Thursday Jan 19 Game 45: Philadelphia 76ers (28-16) @ Portland Trail Blazers (21-23)

[HardenGoat]

Melton has been bad since starting lol

Should have Milton with Maxey.

Personally, I think it’s OK because he hasn’t been a liability out there where teams would leave him open or attack him on defense (his man to man defense numbers is bad). While the rest of the guys can carry his slack.

Then off the bench, Milton and Maxey’s chemistry has been nice. Add Niang to the mix. And you got a pretty potent scoring in your bench that can keep you afloat while Biid and Harden can get their rest.

I like the speed Maxey and Milton play with, it throws the defense off. Just seems to be working. Milton has better handling skills than Melton and is a good cutter. Doc is going to throw every combination out there to see what’s best in the long run which I get.

[phillynative]

I really think our 'locker room' presence in PJ Tucker has talked to Melton too much.

Melton used to be a productive offensive player.

Call it the PJ effect. Doc thinks its cool, but I would never let those two even say hi to each other anymore.

Lol what?

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

To be fair to Doc, I think he's finally found something that's working. The Maxey/Shake combo off the bench looks really good right now. I think it helps keep the foot on the gas pedal. We seem to have this common theme where we get up early on a team and then lose the lead in second quarter. I'm talking 30 point swings where we were up 10 in the first and down 20 in the second. Those are really bad nights and they usually happen because the bench can't score and more importantly can't get stops either. With Shake and Maxey we can play a bit more up tempo and throw some different things at the defense. So far, it's working and we're winning games. Staying healthy down the stretch will obviously be the key, but I like what I'm seeing so far. It was a simple adjustment made by Doc and I know it took that stubborn Boomer forever to do it, but he did do it and I applaud that.

[Eyeamok]

LOL Doc and Morey, Saben Lee actually looking good.

Also, Ben in foul trouble again

He was ejected for picking up two technical fouls after a call .

The question is will he have back issues and miss the Philly game ? You know he is looking for a way out.

[Eyeamok]

Matisse defense isn't worth his useless offense

Thybulle played great regardless of his offense

I don't agree, he was put on Lillard for a big chunk of the 3rd quarter which was on par with the start of them coming back, he also made some bad fouls that put us early on the bonus.

Did he got some blocks and deflections? yes, but he needs to constantly get that stuff to compensate for the fact that teams don't respect him, to the level of letting him open below the basket.

I give Matisse a lot of credit. It's hard getting inconsistent minutes then when you get your number called it's to guard Lillard!! That's a tall task. Good for Matisse I enjoyed seeing him out there doing his thing.

[76ciology]

Should have Milton with Maxey.

Personally, I think it’s OK because he hasn’t been a liability out there where teams would leave him open or attack him on defense (his man to man defense numbers is bad). While the rest of the guys can carry his slack.

Then off the bench, Milton and Maxey’s chemistry has been nice. Add Niang to the mix. And you got a pretty potent scoring in your bench that can keep you afloat while Biid and Harden can get their rest.

I like the speed Maxey and Milton play with, it throws the defense off. Just seems to be working. Milton has better handling skills than Melton and is a good cutter. Doc is going to throw every combination out there to see what’s best in the long run which I get.

Maxey and Milton are good dribble drive partners

[blargh]

Personally, I think it’s OK because he hasn’t been a liability out there where teams would leave him open or attack him on defense (his man to man defense numbers is bad). While the rest of the guys can carry his slack.

Then off the bench, Milton and Maxey’s chemistry has been nice. Add Niang to the mix. And you got a pretty potent scoring in your bench that can keep you afloat while Biid and Harden can get their rest.

I like the speed Maxey and Milton play with, it throws the defense off. Just seems to be working. Milton has better handling skills than Melton and is a good cutter. Doc is going to throw every combination out there to see what’s best in the long run which I get.

Maxey and Milton are good dribble drive partners

And then Thybulle is helping these Maxey/Niang/Harrell lineups be playable on defense.