| 14 November 2009
Message to the NBA: no matter how shorthanded you are, facing the Sixers you will always have a chance. If you are a good team, it will even be easy/fun.
So after the two last second wins vs a New Jersey team that was without SEVEN players, Sixers were destroyed by Utah, that was missing ‘only’ five (Deron Williams, Ronnie Price, CJ Miles, Kyle Korver, Matt Harpring).
Not much to say after the usual butt whipping by the Jazz: this time it was 90-112, pushing us under .500 again (4-5, .444). The previous year it was Deron Williams killing us, this time rookies Maynor and Matthews, + Boozer. Not too much of a difference, on our side. I think the last time we beat Utah was in Thurl Bailey's rookie year, or something like that.
Sixers’ losses, but maybe I should say games, have already become cliche, sort of broken record, after only nine outings. Bad defense overall, horrible defense on the perimeter, lack of execution, few movement without the ball, below average outside shooting. Lately we added even poor rebounding (33-44 vs Jazz).
On the other side, we saw once again a very good, well coached Utah team (I am a Sloan groupie), an oiled machine wherere everyone knows what to do and mainly what NOT to do. Jazz played their customary hard nosed, smart, team basketball, with tremendous intensity. The outcome was pretty inevitable, and the boos I’ve heard deserved, again. The whole fourth quarter was garbage time.
Quickly to S4g usual sections.
THREE ANSWERS
1) No, not many Princeton offense plays one more time. Not yet.
2) Yes, it’s official. Lou Williams currently can’t guard anyone in this league. If he’s not scoring, like last night, he’s nearly useless. Dude has to step up, on both ends of the court
3) Yes, I thought Wes Matthews retired. What? It wasn’t THAT Wes Matthews? I apologize
THREE QUESTIONS
1) How can you possibly miss all those layups? I think Iguodala airballed one, after a drive. Pretty sad.
2) Who is your best Sixer of last night? I can’t name one who played ok. Young? Good shooting night, that’s all. Iguodala’s stat line might look half-decent, but he had zero impact on the game when it counted.
3) What’s with the three point plays allowed? Is it so difficult even to foul well ???
REASONS
Why we lost the game.
We showed no balls and willing to fight. Utah plays excellent, patient offense, making the ball circulate well also for 20-22 seconds, until an open man is found. Then they hit the shots (6/8 from three at a point).
To be optimistic
Uh? Ok, maybe games like that are a chance to learn something. I hope they will watch the tape.
To be worried
We were completely outplayed by a team missing five key players. Nine games into the season and we continue making the same mistakes over and over.
Sixers go to Chicago tonight for another tough test and I’d lie to you if I’d say I expect them to bounce back.
