| 28 January 2010
You can update your list of chokers. Add Elton Brand there.
Ironically (uhm, maybe not), it was him, by far our MVP of the night, to blow the decisive shot, a 1-vs-0 layup with 8 seconds left (same as in the pic, minus the opponent...).
Sixers lost 91-88 in Milwaukee, to fall to a putrid 15-30 record (.333).
Actually after that unbelievable miss, Brand grabbed the offensive rebound and was short on another one, a fallaway jumper.
Then Ridnour went only 1/2 from the line with 2 seconds left, so that Iguodala could misfire on his umpteenth jumper at the buzzer.
So this is the updated stat about our last shots: as a team we are 0/9 this year.
Iguodala is 0/5: misses at NY (Oct 31, end of regulation, Sixers eventually won in OT 141-127), Nov 30 at Dallas (104-102 Mavs), Dec 5 at Charlotte (106-105 Bobcats), Jan 18 at Minnesota (end of regulation, Sixers eventually lost in OT, 108-103 T'Wolves), and Jan 27 at Milwaukee (91-88 Bucks). The "Choke-late thunder" ? How do you like this nickname? I just made it up for you.
Lou Williams is 0/1, last second missed three at Washington, Nov 24 (108-107 Wizards).
Carney is 0/1, last second missed three at home vs the Knicks, Jan 13 (92-93).
So it's actually 0/7. Technically Brand's point blank shot is not a last second attempt, but, I mean, you can't keep a blown layup with eight seconds left out of this list, right? So make it at least 0/8, and 0/9 if you include his following, second miss (which you should do).
That's a pretty remarkable list of choking jobs. It includes jumpers (way open & contested), some threes, a layup. Different players are involved but you gotta love how we insist putting the ball in Iguodala's hands down the stretch.
Not that others did better, even in "easier" situations - with open looks I mean. Bottom line, Sixers will always find a way to f'k things up down the stretch. I told you tankers shouldn't worry (more after the jump).THREE ANSWERS
1) Yes, it was a horrendous game. Bob Cooney sums it up well this time:
This one was so ugly that at one point in the second quarter, the Bucks had made just 15 of 43 shots, had been outrebounded, 30-16, and yet trailed by just 39-36.
2) No, no matter how much you suck, you'll always have a chance vs the Sixers. Milwaukee starts Delfino, Mbah-a-Moute (worst couple of starting forwards in the NBA?) and Charlie friggin' Bell. To me, it was a miracle they were 18-25 before this game. Make it 19 Ws now.
3) No, no matter how hard you try to lose the game, Sixers will beat you in that. Bucks were in the second night of a back-to-back, got outrebounded 35-51, went 2/8 from the line in the final 6 minutes, had a 91% FT shooter going 1/2 with 2 seconds left, but it wasn't enough.
THREE QUESTIONS
1) Are Sixers falling apart? Kate Fagan has a heck of a post telling us a lot of bad, bad, bad yet real facts.
2) What was the purpose of Kapono's 9 minutes? Nine !! He did NOTHING !! Carney had a decent contribution in the second quarter but basically got no run after.
3) Burned by Ilyasova (7/8)? The list of unlikely Sixers-killers has to be update as well. After Dahntay Jones, this time it was the turkish forward, perhaps the ugliest looking shot (and face) in the NBA.
REASONS
Why we lost the game
Only two players showed up yesterday, Brand and Young. One of those two couldn't finish under the rim on the decisive play. Enough said
To be optimistic
If you can control your frustration, watching how Sixers can lose games to paltry teams is definitely amazing. I mean, they are very creative, give them that. For the next last second loss I expect nothing less than a front rimmed 1-vs-0 fastbreak dunk (Iguodala would be perfect, but it can be anyone), or another half court buzzer beater, ala Devin Harris, this time by Ilunga-Mbenga.
To be worried
Many players looked completely uninterested yesterday. If even Iverson and Iguodala are checking out, it will be a total mess. And not fun to watch.
Lakers come at a perfect time to see if these bums (+ the resident genius on the bench) are giving up on the season.
