76ers analysis through 6 games:

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

We've played 6 games, we lost 4 of them. And we lost them in such an embarassing disgraceful fashion that many are puzzled including myself. And many want to make moves. However, one of the moves that we should not make is trading Samuel Dalembert.

Yes, Dalembert is being hesistant and yes, that's a large reason for his 2+ TPG average. And yes, that ultimately may be why the team is losing games.Turnovers and ill-advised decisions. But in the midst of all of that is a Samuel Dalembert who has teamed up with Elton Brand to form a Dymanic duo upfront. Dalembert even did a solid job against Howard for once. Or maybe that was mostly our aggressiveness which we did not capitalize on with our missed shots. Anyway. For those of you who are so quick to trade Dalembert for Speights. Here are Daly's stats:

(10.8 RPG, 1.8 BPG).

Say what you will about the turnovers. But Dalembert's impact on the defensive end of the floor is obvious. It's so obvious, it boggles me that Maurice Cheeks tries to use Elton Brand as a 5!(We'll get on Cheeks later). Dalembert's offense will improve. The moment he starts to catch the ball in motion in the paint and score. Basically, as soon as he gets comfortable and starts doing what he did last year. He's not that far off, shooting 47 percent.

Would we like it if Dalembert stopped fumbling balls? Yes we would. Will that happen? Yes it will. The moment we start using the combo of Brand and Dalembert more. The more you will see Dalembert be able to spot up from 10-12 feet and knock it down Dalembert, turnovers aside has been playing the way we expected him to play. Now it's a matter of catching balls and putting it in the hole. We've seen the potential. It's there. So is the work ethic. And a deadly inside-out combo with Brand is there. Give it time. Dalembert is not the reason this team is losing ball games.


One of the reasons this team is losing ball-games is because of the misutalization of Elton Brand. Anytime you have a low-post player as good as an Elton Brand. What you need is spacing. What you need is open shots. Maurice Cheeks has this dumbfounding isolation system that's existed throughout the better part of his entire coaching days here that simply will not work with Elton Brand. While you have the perimeter players isolated away from the basketball. Elton Brand is forced with a double-team.

Allen Iverson probably is one of the players that would work beautifully with an Elton Brand. While Brand is inside the low-post. A guy like Iverson would be able to drive inside the paint and open it up. Allowing Brand to be able to hurt you with the passing game. Brand isn't a KG. But he is good at that area.

It hurts when the only one who has shown any kind of aggressiveness, off the ball or otherwise is Thaddeus Young. Who I will say is easily the 2nd best offensive player on this basketball team right now. And that's really impressive. This Young has had such a growth spurt that it reminds me of the greats. Like Michael Jordan and LBJ. Guys who came into their own at a young age and started to dominate. He can shoot the 3, he can take it to rack.He has post-moves even. If he works hard at it. He could be the 21st century Larry Bird. Who knows?

Oh, and let's talk about that Elton Brand guy. For those who are worried about him. Don't be. Elton Brand has been outstanding.That 4 rebound game is really hurting his stats. He truly is averaging 12 rebounds a contest! 12! There might not ever be a game where Philadelphia loses the battle of the boards. Or the battle of shots taken. The Sixers offense will have alot more chances with Elton Brand.

One of the problems we have with Elton Brand(besides the horrible 'system' that Maurice Cheeks has implented). Is that, seriously. Count how many times Elton Brand is in the paint? In the NY game. Out of 19 shots taken. I'd venture at least 15 of them were from 9 feet in. But in the Atlanta game, I'd say about 6-8 of his 14 shots were taken inside.

While it's true that Elton Brand has a great jumper. I believe his inside game(just take a look at his rebounds) is vastly under-stated and in this case, under-used. We need to make an effort to give the ball to this man down-low in the post. Because with his post-play and shooting abilities, there's no reason for him not to average 20-10. Just like he got 24-12 in the Knicks game. And how he got 17-16 in the Hawks game(Though he deferred to his "team-mates" in the second half).

We're hurting in his turnovers though. 3.2 per game. But that will change. As he starts to shoot more, pass a little less. And when of course Andre Iguodala learns the off-guard position and plays off the basketball. Would it kill him to move around and try to get open?

