| 07 November 2009
I really can't enjoy these kinds of wins, I am sorry. I felt the same after the MSG game.
I think there are very few good things to save in the 97-94 win over New Jersey (3-2, .600), a team that would be euphemistic to define "depleted" as it dressed only nine players (!!), and one of those (Courtney Lee) had to leave in the third quarter because of a leg injury.
So first off let me take my hat off to the 0-6 Nets, that played without Devin Harris, Yi Jinlian, Chirs Douglas Roberts, Jarvin Hayes, Keyon Dooling, Tonie Battie. And Courtney Lee.
The Nets left played a great game, showed a lot of pride and only came up short in crunch time, maybe because they were tired, maybe because they are not talented enough, probably because of both.
In the last play of the game, with Sixers up three and NJ inbounding the ball, after 10 seconds of good team defense on the perimeter (finally !) Iguodala nicely stole the ball from Terrence Williams, avoiding a three point shot that could have sended the game to a scaring overtime. Before that, Sixers couldn't put away their opponents, missing two foul shots in the last 22 seconds, wih Iguodala and Thad making only one-of-two and giving Frank's team that last chance.
New Jersey stayed close for the whole night, and even built a eight point lead in the third (61-69), taking advantage of Sixers' poor game. Frank's defensive strategy was pretty clear: pack the painted area and challenge the Sixers to shoot from outside. He used a lot of zone, also because of his limited roster of course.
Sixers turned the ball over way too much (six times in the first quarter alone), something we are sadly getting used to see. Our big men were totally dominated by a fantastic Brook Lopez, but we shot well, even from deep, we made the right plays down the stretch, with Lou Williams having a pair of big baskets and Iguodala knocking down the go-ahead three. Andre made it 95-92 with 2.02 left, after a very good offensive possession in which we patiently moved the ball on the perimeter, finally finding the man for the open shot.
Even Sam, embarassed by Lopez, had a key offensive rebound, that led to Thad's free throws (96-94), and before that Willie Green drained a jumper that tied the game at 87, completing our comeback.
I noticed some really interesting things last night. Let's see them in the following section (after the jump)THREE ANSWERS
1) No, Sixers' can't roll past bad teams. We struggled with Milwaukee, then with New York, now with New Jersey. Yes, they were three wins, but we should have closed these games earlier.
2) Yes, Jason Smith looks fully recovered and was perhaps my MVP. Really a good game, doing basically all in his intense 16 minutes: scoring, rebounding, blocking shots, drawing charges. Definitely encoraging.
3) No, Eddie Jordan doesn't think Brand is a key player for this team. Elton had a really good first quarter, with eight points on 4/5, but didn't score at all after that, and most importantly sat out the whole fourth quarter. Uhm...
THREE QUESTIONS
1) Who is the PF in a lineup with Lou Williams -Willie Green - Jason Kapono - Rodney Carney - Marreese Speights? Believe it or not, these are the five players that started the fourth quarter ! A really bold move by Eddie Jordan, that worked pretty well offensively but didn't pay much defensively, because we couldn't get a rebound under our rim to save our lives. Coach had to put the starters back in quickly.
2) what's the real value of our second unit? Yet to be determined, but last night I think it was huge. EVERYONE, and I mean everyone, contributed: Carney played only 4 minutes but hit a big three in the fourth, Ivey played very well and gave us a boost in the second, Green dished even four dimes ! Very good job collectively, with a lot of hustle.
3) how much will it take to see a rotation set? This is another big question, I have the impression that Jordan is still evaulating everyone, so expect another 10-15 games before seeing a pattern.
REASONS
Why we won the game
Made less mistakes and come up with good plays on both ends of the court in the last two minutes.
To be optimistic
We showed we have good depth. We shot 50% from the arc. Kapono is proving he's a great addition, a terrific shooter that is finding his spots in this offense and that team mates already look for.
To be worried
Brand's role is still obscure. Last night's Nets were almost a D-League team and we came to the last play of the game to pull out a W. We made Trenton frekkin' Hassell look like the best Tracy Mc Grady, making seven of his first eight shots. Fortunately he turned back to his usual self down the stretch, missing two key free throws.
Sixers go to Detroit on Sunday, check Detroit4lyfe and Pistons Nation for great coverage about our next opponent.
Ouh, I nearly forgot it: do you remember that last season the lowly Nets SWEPT US ??? So, as always, let's see the half full part of the glass... we snapped a losing streak !
