Game 3: Pistons @ 76ers 4/25/08

[The Guilty Party]

@


Game Time: 7:00PM EST
TV: CSNHD, ESPN2, TSN
Radio: 610 WIP

Series Schedule
Game 1 Apr. 20th @ DET: 76ers 90, Pistons 86
Game 2 Apr. 23rd @ DET: Pistons 105, 76ers 88
Game 3 Apr. 25th @ PHI: Friday @ 7PM
Game 4 Apr. 27th @ PHI: Sunday @ 7PM
Game 5 Apr. 29th @ DET: Tuesday @ TBD
Game 6 May 1st @ PHI: Thursday @ TBD
Game 7 May 3rd @ DET: Saturday @ TBD

Probable Starters



Well, this game has to better than Game 2, right? I'll be drinking the Kool-Aid and cheering my Sixers on but at the end of the day, I think the Pistons take this one as well hence...

My Prediction: Pistons by 5+



Eastern Conference Playoff Match-ups

[1]Boston Vs. [8]Atlanta: Celtics lead series 2-0

[2]Detroit Vs. [7]Philadelphia: Series tied 1-1

[3]Orlando Vs. [6]Toronto: Magic lead series 2-0

[4]Cleveland Vs. [5]Washington: Cavs lead series 2-0

Western Conference Playoff Match-ups

[1]LA Lakers Vs. [8]Denver: Lakers lead series 2-0

[2]New Orleans Vs. [7]Dallas: Hornets lead series 2-0

[3]San Antonio Vs. [6]Phoenix: Spurs lead series 2-0

[4]Utah Vs. [5]Houston: Jazz lead series 2-0

[The Guilty Party]

I didn't really realize that we were the ONLY team in either conference to win a road game in the first 2 games. Interesting...

[SendEm]

Let's start this thread off right fellas. Will Iggy score more than his career playoff average of 9.9ppg in game 3?

[The Guilty Party]

I say yes.... but barely. I think he's goes for all of 12 points in Game 3.

[carlos1223]

I say yes.... but barely. I think he's goes for all of 12 points in Game 3.

[9th Wonder]

I didn't really realize that we were the ONLY team in either conference to win a road game in the first 2 games. Interesting...

Utah took the first two in Houston.

Is Reggie starting? How did I miss this???

[The Guilty Party]

The PF spot is way too fluid. I can switch it back to Thad since he should be starting in game 3 as well. My bad.

Also, you're right. Utah did sweep the first 2 in Houston. I've obviously lost my way...

[9th Wonder]

The PF spot is way too fluid. I can switch it back to Thad since he should be starting in game 3 as well. My bad.

Also, you're right. Utah did sweep the first 2 in Houston. I've obviously lost my way...

I thought Mo pulled a fast one and I missed it

[Mik317]

Wow that has to be a record for thread derailment.............give this man a medal.

[9th Wonder]

Wow that has to be a record for thread derailment.............give this man a medal.

Huh?? I seriously thought that I missed a change in the lineup. Not trying to be an ass here...

[tk76]

9th Wonder, I'm pretty sure that shot was not directed at you.
---
At the risk of being baited into the same BS Iguodala argument, I will tread lightly and try to give a reasonable take in what I would like to see in game three.

Going into last game I wanted AIG to attack more, but Detroit has dared him to by packing the lane with 4 defenders, and the Sixers lack the spot up shooters needed to break down this type of defense. AIG can't even dish it to Sam because the lane is totally clogged with defenders.

Its almost like a box and one because the other defenders just hang out in the lane. Another analogy would be a running back attacking a defense with 10 men in the box- where you need a passing attack to loosen up the defense.

I think a better approach would be to have AIG play more off the ball and have other players penetrate (Miller, Lou, Green) and then kick the ball to Iguodala. This way the defense will be disrupted before AIG gets the ball, allowing for more driving lanes and better spacing.

[9th Wonder]

9th Wonder, I'm pretty sure that shot was not directed at you.

Yeah, I just scrolled up and saw the culprit. My apologies to Knux. Anyways...

One very minor adjustment I'd like to see with respect to Iggy is to have him catch the ball a little closer to the hoop or to hit him on a curl off of the screen. He's been getting the ball a step behind the three point line at the top of the cirlce on nearly every touch and it forces him to take it by 3 or 4 defender en route to the hoop. Maybe give him a few different looks and have him set up on different spots on the floor.

That being said, I keep forgetting how well we're actually doing (read: game one) considering we have very few weapons to help us space the floor. Give this team a legitimate three point threat and a solid post presence and Iggy's job becomes alot easier.

