The Miami Heat come into tonight's battle in the Wach with a mere 3 wins in their last 10 games. They lost back-to-back games to Milwaukee. They lost to Chicago. Unfortunately, they also played some of their best hoops in the two games prior to the break, absolutely trouncing Houston and Atlanta. Preview, game thread and more early-thirties angst than you can shake a stick at after the jump.
Right to the matchups:
Jrue vs. Rafer Alston - Fun matchup pitting a star (in his own mind) five years past his prime, vs. a future star (in my mind) five years before his prime. I'll say advantage Jrue, for the 10 minutes he actually plays.
Willie vs. Wade - Heh. Wondering how long it takes for Iguodala or Jrue to slide to Wade and let Willie handle either Q or Alston.
Iguodala vs. Q - Sixers, hands down, both ends of the floor.
Brand vs. the Bease - Bease has no shot guarding EB. EB is going to have to step out to 18 feet to cover the kid. I'm giving the edge to Brand for his help defense and disruptive defensive plays. He really should punish the Bease to the point where the Heat have to limit his minutes, but Jordan isn't down with that kind of philosophy, even if Brand is up to that type of play (which seems to be a game-to-game thing).
Sammy vs. Jermaine O'Neal - These guys are actually kind of a wash. O'Neal gets the edge on offense, Sam dominates on defense. I seem to remember JO having big games against the Sixers in the past, and who knows how many minutes Sam will see tonight, so your guess is as good as mine tonight.
AI/LW/TY/RI/RC/MS vs. Wright/Haslem/Cook/Arroyo/Anthony - Hmmn. Two motley crews, with the Sixers holding a crystal clear offensive edge off the bench, and basically any team with a pulse holding a huge defensive edge over the Sixers' subs. Let's say advantage Sixers, in a vacuum.
EFJ vs. Spoelstra - Speaking of vacuums, whenever I think that Eddie Jordan is still coaching this team all positivity about the team and their direction is immediately sucked out of me. Disadvantage, Sixers.
Believe it or not, the Sixers are two-point favorites at home tonight. Personally, I have a hard time believing it after watching this team play all season long, especially when you consider Miami has won their past two games by a combined 51 points.
Key to The Game: Keep Wade off the FT line.
If ____________ the Sixers will win: 20+ fast break points.
This is your game thread, I'll be here throughout mocking EFJ and fiddling with the trade machine to find a way to ship Lou and Brand out without giving up Iguodala in the deal (I'll suspend disbelief as much as I want), join me if you can stomach it.
If we got rid of Brand and Lou and kept Iggy, I would like so totally freak out.
Maybe if you figure it out with the trade machine. Ed S will see and make it happen.
No one wants Elton Brand
Ed S did.
Philly MAX!
Jordan said Iverson coming off the bench may only be temporary. He said he'll give Iverson a coiple more days of practice, "then we'll see Friday night" against the Spurs. Holiday and Green are starting tonight.
As for Stefanski, he said the Sixers are looking to be buyers at Thursday's trade deadline. He doesn't like the idea of dealing for expiring contracts because you might not get the guy you want in the draft lottery or be able to turn things around in a year or two.
Jordan said Iverson coming off the bench may only be temporary.
Of course it is...it's as temporary as Iverson decides it is.
This was inevitable.
As for Stefanski, he said the Sixers are looking to be buyers at Thursday's trade deadline.
Could you ask him how that works when you have ownership that seems unwilling to pay the luxury tax and the team is right up against it (and if he denies the luxury tax thing, ask him why andre miler didn't get more than a one year contract offer)
If they're really going to be buyers, Kevin Martin is a name I'd keep an eye on.
Just threw up in my mouth a little
Stefanski, when asked what areas he's looking to improve: "I’ve always preached from Day 1, it’s defense for me. We have to play our solid defense to get our offense going. That’s really important for us."
Really?
REALLY?
If he preached defense from day 1 why did he hire a coach who doesn't care about defense? Or understand defense? Or benchs players who can play defense over those who can't?
Good point. I get the feeling that Eddie Jordan has become a major headache to Stefanski. Stefanski doesn't want to have to coach the team in addition to being the GM, and if he's serious about wanting defense to be the emphasis, he'd basically have to make all of the coaching decisions, because Jordan clearly doesn't care that much about D. Like everyone else here, I wish Stefanski would just fire him, but it doesn't seem like thats going to happen this year.