Andre Iguodala:

Seriously folks. To say that his shot isn't "falling" is an under-statement. He's shooting 37 percent from the floor. This is an 11 percent differential from his career shooting numbers. He's shooting Andre Miller levels from 3! At an atrocious, outrageous and pathetic 18 percent. Even Iguodala wasn't that bad for his career from downtown(32.8 percent). Suprisingly. Iguodala's fairing as well at steals as he's had throughout his entire career at 1.5 SPG. It truly isn't Andre Iguodala's fault defensively though. That falls on the coach. Maurice Cheeks's "defensive" system has this team utterly misutalized. Like a child coaching a squad. I mean this sincerely. Imagine if anyone else were coaching this squad. We would be 6-0 right now. Not 2-4.

One of Iguodala's problems is that he seems to be a rhythm scorer type. When he's in a groove, he's in a groove. Unlike Green though, Iguodala through his defense has the ability to get steals, get dunks and energize himself. And when that happens. He truly becomes one of the top-20 SG's in the game right now. I'll discuss the defensive problems of this team and others in the Maurice Cheeks section. But what Iguodala needs to do is to stop trying to do too much with the basketball. And to learn more and more about cutting, spacing and shooting. If he does those things. His shooting percentage will improve. And as that improves and how often he gets to the line(He's made 12 of 14 so far). He will def be a 20 PPG player.

Andre Miller: You would not have thunk it if you didn't believe it. But he's only averaging 1.6 TPG per game. I believe the number is being decieved by his shot attempts(13.4 per game!) This is nearly 2 more attempts then he's ever attempted in his entire career. It's 0.7 shy of his 07 year attempts. None of this would be a problem, if he's making them. But as of right now, he's shooting a miserable 38 percent from the field.

Part of the reason is, again pointing back to the defense. Miller has always been a mediocre defender, but he's also been great at pressuring the ball handler, getting steals and running up and down the court. He has a career average of 1.4 SPG. Now? Only 0.3 SPG. This points to Miller's bad defense somewhat. But it more importantly points to a deeper flaw. For now Miller. If the shot's not falling, look to your team-mates. See Jason Kidd, who's having a hell of a season and shocking everyone so far.


Maurice Cheeks: Easily, through 6 games the worst coaching job. Even for his standards. I mean. You have such length on the perimeter with Miller, Iguodala, Thad. Boston wishes it had the perimeter defensive potential we have. Then you back it up with one of the best defensive front-courts right now in Brand and Dalembert. There's no way we should be losing basketball games. Except....

You have this team packed in the paint defensively. Often rotating and double-teaming when you don't have too. Look Mo, this front-court that you have? It will rarely be beat in the NBA. Brand can guard the bigger, stronger guys. Dalembert can guard the fundamental bigs .No front-court is more synergetic then these two right here. There is NO REASON for our perimeter guys to be pointlessly rotating in the paint. Giving up open 3's and driving lanes and getting our guys in foul-trouble. And offensively it's the same thing. It's not like Andre Miller fell flat off the face of the earth. Iguodala and Young(especially Young) are terrific perimeter offensive players. And you have Elton Brand stationed in the post. There's no reason for us to be playing isolation basketball. Dump the ball into the paint. Rotate on the perimeter.

It's not just jumpers. Attack the rim, get guys like Howard in foul trouble and then capitalize on it. I keep thinking to myself how great this basketball team would be if we ran the Princeton offense. If we got guys moving and cutting. If we got guys setting screens. Even Dalembert is half-decent at a screen these days.

When you have a team like this, Mo. You don't focus purely on inside defense(as if you have no big man). A team like this has the ability and potential to shut down both the paint and perimeter. Play more Man-to-Man Zone. Do more trapping. When they drive inside the paint. Don't let them kick the ball out. Make that guard face 6'10 Elton Brand and 7'0 Samuel Dalembert.

Albeit however, it's you Mo. Your like John McCain and I'm Keith Olberrman. Only unfortunately we can't vote on your "presidency"(coaching) because if we could. Just like Obama. We could catapult anybody into that head coaching position.

