In Chicago Sixers lose game, Speights

Forward Marreese Speights to miss 6-8 weeks; MRI reveals a partial tear of the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) in left knee.

I just set up a new poll about what will happen in Speights' absence (see on the right), so vote there, I'm curious to know your opinions.

Before that, there was the Chicago game, a 94-88 loss that I watched replaying this evening. Here is the recap, with some considerations on Sixers' season so far. I think ten games (4-6, .400) are enough to make a first analysis.

Overall, the loss to the Bulls was an improvement over the rout vs Utah of the night before. This is not saying much, of course, but at least I saw some effort.

Sixers started extremely well (6-20 on a three by Young) and knocked down their first seven shots, but then stopped scoring for the next 6 minutes, allowing Chicago's comeback (16-0 run !), before Iguodala's last second half court shot made it 22-23.

The game remained a close one for the next two quarters (40-41, 63-59), but at the beginning of the fourth Bulls made a push, lifted by two baskets by Hirinch, fouled by Kapono twice (uncharacteristically, their PG missed both foul shots): 71-61 with 9.40 left. Jumpers were falling for Chicago, that managed to extend the lead: 77-63, 82-65 (5.40 left).

At that point I was expecting a 20+ loss, but Sixers showed some pride and didn't quit. Iguodala and Lou Williams carried us offensively until Carney hit a three pointer to cut Bulls' lead to only five with 53 seconds to play, 90-85. Chicago secured the win from the line, while Carney and Williams rushed, and missed badly, two threes.

Interesting how Chicago used basically a seven man rotation, while Jordan gave Ivey and Smith two DNP CDs, played Kapono and Green 10 minutes (I say this was ok because they were in an off night: a combined 0/7), Holiday only five, and waited until the 42th minute before putting Carney in.

That's how their bench outscored ours 33-9. In Bulls' case "bench" means merely Hinrich + Brad Miller. That was one of the keys, together with Chicago's balanced offense (more after the jump).

THREE ANSWERS

1) Yes, Elton Brand sat out the whole fourth quarter again. I watched the game listening to Bulls' commentators (Stacey King and another dude) and they were wondering how would Eddie Jordan incorporate a low post player like Brand in the Princeton offense. I have a hard time figuring out IF he will incorporate the other 12 players, let alone Brand.

2) No, no signs of the aforementioned Princeton offense yet. Ten games and I still can't say I saw a game in which we used it properly, and for a significant amount of plays. One would expect something more at this point of the season, uh?

3) Yes, I found a worse defender than Lou Williams: ladies and gentleman, mr. Jason Kapono. We all knew he would have come, but maybe not in this 'spectacular' way: burned by Kirk Hinrich for two "and one" plays in the fourth.

THREE QUESTIONS

1) are our players aware of the fact that before taking a step or two you actually have to take a damn dribble ???? I lost the count of traveling violations but it should be 7-8. Talking about lack of fundamentals. This is becoming an annoying trend for Thaddeus Young, but also Iguodala has always his 2-3 per game.

2) also, what's with the missed free throws? If you know me, you remember this is a thing that drives me crazy. We lost by six points and missed eight from the line, shooting 62%. You think that helped? Both Iguodala (a putrid 64% for the season...) and Lou Williams went 0/2, that's unacceptable for a perimeter player, especially in a close game. I thought that with Reggie Evans being replaced by Jason Kapono, our percentage from the stripe would have become good, but 74% (currently 17th in the League) isn't.

3) what will happen with Marreese Speights out so long? First, let me say I am really sorry for him, Speights' excellent play was one of the few good notes in this disappointing start of the season.

In terms of mere numbers, his 13 pts and 6 rebounds in 23 minutes might look  pretty easily replaceable, combining the (predictable) increase in minutes for the other frontcourt guys. Here I'm thinking Brand and, to a lesser extent - but only because it's still not clear how coach 'sees' him - Jason Smith.

But I'm afraid it's Speights' 60% from the field that we will miss the most, not to mention the energy and the big shots/plays down the stretch. He was one of our most prolific scorers in crunch time, the guy not afraid to take a big shot, either creating it, or grabbing the offensive rebound.

Brand will probably see at least some action in the fourth quarters (he deserves some chances, IMO, after all we almost never saw him in those situations this year), but I don't exclude Jordan will go small, playing more Thad at the four, perhaps with Kapono and/or Carney in. That could be a solution to speed up the tempo.

Also, Primoz "gangsta" Brezec will be activated. The slovenian Calvin Booth (ok, not just as ugly....).

REASONS

Why we lost the game.

Came up short in the last minute. Comeback started too late. Shot poorly again from the line and from three. Didn't use the bench properly **cough** poor coaching ** cough **.

To be optimistic

We stayed close all night and made a nice run when everybody was expecting a final collapse. Brand played... decent, and hit some turnaround jumpers that he was missing before. Sam had a good game - but gave up two big off rebound to Noah in the closing minutes. Iguodala had a solid outing as well - with the exception of TOs and FTs.

To be worried

Our record is 4-6 and our wins came vs teams that hold a combined 6-21 record. If you take out the win vs Milwaukee (5-2), that btw was Bucks' first game, it means that the other (tough) three came vs opponents that are 1-19: New Jersey 0-10, New York 1-9. Body language of our players is not good. Brad Miller drove past our big men TWICE (I swear).

Sixers 'enjoy' three days of 'rest' before taking on the 3-6 Bobcats. I expect a good 3,500-4,000 fans at the Wachovia center on Wednesday. Maybe even 4,200.