Monthly Archive  November 2012

 
 

GM 5: RAPID REACTS

Posted by: C. Smith
11/10/12 9:44 am EST
Philadelphia 76ers 106 FinalRecap | Box Score 100 Boston Celtics
Lavoy Allen, PF 23 MIN | 3-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 6 PTS | -5The C’s seemed to have solved this riddle that was Allen on KG during the 2012 playoffs — go right at him and send Lavoy to the bench in foul trouble.
Dorell Wright, SF 36 MIN | 4-9 FG | 5-5 FT | 4 REB | 3 AST | 15 PTS | +9A number of NBA folks told me that I was going to like Wright a lot for this Sixers team and they have turned out to be correct.  He’s better defensively than I thought and he is scrappy as hell.  His follow bucket at the 3:33 mark of the 3rd Q was key for the Sixers at the time and capped his 12 point explosion in that Q.
Thaddeus Young, SF 41 MIN | 7-13 FG | 1-1 FT | 5 REB | 2 AST | 15 PTS | +13I can’t say enough about how well I think that has played to open this season.  His pure hustle AND 1 at the 8:30 mark of the 4th was just awesome and capped a 10-0 Sixers run.  Thad’s post up bucket late in the 4th out of the Sixers timeout was huge as well.
Evan Turner, SG 41 MIN | 9-19 FG | 5-7 FT | 11 REB | 4 AST | 25 PTS | +1That’s what I’m talkin’ about. Back-to-back solid nights for The Kid.  I don’t want to get my hopes up, but has ET finally seen the light??  I hope so, because he makes a huge difference in the Sixers offense.  The stretch at the end of the 3rd Q where he buried 2 FTs and then on the next trip down the court hit a big FG was awesome.
Jrue Holiday, PG 42 MIN | 7-16 FG | 6-6 FT | 4 REB | 14 AST | 21 PTS | +14Yes, Jrue had some stupid turnovers last night.  And yes, he still can’t keep Rondo in check (Really who can??), but overall Jrue was ridiculous last night.  We were especially impressed with how he did not force things and scored in the flow of the game.  The dime he dropped to Thad in the late 4th to put the Sixers up 6 was a thing of beauty. Then he followed that up with a clutch 3PM.  A career night for Jrue and possibly one that springboards him to that “next level”.  This is the type of performance the Sixers brass are looking for out of their $41 million man.
Arnett Moultrie, PF 6 MIN | 0-0 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS | -9Ohh DC does know who Moultrie is…Yeah I know he got beat badly on a pick-n-roll alley-oop to KG, but he also had a huge O-rebound in the 3rd Q and a blocked Rondo’s buzzer beater lay-up at the end of the same Q.  Also I think once he has a better understanding of the NBA game who could be a solution to the KG issue that plagues the Sixers.
Spencer Hawes, C 22 MIN | 4-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 1 AST | 8 PTS | +14A solid night for Hawes overall, with the exception of his headband which was an outstanding choice to compliment his mullet.
Royal Ivey, PG 12 MIN | 2-4 FG | 2-4 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 6 PTS | -8Another good effort from Royal off the bench and I understand why DC likes him.  Still, a part of me would rather see his minutes given to Maalik Wayns in an effort to get the ball going towards the hoop more in the Sixers offense.
Nick Young, SG 18 MIN | 4-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 10 PTS | +1Has anybody else had enough of this guy?  I don’t care what his stat line reads, he is “turrible” as Charles would say.  There was a 3-play stretch in the 3rd Q where he hoisted up an ill-advised 3PA early in the shot clock, then followed that up with a missed FGA and finished it all off with a TO. J-Rich can not get healthy fast enough.
Kwame Brown, C DNP LEFT CALF STRAIN MIN | FG | FT | REB | AST | PTS | So far this has NOT been money well spent.