[sixerswillrule]

If personnel changes will be made this season, it won't be for another couple months, and that will likely only come if things continue to go badly. So for now, changes in the lineup need to be made for them to be more successful. Not necessarily who starts for us, just combinations of players on the floor that we should see more often. Depending on the matchup, we need to see a smaller lineup that worked so well for us last year. This means Iggy and Young as the forwards with any combination of our other guards. Preferably Lou along with Rush. This lineup has tons of quickness to get out onto the break and outside shooting as well. If they decide to stay big, I really would like to see Speights on the floor together with Brand a lot more. You gotta love Evans' hustle, but with his complete lack of offense he should only be playing for 10 minutes a game, max. Speights has the range to give more space for Brand down low. The pick and roll/pop with Lou and either Speights or Brand should work well. If Dalembert makes any stupid mistakes, take him out of there and put Speights in. Let the rookie learn. Anyway, just my thoughts...

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

Speights probably is a year away from developing the bulk on his body to be a legitimate NBA Center. But you are right in the assessment that he could be an NBA center. I would also play Speights as the first big off the bench.

However, I would only go small in streaches. I still believe in this team's added size to go along with it's speed.

[IversonsMother]

Another thing that has to stop is our guards need to stop double teaming the bigs down low, leaving their guys wide open for perimeter shots. Daly and Brand are both good inside defenders, if they get beat, so be it.

As far as small ball.. I hate it.. Problem is, our interior backups are very weak.. I don't think Speights is nearly ready to contribute major minutes.

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

Offensively, maybe not. But he is a beast defensively and he has shown activity on the boards. He can at least be our Amir Johnson this year.

[dond]

Well, my analysis through 6 games is ...

The Sixers are not used to playing the half-court game with a legitimate scorer (Brand) down low. So they are not good at it ....... YET. I emphasize yet. Before I would suggest trading players and firing coaches .... I would suggest working on their half-court offense ... Which, is EXACTLY what the coaching staff is doing (see todays philly.com). Oh, firing coaches and getting rid of players is more spectacular sounding ... but (in my humble opinion) probably not the answer.

[is1531]

We've played 6 games, we lost 4 of them. And we lost them in such an embarassing disgraceful fashion that many are puzzled including myself. And many want to make moves. However, one of the moves that we should not make is trading Samuel Dalembert.

Yes, Dalembert is being hesistant and yes, that's a large reason for his 2+ TPG average. And yes, that ultimately may be why the team is losing games.Turnovers and ill-advised decisions. But in the midst of all of that is a Samuel Dalembert who has teamed up with Elton Brand to form a Dymanic duo upfront. Dalembert even did a solid job against Howard for once. Or maybe that was mostly our aggressiveness which we did not capitalize on with our missed shots. Anyway. For those of you who are so quick to trade Dalembert for Speights. Here are Daly's stats:

(10.8 RPG, 1.8 BPG).

Say what you will about the turnovers. But Dalembert's impact on the defensive end of the floor is obvious. It's so obvious, it boggles me that Maurice Cheeks tries to use Elton Brand as a 5!(We'll get on Cheeks later). Dalembert's offense will improve. The moment he starts to catch the ball in motion in the paint and score. Basically, as soon as he gets comfortable and starts doing what he did last year. He's not that far off, shooting 47 percent.

Would we like it if Dalembert stopped fumbling balls? Yes we would. Will that happen? Yes it will. The moment we start using the combo of Brand and Dalembert more. The more you will see Dalembert be able to spot up from 10-12 feet and knock it down Dalembert, turnovers aside has been playing the way we expected him to play. Now it's a matter of catching balls and putting it in the hole. We've seen the potential. It's there. So is the work ethic. And a deadly inside-out combo with Brand is there. Give it time. Dalembert is not the reason this team is losing ball games.


One of the reasons this team is losing ball-games is because of the misutalization of Elton Brand. Anytime you have a low-post player as good as an Elton Brand. What you need is spacing. What you need is open shots. Maurice Cheeks has this dumbfounding isolation system that's existed throughout the better part of his entire coaching days here that simply will not work with Elton Brand. While you have the perimeter players isolated away from the basketball. Elton Brand is forced with a double-team.

