| 09 March 2010
I'm afraid there is a strong risk that this summer we will regret games like the 101-114 W in Toronto.
Nice game, to be honest with you, I had fun watching it.
But at 23-39 (.371), with twenty games left to play, the fact that we won't make the playoffs is just as sure as Raptors getting there.
So I hope that we won't win many "useless" games like this one, they simply mean less ping pong balls in the lottery. We have to be careful with these. really.
Sixers should already (?) take these nights as a way to give significant minutes to who had less chances in this season, namely Jason Smith, Jason Kapono, Rodney Carney, even the newly acquired Meeks.
Even Eddie Jordan made the right calls against the Turkoglu-less, "sloppy" Raptors (words by their announcers). Too late, now even detrimental.
THREE ANSWERS
1) Yes, I enjoyed Thaddeus Young's career high 32 points. He showed the complete package: mid/long jumpers, treys, drives, low post moves, (steals +) fastbreak dunks, offensive rebounds. Great all around game.
2) Yes, I also liked Jrue Holiday's strong fourth quarter: seven points to push Sixers' from 98-91 to 107-94 and put the word end to Toronto's comeback. Loved how he made up for a costly turnover, converting a low post spin move, hitting a three and then finishing on a drive. "Rookie mistakes", uh? 21-7-6, + 2 blocks !!!!
3) No, don't focus on Brand's nearly double double, 12 + 9, but rather on the 4 points + 1 rebound in the second half, the zero free throws attempted, the five fouls. I counted three three point plays allowed, one of which was against Reggie Evans (!!) (more after the jump).THREE QUESTIONS
1) We shot 9/12 from downtown (!!), 5/7 in the first half, while Raptors didn't made any in the first 24 minutes. How many times will this happen again?
2) How can you love a player capable to airball a free throw? Still, Reggie Evans was, is, and will always be my man. I miss you, Mr. Reghanistan, if our bigs had your intensity, Sixers will finish at 50-32.
3) What did Sam do to be taken out from the starting lineup? Showed up late at an early morning team meeting.
REASONS
Why we won the game
Raptors didn't match our intensity and offensively found their rythm too late. Also, they could never get a stop when they needed it. We had too many players red hot.
To be optimistic
We will see many, many years of Jrue Holiday in a Sixers jersey. Where are the doubters now? And the Lawson fans? Young's game is encouraging also.
To be worried
Next game is against the lowly Pacers, one of our competitors for a top pick.
Let's not make this W a two game winning streak !!