As to why not go for expiring contracts, Stefanski said, "I have talked to season ticket-holders, I’ve talked to fans, I’ve talked to press. They all have theories and ideas of how it’d be better, in their term, to blow it up. People say, you blow it up – in a year or two you’ll be … That’s not the case. There’s a lot of things you have to think about in dismantling a team like that. You’re not always guaranteeing that franchise player is going to be there (in the draft) and the year you may have the cap space, the player’s going to be there to help the team."
And what was his response to what the actual solution is? Or did no one ask that?
To get players coming in that are better or at least of equal value to the ones going out.
Has he been paying attention to how trades work during his career in the NBA?
Seriouly - that answer is pat - and kind of ignores reality of the situation. Bad contracts decrease the value of a player - with few exceptions - no matter how good
Elton Brand on a 2 year deal would be worth more than his current deal...
What a silly answer to me
I asked if it's better to wait until closer to the deadline to get the best offer. "If a deal’s there that you like, you make it," Stefanski said.
Jordan said conversations he's had with Stefanski about possible trades have been "just frivulous stuff so far -- nothing serious."
I heard from an NBA source that a few teams called the Sixers and were willing to include players that had previously been off the table, so you never know ...
Thank god he's consulting the coach - who has excelled at turning a 500 team into crap this year
Stefanski just presented iguodala w his usa team jersey at halfcourt... awkward
Haha. I've always wondered how much contact players have with GMs. I wonder what Iguodala (or Brand) and Stefanski's relationship is like.
They did exchange a pretty special bro hug
Hahaha. That's beautiful.
Iguodala was one of the guys who was around all summer, pretty much every event Stefanski was at, Iguodala was there (draft, signing jrue, press conferences, you name it). Make of that what you will, but AI9 was involved all offseason.
Actually getting the game in hi-def on league pass, a rare treat.
Same starting lineup, for the time being apparently. until Jordan can force Jrue out.
EB to SD for the dunk. Sam pulled the "I'm going to fall down and when my man leaves I'll stand up for the dunk" trick. Beautiful play designed by Jordan.
Going right after Beasley early, with mixed results. Q wide open for three, looks like they really worked on their rotations over the break.
Good defense so far. Pretty terrible offense.
Super crisp offense so far. Ugh.
Samuel Dalembert. Where missing 2-footers happens.
Willie might be hurt. Could see AI3/LW out of this timeout.
Jrue still in, moved AI9 onto Wade, Jrue on Q.
Jrue having problems w/ Q on the blocks.
AI9's jumper looks pure tonight.
Here we go, Lou/AI3 back court. Enjoy!
I believe the Sixers have 1 free throw, 3 jumpers and 5 dunks for their 17 points at this point.
Down 2 after one.
is rafer alston good at all? i remember him being pretty good for the magic last year but i haven't heard anything good about him since he's been on the heat
Hasn't done much tonight, and I haven't seen many Heat games so i don't really know. My gut says no, though.
Heat clogging up the lane and giving Brand a lot of trouble. He should spin baseline after the post-up instead of turning over his left shoulder into the lane.
Man, please put Kapono in so we can get the worst possibly defensive lineup on the floor.
Damn, Carney instead of Kapono. Well, this is close.
Down 8 in the blink of an eye.
Timeout to stop the run, but no subs. Leaving the no D lineup in there.
Looks like the no O lineup too
Down 11. Iverson's been out there for 11 minutes straight now.
Willie's done for the night, left shoulder boo boo.
Down 13, btw, Wade has been on the bench this whole time. Another timeout for Jordan.
AI3 finally comes out. thanks
12 straight minutes.
Thad's second blown dunk of the night. I think that was a dunk attempt.
I don't think he ever had control of that. I think he was bobbling it on the way up.
Blowingbunnies.com - Thad's the moderator
Administrator.
And he passed up an open 4 footer the play before that and instead took a left hand baby hook with a guy right on his back and missed.
I don't think they've made a layup yet. Literally. Dunks and 20-footers, and foul shots. Nothing else.
lots of boos
Deservedly so.
2 pts in the last what?
11 straight misses....but how many min since our last bucket?
8:19 between hoops. Thad's tip at 11:14 to AI9's 13-footer at 2:55.
Sammy!
Sixers started the quarter 1-for-13 and were outscored 20-5 during that span.
10 by the half?
OK, 20 by the half?
Eh, 11. Could've been worse.
46-35, wondering what genius idea Jordan will come up with in the locker room.
By the way, couldn't the Clippers get more for Camby's big expiring contract (he's a great player too) than two expiring contracts? I know they come out ahead money-wise by several million, but you'd think teams would be lining up for Camby.
