| 28 October 2009
...for staying up until 2.30 AM to watch live the Sixers getting buried in Orlando (0-1, .000) as the 120-106 final score does NOT tell.
A longer recap coming tomorrow, with an edit of this post, but I must say I am really scared after this epic blowout.
Just some half time stats to give you an idea: score at 70-47 (!! no, it wasn't Doug Moe's Denver Nuggets team with English and Vandeweghe...), Orlando shooting 66% (27/41, including 10/16 from three point land), vs Sixers' 41% (17/41), 15-8 assist edge for the Magic, that also outrebounded us 20-15.
Game was over after 24 minutes, maybe less. We simply didn't show up.
But Sixers managed to lose also the third quarter, ending it down 31 at 100-69... at a point Magic were leading by 28 (90-62) with 14/20 from beyond the arc: that counts for 70% baby. It was either a three or a layup, courtesy of Sixers' "defense".
Speights' career high 26 points are the only thing to save tonight: and there's a fire already lighted under Elton Brand's ass...
More to come tomorrow, now I can go to bed "satisfied"... FUCK !!
EDIT - I added some points, below. More after the jump.
Game 1 marks the first edition of Sixers4guidos' special features that will last until Game 82 (and possibly more...): sections "3 Qs and 3 As" and "Reasons"
THREE ANSWERS
1) No, we are NOT an elite team in the East, we are light years away from the best teams. This in case someone was wondering.
2) Yes, Marreese Speights will be in a position to start soon, especially with THIS Brand
3) Yes, it will take a lot of time to adjust to the Princeton offense.
THREE QUESTIONS
1) Why is Dalembert getting routinely destroyed by Howard? Is it possible that he still can't find a way at least to stay on the floor a lil' bit more vs him? He committed his 5th foul, an idiotic one on offense, with 9 minutes left in the 3rd...
2) if Lou Williams got absolutely BURNED by fading Jason Williams, who DIDN'T PLAY LAST YEAR (!), what will happen when he'll have to guard a Rondo, a Mo Will, not to mention Paul, Deron Williams, Rose etc? His foul while the former Heat was attempting a half court shot at the end of the first half was something for the ages, the ice on the cake.
3) Why is Iguodala (72% last season, 75% for the career) shooting technicals? I understand he's the leader of the team bla bla bla, but how about sending to the line a guy that safely puts the ball in the damn basket?
REASONS
For the loss: uhm, we simply weren't ready to play.
To be optimistic: Still the first game + no one in Philly watched, as the Phillies were winning Game 1 of the WS in NY during the Orlando slaughter.
To be worried:
-
Magic were without Rashard Lewis, who led the NBA in 3 pointers made last season (220), and still connected 16 times from downtown.
- I just read that coach Jordan said: "Our game plan was to take away the post-up and the rolls and the paint scorers. Their post game didn't really hurt us...". WHAT? Hello, Howard scored 21 points in 28 minutes on 9/11 !!!!! And Gortat chipped in with 8 + 5... imagine if it hurted us, LOL !!!
-
21/30 from the FT line is ugly. Same team of last year, minus Reggie Evans and plus Jason Kapono. I want them to be over 78% easily.
Sixers play host to the Bucks on Friday, with a loss there I would allow myself to go nuts...
