| 19 January 2010
In Italy we have a pretty funny saying that goes like "When you hit rock bottom, you can always start digging".
It's what Sixers (13-27, .325) basically did by losing 108-103 in overtime at Minnesota.
Recap comes two days late, I forgot Monday was MLK day (much respect) in the US so I watched the game replayed on Tuesday, as usual, while I could have caught it live yesterday, since it was a matinee... my bad.
The most shocking loss of the season came against a powerhouse team that: was 8-33 before tip off - was missing its best rebounder and second best scorer (Love) - started the game shooting 7/29 - trailed by 20 points in the second (31-51) and by 17 at halftime (40-57) - was averaging 30% from behind the arc before the game, third worst in the NBA, but shot 7/12 vs the Sixers (58%), missing the last three.
If you are not satisfied yet, consider that Brian Cardinal (1.9 PPG this season, 39% FG) had a season high nine points on 66% shooting, to go with three assists, in twelve minutes of action. That means he was on pace to score 36 in 48 minutes. Brian. Cardinal.
You could write a (sad) book about this game and Sixers' atrocious performance, but I'll save you this, it's too late now for a real recap. Check Kate Fagan's article, and focus on this part:
"Point guard Allen Iverson played 23 consecutive minutes in the second half, committing three turnovers and making 3 of 9 shots. Jordan pulled Iverson with 51.6 seconds remaining in regulation and then never returned him to the floor - not for regulation's final play or the entire overtime".
Final play = potential game winner. Iverson was on the bench. Same for overtime, in which Sixers scored a good four points in five minutes. Shockingly, it wasn't enough to win the game.
My guess is Iverson was kept in for that 23 minute stretch for defensive purposes. That paid off, as we limited Timberwolves to only 33 third quarter points. And on the final possession of regulation, Iverson was probably tired, so Jordan saved him the last 4 seconds of the game. Savvy move.
I like this part as well, always from Kate's article:
Starting guard Lou Williams, who scored 11 points in the first quarter, did not play a minute in the fourth. Backup guard Jrue Holiday, known primarily for his defensive ability, did not play in the third, fourth or overtime periods
And you gotta love the Lou Williams-for-Elton Brand substitution in overtime, also. That allowed to keep a completely useless Thaddeus Young in (he played all five minutes, doing absolutely nothing), two proven scorers in crunch time like Iverson and Speights on the bench, and go with a back court of Green and Lou himself (more after the jump, if you are brave enough).THREE ANSWERS
1) Yes, Jefferson schooled Dalembert one more time. The nice set of low post pump/shot fakes of Minnesota's big man is always too much to handle for Sam, same story every year. Brand played better defense on Jefferson, especially in the fourth quarter, but for limitd time.
2) Yes, killed by Ryan Gomes, you gotta believe it. Fourteen points in the third, decisive to me. He was taking kick outs, hitting threes and finishing around the rim.
3) No, zero answers for Jonny Flynn. If you take out Jrue, the guy who defended him better was Green. This should give you an idea.
THREE QUESTIONS
1) Is it mandatory to have Iguodala taking - and missing - the last shot (that is usually a contested fallaway jumper)? I will try to make a research and find how many game winners he missed, I'm having a discussion over at Depressed Fan about this.
2) Need more evidences that Iguodala is not clutch? How about 0/2 from the line with 27 seconds left and Sixers trailing by one? Than Jefferson decided to pull a Dalembert and committed a goaltend on the second, missed free throw: game tied at 99.
3) Need more from Iguodala? How about TWO turnovers in overtime, one dumber than the other? One offensive foul and one embarassing double dribble, something you don't see from 10 year olds.
Again, not blaming (only) him for the loss, it was a TEAM loss, as every other loss. He happens to choke in crunch time because he often has the ball in those situations, but the fact is that his team mates appear to refuse to take responsibilities, and who could have taken those shots (Iverson & Speights) was on the bench... Green even hit the side of the backboard on a wide open corner three in overtime...
Sixers offensive possessions down the stretch were all "let's give someone else the ball and hope for the best" type of plays.
REASONS
Why we lost the game
Usual, lethal combo: horrible rotations, poor play on the court, lack of personality. Ouh yes, and Gomes is unstoppable of course...
To be optimistic
One step closer to the firing of the worst NBA coach. Only one TWolves game left, and at home. Stefanski was at Minnesota and will possibly draw some conclusion.
To be worried
Not even half of the season has passed, but I feel like I watched three years of this crap.
Portland next.