Apparently they weren't lining up with a boatload of cash and expiring contracts in return.
3 million dollars in cold hard cash and the salary differences
That's all that mattered to sterling
What other team would want camby and have the expiring contracts to give up to equal that?
OKC could've done it, and they could've really used him too. Short and long term.
Not sure OKC owners would pony up that 3 million dollars
If they were dedicated to winning they would've.
Or you tell the young guys who got you there they're not good enough to get you to the playoffs so they want to bring in some old dude to make sure you make the playoffs...ego killer.
OKC is fine :)
Liking the Jrue, Iverson backcourt. Hope it works.
Posted this in the wrong place
i go away for 25 minutes and come back to find out we have 39 points in the third quarter...awesome
Dalembert and Brand have some extra pep in their step.
Stefanski told them at halftime if they win he'll fire joran
Jrue just stuffed Wade on the blocks. :)
Does Wade really need these bullshit calls?
Now you know how Dirk feels.
The Philadelphia Bricklayers.
this is getting so ugly it's unbelievable.. do we seriously not know how to score the fucking ball?
Down by 28 now. Well, if you needed an on-court demonstration of why the team should be blown up, I'd say this is it.
Loudest boos I've heard this season
When I watch this no heart and no pride (and looks to be no skills too...lol) shit, it just makes me long for a trade, any trade. Please!
Way to stop the ball, Lou.
OK, he stopped the ball on offense on the next possession. Good work.
Thad almost hurt himself getting out of Wade's way on that layup by Flash. Sweet.
nice shot lou!
Pretty sure that was Brand's first one-handed dunk this season.
Down by 27 heading into the fourth. I seriously don't think Miami needs to score another point to win this.
Strong showing after the long rest.
How the Sixers can be getting absolutely destroyed by a middling team is beyond me. One thing is for sure, a change needs to happen.
They're a below middling team with a way below than middling coach
So would a 40 or 50 point loss cause Snider to blow his lid 36 hours before the deadline? I could see it.
That would imply Snider cares more bout the product on the court than the bottom lline wouldn't it?
OK I've had it. They just don't give a crap. They obviously don't care.
They have no concept of what it is to be a 'team'. The chemistry that entails being a team. The cohesion to develop it. The competitive juices that should flow naturally from just being a player on the grandest stage in the world.
No effing heart. No effing pride. No will to compete. No on-court huddles. Languising back to the bench after a sub or in between quarters. Sprint or jog dammit!
Six friggin days off and this is the effort we get to witness as fans? Um, aren't you suppose to be rejuvenated after a mid-season rest? Apparently not, if you're the Sixers.
But truthfully, they gave this effort in game 4, game 23, game 35 and obviously tonight. So it's nothing unusual, it's the muthafu... NORM!
No energy, no verve, but high estrogen levels it appears because they resemble a bunch of damn sissies.
Ok, sorry for that, continue on with the can't-miss viewing pleasure (cuz i refuse to not watch these chaps too). Couldn't help it...
This is pretty funny. Down by 30 now and Jordan puts Brand back in. Jrue cooling his heels on the bench. I guess there isn't much development to be done in a disgraceful game like this anyway.
I hate myself for saying this, but this team is fucking terrible
yeah lou! keep jacking them maybe 1 will go in!
why not jrue instead of brand or green or iverson in final minutes like this when you are getting blown out!!!!! Come on Eddie
I wonder if Jordan is just trying to be positive and foster an atmosphere of harmony and effort.
But really this team isn't effing terrible, and it's because they aren't even a team to begin with.
i see good and bad out of lou. I don't totally like or dislike him but there is no way that a good coach would let lou get more minutes than jrue. Well i just said the key word. "real coach". ANd Jordan is def. not a good coach
Several groups of fans chanting "Fire Eddie" during the fourth quarter.
which one do they mean?
Jordan
i would assume they are talking about eddie jordan's horrid coaching. Stefanski is bad. jordan is superbad
My brother is a season ticket holder, he's been trying to lead that charge for a while now. He was 10 rows back from the Sixers bench on the other side of the court. Said there was a decent following for the chant tonight.
"The nuts and bolts of it is does your team have good body language? Do they try? Do you see camaraderie? And we see all of that." ~ EJ
PERFECT quote there.
How's that "harmony" tonight?
Hey...at least Jrue is back in the game. Yay.
oh hey garbage minutes for jrue.
my favorite : "As far as coaching, there's certain ways to evaluate coaching. I know what it is, but I'll just keep that to myself."...you can't help but laugh
Sammy D and Jrue are finally getting fourth quarter minutes. Awesome.
