| 31 December 2009
Ok, I am kidding.
But only to a point, because it's only the second time this year that Sixers win two straight, with a chance to extend that "streak" tonight at L.A. against the Clippers.
So yes, LET'S actually get carried away by the 106-116 W at Sacramento, improving our record to an aways awful 9-22 (.290) !
In all seriousness now, we have to consider that Kings were missing Tyreke Evans, besides Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia, sidelined since a long time. We were without Willie Green, though (insert laughs here).
But Sixers showed some really good things last night, and it's worth reminding them in this brief recap before we all go celebrate the last day of 2009 with our families.
THREE ANSWERS
1) Yes, six players in double figure is always a nice sign of a balanced offense: for the second consecutibe game Sixers shared the ball well, made the extra passes, used Iverson properly (in the pic, trying to teach something to his younger teammates), knocked down timely outside shots, effectively mixed drives and jumpers. Pretty impressive, especially remembering the mess that it used to be (then again, it was - half of - the Kings...)
2) No, I don't think we will shoot 9/16 from downtown so often, so let's enjoy this special night. Carney did most of the damage (two important treys to start the 4th) but Iverson also made his first shots from behind the arc as a Sixer this year
3) No, no particular criticisms to Jordan this time, it would be unfair. I stay with my opinion on him but he did the right moves, even with some weird lineups that he is getting us used to...
How about Ivey-Williams-Carney-Iguodala-Brand to start the fourth ??? Or Ivey-Iverson-Carney-Iguodala-Brand to end the third? We saw both. Yes, for limited minutes but... ok, I'll stop here.
THREE QUESTIONS
1) How could we fell to 30-17 early in the second? Our first quarter (28-17) was horrible, we started shooting 4/16, had many turnovers and a lot of three point plays allowed. Jordan went deep in his bench quickly, getting something only from Jrue Holiday, who had a nice impact offesively
2) How come is it possible to collect three 3 second violation in a quarter? Sixers did it, in the third, and Kings regained the lead (61-60).
3) Is it me or this Casspi guy is very good? I wathed the Kings a couple of times before this game but he never played so well. His catch-and-shoot ability is a thing of a beauty, and the release of his shot is extremely quick. He needs to add bulk but the talent is there, great addition by the Kings.
Donte Greene is also a nice player, he posted up smaller opponents smartly and dished out a couple of fancy passes.
REASONS
Why we won the game
Shot the ball very well, scored every time we needed it, had an unusual 3 pt barrage in our favor. Kings NEVER got a stop in crunch time.
To be worried
Jason Smith played horrible again, three turnovers in four meaningless minutes, Young was pretty uninspired also. Uh, and Willie Green will be back.
We managed to lose the battle under the boards (38-40) against a very small/thin/(soft?) team. If you are a tanker, playoffs are only 3 and 1/2 wins away...
To be optimistic
If you are NOT a tanker, playoffs are only 3 and 1/2 wins away. Rodney Carney had a great game, Lou Williams was unstoppable: in his stat line, make sure to check also the zero turnovers in nearly fourty minutes.
Let me wish all of you a great 2010 and let's see if Sixers can close the 2009 in a winning fashion.