[Sandalf42]

To stand a chance in this game, we'll need Louis Williams and Rodney Carney on the floor for at least 20 min.

Someone just pointed out that the Pistons have been crowding the lane, and the way to combat this is get the best shooters on the floor (granted that both players would only be serviceable 3 pt shooters on any other team, it's still nessecary).

Mo has gotten away lately from what made this team successful, and that is athleticism and our youth. He needs to put both of those players in early and often.

If Dalembert is going to play like he did last game then he should be the 1 to give up his minutes. I'm sorry, but his effort and performance last night was absolutely terrible. As Charles Barkley would put it, "He's a knucklehead."

[tk76]

-= original quote snipped =-

That being said, I keep forgetting how well we're actually doing (read: game one) considering we have very few weapons to help us space the floor. Give this team a legitimate three point threat and a solid post presence and Iggy's job becomes alot easier.

+1

I also got carried away with my frustration after being blown out in game two. I think the combination of arrogant Pistons fans and AIG haters each having their day really gets under my skin and I forget we are in better shape than I expected.

I really hope the team finds a way to help get AIG's confidence back this series. It is important that the team comes away with positives from this series to take into next season. Both Sam and AIG need some good things to happen to build off of. Being at home should help.

[SendEm]

Iggy scoring over 10-13 points will be a direct function of how many more turnovers Detroit makes resulting in open floor opportunities for him. He just flat out doesn't have the game to do better than 10-13 in a playoff setting against a team like Detroit while shooting over .450%. He only achieved 30 or more points 4 times this season. Kevin Martin has scored 30 or more 12 times this season, Rudy Gay 12 times, Danny Granger 7 times, Al Thornton 3 times, Barbosa 4 times, Josh Howard 5 times...

[tk76]

Sendem, instead of rehashing the same argument (I am pretty confident of where you stand on AIG's ability to create his own shot)- are there ways you think the Sixers can turn it around and rebound from being drubbed in game two?

[SendEm]

Someone needs to get the memo that the Sixers were the WORST 3 point shooting team in the NBA. You don't get to the playoffs and play to your own WEAKNESSES by shooting 3 point jump shots. Willie Green is getting to the basket, so is Louis Williams. Iggy can't get there because he doesn't have the skills. Sure the Pistons run double teams out at Iggy WHEN IGGY IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR WHERE HE IS AN ACTUAL THREAT, but they play man defense when he is iso'd on the wings resulting in Iggy doing NOTHING but hold/pound the ball while staring at Tayshaun Prince take his manhood.

[tk76]

Sendem, instead of rehashing the same argument (I am pretty confident of where you stand on AIG's ability to create his own shot)- are there ways you think the Sixers can turn it around and rebound from being drubbed in game two?

[SendEm]

Sendem, instead of rehashing the same argument (I am pretty confident of where you stand on AIG's ability to create his own shot)- are there ways you think the Sixers can turn it around and rebound from being drubbed in game two?

Thad has to get minutes at the SF position where he is allowed to post up. Reggie Evans and Thad need to be on the floor at the same time. The defensive abilities, toughness, and playmaking ability of Kevin Ollie needs to see some action. Jason Smith should NEVER see action at center the entire series. Calvin Booth needs to be on the floor at center instead of Smith with. Smith should be backing up Reggie Evans at PF with Thad playing the majority of his own minutes at SF. This wave of position changes would be to get taller reducing Mcdyss and Maxiell's effectiveness while potentially bolstering the overall effectiveness of Dalembert, Smith, and Thad. The players that will sacrifice minutes are Iguodala, Willie Green, and Andre Miller. Thad, Carney, and Ollie need to see some of those minutes at the PG, SG, and SF positions to see what they can do at this point in the season. Ollie and Carney will be great off of the bench with the 3/4 court press the Sixers run possibly creating some turnovers when Stuckey and Jarvis Hayes are on the floor.

Basically Mo needs to change his rotations and give more playing time to Carney, Ollie, and Booth while NEVER placing Jason Smith and Reggie Evans at center ever again in this series. The Sixers philosophy should remain the same, of course with the reduction of touches for Iggy...

[SendEm]

Someone needs to get the memo that the Sixers were the WORST 3 point shooting team in the NBA. You don't get to the playoffs and play to your own WEAKNESSES by shooting 3 point jump shots. Willie Green is getting to the basket, so is Louis Williams. Iggy can't get there because he doesn't have the skills. Sure the Pistons run double teams out at Iggy WHEN IGGY IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR WHERE HE IS AN ACTUAL THREAT, but they play man defense when he is iso'd on the wings resulting in Iggy doing NOTHING but hold/pound the ball while staring at Tayshaun Prince take his manhood.