“We’re streaking! We’re going up through the quad to the gymnasium.” Everybody knows that came from the mouth of Frank the Tank in “Old School”. Well, it looks like the Sixers are streaking, too. Only, they aren’t running drunk and naked through the streets. The Sixers lost their 3rd game in a row today by the score of 97-91 to the Miami Heat. I know that reference was a little out of left field, but come along with me anyway.
Actually, now that I think about it, the Sixers could have passed for drunk today against the Heat. Collectively, they shot 37% from the field, including two starters (Green and Iguodala) that combined to shoot 4 for 25. So during the 3 game losing streak, the Sixers have produced field goal percentages of 38%, 32%, and today’s 37%. That is absolutely horrible. The starters were absolute dominated today, except for Andre Miller. Speights and Lou Williams came off the bench and played well, but it wasn’t near enough to overcome Dwayne Wade and the Heat. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the solution lies. First of all, the Sixers just aren’t a good shooting team. They thrive on creating easy buckets off turnovers and fast break opportunities, and recently they have not been able to do much of that. Even when the Sixers shoot a high percentage, it isn’t from them hitting a bunch of jumpers. Either way, if you want to be a good NBA team, you have to find ways to convert in the half court. There have been stretches under Tony DiLeo that the Sixers have played much better in their half court offense, but that is certainly not the case right now. One of the biggest problems is that the Sixers just don’t have that reliable scorer who can get a high percentage shot whenever they want. In reality, Lou Williams may be the closest thing they have, but his shot is not consistent enough.
There were a lot of things that took place in today’s game that didn’t make a whole lot of sense. I can’t figure out why Thaddeus Young sat for so much of the 4th quarter. I like having Lou Williams in the game down the stretch, so I would prefer seeing a lineup of Miller, Williams, Iggy, Young, and Speights. I understand this lineup can’t be used in every game, but today the Sixers needed guys on the floor who could get themselves a shot, so I don’t understand why Young wasn’t on the floor. There was one more thing that drove me insane! We have already mentioned how poor of a shooting team the Sixers are, so why the hell with 24 seconds left and down by 3 do the Sixers draw up a play designed for Williams to force up a well defended three? There was plenty of time to get a bucket and foul and then maybe if you are forced to, you go for the three. Not to mention, the easiest way to get a 3 in that situation would be a drive and kick play. So, why not run a play that is designed to get to the hole and then either get the easy bucket or kick for an open 3? Granted, Lou didn’t have to shoot it, but it was obviously the designed play, and I think it was a bad call by DiLeo. Last I checked, the Sixers traded Kyle Korver.
So, where do the Sixers go from here? Well, they have some winnable games coming up, and they need to seize that opportunity. Plain and simple, the Sixers best offense is their defense. It may be cliché, but it’s absolutely true. That is where it needs to start for this team. They have the ability to harass teams all over the court, and in order get out of this horrible shooting stretch, that’s what they need to do. Let’s face it, easier looks equal better field goal percentage. Let’s see if the Sixers can make Frank the Tank proud and go “streaking” in the other direction.
RANTS
I just wanted to mention 2 other things regarding the Sixers real quick that are really starting to piss me off. Scratch that, I am already pissed.
1) Willie Green- Willie Green has no business starting in the NBDL, let alone the NBA. I honestly don’t get it. He never plays in the 4th quarter, so that shows how much they think of him. If you won’t play him in the 4th, why the hell is he starting? Why not start Speights at the four, Young at the 3? Or, insert Williams into the starting lineup at the 2. Anything would be better than having to watch Willie Green pretend to be an NBA player.
2) Sammy- He needs to shut his mouth! I am tired of hearing him complain to reporters every time his name is mentioned for a trade or someone says he needs to play better. Uh, hey Sam, you stink. You are making millions of dollars and have absolutely zero ability on the offensive end! He has some crazy idea that if he played 40 minutes a game, he’d be a 20/10 guy. I’m sorry, I just can’t stand listening to him complain every time something doesn’t go his way. Ok, I’m done.
I’m delighted that someone else has realized that there’s a problem with our starting lineup! I must say that I am not down on Willie Green as you are: he is a streak player who seems most effective in the first quarter (from what I see). Let’s give him a little credit, too; he has managed to have a career scoring average of almost ten points a game, which is not bad considering he was a second round pick. I do agree that he shouldn’t be starting. However this is not my main issue with the starting lineup.
I wonder why we insist on using last year’s starting lineup (Miller, Green, Iguodala, Young, Dalembert)? The ceiling for that squad is a first round exit. The bigger problem is that the other players won’t be prepared to play with a legitimate 4 (Elton Brand) because they insist on playing Thaddeus Young out of position. I believe Thad needs to learn how to play the three; find out what works, what doesn’t and how to flourish in that position. Likewise, Iguodala needs to move back to the two (added benefit would be demoting Willie Green) and learn how to play that spot. Have Marreese Speights play Elton Brand’s role in the starting lineup so that we may be simulate how playing with Brand will work for next season; this also helps us develop Speights better. If the Sixers don’t want to do that, then they’ve to resolve to trade either Iguodala or Young. They both play the same position and apparently they both aren’t swingmen (play either the two or three). I think Iguodala’s contract won’t look good coming off the bench, and I believe Young is too good, too talented to have to come off the bench.
Having Speights in the starting lineup might result in a few more losses, but it is alright. We aren’t winning a championship this season with Thaddeus Young playing the four; the only other basketball objective this team should have to is figure out how this team will work with its main 80 million dollar centerpiece (Brand). Why delay that until next season? Let’s get a head start and learn more about this team.
By the way, I believe Speights will handle this well. From what I have seen, the rook is fearless on offense. Some players just don’t want it, but you can tell that Speights wants the ball when the team is in a tough spot and he delivers when he gets opportunities.
I really don’t have anything to add to that, Daryll. Very well said. Love that starting lineup.
For the sake of accuracy, I meant to say that I agree with everything that DARRYL said. Sucks when you spell someone’s name wrong.
Twitter Comment
@TheCheapSeats Could you be any happier about the Willie Green trade? [link to post]
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