been clamouring for the Jrue/Iggy/Thad/Brand/Sammy lineup all year, would be great to see it happen. Even now I think that's the way to go. Lou is having a great season but he'll be a great sixth man for this team, especially when Speights returns. The two of them can make an entire bench, kind of like how Brad Miller and Kirk Hinrich do for Chicago.
"It's sad that I agree Thad would be the weak link in the lineup you proposed, since I remember vividly during his rookie season Thad was active defensively and was a semi-decent rebounder. And I certainly was so excited about the prospect of Iggy and him dominating in the wings."
Well the other 4 players on the court are positive defensive players, at least they should be (and have been throughout their respective careers).
And I think Young's problems are mostly correctable, as his biggest problem seems to be over-eager help defense. Then again, that's been his biggest problem the past two seasons (and 3 coaches), so I'm beginning to wonder why it's a continual problem.
I HATE EDDIE JORDAN as the 76er coach. I never thought I would say Mo Cheeks coaching was the good old days. We have truly gone from the frying pan into the fire.
I hope I am over reacting and wrong. Just got my 2 free lower level tickets to next Monday Night (Denver) and I may just sell them on Ebay. I have been a 76er fan since the days of Wilt. I can accept losing but I cannot accept the reason being the coach.
I'm not saying Jordan is the only reason they're 5-12, with the injuries they may very well be where they are right now anyway. My point is that I think he's making things worse right now with his questionable coaching moves/attitude/style and he's really going to do long-term damage to the franchise if he continues down this road.
Maybe, we are seeing first hand why his teams do lousy during his first seasons coaching them. It may have very little to do with the PO. Could just be his tinkering with the lineups/personel on the court.
Guys, is there any possible way E.S. rethinks this move and gets rid of Jordan? Deleo would seem to be a move up at this point and our g.m. has preached a defensive team that runs since he got here, I just don!t get how he can look in the mirror. And are his hands tied in this situation?
If he can fire Eddie Jordan right now and while still keeping his job, Snider must have just an abundant amount of confidence in him. As for what would the team allow him to do, financially? I don't know.
My best guess is the only way we see Jordan gone before at least the middle of next season is if (a) Stefanski is gone as well or (b) A truly marquee name becomes available, like a no-brainer we have to hire this guy type of name. Jerry Sloan, Phil Jackson, etc. I'd put Jeff Van Gundy in this category, but I'm not sure anyone else would. Otherwise, if Jordan leaves, it's going to probably be someone within the organization, like DiLeo, to take over for the remainder of the season.
It seems to me that there is a disconnect between Jordan and Stefanski. Stefanski has confidence in this roster while evidence suggests Jordan does not. How can there be this disconnect if Jordan was Stefanski's "guy"?
I think I remember hearing something about Teague. Also that if they moved up to #12 it was to get Jrue. Heard something about Jennings as well, can't remember what.
Actually, the question might not be Snider, but Peter Luuko, who has stepped to the forefront ever since they fired BK, for the most part. Most commentary above Stefanski tends to come from him, and he & Stefanski are tight, from most accounts.
If Stefanski can sell Luuko on a Mulligan here, he might get the chance, especially with the subsidy from the Wizards. Of course, you are probably talking an in-house replacement, like you said.
I think a possible cheap, in-house dark-horse might be Aaron McKie, with Lynam/Ford as his Yoda.
Can you even ask for a mulligan this soon and not get handed your walking papers? I mean, this was his guy, essentially not only did he hire him, but he had a history with him and vouched for him.
I can't see Stefanski being happy with the way this team is going, and I'm not just talking about wins and losses, the guy has always seemed to have a really good grasp on what was happening on the court. Deepsixersuede was right above, it was Stefanski who championed the defend and run strategy. After 17 games it's virtually gone and it's been replaced with take as many 20-foot jumpers as possible and hope the other team misses open shots.
"Can you even ask for a mulligan this soon and not get handed your walking papers? I mean, this was his guy, essentially not only did he hire him, but he had a history with him and vouched for him."