4 more points and they will beat Miami's score at the end of three quarters. Come on!
Boooo! LOL!
LOVING all the boo's
donyell marshall just said willie green is the sixers defensive stopper.
Did anybody else see EFJ's look into the camera as he was walking away from the presser? It was almost like "yeah, I know that I suck...I know that you hate me...and the joke's STILL on you, 'cause I ain't goin' ANYWHERE...."
Absolutely priceless.
Could you imagine a Flyers coach doing a press conference like that after a game like that...during a season like this?
Snider would probably jump over the podium and go after the loser's throat.
If the Sixers trade Iguodala or ANYBODY of value away at the deadline and EFJ is still coaching this team on Friday, it will represent one of the lowest moments in the history of Philadelphia sports, IMO.
Can we bring back Richard Dumas, Sean Higgins, Derrick Alston, Trevor Ruffin, and hell, Mad Max and Lasalle Thompson too?
I mean, they were as close to a 'tanking' squad as we had while showing at least a little smidgen of effort too, right?
What did Jordan say in the presser?
The whole thing lasted less than 90 seconds. He talked about how they were playing decent defense in the 1st half, but they couldn't hit any shots...and after a while things just snowballed. Someone asked him about missing Willie, and he said that Willie is an important guy for them (he actually said that), but not 30-points-important. Then there was DEAD SILENCE for like 10 seconds, and then EFJ walked away with that goofy freaking look right into the camera.
The press corps - at this point - had no more questions. If ownership doesn't care...if the coach doesn't care...if the players don't care...if Sixers fans don't care...then why should the press take EFJ to the rack? They've tried that already. They have HUMILIATED him in press conferences...driven EFJ to make the kind of petty little comments that show his insecurity. To every intelligent Sixers fan who cares, they know that EFJ is a complete disaster - but unless Comcast/Snider/Luukko/Stefanski do something about it, he'll still be behind the bench on Friday.
And again, why is DiLeo always given so much credit for these past few drafts?
Thad?
Jason Smith?
Speights?
and Jrue, who the jury is rightfully still out on (even though I don't see the value in a project being picked there at that spot)
Some may say it's still early on these guys, but none of them can play defense. They are mainly just a bunch of college guys who left early and come with the dreaded upside. Why the much bestowed upon credit here is beyond me.
If they made up 3 of your starting 5 on your favorite college team, you would just think your team would be on the bubble to get in the big Dance and maybe make a little noise for a round or two. They'd be nothing special. But they get drafted by your favorite professional team, and with the expected draft night excitement, you think they are going to be the so-called next big thing.
When in reality, they really ain't shit but a couple of guys who still don't know and understand how to play the game. Just a bunch of athletic freaks running around getting numbers and getting paychecks. But when our favorite team possesses them, we seem to become easily blinded to these oblivious facts.
Will their skills get better? Some probably, some probably not. Will they develop into more? Most don't. But to receive that much money at that young age is nothing but a poison pill to developing the needed heart and pride it takes to be successful at this game. Where are they going to find the will and want-to when at the end of the day whether they've won or lost, they still go home to 3 million plus in the bank.
It's tough to draft top tier talent when the team is committed to being mediocre every season and drafting on the fringe of the lottery. I don't think there are too many guys drafted after the Sixers picks that are flat out studs. I think that's why DiLeo gets credit, that at least he's picked some guys who may mature into quality NBA players. But I agree, especially on Jrue, sure he shows flashes but people around here are already projecting him to be a star player...
Jrue Holiday can't play defense?
I said the jury is still out on him. And then went on to say later that if 3 of them were your starting five, so I was referring to the other three from there on.
But technically, I've said since this summer his defense is overstated. And from what I've seen, that still holds true, at least for me. Off the ball and picks need a lot of work (but expected). His full court pickup pressure and showing the will to want to play some damn defense is very welcomed though when compared to the rest of the goof troop.
You listed the 4, and then said none of them can play defense (before the "if 3 of them are in your starting 5" statement). I definitely took that as you lumping Jrue in the group who can't play defense.
I agree that off the ball he can lose his man at times (by the same token, the other times I think he's the best on the team at denying his man the ball when he's actively working at that), and I agree he can sometimes get burned on picks (then again, I also think we have as bad of pick and roll defending bigs as there are in the league), but I think every bit of his defensive reputation is earned. How well he moves his feet, uses his hands, anticipates, and the angles he takes, you can see it all. I think projecting him as a very good defender is almost a no-brainer