Sad to learn Phil Jasner long time basketball writer in the Philly area died today. Everyone liked him, he knew basketball, and you could never acuse him of writing fluff pieces for the Sixers organization. He wrote what was, not what the Sixers office told him to.
Jodie Meeks goes off for 20points in the 1st quarter. If only someone like me who had been screaming for him to start over Turner all year had been listened to we might be a .500 team. Most importantly having Meeks on the court improves the Sixers defense, there is no better way to get another team's offense to press and make mistakes then by draining the three and scoring.
Andre Iguodala had some great dunks in the 1st, he also took some bad outside shots, wish Doug Collins would stress to him the importance of driving the basket and outlaw him shooting from outside.
The five players on the court for the final 12 seconds of the 1st for the Sixers was Holiday, Turner, Meeks, Nocioni, and Brand. Doug Collins needs to remember to never do that again. 4 guard-like players with a center-like player is not the answer to any situation. There is no worse lineup on the floor for the Sixers then the ones featuring Brand at Center, it never works, and its only mildly effective when the other team has a terrible option at Center themselves. We used Brand at Center too much tonight.
Sixers continue to allow the opposition to get too many free possessions by not getting the easy rebounds off of misses. No excuse for it.
Half way through the 2nd quarter and I saw something from Doug Collins I had never seen before, a look of intensity on his face. Hopefully the cobwebs are clearing for him and he starts being more taskmaster and leader instead of friend and teacher. Would certainly lead to good things for the Sixers.
The Sixers cheerleader's blue bodysuits were an extremely classy look, super hot. Makes those overcoats from the other game look stupid and half of their other outfits look trampy. Blue bodysuits were spot on, they said,"Yeah you could buy me, but you probably couldn't afford it." Not that I am implying they are for sale.
Iguodala driving up the court with a minute left to go in the 2nd that led to a behind the back pass to a wide open Thad Young for the basket was the kind of play the Sixers need Jrue Holiday to start making. It's the kind of play they need Turner to start making. Too many of Jrue's Assists are still coming from just passing a guy a ball, he still needs to create more.
I noticed after Meeks scored 20 Lou Williams and Thad Young were "pressing" their shots quite a bit, that is what happens when you label a player on a team a designated scorer. Picking up chucker habits these guys were pressing and chucking not to be outdone and instead got themselves completely messed up. That is why no coach on any team should label a player a designated chucker er scorer, you have to get playing a complete game.
Early in the 3rd, Sixers didn't just make the extra pass, they made an extra 7 passes until the team forced Meeks to shoot a three, which he missed. As a pro you have to shoot the open shot. Opening 4 or 5 minutes of the 3rd and Sixers are showing a lot of "tightness" on the Offensive end, they are maintain the lead on good Defense and cold shooting by the Bobcats.
Once again after halftime Concast decided to do a coaches interview while the game is starting instead of during halftime, you know halftime, when the game isn't being played.
Spencer Hawes has dramatically improved his desire to rebound from the beginning of the season. Meanwhile Maurice Speights, a very talented young man, continues to play himself off the court by not having any idea what to do as part of a team effort.
End of the 3rd Iggy had a highlight monster dunk over 2 players while fouled.
Was nice to see Thad Young take a charge to start the 4th, nice to see him starting to play Defense. He needs to do just that sort of thing, he can't just be a scorer.
It is clear Jason Kapono is only sitting on the bench in the hope that one day they can use his 7million dollar contract to even out a trade number. That trade, whatever it is, can't happen soon enough.
Evan Turner put in the game with 4 minutes to go in the 4th, I can't believe how much this kid just stands there looking like he is gonna cry cause no one is passing him the ball.
Eric Snow continues to be terrible.
Mark Zumov is so much better when he is telling you who is on the court and describing the action on the court. AS opposed to when he just sits there and rambles on oblivious to the action talking with Eric Snow in a conversation that only the two of them get.
The final thought on the game is the Bobcats are going to have a long season, if Nazr Mohammed is your center that has got to hurt.