Allen Iverson probably is one of the players that would work beautifully with an Elton Brand. While Brand is inside the low-post. A guy like Iverson would be able to drive inside the paint and open it up. Allowing Brand to be able to hurt you with the passing game. Brand isn't a KG. But he is good at that area.

It hurts when the only one who has shown any kind of aggressiveness, off the ball or otherwise is Thaddeus Young. Who I will say is easily the 2nd best offensive player on this basketball team right now. And that's really impressive. This Young has had such a growth spurt that it reminds me of the greats. Like Michael Jordan and LBJ. Guys who came into their own at a young age and started to dominate. He can shoot the 3, he can take it to rack.He has post-moves even. If he works hard at it. He could be the 21st century Larry Bird. Who knows?

Oh, and let's talk about that Elton Brand guy. For those who are worried about him. Don't be. Elton Brand has been outstanding.That 4 rebound game is really hurting his stats. He truly is averaging 12 rebounds a contest! 12! There might not ever be a game where Philadelphia loses the battle of the boards. Or the battle of shots taken. The Sixers offense will have alot more chances with Elton Brand.

One of the problems we have with Elton Brand(besides the horrible 'system' that Maurice Cheeks has implented). Is that, seriously. Count how many times Elton Brand is in the paint? In the NY game. Out of 19 shots taken. I'd venture at least 15 of them were from 9 feet in. But in the Atlanta game, I'd say about 6-8 of his 14 shots were taken inside.

While it's true that Elton Brand has a great jumper. I believe his inside game(just take a look at his rebounds) is vastly under-stated and in this case, under-used. We need to make an effort to give the ball to this man down-low in the post. Because with his post-play and shooting abilities, there's no reason for him not to average 20-10. Just like he got 24-12 in the Knicks game. And how he got 17-16 in the Hawks game(Though he deferred to his "team-mates" in the second half).

We're hurting in his turnovers though. 3.2 per game. But that will change. As he starts to shoot more, pass a little less. And when of course Andre Iguodala learns the off-guard position and plays off the basketball. Would it kill him to move around and try to get open?

Andre Iguodala:

Seriously folks. To say that his shot isn't "falling" is an under-statement. He's shooting 37 percent from the floor. This is an 11 percent differential from his career shooting numbers. He's shooting Andre Miller levels from 3! At an atrocious, outrageous and pathetic 18 percent. Even Iguodala wasn't that bad for his career from downtown(32.8 percent). Suprisingly. Iguodala's fairing as well at steals as he's had throughout his entire career at 1.5 SPG. It truly isn't Andre Iguodala's fault defensively though. That falls on the coach. Maurice Cheeks's "defensive" system has this team utterly misutalized. Like a child coaching a squad. I mean this sincerely. Imagine if anyone else were coaching this squad. We would be 6-0 right now. Not 2-4.

One of Iguodala's problems is that he seems to be a rhythm scorer type. When he's in a groove, he's in a groove. Unlike Green though, Iguodala through his defense has the ability to get steals, get dunks and energize himself. And when that happens. He truly becomes one of the top-20 SG's in the game right now. I'll discuss the defensive problems of this team and others in the Maurice Cheeks section. But what Iguodala needs to do is to stop trying to do too much with the basketball. And to learn more and more about cutting, spacing and shooting. If he does those things. His shooting percentage will improve. And as that improves and how often he gets to the line(He's made 12 of 14 so far). He will def be a 20 PPG player.

Andre Miller: You would not have thunk it if you didn't believe it. But he's only averaging 1.6 TPG per game. I believe the number is being decieved by his shot attempts(13.4 per game!) This is nearly 2 more attempts then he's ever attempted in his entire career. It's 0.7 shy of his 07 year attempts. None of this would be a problem, if he's making them. But as of right now, he's shooting a miserable 38 percent from the field.