After the Jump, Six Things We Saw Last Night


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GM 4: RAPID REACTS

Posted by: Jeff McMenamin
11/08/12 9:08 am EST
Philadelphia 76ers 77 FinalRecap | Box Score 62 New Orleans Hornets
Lavoy Allen, PF 27 MIN | 6-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 0 AST | 12 PTS | +20Allen may have been able to knock down a few jumpers on Wednesday night, but he’s been getting manhandled on the boards this season and just doesn’t look to be playing with the same intensity with which he played in the playoffs last season.  Starting the game as the team’s center, Allen only had four rebounds, lower than teammates Thad Young, Turner, Hawes, Wright and Holiday.  If he hopes to be in the starting lineup when Bynum returns from injury he’s going to have to find a way to be the player who averaged 11 points and nine rebounds in the playoffs for the Sixers last season.
Dorell Wright, SF 25 MIN | 2-10 FG | 1-2 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 7 PTS | +9Wright has been as hit or miss as they come this season for the Sixers and last night wasn’t any different.  A disappointing seven points on 2-of-10 from the field, but with a scrappy six rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.  Wright’s rebounding average is up at 7.8, more than two rebounds a game higher then his second-highest season average of 5.3.  While Wright’s shots aren’t falling just yet, his stroke is a thing of beauty.  You can tell what he’s capable of when his shots do start to fall.  And, he’s thoroughly impressed me on both the defensive and offensive side of the ball due to his scrappy and high energy play.  Even when Jason Richardson is healthy, Wright has proven to be more than worthy of extra minutes on the court.
Thaddeus Young, SF 37 MIN | 6-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 10 REB | 1 AST | 12 PTS | +16Thad has been “Mr. Consistency” so far this season for the Sixers. He’s scored above 12 points in every contest so far while shooting 56% from the field.  He’s also been able to hit his stride in terms of being a rebounder. He’s had back to back 10 rebound games.  Compare that to last season, where Thad compiled only three games with 10 rebounds or more for the entire season (two of which that were in the playoffs).  If Thad can keep his scoring and rebounding numbers consistent, the Sixers will be a serious match-up problem for foes when Andrew Bynum returns.  Now if only he could play better defense!?!
Evan Turner, SF 36 MIN | 7-15 FG | 0-0 FT | 8 REB | 3 AST | 14 PTS | +12‘No jump shot?  I’ll show you a jump shot.’  Turner had the best game of his 2012-13 campaign Wednesday night shooting the rock.  The difference to me came from the way in which he stepped into his shots rather than going straight up like he had been to start the season.  Turner shot 7-of-15 for 14 points while adding 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.  One can only hope last night is the start of consistent performances at this level from Turner.  He needs to help fill the void in terms of production that was left behind from Dre’s departure.
Jrue Holiday, PG 39 MIN | 6-14 FG | 2-3 FT | 5 REB | 12 AST | 14 PTS | +18Turnovers are an NBA team’s worst nightmare, especially if they’re coming from the player you’re relying upon the most to create on offense.  Holiday had an awful first half handling the rock, committing six turnovers and giving coach Doug Collins a large migraine into the locker room at halftime.  In the second half (and most likely because of the tirade by coach Collins at halftime), Holiday looked much better protecting the rock as he only committed one turnover the rest of the way.  As bad as he looked in the first half, Holiday finished the game with a season-high 12 assists while adding 14 points and five rebounds.  His no-look dime to Spencer Hawes for a dunk towards the end of the third quarter specifically sticks out as a dazzling pass.  He’s now averaging 9.5 assists per game this season, which is three assists per game higher than his previous highest season average. He has to cut down however on his five turnovers per game average which is tied for highest in the League, along with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Deron Williams.
Arnett Moultrie, PF 2 MIN | 0-0 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS | -4He’s getting the Lavoy Allen/Nikola Vucevic treatment from last season.  Unfortunately, for a guy we gave up a first round pick to get, that’s classic Doug Collins.
Spencer Hawes, C 23 MIN | 5-13 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 0 AST | 11 PTS | +2Spencer Hawes is the rock star of this Sixers team and despite his presidential hopeful Mitt Romney losing the election to Barack Obama, he looked solid on offense and defense last night.  Big Spencer scored 11 points, while adding six rebounds and three blocks and even adding in another shot from beyond the arc.  Hawes now has hit three shots from deep this season, the same amount he hit all of last season.
Maalik Wayns, PG 1 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS | -4Very confused by his lack of playing time so far this season.  He was one of the bright spots in preseason and it looks as if Royal Ivey who didn’t play one tick in preseason has now taken over his role.  The troubling part of Wayns’ lack of tick is that the Sixers desperately need someone to get to the rim on a nightly basis as they are currently standing around and hoisting way too many jumpers.  Wayns could provide a solution to this issue if given the chance.   It’s hard to be a rookie sometimes and Wayns has surely gotten the rookie treatment by coach Collins.
Royal Ivey, PG 21 MIN | 1-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 3 PTS | +7Where did Royal Ivey’s minutes come from and why?  He looks like the same exact player he was on the Sixers back in the 2008-09 season. He plays solid defense, has a decent stroke and has an above average handle.  However, he’s one of the most boring players you’ll ever see on a basketball court.  He makes watching old clips of Eric Snow playing for the Sixers like watching a new Christopher Nolan film.  That’s saying something.
Nick Young, SG 18 MIN | 1-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 1 AST | 2 PTS | +2Yet another awful game from SwagyP.  He had better looks from the field this game and I was impressed by his ability to drive and kick, but as a scorer his shots have got to start falling.  Just two points on 1-of-7 shooting last night (7-32 in his last 3 gms. = 21%) is not going to be enough for coach Collins.  When Royal Ivey gets more minutes than you, you know you’ve got to improve.

