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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CLOSURE ?!?

Posted by: Tim Parker
10/31/12 9:31 am EST

At the start of every new NBA season, there is a renewed of belief, hope, and confidence.  For the Sixers, 2012-2013 is no different.  Even though, the true (unspoken) goal is to just be able stay in the same ballpark of class as the Miami Heat. 

Nonetheless, there is a unique, almost poetic feeling about Wednesday night’s season opener at the Wells Fargo Center.  As the Sixers begin a new chapter of their franchise’s history, they will be forced to look their past dead in the eyes; in the form Andre Iguodala.

As Iguodala brings his Denver Nuggets to Philadelphia, he carries a truckload of baggage with him, including memories (both good and bad), 8 years of frustrations, and a fractured relationship with the 76ers’ faithful. 

Whether he was loved or hated, he was a much maligned, polarizing figure, partly because of his salary, demeanor, skill-set, and lack of team success.

Ironically enough, his final season as a Sixer would be the one where he actually began to be appreciated.  He earned his only All-Star appearance; he led his team to their first playoff series victory in a decade, and nearly took a talent deficient team to the Eastern Conference Finals.

But, by then it was already too late.

 
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3 GAME REVIEW

Posted by: Tim Parker
10/16/12 9:59 am EST

If winning mattered in the preseason, the 76ers would be off to a more than promising start; especially after demolishing the Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center on Monday night.

But of course, exhibition basketball is strictly about evaluation, with winning being a benign afterthought.  After all, the Celtics were without Kevin Garnett (allowing Spencer Hawes, who had 17 points in 17 minutes, to look like Moses Malone).  Meanwhile, the Sixers have yet to see their new centerpiece, Andrew Bynum in action, as his knee continues to be injected (legally, of course) and recover.

Though, even with Bynum’s absence, the 7-6′s preseason performance has shown why they are in need of the big man’s service.

In the most simplistic terms, it still has been difficult for the Sixers to score in their set offense.  It’s just ugly to watch at times.  The struggle for shot creation has carried over into a brand new season as they have no dynamic offense weapons to create space and scoring opportunities for teammates.  While, they’ve continued to thrive on fast break opportunities, they continue to look sluggish in half court situations.

That’s why Bynum’s presence is beyond anticipated, as he will just make it easier for everyone, including Jrue Holiday.


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LEARNING CURVE HAS BEGUN

Posted by: Jeff McMenamin
10/12/12 10:41 am EST

It seems like just yesterday Andre Iguodala was sinking a free throw to send the Sixers to the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.  A few months earlier, Lou Williams showed off his best Allen Iverson impression, scoring 14 points (including the last 10) in a 4th quarter comeback to stun the Lakers at home for a monumental victory. 

Or what about Elton Brand? From being lost in the shadows of the 2010-11 season, to shifting gears and having one of the best defensive seasons in his NBA career while vocally willing the Sixers to one of their most successful seasons of the past decade.

The memories are hard to forget.  And, without a doubt every last one of them deserves credit for putting on their uniform every day and fighting for this organization.

You see, regardless of how ‘Dre has acted towards the Sixer coaching staff and its fans the past week, let’s take a moment and reflect on what these three men have given you all.  A franchise that is relevant again.  Other talented players did help out along the way, but through all the doubters (myself included towards the end of last season) these three fought night after night and gave this city and its fans a reason to believe. 

The Sixers are more relevant than ever, but the current roster isn’t filled with the same familiar faces you’ve seen in the past.  It’s truly hard to believe that the Sixers team which is about to embark on the 2012-13 NBA season holds only 5 of the 12 players who made their stamp in the history books last season. Everything you used to know and were used to seeing as a Sixers fan is about to change for good.

 

In comes a brand new game plan on both offense and defense, but with only a short month to master everything. Not only that, but there’s a huge piece missing to the puzzle. Unless you’ve fallen into a deep depression watching the Washington Nationals beat out the Phillies for a playoff spot this fall, then you should have heard that Andrew Bynum will most likely sit out all of preseason to recover from the knee “procedure” he had in Germany back in September.

This kind of a roster shakeup creates a lot of adjustments which need to be facilitated and we got our first look at how the players are adapting to those adjustments last night.


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NO BYNUM…NO BIG DEAL

Posted by: Tom Sunnergren
10/08/12 9:20 am EST

Like a gluten free bakery, the Sixers training camp is most defined by what’s absent from it.

As in: Andrew Bynum.

You don’t have to be a reactionary, glass-half-full, gloom-monger to feel less than terrific about this.

For starters, the basket the Sixers have placed all their eggs in feels shaky enough about the condition of his already twice operated on knees that, at 24, he traveled to Germany to have an experimental procedure performed on them.  This is the kind of Hail Mary usually reserved for injury-wracked washouts and aging, megalomaniacal,glory chasers.  Not guys who weren’t of drinking age the last time we elected a president.

It’s also a problem because the Sixers are planning something of an offensive overhaul this season and the centerpiece of the overhaul is indisposed.

 
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PERFECT COMPLEMENT

Posted by: Michael Kaskey-Blomain
08/20/12 10:15 am EST

Although the addition of Andrew Bynum has deservedly dominated headlines of Philadelphia media in the wake of last week’s big blockbuster, Andrew wasn’t the only player the team acquired that could have a major impact this season.  If healthy, Jason Richardson has an opportunity to revitalize his career with the Sixers, as well as play a prominent part in the first season of the Bynum era here in Philadelphia.

While he may not be the athlete he once was when he was soaring to back-to-back slam dunk championships, Richardson still has significant basketball abilities.  His mainly skill as we know is shooting the ball and shooting it well.  That should prove to be a valuable asset to a young Sixer squad with suddenly high expectations.  Many have all but written off Richardson after an underwhelming, injury-plagued stint in Orlando, but there’s reason to believe that the 31 year old swing man, reportedly near full health, can still produce.


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