The interesting thing is that your first paragraph also applies to Luuko & Stefanski. That fact might enable Luuko to give him the Mulligan, maybe
Eh. Ford's winning percentage is better than Jordan's, but that's not saying much. Of the in-house options, if we're talking interim, I'd go with McKie. Someone brought it up a while back, but he's got experience w/ the triangle, which would be a better half-court option for this team, and he's also a defense-first guy (based on how he played and what I heard about his responsibilities with the team last year).
Agreed. 100%. McKie has played for 4 Hall-of-Fame caliber coaches dating back from HS(Bill Ellerbee at Gratz, Chaney, Brown & Jackson) while also playing for quality coaches like Doug Collins as well. During his basketball lifetime, he has had intimate exposure to the PO, the Triangle, Larry Brown's defense schemes & the Matchup Zone.
Eh. Ford's winning percentage is better than Jordan's, but that's not saying much. Of the in-house options, if we're talking interim, I'd go with McKie. Someone brought it up a while back, but he's got experience w/ the triangle, which would be a better half-court option for this team, and he's also a defense-first guy (based on how he played and what I heard about his responsibilities with the team last year).
It just seems a shame that 2 of the additions [Carney, Holliday] and returns from injuries [Elton, J.Smith] seem to fit the defend and get out and run style for the most part. Something tells me Jordan was fighting E.S. in the draft room for Teague over Holliday.Wasn!t it rumored Teague was their 2nd choice ?
"The Sixers are meeting in Dallas to discuss whether or not to bring back Allen Iverson.
Head coach Eddie Jordan and president Ed Stefanski are meeting with Iverson to discuss the possibility of bringing the 10-time All-Star back to Philadelphia.
The meeting, as of 3 p.m., had been going on for about an hour."
As much as I am a fan of AI, I think signing AI in order to sell a few more seats and eek out a few more wins (and lose any legit chance of winning the lottery) qualifies as a fireable offense.
That type of desperation where you cut off your nose in order to spite your face drops the Sixers to a lower staus than Memphis or the Clipper IMO.
I completely understand anyone who doesn't want us to bring Iverson back. Logically, it doesn't make sense.
With that said, I cried the day he was traded to the Nuggets and I would do anything to see him put on a Sixers jersey, cup his hand behind his ear, and be back on the squad once again.
Just seeing him play for our team again would make any setback it caused in the long-run completely worth it. We talkin bout Allen Iverson!! Talkin bout Allen Iverson!!
The reason I think its grounds for firing ES is that it means he fears for his job to much to let a talented but flawed young team lose. That means he is either shortsighted or too insecure to do what is best for the team long term... meaning he should not be running the team.
ES's previous moves have all been in good faith in terms of what would be best for the team in the long run. But in my mind an AI signing would be breaking his faith with the fans.
I simply refuse to believe that the hiring of Jordan was a no-strings-attached, he's-the-best-guy decision...it was more a "semi-name" HC picked off the recycling heap for cheap (including that $2 mil subsidy from the Wiz). The decision to not have a Knight/Vaughn/Ollie-like PG option as a CYA for something like Williams being out for two months wasn't exactly inspired brilliance, either.
His last two coaches (DiLeo and Jordan) both made lineup decisions that were/all about "win now" - not about long-term player/roster development, and signing AI is right in line with that...yes?
I agree playoff experience is invaluable for young players. That has nothing to do with signing AI, though. He's not taking them to the playoffs. This would be strictly Eddie Jordan appeasement (he can go right back to DNPCD'ing Jrue and sacrifice even more defense for offense) and trick the stupid fans back into the Wach with false hope and nostalgia. I'm sick to my stomach right now and this feeling will only get worse.
I agree it is good but my biggest issue with E.S. is his plan; go young,lose and build like Okl. City or sign Elton which keeps you just good enough, which is it?
I don't think you'd ever get him to publicly say something bad about a teammate, or a possible future teammate. He doesn't strike me as that type of guy. Pretty much all of the Sixers said some variation of, "He's a great player. Why not?"
If you talked to a couple of these guys in private, I think you'd get different answers, but how many players ever take a look at the whole picture? I mean, half the basketball writers out there never get past points per game as the God stat. How many players are deeper thinkers than the writers?