Part of the reason is, again pointing back to the defense. Miller has always been a mediocre defender, but he's also been great at pressuring the ball handler, getting steals and running up and down the court. He has a career average of 1.4 SPG. Now? Only 0.3 SPG. This points to Miller's bad defense somewhat. But it more importantly points to a deeper flaw. For now Miller. If the shot's not falling, look to your team-mates. See Jason Kidd, who's having a hell of a season and shocking everyone so far.


Maurice Cheeks: Easily, through 6 games the worst coaching job. Even for his standards. I mean. You have such length on the perimeter with Miller, Iguodala, Thad. Boston wishes it had the perimeter defensive potential we have. Then you back it up with one of the best defensive front-courts right now in Brand and Dalembert. There's no way we should be losing basketball games. Except....

You have this team packed in the paint defensively. Often rotating and double-teaming when you don't have too. Look Mo, this front-court that you have? It will rarely be beat in the NBA. Brand can guard the bigger, stronger guys. Dalembert can guard the fundamental bigs .No front-court is more synergetic then these two right here. There is NO REASON for our perimeter guys to be pointlessly rotating in the paint. Giving up open 3's and driving lanes and getting our guys in foul-trouble. And offensively it's the same thing. It's not like Andre Miller fell flat off the face of the earth. Iguodala and Young(especially Young) are terrific perimeter offensive players. And you have Elton Brand stationed in the post. There's no reason for us to be playing isolation basketball. Dump the ball into the paint. Rotate on the perimeter.

It's not just jumpers. Attack the rim, get guys like Howard in foul trouble and then capitalize on it. I keep thinking to myself how great this basketball team would be if we ran the Princeton offense. If we got guys moving and cutting. If we got guys setting screens. Even Dalembert is half-decent at a screen these days.

When you have a team like this, Mo. You don't focus purely on inside defense(as if you have no big man). A team like this has the ability and potential to shut down both the paint and perimeter. Play more Man-to-Man Zone. Do more trapping. When they drive inside the paint. Don't let them kick the ball out. Make that guard face 6'10 Elton Brand and 7'0 Samuel Dalembert.

Albeit however, it's you Mo. Your like John McCain and I'm Keith Olberrman. Only unfortunately we can't vote on your "presidency"(coaching) because if we could. Just like Obama. We could catapult anybody into that head coaching position.

Cheeks double teams just leave players opened for shots from Happyland. I do not understand why we have only seen Speights at center. He should take Sam's minutes as backup center, but he should take the back-up minutes at PF. We drafted Speights to play PF. When am I going to to see it happen.

You have to realize that Iggy and Miller are club brothers. Last year when Iggy was playing for a contract the club brother gave him the ball. Now Miller is fighting for the contract and Iggy is going to return the favor, unless Mo Joe opens his mouth.

If the 76ers do not produce by the 20th game, look for the 76ers to make a deal. Who are players that the 76ers might try to deal for? I think it could be Azubuike and Marco Bertinelli or possibly JR Smith. I did not mention trading for Ben Gordon, since it would cause defensive problems for the 76ers, although I am a big fan of Ben Gordon.

[dond]

You have to realize that Iggy and Miller are club brothers. Last year when Iggy was playing for a contract the club brother gave him the ball. Now Miller is fighting for the contract and Iggy is going to return the favor, unless Mo Joe opens his mouth.

NOT TRUE

[Skates]

Analysis - we are 2-4, you are what your record says you are.

Alas, the coaching staff has decided to teach proper spacing using little white X's on the practice floor. Apparently the pre-season was just a fun time get together. I really wonder if the coaching staff even watched tapes of Brand playing in the high to mid post in LAC, where he was very effective and played most of the time.

[cavsfan_osiris]

I haven't watched all the games, but one thing is for damn sure and that's some type of serious adjustments to the rotation need to happen. Philly should be very aggressive in trade talks also.

[Phillyboy]

Yo Ded! You posted a friggin' novel here!

