| 16 December 2009
Golden State is always a good medicine for any ailing team.
No exception this time as Sixers snapped their 12 game losing streak beating the Warriors 117-101 in a game that wasn’t close as it could seem
Thanks to what was actually a blowout, Sixers “raised” to a 6-18 (.250) record.
Since the recap comes with a 2 day-delay (sorry), I’ll keep it very short, limiting it to our usual guido sections.
THEEE ANSWERS
1) Yes, we outrebounded our opponent for the second straight game. This time it was a stunning 59-26 edge under the boards. No typos, that's fiftynine-to-twentysix, pretty unbelievable for an NBA game. Warriors have never been a good rebounding team and they came to Philly without Biedrins and Turiaf...
2) Yes, Thaddeus Young was our MVP last night. A pretty impressive 23 points at halftime, on 11/15, most on layups, drives, little hooks, off rebounds. How about those boards, also? He's putting a streak of good games under the glasses.
But good efforts from all starters, including Iverson, who had his most effective game as a Sixer. Iguodala’s shot wasn’t falling (0/8 at the break !) but we didn’t even need him to put away Golden State...
3) No, I didn’t like the starting line up, with Brand benched. Talking about a reactive, not proactive, move, “fearing” Radmanovic’ outside shooting. How about you reverse the logic and leave Brand in, and pound the ball inside? He went 4/4 as soon as he got in, without forcing a single shot. Elton is pissed off, and he’s right:
Brand, who was previously benched in some fourth quarters, said it was hard to complain about his role after a victory. He just can’t believe he’s considered a bench player early in the second year of an $80 million, five-year deal.
“When you look around at other teams, yeah,” Brand said. “It’s like, no disrespect, but (Golden State’s) Mikki Moore gets the start and I don’t. Not that he’s not a good player, but, definitely.”
I am with Brand on this one. Talking about a team, a coach, that doesn’t try to impose its/his style of bball, AGAINST A WEAKER TEAM. Lame.
I mean, it was Radmanovic, not Rashard Lewis, Golden State, not Boston. Lame. Of course the fact that we won will be used by Jordan to say that the move eventually paid off, which is the worst part. The truth is Brand scored 11 points in 16 minutes, off only five shots. Bad?
THREE QUESTIONS
1) Do you think that the 22-2 second chance points difference played a role? I’d tend to say so.
2) How nice it was to see Jrue AND Iverson combine in the back court? They set up some really nice plays and dished the ball to each other. Loved it
3) Why didn’t Kapono and Smith come in earlier in the game? I don’t get why Thad played 40 minutes and Iguodala 34 when the game was done after 30 minutes. Bad rotations again, despite the win.
REASONS
Why we won the game
Golden State was shorthanded and tired, at its last game of a tough five game road trip. We dominated the paint so much it was ridiculous.
To be optimistic
The W, obviously. Then a good game by all starters, stat sheets filled etc etc. Again, it was only the Warriors, the ideal partner to inflate numbers.
To be worried
I managed to get angry at this coach even after such an enjoyable win. That lineup, the rotations, also in garbage time, pissed me off.
Cavs time now !! A tougher test, can’t wait.