Very true. Dennis Scott on N.B.A. TV just said," Lou Will. and A.I. running up and down the court together shooting 3!s ," ; I just threw up my lunch!!!
Suede -- I saw that comment too and found it interesting. I think Brian is right that Iguodala's public reaction is be different from his private one. If there is a grain of truth to what Iguodala said, it might be based on the assumption that bringing Iverson in would mean the end of the Princeton offense (could you imagine Iverson fitting into a patterned offense?), to which Iguodala is not well-suited, and the return of an isolation-based or dribble-penetration-based offense, to which Iguodala is much better-suited. Ironically, though, part of the reason Iverson left in 06-07 was that Cheeks wanted the offense to initiate through Iguodala more (one of Iverson's tirades had to do with just that). I'd be just as curious to read what Lou Williams has to say about Iverson's return. The signing of Iverson can't end well when Lou is ready to return, because they do many of the same things at this point.
Lou also "said the right things" mentioning that he was his mentor. The other side of the "signing A.I." argument for me is the frustration setting in with each loss, especially in Iggy!s play.
My hope is that if E.S. signs A.I. that it is with the caveat that he and Jrue are the backcourt. If Jordan wants him he plays with the rook, that to me would be alright. Otherwise no, I don!t want him. Would you be okay with that?
Iverson, Holiday, Iguodala, Thad and Brand as the starters?
Ugh. I don't even want to cross that bridge yet.
I'm 99% sure signing Iverson means Jrue is immediately buried on the end of the bench, maybe he plays 10 min/game until Lou gets back, then we only see him in garbage time for the rest of the season.
How does, Iverson, Lou, Iguodala, Thad and Brand strike you? One guy who doesn't have a size mismatch for his position in the starting lineup. Awesome.
Thad would be my odd man out, but your right, our coach sees things very differently.But A.I. for Thad probably makes us a better rebounding and playmaking team. You have replaced L.Will. with A.I. and Marreese , off the bench, with Thad.If returning to the playoffs is a goal ,that works,but when our players return is my main issue.
So you think he'd play Iverson, Jrue, Iguodala, Brand and Dalembert. Then go with Thad as the first guy off the bench?
That's not horrible, definitely better than going small. But I don't see any way Jordan would do that. Then when Lou and Speights get back you'd have Lou in the starting lineup instead of Jrue?
My issue is more with our coach than bringing in A.I. actually. If surrounded by the right guys, no Willie or L.Will. next to him, he could be effective here and our star ,Iggy, is getting more frustrated by the minute.
I'd bet on AI, Iggy, Thad, Elton & Sammy with Iggy playing point in the 1/2 court offense. AI off the ball. Willie/Smith first off the bench depending on the opposition. Jrue behind them.
First: Brian, you are literally the only reason why I'm still interested in the Sixers. Never in the 20+ years of following them have I been more disgusted with this team.
Second: While I'd love for it to happen, there's no way Stefanski is going to fire Jordan of his own volition. He can't - especially after preaching defense coinciding with the availablity of Tom Thibodeau.
I tend to agree with you. No way a general manager can bring in his guy after raving about the chalk talk that got him hired, then turn around and fire him before even a full season goes by without taking the heat himself. Unless a bonafide stud coach suddenly becomes available and interested.
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hit the nail on the head, right down to whatever animal that is with braces picture. I will never understand why Eddie Jordan doesn't play to this roster's strengths. My high school coach knows you have to play to the strength of the personnel.
It's a goat?
It's sad that I agree Thad would be the weak link in the lineup you proposed, since I remember vividly during his rookie season Thad was active defensively and was a semi-decent rebounder. And I certainly was so excited about the prospect of Iggy and him dominating in the wings.
I've been clamouring for the Jrue/Iggy/Thad/Brand/Sammy lineup all year, would be great to see it happen. Even now I think that's the way to go. Lou is having a great season but he'll be a great sixth man for this team, especially when Speights returns. The two of them can make an entire bench, kind of like how Brad Miller and Kirk Hinrich do for Chicago.
"It's sad that I agree Thad would be the weak link in the lineup you proposed, since I remember vividly during his rookie season Thad was active defensively and was a semi-decent rebounder. And I certainly was so excited about the prospect of Iggy and him dominating in the wings."
