Clippers @ Sixers 2/9/08

Dedicated_76ers_fan · Post #41 » by **Dedicated_76ers_fan** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:22 am

At this point, it's highly plausible. "matchups" have allowed MO to see how Reggie Evans was never a starter to begin with. That was holding this team back, he's a liability as a starter. Moreso then Korver was.

bebopdeluxe · Post #42 » by **bebopdeluxe** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:43 am

Can Thad really be our PF of the future?

'Cause if he can, we are a lot closer to being a good team than I thought.

If he can be our PF, then a whole 'nother group of things could happen...we could focus instead on a scoring, two-way playing SG/SF (with Iggy playing the other position)...somebody who could REALLY score the ball in the half-court set, and somebody who could play just enough defense to not hurt the transition game (does that rule Maggette out?)...

And...Evans is a total pro...not only accepting being taken out of the starting lineup, but thriving in his new role in the rotation (and let's not underemphasize what handling that the right way does for team chemistry).

Mo Cheeks = Charlie Manuel

ExplosionsInDaSky · Post #43 » by **ExplosionsInDaSky** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:24 am

Holy crap if we make the playoffs I will crap my pants. But in the horrible east I think anything is possible.

Hops2thesky · Post #44 » by **Hops2thesky** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:24 am

dbodner wrote:OMG! Did somebody just see Thad go rotate out to contest a shot, then run back down to box out? Rotational defensive rebounding box outs. I don't think I"ve seen one of our big men do that in years. Possibly since Ty Hill/George Lynch.

The way he has been playing, you have to wonder if he is our PF of the future... Who cares about his height... I mean...
He is shooting 51%. According to 82 games (so take it with a grain of salt), the teams rebounding and defense are better with him on the floor.

As long as he can continue to score effectively, defend PF's (he has not played a back to the basket PF yet as a starter), and rebound the ball (this area needs improveemnt, but he does seem to box out well.) he will be fine as a PF. Especially with the number of hybrid forward now in the league...

Sixersftw · Post #45 » by **Sixersftw** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:35 am

dbodner wrote:That spinning hook looks like a shot that could be a go-to move for Thad in years to come.

I missed the 2nd half of the game today but i realized that in the last game too. He uses his body as a shield perfectly.

Carmelo Anthony · Post #46 » by **Carmelo Anthony** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:47 am

Judging by the box score from tonight, which living in Central New York is all I have to go off of. Looks like a decent night all around and a impressive scoring performance by Louis Williams, albeit only 18 points but very nice percentages. Can somehow who actually saw the game tell me, am I being mislead? Were they just throw up shots that got lucky or not? Not being able to catch a single game this year has been pretty crappy..

Oh btw... I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack doubt anyone remembers me though...

Post #47 » by **Stanford** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:16 am

That depends, what was your old sin?

freshie2 · Post #48 » by **freshie2** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:52 pm

dbodner wrote:That spinning hook looks like a shot that could be a go-to move for Thad in years to come.

I don't remember exactly when, but it was either right after the draft or during camp when Thad spoke to his left handed hook as if it was his 'secret weapon'. I only saw the 4th quarter, but thought he did a nice job on Thornton...really moved his feet well to stay in front of him the few times he matched up against him. He's playing really well for the Sixers right now...great to see.

PrimeTime21 · Post #49 » by **PrimeTime21** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:58 pm

I'm really loving what I see out of the Sixers running, gunning and best of all winning, albeit against not so great teams, I guess the test will be Dallas on Mon. I'm with everyone here hoping that Thad can be the PF for this team, especially if he puts on some weight in the offseason. It really goes to show how the NBA is changing in that he has started a number of games now and he hasn't faced a much larger PF than him. It's the new age PF, no longer a lumbering beast but athletic PF's like Marion, Jamison, etc.

I hope Philly fans can really support this team because it's definitely a team you can get behind.

Philly Family · Post #50 » by **Philly Family** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:21 pm

Can anyone tell me why Cheeks has reduced Smith time on the court. I would think that in this uptempo game he would be good. Can hit the 15 footer and likes to get out and run...Why?

freshie2 · Post #51 » by **freshie2** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:28 pm

Teams have won with different types of PFs...Worthy and Lakers were successful at the same time that McHale and the Celtics were successful...two completely different types of PFs. Jamison and Marion are one type, while Howard and Jefferson are another type, and Duncan and Garnett are probably the ultimate mix of what you want. You can make a team approach work with different types of PFs, and if the Sixers are more of an up tempo team, Thad may grow into being that PF.

