| 15 March 2010
..the smart tanker gets going.
2009/2010 Sixers suck at pretty much everything, but they are showing they are pretty good in tanking.
Sunday's 104-91 loss at Miami was a wire-to-wire loss, a well done job, the 12th defeat in our last fifteen games (23-43, .348).
I mean, many could have thought that we were playing for real, and even if Carney denies that the team is giving up on the season.
Thank God somebody's reminding him that you can't fool guys around the League.
THREE ANSWERS
1) Yes, I "liked" Meeks as first man off the bench (in for Lou with 4.41 left in the 1st), and even tweeted about it.
But that's not exactly the kind of move that makes you think we were trying to win the game, right?
2) Yes, there were other things I noticed in the game: Willie Green getting his first DNP CD of the season perhaps. But give him credit for his post game quotes:
Guard Willie Green didn't see any time as Jordan decided to go with Jason Kapono and Jodie Meeks as his guard subs. "I didn't know anything," he said, "but I was happy to see my teammates get some good playing time" . . .
One more time, mediocre player, excellent person, great teammate.
3) Yes, I liked also Kapono hitting his first three of 2010, snapping a 18-shot streak (!!). He had a couple of jumpers rimming out unluckily, other open ones just missed. He was simply trying to find some rythm.
THREE QUESTIONS
1) Why did O'Neal feel the needing to get into an altercation with Sam and get ejected (5.06 left in the 3rd, 73-57 Heat)? I though many Sam's behaviours on the floor weren't smart, but Jermaine outplayed him this time.
2) How will the Sixers do in the upcoming three games? This is a decisive stretch, NY, NJ, @NY, with the Knicks tied with us at 23-43. I must say winning all three games would be unacceptable (LOL), winning two dangerous, winning one just fine, losing all of them blatant perfect (more after the jump).I hope that later in the summer we won't regret a couple of useless wins now. Instead, with a 1-2 record, perhaps losing twice to the Knicks, things would start to get brighter - thinking long term obviously.
3) Wasn't Jrue Holiday supposed to be a "suspect" outside shooter? 4/4 from behind the arc in the first half, 42% for the season on more than one hundred tries (47/112). Andrew Toney who ???? The kid never ceases to amaze me.
REASONS
Why we lost the game
Uhm, we don't have Dwyane Wade ??? Might be a good reason, yes. Iguodala, Brand and Williams combining for 10/34 wasn't a great boost either.
To be optimistic
We are tanking in a "smart" way right now, remaining close enough in all games. 7/13 from three at halftime was a nice stat to read.
To be worried
The next three "winnable" games can really become another turn in this horrible Sixers season. Let's not screw this one, guys.
The New York Guidos are waiting for us. Then it will be Jerzy (shore?).