Well the other 4 players on the court are positive defensive players, at least they should be (and have been throughout their respective careers).
And I think Young's problems are mostly correctable, as his biggest problem seems to be over-eager help defense. Then again, that's been his biggest problem the past two seasons (and 3 coaches), so I'm beginning to wonder why it's a continual problem.
I rarely say these words but:
I HATE EDDIE JORDAN as the 76er coach. I never thought I would say Mo Cheeks coaching was the good old days. We have truly gone from the frying pan into the fire.
I hope I am over reacting and wrong. Just got my 2 free lower level tickets to next Monday Night (Denver) and I may just sell them on Ebay. I have been a 76er fan since the days of Wilt. I can accept losing but I cannot accept the reason being the coach.
I'm not saying Jordan is the only reason they're 5-12, with the injuries they may very well be where they are right now anyway. My point is that I think he's making things worse right now with his questionable coaching moves/attitude/style and he's really going to do long-term damage to the franchise if he continues down this road.
Agree 100%
Dean, could be AI's first game. If so, you may be able to make some money on the sale.
well if he sells tickets he paid zero dollars for for any amount of money then he'll probably make some (illegal) money :)
Even if Iverson comes back I don't expect the sixers will sell out
How much are you selling the tickets for? If you're selling it for a really cheap price I am interested.
Maybe, we are seeing first hand why his teams do lousy during his first seasons coaching them. It may have very little to do with the PO. Could just be his tinkering with the lineups/personel on the court.
Guys, is there any possible way E.S. rethinks this move and gets rid of Jordan? Deleo would seem to be a move up at this point and our g.m. has preached a defensive team that runs since he got here, I just don!t get how he can look in the mirror. And are his hands tied in this situation?
If he can fire Eddie Jordan right now and while still keeping his job, Snider must have just an abundant amount of confidence in him. As for what would the team allow him to do, financially? I don't know.
My best guess is the only way we see Jordan gone before at least the middle of next season is if (a) Stefanski is gone as well or (b) A truly marquee name becomes available, like a no-brainer we have to hire this guy type of name. Jerry Sloan, Phil Jackson, etc. I'd put Jeff Van Gundy in this category, but I'm not sure anyone else would. Otherwise, if Jordan leaves, it's going to probably be someone within the organization, like DiLeo, to take over for the remainder of the season.
In short, don't hold your breath.
It seems to me that there is a disconnect between Jordan and Stefanski. Stefanski has confidence in this roster while evidence suggests Jordan does not. How can there be this disconnect if Jordan was Stefanski's "guy"?
I think I remember hearing something about Teague. Also that if they moved up to #12 it was to get Jrue. Heard something about Jennings as well, can't remember what.
Actually, the question might not be Snider, but Peter Luuko, who has stepped to the forefront ever since they fired BK, for the most part. Most commentary above Stefanski tends to come from him, and he & Stefanski are tight, from most accounts.
If Stefanski can sell Luuko on a Mulligan here, he might get the chance, especially with the subsidy from the Wizards. Of course, you are probably talking an in-house replacement, like you said.
I think a possible cheap, in-house dark-horse might be Aaron McKie, with Lynam/Ford as his Yoda.
Can you even ask for a mulligan this soon and not get handed your walking papers? I mean, this was his guy, essentially not only did he hire him, but he had a history with him and vouched for him.
I can't see Stefanski being happy with the way this team is going, and I'm not just talking about wins and losses, the guy has always seemed to have a really good grasp on what was happening on the court. Deepsixersuede was right above, it was Stefanski who championed the defend and run strategy. After 17 games it's virtually gone and it's been replaced with take as many 20-foot jumpers as possible and hope the other team misses open shots.
"Can you even ask for a mulligan this soon and not get handed your walking papers? I mean, this was his guy, essentially not only did he hire him, but he had a history with him and vouched for him."
The interesting thing is that your first paragraph also applies to Luuko & Stefanski. That fact might enable Luuko to give him the Mulligan, maybe
Ford would be the best choice as far as experience. I love how he stood up to A.I. but can E.S. do what Croce did ?