A lot of analysis for 6 games (my hat's off to you, sir) so I won't try to match your attention to detail. I'll just offer up a condensed version. (Kudos to Dabods on his article- the square peg analogy is a very good one)

On the offensive end the Sixers had unexpected success last year by running uptempo ball. Now they have one of the premier post players in the league and simply haven't been able (or willing) to adjust to his presence. They seem to have no clue how to space the floor and take advantage of post play. We all expected a new dynamic that hasn't materialized. Ball into Brand, draw double team and kick out to open shooters. Not happening. Why not? That question is best posed to the head coach.

How about the pick and pop for Brand (one of his mighty weapons) again not happening. Why not? This is basketball in it's simplest form. Simple and effective. Except in Philadelphia. Again, Mr. Cheeks and Mr. Miller please explain. Suggestion- Go ahead and think run first but when it's not there set up and use the half court weapon we haven't had since Barkley.

On the defensive end it's the same old song and dance. Perimeter defense is atrocious. Rotations are late or nonexistant. Guys out at the circle (like Dalembert) while his guy is dunking. Oy!

(Make that double Oy!)

[Sixerscan]

Here's my analysis.

They've lost to 4 teams that are a combined 15-7. Only 1 of the losses was at home.There was always going to be an adjustment period with so many people in new spots. We have a bunch of people playing below their career norms and of the regulars only Thad and Willie playing above them. This team is going to be fine. 6 games means next to nothing. There going to make the playoffs, and it's much more important that they are playing well then then now.

In summary: EVERYONE COOL OUT.

[bebopdeluxe]

I agree, Sixerscan...6 games is next to nothing. It was probably unrealistic to expect this team to hit the ground running...for some reason, I had visions of that 2000-01 opener - wher we blew the Knicks out by like 40 points (I remember stepping back and saying "WTF did I just see?")...

I would agree that - from my vantage point - Willie has been solid in the role that he should have been all along (a 3rd/4th guard in a teams 8-9 man rotation). Thad has been a freaking revelation. And even though I have been hard on Iguodala, his game will get better. My two big concerns are Miller and Dalembert - Miller because he simply will not be able to duplicate last season, and Sammy because he's as dumb as this dumbbell next to my couch (and our coaching staff isn't full of miracle workers).

IMO, the slow start by Miller - if it continues - is a good thing, as it gets Stefanski thinking more about being a seller than being a buyer. Unless something transformational happens to Miller's game between now and the Sixers return from their year-end West Coast trip, I want him moved by the deadline for just about anything (as long as it can be turned into an asset that Ed can work with). I think that - right now - Speights has a better offensive toolbox (hands, footwork, court awareness, outside stroke) than Sammy does...and he's an athletic enough kid to learn to play defense. However, as long as Sammy is here, the minutes just won't be there. If there's a good deal out there for Sammy (especially for a quality PG), I am all ears.

You've heard of "more cowbell"?

I have a fever...and the only thing that will cure it is "more Speights"...

[Don]

If I recall correctly, Miller didn't remain Brand's teammate very long the first time around!

[Phillyboy]

Here's my analysis.

They've lost to 4 teams that are a combined 15-7. Only 1 of the losses was at home.There was always going to be an adjustment period with so many people in new spots. We have a bunch of people playing below their career norms and of the regulars only Thad and Willie playing above them. This team is going to be fine. 6 games means next to nothing. There going to make the playoffs, and it's much more important that they are playing well then then now.

In summary: EVERYONE COOL OUT.

I've been around a long time so I don't panic easily but I do see room for serious concern even after only 6 games. It's not that they're losing, it's how they're losing. They've literally been brutal to watch. Sixers haven't been winners for quite a while now but I ask you this. How long has it been since they looked THIS bad? Honestly?

Ergo room for serious concern.

I sincerely hope they find the blend starting with Utah but if they still look like a bad high school team after 4 days practice and playing a depleted Utah team on our own floor will you share my concern then?

Sure it's only 6 games. Not Chicken Little time yet but they had better right the ship soon before our competition leaves us in thier rearview mirror. At this point they're more embarrassing than competitive. This needs to change immediately not two weeks from now.

So many people in new spots? I respectfully disagree.

Yes add Brand as a new variable to the equation, move Thad from 4 to 3. Draft Speights. These should all be positive changes. Other than that every other starter is playing the position they played last year, first subs are still Lou, Evans, Willie then Speights then Marshall and Rush.