After the Jump, Six Things We Saw Last Night…


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QUESTIONABLE MOVES II

Posted by: Steve Toll
11/07/12 9:27 am EST

Jrue Holiday is getting paid $41 million over the next 4 seasons!

As in the 4th best point guard in the division, is going to be paid $41 million over the next 4 years. Holiday is young and has potential (as if he is the only player who does) while playing the least important position in the NBA.  He was outplayed by Lou Williams by every stretch of the imagination last season and his performance in the playoffs was a mirage based on the defense scheme that Boston played allowing Holiday more freedom as long as they handcuffed other players and getting to play 5 games against CJ Watson.  Based on that premise, the team payed him equal to Rajon Rondo, a guy who absolutely abused Jrue that series.  

The list of point guards who were flat out better than Holiday last season was 25+ players and it’s within the realm of possibility that Evan Turner is a super point guard to the new $41,000,000 man.  This article isn’t about bad moves made by other teams especially considering that making less bad moves isn’t exactly noteworthy.

 
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GM 3: RAPID REACTS

Posted by: C. Smith
11/06/12 8:57 am EST
New York Knicks 110 FinalRecap | Box Score 88 Philadelphia 76ers
Dorell Wright, SF 34 MIN | 4-14 FG | 4-5 FT | 9 REB | 1 AST | 14 PTS | -18D-Wright got the start last night and had mixed results. Wright scored 5 points in the first 4 minutes of the game and was a key part of the Sixers fast start, but he was a non-factor the rest of the night.
Thaddeus Young, SF 29 MIN | 7-12 FG | 0-0 FT | 10 REB | 1 AST | 14 PTS | -16Thad was the Sixers most reliable offensive player all night against the NYK and it’s great to see that he added bulk without giving up any of his speed or energy. The problem is his defensive skills are still improving and he especially can’t guard elite scorers like Carmelo Anthony at this point.
Evan Turner, SF 27 MIN | 3-9 FG | 5-5 FT | 9 REB | 6 AST | 11 PTS | -18Forget about his “solid” stat line from last night as most of his points came in garbage time. The Kid looks lost and is forcing things badly. When was the last time you saw an NBA player have to short jumpers blocked right back into his head? Well, it happened to ET last night.
Kwame Brown, C 11 MIN | 2-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 4 PTS | +2Wait…A player who spent the entire preseason on the bench got hurt (strained a muscle no less) in his first start of the season??? That’s shocking (sarcasm here).
Jrue Holiday, PG 35 MIN | 4-12 FG | 6-6 FT | 3 REB | 8 AST | 17 PTS | -17Despite some cold shooting, Jrue filled the stat sheet up again last night, but he was not his usual self at the defensive end. The NYK’s Raymond Felton abused Holiday for most of the evening.  Also Jrue (with some help from the Sixers bigs) did not handle the pick-n-roll game well at all last night.
Lavoy Allen, PF 16 MIN | 1-7 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 4 PTS | -4Would the Lavoy Allen of the 2012 Playoffs please report for duty?!?
Arnett Moultrie, PF 3 MIN | 1-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 2 PTS | 0So the Sixers trade a 1st round pick to acquire the long and bouncy rebounding machine and Moultrie has seen 3 mins of action in 3 games.  Does that make sense to anyone??
Spencer Hawes, C 21 MIN | 1-4 FG | 0-2 FT | 7 REB | 2 AST | 2 PTS | -20Hawes comes crashing back to reality (again).  After racking up 16 & 12 in the season opener, he now has 10 & 12 combined in the last two games.
Royal Ivey, PG 19 MIN | 1-4 FG | 2-2 FT | 6 REB | 0 AST | 5 PTS | -2If Ivey continues to receive 19 minutes a night, the Sixers are in big trouble this year.
Damien Wilkins, SG 12 MIN | 1-4 FG | 1-2 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 3 PTS | -7I wouldn’t have minded seeing Wilkins earlier in the game.  He’s a physical, defensive minded player who possibly could have helped stop the bleeding earlier in this game.
Nick Young, SG 29 MIN | 4-15 FG | 2-2 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 12 PTS | -10I wasn’t a big fan of the signing when it happened and after three games, I now hate it.  Everything you knew about Swaggy P has come true here in Philly.  He has a low basketball IQ, plays no defense and forces terrible shots.  Young was 0-3 before he had been on the court 2 mins. and that run extended to a 1-6 start and a 4-12 ice cold 1st half.  The less minutes he sees the better off the Sixers will be in 2012-13.  My favorite shot last night was this falling out of bounds chuck one up shot that hit the top of the backboard.