Eh. Ford's winning percentage is better than Jordan's, but that's not saying much. Of the in-house options, if we're talking interim, I'd go with McKie. Someone brought it up a while back, but he's got experience w/ the triangle, which would be a better half-court option for this team, and he's also a defense-first guy (based on how he played and what I heard about his responsibilities with the team last year).
Agreed. 100%. McKie has played for 4 Hall-of-Fame caliber coaches dating back from HS(Bill Ellerbee at Gratz, Chaney, Brown & Jackson) while also playing for quality coaches like Doug Collins as well. During his basketball lifetime, he has had intimate exposure to the PO, the Triangle, Larry Brown's defense schemes & the Matchup Zone.
He'd be my guy.
Eh. Ford's winning percentage is better than Jordan's, but that's not saying much. Of the in-house options, if we're talking interim, I'd go with McKie. Someone brought it up a while back, but he's got experience w/ the triangle, which would be a better half-court option for this team, and he's also a defense-first guy (based on how he played and what I heard about his responsibilities with the team last year).
It just seems a shame that 2 of the additions [Carney, Holliday] and returns from injuries [Elton, J.Smith] seem to fit the defend and get out and run style for the most part. Something tells me Jordan was fighting E.S. in the draft room for Teague over Holliday.Wasn!t it rumored Teague was their 2nd choice ?
Brian, just posted a poll at realGM that I think would be the basis for a good topic either here or on the radio show.
Here is the link: www .realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=963013
Also put down my feelings here www. realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=942773&start=1755#p21425459
"The Sixers are meeting in Dallas to discuss whether or not to bring back Allen Iverson.
Head coach Eddie Jordan and president Ed Stefanski are meeting with Iverson to discuss the possibility of bringing the 10-time All-Star back to Philadelphia.
The meeting, as of 3 p.m., had been going on for about an hour."
http://www.csnphilly.com/pages/landing_09?Sixers-Iverson-Holding-Meeting-in-Dallas=1&blockID=97079&feedID=704
As much as I am a fan of AI, I think signing AI in order to sell a few more seats and eek out a few more wins (and lose any legit chance of winning the lottery) qualifies as a fireable offense.
That type of desperation where you cut off your nose in order to spite your face drops the Sixers to a lower staus than Memphis or the Clipper IMO.
If it is as a temporary replacement for L.Will. I don!t mind it but my question is, other than 10 day contracts are there other options?
Can't do a 10 day contract until after the new year.
I completely understand anyone who doesn't want us to bring Iverson back. Logically, it doesn't make sense.
With that said, I cried the day he was traded to the Nuggets and I would do anything to see him put on a Sixers jersey, cup his hand behind his ear, and be back on the squad once again.
Just seeing him play for our team again would make any setback it caused in the long-run completely worth it. We talkin bout Allen Iverson!! Talkin bout Allen Iverson!!
This is going to happen. Do you think there was a voice of reason in the room?
The reason I think its grounds for firing ES is that it means he fears for his job to much to let a talented but flawed young team lose. That means he is either shortsighted or too insecure to do what is best for the team long term... meaning he should not be running the team.
ES's previous moves have all been in good faith in terms of what would be best for the team in the long run. But in my mind an AI signing would be breaking his faith with the fans.
I simply refuse to believe that the hiring of Jordan was a no-strings-attached, he's-the-best-guy decision...it was more a "semi-name" HC picked off the recycling heap for cheap (including that $2 mil subsidy from the Wiz). The decision to not have a Knight/Vaughn/Ollie-like PG option as a CYA for something like Williams being out for two months wasn't exactly inspired brilliance, either.
His last two coaches (DiLeo and Jordan) both made lineup decisions that were/all about "win now" - not about long-term player/roster development, and signing AI is right in line with that...yes?
The " playoff experience is good for our young players " argument was used I believe.
I agree playoff experience is invaluable for young players. That has nothing to do with signing AI, though. He's not taking them to the playoffs. This would be strictly Eddie Jordan appeasement (he can go right back to DNPCD'ing Jrue and sacrifice even more defense for offense) and trick the stupid fans back into the Wach with false hope and nostalgia. I'm sick to my stomach right now and this feeling will only get worse.