Playoffs- If you don't win your division the best seed you can attain is most likely number 4. Even at 3 or 4 a title or even the conference is a longshot and below that generally means a first round exit. We got that far last year without Brand. I certainly want better this year or else the season will be a failure and I'll bet Stefanski would agree.Since Boston has picked up where they left off (we're already 3 1/2 games back after only 6 and in dead last place) we're already looking uphill. And the rest of the league, the Detroits, the Atlantas, the Torontos, et al are not going to wait around for us either. In this context there's not as much time as you think.

[tk76]

I've been around a long time so I don't panic easily but I do see room for serious concern even after only 6 games. It's not that they're losing, it's how they're losing. They've literally been brutal to watch. Sixers haven't been winners for quite a while now but I ask you this. How long has it been since they looked THIS bad? Honestly?

They early part of last season? The beginning of the season before that was even worse.

This is the best start the team has had in 3 years... but I agree there are major issues with how the team has played so far.

[Phillyboy]

Point taken TK76. However I believe your point amplifies mine.

Early last season or the season before. Taken at face value your point indicates a team in regression vice progression and that in and of itself is room for concern.

Again, gentlemen I'm not a soothsayer of doomsday prophecy. However I am very concerned because the lackluster performances we've seen are so far. Very disturbing A year ago, even two we expected to see a struggling team but I had no such expectation this year. Transition time? Sure. Brutal? No.

I guess instead of asking how long ago they looked this bad my question should have been-

How long has it been since you've been this disappointed to the point of wincing? Yelling at the TV for another bonehead turnover when you know they should be much better?

I sincerely hope they begin showing some coherence of play starting tonight. I really do.

[tk76]

They'll be fine tonight- as long as they can leave those X's on the floor so they know where to stand. The only thing worse than a stagnant offense where everyone is just standing around is one where they are standing in the wrong spot. It helps for stage actors, so why not for NBA players.

[bebopdeluxe]

Phillyboy:

I am of a mixed mind about what I want right now...while I absolutely love the improvement in young talent on the roster, I still think that we are a couple of pieces away. I simply cannot see Miller being the PG of this team after this season...and I believe that Speights is the better long-term answer at C (or at least, I like Brand/Speights more than I like Brand/Sammy). I am also not sure if Mo is the guy who can take this team to the next level...while I appreciate what he has done in terms of "managing" the roster and developing the young talent, basketball is not like baseball...you really need a solid X's-and-O's coach (and quality coaching staff) to maximize a roster. The Phillies were able to succeed with a less-than-brilliant tactician (Charlie Manuel)...I'm not sure that Mo can take this team to a championship level...but that is for another thread.

[Phillyboy]

Phillyboy:

I am of a mixed mind about what I want right now...while I absolutely love the improvement in young talent on the roster, I still think that we are a couple of pieces away. I simply cannot see Miller being the PG of this team after this season...and I believe that Speights is the better long-term answer at C (or at least, I like Brand/Speights more than I like Brand/Sammy). I am also not sure if Mo is the guy who can take this team to the next level...while I appreciate what he has done in terms of "managing" the roster and developing the young talent, basketball is not like baseball...you really need a solid X's-and-O's coach (and quality coaching staff) to maximize a roster. The Phillies were able to succeed with a less-than-brilliant tactician (Charlie Manuel)...I'm not sure that Mo can take this team to a championship level...but that is for another thread.

Bebop- I agree with just about everything you said. I'm very pleased with Thad's progress, Speights looks like he'll be a legitimate big man in this league (much better tools, hands and footwork than I expected), Miller is probably not the PG for this team though Stefanski might opt to keep him through this year for his expiring. Definately DO NOT like the haphazard play from Igoudala and Williams.

Good point Mo vs. Charlie, basketball vs. baseball. It's been painfully obvious to this point that the X's and O's have been quite poor on both ends but particularly in the half court sets. I thought that's why Lynam is here, to help Mo with the nuts and bolts.

I'm surprised we're not seeing the obligatory "Fire Mo" threads yet.