| 08 November 2009
They both S-T-I-N-K !!!!!
In one of the few chances I had to watch the Sixers live without going to bed late, the Detroit game was not uploading on Int'l League Pass broadband, and now it's not archived yet, despite being over more than 1 hr ago.
But there is more: it took 75 minutes (S-E-V-E-N-T-Y F-I-V-E effin' minutes) to chat with LP live support. And the waiting turned out to be completely useless, because they couldn't solve any of the problems I was facing. Unbelievable.
150 $ totally wasted, F'K LEAGUE PASS BROADBAND !!
Oh wait, maybe it was better NOT to watch the game, as Sixers lost 88-81 to a Pistons team that was missing Rip Hamilton AND Tayshaun Prince.
We are now at 3-3, .500. Mediocrity, here we come.
Really a good Sunday, thank you all.
(recap coming if & when geniuses at LP broadband will allow me to watch the game...)
UPDATE: the LP live support just informed me that it takes FIVE HOURS (!!) to upload the game in the archive... good night.
UPDATE 2: I eventually managed to watch the game, 30 hrs after it was played. A quick recap follows, just not to miss anything.
So basically after we trailed all night, with small margins, we took the lead in the fourth, extended it to four points (73-77) but finished the game allowing Pistons a 15-4 run, missing three free throws in the last minute, all by Iguodala, and the last eight shots as a team.
Keys to our loss were: not rebounding the ball (Det grabbed an impressive 20 offensive boards), not making threes, all starters except Iguodala taking basically a night off, lack of execution in crunch time.
Brand, Dalembert, Williams and Young combined for 26 points on 11/36 from the field, while Ben Gordon alone scored 23 on 9/19: you do the maths.
THREE ANSWERS
1) No, I never heard of this Jerebko guy before last night. Good pick by Pistons, this dude fights and hustles. Still, it sucks that a second rounder does all this damage.
2) Yes, Brand is starting to become an issue. Guy can't finish, has no lift, his jumpers barely hit the rim. Not shocking that he sits in fourth quarters. If he's not even rebounding the ball, like at Detroit, then he's nearly useless.
3) Yes, I must admit Green is doing well lately. Last night, playing in his hometown, he was active also defensively and the increased number of his assists is something to point out.
THREE QUESTIONS
1) What's the difference between Wallace and Dalembert? Ben knows his limitations, and rarely attempts moves or plays that are too "difficult" for him. Sam had another horrible sequence with a goaltending, a 3 second violation and a three point play allowed to...Kwame effin' Brown.
2) When will Thaddeus Young start playing some defense? Interesting to know, I am eager to see him showing up on our half court...
3) Who is old enough to have watched DARREN Daye (father of Pistons' Austin) play? Your favorite guido blogger. Darren Daye was a superstar here in Italy for Scavolini Pesaro at the end of the 80's, and won two titles (1987/88 and 1989/90). Talking about an unstoppable SF with limited athletic ability but a fantastic mid range game and the capacity to draw fouls and get to the line. Just ask Mike D'Antoni, he played against Daye Sr. many times.
REASONS
Why we lost the game
No boxing out = too many second chances given up to Detroit. Let Bynum come close to a triple double (!). Starting lineup completely outplayed by Pistons'.
To be optimistic
Uhm... I can't think of many last night. Ok, Speights was excellent again, Green is starting to become confident in his new 7th man role.
To be worried
We lost a game that should/could have won. Too many key players in bad-to-horrible form (= mainly Thad, Sam, Brand). Outside/three point shooting is still unconsistent.
Sixers play host to the 6-1 Phoenix Suns while I'm typing this. Recap coming (hopefully) tomorrow, after I'll watch the game.