I think this was discussed around the time they drafted him, that he was young, and I believe his father or another close relative is like 6'11", so the potential for future growth was discussed...it is a long shot, but I do remember the topic being kicked around. He's playing great, this team gives you a solid effort every night, which is nice to see. I may be in the minority, but I do enjoy watching the effort from this team, and have since the AI trade. AI was a great competitor, but this team as a whole has still displayed very consistent effort even since he left.

freshie2 · Post #52 » by **freshie2** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:30 pm

Philly Family wrote:Can anyone tell me why Cheeks has reduced Smith time on the court. I would think that in this uptempo game he would be good. Can hit the 15 footer and likes to get out and run...Why?

I think he's still working his way back from the ankle...that's my guess.

Post #53 » by **dbodner** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:33 pm

Also because Thad is playing more and more at PF, which reduces the available minutes. With thad playing heavy minutes at PF, and evans coming off the bench, there are less minutes than before.

Hops2thesky · Post #54 » by **Hops2thesky** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:01 pm

Well, I guess the key is what the Sixers brass thinks about Thad at PF.

Considering this is the most importannt offseason the Sixers will have in years, with a lottery pick in a good draft, as well as one of the few significant players in free agency. If they feel Thad is the PF of the future, they can target a guard that has an outside shot in the draft.

SendEm · Post #55 » by **SendEm** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:05 pm

address this later...

Post #56 » by **dbodner** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:18 pm

When I asked Ed, he said without hesitation that Thad's future position is at Small Forward, and that he's playing at Power Forward now to get playing time. That being said, that was a few weeks ago now, and Thad could change his position, I guess. I can definitely see Thad being the type who will hit the weights hard and come back 10 lbs heavier, and if he does, it could be an option.

Hops2thesky · Post #57 » by **Hops2thesky** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:29 pm

dbodner wrote:When I asked Ed, he said without hesitation that Thad's future position is at Small Forward, and that he's playing at Power Forward now to get playing time. That being said, that was a few weeks ago now, and Thad could change his position, I guess. I can definitely see Thad being the type who will hit the weights hard and come back 10 lbs heavier, and if he does, it could be an option.

I guess it depends on the development of his outside game and his handle.
Right now, I think he has some pretty decent post moves, probably as good as or better then half of the starting SF's in the league.

His outside shot has not been going down, but the fact that defenders can play up on him, because he is not a threat to put the ball on the floor and drive past them, is critical to his being open from outside.

If his outside game does not develop, then we have a SF with the offensive repetoire of a PF, which means we would need a PF that can hit a 12-15 footer consistently, in order to space the floor decently. Thad would project similar to Corliss Williamson, with improved defense and lateral quickness.

Sixers brass really needs to decide by the end of the season what his future position is. I think it will have a significant influence on our draft choices.

Post #58 » by **The Guilty Party** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:43 pm

A half game out of the 8th seed?!? Well, I'm definitely off of the tanking bangwagon and am all for seeing our young guys make the playoffs.

Post #59 » by **tk76** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:51 pm

Carmelo Anthony wrote:JLooks like a decent night all around and a impressive scoring performance by Louis Williams, albeit only 18 points but very nice percentages. Can somehow who actually saw the game tell me, am I being mislead? Were they just throw up shots that got lucky or not?

Lou had a very good scoring game- sort of like how he played before his toe injury/bad fall. He shot under control, and got to the basket at will. His jumper does seem a bit flat- but it was going in cleanly. Hopefully he'll fix it when he goes back to work with Mark Price (his shooting guru) this summer.

Lou is playing less PG, more SG. I presume this means the team does not project him as their starting PG anytime soon.

... As for Thad- did you see that nice step back jumper he hit. Looked smoother than Dala's (cleared more space and quicker release.) I get the sense that Young has a bunch of offensive skills that will be unveiled over the next year and he cleans up his handle.

I think he's the kind of player who only wants to do what he can do well (in response to coaching?) We know he can shoot three's too, but he probably wonth start shooting them until he knows he can be effective (32% or better.) Sort of like the opposite of Carneys development.

Post #60 » by **dbodner** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:18 pm

The Guilty Party wrote:A half game out of the 8th seed?!? Well, I'm definitely off of the tanking bangwagon and am all for seeing our young guys make the playoffs.

So these last 8 games, which the Sixers are 5-3, against the worst competition in the league (Charlotte, Milwaukee, Miami, Clippers) without their best players (Redd, Mason, Marion, Haslem, Brand, Arenas, and Caron Butler getting injured in-game), with 4 of the 5 wins coming at home, have fooled you too?

Shame on you. I expected more from you. This team was 2-9 losing by 10+ ppg on average before this recent stretch. Have they magically gotten better? I don't think so.