After the Jump, Six Things We Saw Last Night…


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QUESTIONABLE MOVES

Posted by: Steve Toll
11/03/12 5:17 pm EST

Joshua Harris and his crew should just sell this team right now.  The recent news of the Jrue Holiday extension and the team picking up Evan Turner’s 4th year option becoming a reality, a feeling of darkness should have begun creeping out like zombies at the Eastern State Penitentary. 

This team has absolutely no idea what they are doing and the front office is setting up the fans of the 76ers for many seasons of a Gus Frerotte-like series of  head banging concussions without help in sight.  Further proof of that is the recent news of the 7-6 hiring analytical expert Aaron Barzilai.  Coincidentally, this comes after Dileo and DC spent the offseason lighting the team’s future championship equity on fire and locking the team into a no win salary cap situation.

A day late and a few million dollars short is how to best describe the hiring of the new analytic guy for the 76ers.  Most impressive about the whole thing was Barzilai convincing the front office of his ability to help this cap strapped team in the future. 


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GM 1: (NOT SO) RAPID REACT

Posted by: Tom Sunnergren
11/01/12 4:24 pm EST
Denver Nuggets 75 FinalRecap | Box Score 84 Philadelphia 76ers
Lavoy Allen, PF 17 MIN | 1-5 FG | 1-2 FT | 4 REB | 0 AST | 3 PTS | -1Disappointing start to his sophomore season. After a very solid rookie season and an even better postseason run, LA was invisible for most of Wednesday’s opener.
Thaddeus Young, SF 36 MIN | 6-12 FG | 1-3 FT | 5 REB | 1 AST | 13 PTS | +18Thad, in the starting role he’s been clamoring for, played capably. He stayed around the basket and was, in the context of a game where less than 160 points were scored, a playmaker on the offensive end.
Jrue Holiday, PG 41 MIN | 5-16 FG | 4-5 FT | 6 REB | 11 AST | 14 PTS | +8Jrue, rewarded after the game with a 4-year $41-million contract extension, played capable quarterback against a point guard that many (okay, me) wished the Sixers had drafted ahead of him. He had 11 dimes against just three turnovers and, with the Sixers lead down to 71-70 mid fourth period, made a three-point-pay that bulwarked the Denver charge.
Jason Richardson, SG 37 MIN | 4-13 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 10 PTS | +7While, after a pair of early 3-pointers, his stroke was off, Richardson played sound, surprisingly so, defense.
Evan Turner, SF 28 MIN | 2-7 FG | 1-1 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 5 PTS | +10The Kid, in a season where he has a lot on the line, financially and professionally, got off to a dud of a start. He disappeared for stretches, and when he reappeared it didn’t mark an improvement. He was 0-for-5 in shots that he took more than three feet away from the bucket.
Spencer Hawes, PF 31 MIN | 6-11 FG | 2-2 FT | 12 REB | 2 AST | 16 PTS | +10Spence was simply a revelation. Looking like Pau Gasol 2.0, the recently benched big—mullet flowing gloriously behind him (business in the front, Tea Party in the back)—was superb inside and outside. He blocked five shots (!?!), buried a pair of 3-pointers (he’s now one shy of matching last season’s total) and was pinpoint from midrange. Seeing him play alongside Bynum is going to be fun.
Dorell Wright, SF 28 MIN | 3-12 FG | 6-6 FT | 7 REB | 0 AST | 14 PTS | -1I thought he was fantastic. Though his shot tapered off as the game wore on, he got to the line and played great help defense. He also made a fantastic hustle play, stripping Corey Brewer from behind while he galloped toward an unguarded hoop. Rumor has it he was in Collins’ dog house during camp. Looks like Collins’ dog can start sleeping in his own bed again.
Nick Young, SG 19 MIN | 3-9 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 9 PTS | -6Swaggy P brought a little too much swag and not quite enough P to the floor last night (P stands for “prudence” right?). He was as advertised. Energy: high. Shots: wild. Fro: glorious.

After the jump, Six Things We Saw In the Opener


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