I agree it is good but my biggest issue with E.S. is his plan; go young,lose and build like Okl. City or sign Elton which keeps you just good enough, which is it?
What is your impression of Iggy!s comments about A.I. ? On the outside he seemed for it, does it mean he thinks this situation can!t get much worse?
I don't think you'd ever get him to publicly say something bad about a teammate, or a possible future teammate. He doesn't strike me as that type of guy. Pretty much all of the Sixers said some variation of, "He's a great player. Why not?"
If you talked to a couple of these guys in private, I think you'd get different answers, but how many players ever take a look at the whole picture? I mean, half the basketball writers out there never get past points per game as the God stat. How many players are deeper thinkers than the writers?
Very true. Dennis Scott on N.B.A. TV just said," Lou Will. and A.I. running up and down the court together shooting 3!s ," ; I just threw up my lunch!!!
Suede -- I saw that comment too and found it interesting. I think Brian is right that Iguodala's public reaction is be different from his private one. If there is a grain of truth to what Iguodala said, it might be based on the assumption that bringing Iverson in would mean the end of the Princeton offense (could you imagine Iverson fitting into a patterned offense?), to which Iguodala is not well-suited, and the return of an isolation-based or dribble-penetration-based offense, to which Iguodala is much better-suited. Ironically, though, part of the reason Iverson left in 06-07 was that Cheeks wanted the offense to initiate through Iguodala more (one of Iverson's tirades had to do with just that). I'd be just as curious to read what Lou Williams has to say about Iverson's return. The signing of Iverson can't end well when Lou is ready to return, because they do many of the same things at this point.
Lou also "said the right things" mentioning that he was his mentor. The other side of the "signing A.I." argument for me is the frustration setting in with each loss, especially in Iggy!s play.
My hope is that if E.S. signs A.I. that it is with the caveat that he and Jrue are the backcourt. If Jordan wants him he plays with the rook, that to me would be alright. Otherwise no, I don!t want him. Would you be okay with that?
Iverson, Holiday, Iguodala, Thad and Brand as the starters?
Ugh. I don't even want to cross that bridge yet.
I'm 99% sure signing Iverson means Jrue is immediately buried on the end of the bench, maybe he plays 10 min/game until Lou gets back, then we only see him in garbage time for the rest of the season.
How does, Iverson, Lou, Iguodala, Thad and Brand strike you? One guy who doesn't have a size mismatch for his position in the starting lineup. Awesome.
Thad would be my odd man out, but your right, our coach sees things very differently.But A.I. for Thad probably makes us a better rebounding and playmaking team. You have replaced L.Will. with A.I. and Marreese , off the bench, with Thad.If returning to the playoffs is a goal ,that works,but when our players return is my main issue.
So you think he'd play Iverson, Jrue, Iguodala, Brand and Dalembert. Then go with Thad as the first guy off the bench?
That's not horrible, definitely better than going small. But I don't see any way Jordan would do that. Then when Lou and Speights get back you'd have Lou in the starting lineup instead of Jrue?
Ugh.
My issue is more with our coach than bringing in A.I. actually. If surrounded by the right guys, no Willie or L.Will. next to him, he could be effective here and our star ,Iggy, is getting more frustrated by the minute.
Sounds like EJ's wet dream, until Iverson breaks out of the PO to go ISO 30 times in the 1st game
I'd bet on AI, Iggy, Thad, Elton & Sammy with Iggy playing point in the 1/2 court offense. AI off the ball. Willie/Smith first off the bench depending on the opposition. Jrue behind them.
First: Brian, you are literally the only reason why I'm still interested in the Sixers. Never in the 20+ years of following them have I been more disgusted with this team.
Second: While I'd love for it to happen, there's no way Stefanski is going to fire Jordan of his own volition. He can't - especially after preaching defense coinciding with the availablity of Tom Thibodeau.
Thanks for the kind words.
I tend to agree with you. No way a general manager can bring in his guy after raving about the chalk talk that got him hired, then turn around and fire him before even a full season goes by without taking the heat himself. Unless a bonafide stud coach suddenly becomes available and interested.