Pacers @ 76ers 4/11/08

[The Guilty Party]

I totally missed this game but it doesn't look like I missed much.

[tk76]

The Sixers are still in good shape. If they beat the Wiz and the Pistons beat the Raps, the Sixers would regain control of the #5 seed.

If you didn't watch...this game should come with a warning label.

[Sleep]

I missed the game but saw the boxscore. Miller and Young seem like the only two that turned up.

Lou and Willie shot us right out of the game.

[bebopdeluxe]

tk:

Thanks for the head-up, bro...although, when I hear that a game is as ugly as it sounds like tonight's was, I rarely "finalize" the disc.



(Not that I'm not a fan...but I gotta give it a break when I can)

I would like to see Thad's play, but...

5-for-37?

Naaahhh...I can't watch that.

I am trying to not adjust what I am expecting this spring from this team based on tonight...but it's hard not to. It feels like - emotionally - they might be a little spent. Just like a team that erases a 20-point deficit to tie the game up in the 4th quarter - only to run out of gas during the stretch - I wonder if the Sixers have shot their proverbial load.

It would be completely understandable and dissapointing at the same time. Nobody expected this from them, which is why it was such a wonderful surprise...but I wonder if this team is starting to come back to earth (relative to its talent level). Here I was...thinking about whether there was ANY way that these guys could give Boston a run in the 2nd round...when probably the realistic hope is to win a game or two against the Pistons.

Get more experience. Spend the cap space wisely. Grow another year.

It really is a pretty good state of affairs - relative to the expectations that I had at the beginning of the season. They made me think that they might actually do more this season...but the games at home against the Hawks and Pacers suggest to me that they may simply not have that next gear yet - which again is understandable and disappointing at the same time.

And the Flyers blow a two-goal lead in Washington, too. Damn.

At least I was at the one game a Philly team won tonight.



Pat Burrell is en fuego.

[dbodner]

At least I was at the one game a Philly team won tonight.

You've been following me this week. IIRC you were at the Detroit game as well.

[bebopdeluxe]

no, bro...you've been following me.



I was in Section 137....watching the fans reaction to Burrell walking back to left field was bizarre. Not to change the thread, but what happens if he hits 40+ HR's and knocks in 120...do we even thing about resigning him? Or - in the name of fiscal moderation - do we just let him walk and hope that either Golson is ready or we can find another retread like Jenkins to plug in?

(I wish Middleton would either spend some jack or sell the team)

Whatever - but if Burrell leaves, there are going to be a lot of wonem in Section 137 that are going to be upset.

[tk76]

tk:


At least I was at the one game a Philly team won tonight.



Pat Burrell is en fuego.

Good post. I don't know if it is finally cooling off or becoming too tight. Either way, they no longer look like the team they were on thier hot streak. But still 3 games to recapture the fire and they still have a great shot at #5 if they can win out.

I guess the Sixers and Flyers needed some of your good Mojo- I assume you'll be watching Sat nt.

[tk76]

duplicate

[bebopdeluxe]

tk:

I hope you are right. The good thing is - relative to the energy they had to expend to get to this point - they are still a pretty young bunch. If a team like the Celtics or Spurs had to expend the energy that the Sixers did the past couple of months to be in this spot, you could question if they had enough left to keep doing it into June. Even a team like the Rockies last September - who had one of the best hot-streaks to end a season EVER - finally ran out of gas in the World Series.

If they do have anything left, they have to at least split the next two games, if not win them both. It's possible...but given what I have seen over the past couple of weeks, I'm not sure what is going to happen. Every time they have needed to stop the bleeding the past couple of months, they've been able to do it. It will be interesting to see what they have left.

[tk76]

Pat Burrell = Phillies David Hasselhoff. Not a big fan of either, and they both have that cheesy manly man thing going. Like they belong on one of those dumb deodorant commercials.

I refuse to actually post these pics- but I swear they are the same pathetic dude:
http://www.seenon.com/blog/uploads/hasselhoff.jpg
= http://www.ailurophile.com/karenslife/i ... rrell2.jpg

[Sandalf42]

This had to be the Sixers' most lethargic performance of their second half surge. The whole team must've stayed up partying last night, cuz they were FLAT. We were settling for shots, and the shots we took were all off the front of the rim. Truly a lackluster performance from the team as a whole.

We better step up against Washington or I'm jumping on the "Sixers suck" bandwagon...... AGAIN.

[Pure Hatred]

I thought the Pacers (outside of Granger) played poorly. They only shot 7 for 27 from three- which would normally cost them the game.

The Sixers looked like a middle school team out there. I have seen enough of them this year to doubt it was from a lack of effort. If anything, I think they are trying too hard, and its showing with mistakes oon the floor.

I think the Sixers have started to tighten up big time since qualifying for the playoffs and climbing to the 5th seed. To be blunt, they are sort of choking out there- looking like the young team they are.

How else to explain the sudden mistakes on the break, the bad FT shooting, all of the missed and forced jumpers? When they are playing loose they are great on the break and hit shots.

Tonight every shot (3p, 17 ft, FT, layup) looked bad out of their hands. They were pulling the string.

They need to recapture the joy and attitude that propelled them on this run- or the playoffs will be ugly. I'm really pulling for them to bounce back against the Wizards and recapture their carefree, attacking style of play that got them this far.

Didn't think about it this way, but after thinking about it, spot on analysis, IMO.

2 Positives: We looked like a much, much better team with Iguodala on the court as opposed to off it. Not really even close here--pay the man. Thad Young looked horrendous out there as I was watching the game, but was pleasantly surprised to find that he had 22 pts on relatively "effecient" (FG%-Wise) shooting. I think we got a good look at Thaddeus in a year or two's time, minus the grotesque ball-handling.

[tk76]

I think you are right about Young. He looks to be a big time scorer. Even on an off night his hustle, ability to run and knack for being in the right spot allows him to score 15+ pph without getting many touches in the set offense.

Add to that some easy shots will begenerated for him by Iguodala and their PG- you would think 20+ ppg should be easily attainable once they start incorporating his skills fully into th e offense.

Iguodala needs to work so hard to get his 20. I think it will come a lot easier for Young because his skill set puts him in a position to better take advantage of his teammates- whether it is finishing off a good dish by Iguodala, or putting back a bad brick by Green.

[dbodner]

I was in Section 137....watching the fans reaction to Burrell walking back to left field was bizarre. Not to change the thread, but what happens if he hits 40+ HR's and knocks in 120...do we even thing about resigning him? Or - in the name of fiscal moderation - do we just let him walk and hope that either Golson is ready or we can find another retread like Jenkins to plug in?

I've got a partial ticket plan in section 109. We've had some turnover over there on what outfielder we get to heckle. From Abreu to Victorino to Werth to Jenkins. It would be nice to get a mainstay.

I think Burrell's generally very underrated. If we could get a fair deal, I'd bring him back in a second. I'm more worried about years than $ per year.

[dbodner]

I think Young played better than some people were giving him credit for. Sure, he had 4 turnovers. but one was off of a pass where he was double teamed, and another was on a charge where I thought the defender was in the circle. Only two of the 4 were on ballhandling turnovers, so I don't think it was that bad considering how much he was creating for himself.

A few things I took very positive from youngs performance:
- He hit quite a few mid range jumpshots. This was very nice to see. I don't think he's ever hit this many jumpshots in a game. He actually missed quite a few bunnies yesterday that he doesn't normally miss. He could have had 25+ points last night between some of the missed inside shots (which weren't necessarily easy, but ones we've come to expect him making) and foul shots.
- He created for himself quite a bit. Particularly that shot in the first half where he drove with his right hand and pulled up at the foul line extended area and made a jump shot. Not only was it a pull up J, but it was going to his weak hand, too. His ballhandling really has been improving on a day-day basis.
- The Pacers double teamed him a few times in the post. He's starting to get that kind of attention.

One thing that I have been surprised at is his leaping ability. He's regarded as an elite athlete, and rightfully so. But while he's fast, and he's quick, he's not a leaper. This could be a detriment to him playing the 4 in future years.

[bigdavid]

I know I am beating a dead horse but I miss Korver. He led the league in foul shooting and was a damm good 3pt shooter.

I know Ed wanted a very athletic team but I think he forgot about being able to shoot. Utah fans love Korver and I for one miss him. To watch Willie and Carney shoot is pathetic. Willie and Carney miss open layups What is going to happen when we have the pressure of the playoffs.

I know we did great in the last 25 games but now is crunch time and we have no shooting guard unless you count Willie.

I suppose you can make thr argument about the 4 million but a good part of that was used to buy out Giricek (another mistake) we should have played him oh and we have a Utah protected draft pick. Hopefully that will work out.

[dbodner]

I suppose you can make thr argument about the 4 million but a good part of that was used to buy out Giricek (another mistake) we should have played him oh and we have a Utah protected draft pick. Hopefully that will work out.

Giricek had an expiring contract. We still gain the 4 million in cap room this offseason.

[carlos1223]

Simply put... If Green continues to start and log 20 plus minutes a game, this team has no chance in the playoffs. I have never in all my years seen a sixers starter that is so bad in every aspect of the team game.

[tk76]

A few things I took very positive from youngs performance:
...He created for himself quite a bit. Particularly that shot in the first half where he drove with his right hand and pulled up at the foul line extended area and made a jump shot. Not only was it a pull up J, but it was going to his weak hand, too. His ballhandling really has been improving on a day-day basis.

He made that same move to his left about two months ago and I nearly fell out of my chair. It looks like Iguodala's step back jumper, but much more smooth in his footwork (which is surprising.)

As I said earlier, Thad scores so effortlessly compared to AIG(Iguodala). He relies more on receiving good passes and getting O-Boards to generate his shots, and should be able to be a 20 pt score without dominating the ball. This bodes well in terms of how he will fit with AIG and an eventual 3rd star (at PF?) down the road.

One thing that I have been surprised at is his leaping ability. He's regarded as an elite athlete, and rightfully so. But while he's fast, and he's quick, he's not a leaper. This could be a detriment to him playing the 4 in future years.

This is sort of what Sendem meant when he complained that Thad is not a truly explosive athlete like a Josh Smith or VC. I see this to a point, but as you pointed out, there are different attributes to being a great athlete. Thad jumps high enough to be an effective rebounder, and I think he might get some more explosiveness in his legs over the next couple of years. More importantly, I hope he doesn't lose his quickness as he bulks up. He goes from start to full speed as fast as anyone I have see at his length/size.

BTW- speaking of athletes- did you catch Lou's block. And he really can dribble past people. He went to full speed past half the Pacers players in a blur on a way to an uncontested dunk. Either the Pacers gave up on the play or Lou is really fast with the ball.

[dbodner]

I don't think his lack of ups will hurt him offensively or on the boards. It only really limits his shotblocking. It would be nice if he could swat a few more shots, but it's not really what's going to make or break him as a player, so it's not a big deal IMO. His game doesn't necessitate ups (imo speed and quickness are much more important, and he has those in spades).