Liberty Ballers

More Jrue Holiday

2010-03-18T20:43:55Z

Besides "not tanking" and the draft lottery, Jrue's development is the only item of interest for the remaining 14 games. Last week I looked at Jrue's advanced stats and put them up against his fellow rookies. Today I'm comparing them to three point guards who I've seen numerous people compare Jrue to.

(Click to enlarge)

And here are Jrue's advanced stats before the all-star break and his current advanced stats.

	PER	TS%	eFG%	ORB%	DRB%	TRB%	AST%	STL%	BLK%	TOV%	USG%	ORtg	DRtg	OWS	DWS	WS
Pre-ASB	10.3	.471	.439	3.7	9.4	6.6	22.3	2.3	0.9	19.7	17.8	96	109	-0.2	0.6	0.3
Post-ASB	12.0	.521	.495	3.6	9.1	6.3	22.4	2.1	1.0	20.4	18.2	100	111	0.2	0.8	1.0
Difference	1.7	.050	.056	-0.1	-0.3	-0.3	0.1	-0.2	0.1	-0.7	0.4	4	-2	0.4	0.2	0.7

It's impressive how much Jrue's overall stats have improved since the break considering there's only been 16 games, as opposed to 43 prior to the break.

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Don't read anything into the comparison to Payton, Kidd and Billups. I'm not hinting at Jrue being anything like - or as good as any of the three. By now, you know how I feel about Jrue. I just wanted to throw out some more numbers while the team has a day off. Enjoy.

A Little Thursday Sixers Linkage: Lou and Eddie Need Couples Counseling

2010-03-18T16:26:16Z

More photos » Jeff Lewis - AP

"Go kiss and make up with your coach young man!" -- NBA Official

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It's the first day of arguably the most exciting event sports has to offer us and I can't help but be depressed. Why? Because my favorite NBA team won last night. How dare they! They win when I want them to lose and lose when I want them to win. Anyway I've gathered a few links to share with you and the one that really jumped out to me is the one concerning Lou and Eddie (trouble in ~~paradise~~ opposite of paradise?) that best defines the way this season has turned out. Best of luck on your brackets, unless you are in the CBS pool that Mike Bourn compiled because I want to win and get the coveted prize of nothing. Woo-hoo!

Williams Sounds off on Sixers' Tough Season

"I come here every day and play for my teammates, those guys in the locker room. Those are the guys I owe my loyalty to, those are the ones I play for. I just try to play as hard as I can."

Williams made it clear who he shows up for, and by omitting his coach completely, it is evident the two are not on the same page.

More Lou Frustration

"I expected to start," Williams said before the game against the New Jersey Nets. "I didn't see a reason, but we've been changing up the lineup a little bit so I guess this is just another episode of us doing that, seeing if we can find some way to win."

"I would like to see a little more consistency in how we play and the direction we are getting," Williams said. "I don't know - today is a bad day for me."

*Same Article* But what if only 4,500 Show Up?

The first 5,000 fans at Saturday night's home game against the Chicago Bulls will receive an Andre Iguodala action figure.

Now that's what I can an incentive to go to that game! Get ready for an extremely valuable item to hit eBay very shortly.

9-73? Say what now? Sammy and Jrue Can't Fathom That

"Is it possible?" Holiday wondered. "I don't really know, but they're kind of close. I guess I'm experiencing [some of that] in my rookie season. Honestly, you have to have a lot of tough breaks to go 9-73."

"I couldn't comprehend it," he (Dalembert) said of the Sixers' NBA record of futility, set in 1972-73. "In an 82-game season, how can you let that happen? But when I got to the NBA, I realized it's like a snowball. If you don't get it together, before you know it the ball is rolling and rolling."

Quotes (not texts) From Last Night

"I was just trying to get to the basket, trying to be aggressive," Iguodala said. "I was trying to set the tone early, get the guys out to a good start and get that pace that we wanted to the game and carry it over to the rest of the game."

"He's (Jrue's) been playing amazing," Brand said. "Defensively and now offensively he's really stepped up. He's hitting threes, he makes smart decisions. For a guy that wasn't even playing much at the beginning of the season, I'm really proud of his progress. He's got to be one of the top young guards in the league right now the way he's playing."

"We wanted to put them away. Similar to us, we think they're talented, better than what their record indicates, so we wanted to put them away, get a big lead."

When the final horn sounded on the Sixers' second win in 12 games, the remaining fans mustered up the loudest cheer they could. It may have been for the winning effort, or maybe just because the game was finally over. The vote is for the latter.

Completely Un-Sixer-Related News of the Day: Mike Bibby Does Not Like Being Caressed By Josh Smith

Your Philadelphia 76ers Punt Babies, Chew Gum, and Beat the Nets

2010-03-18T01:27:50Z

More photos » Matt Slocum - AP

"Hey Jason I thought you didn't play defense! Here let me backhand your junk and see if that helps."

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We won. Discuss what ways you plan on injuring yourself after this mortifying victory while I type up sum'in clevah for the recap.

108-97 and back to 20 games under .500

Updated.

Well, that's disheartening. I'm currently watching Postgame Live with a white guy that isn't Marshall Harris and Donyell Marshall, who always sounds like he's drunk. Eddie just said he thought there may have been a "magic touch" tonight. Yeah, I'm pretty sure beating the Nets is magical. He also just said "package" about 15 times in one sentence. Unless he's R. Kelly, I don't think that's ok.

I'm gonna hit you up with some bullet points because I haven't done it in a while and Donyell's voice is putting me to sleep and/or wishing I was tippin back some.

If you didn't watch tonight's game, congratulations. Watch an episode of Supernanny and it will evoke the same general reaction out of you. Each possession for both teams
Check out the Louis Williams interview (can't find a link), he sounds so frustrated and fed up with the season. After he was told he'd be coming off the bench tonight, he complained about lack of consistency and how the year hasn't gone well. That's news to us on the site, I've been pleasantly surprised with consistency and the team's play. He ended up with an Eddie House 11 points, providing energy and not much else to a team that doesn't need him. Mmkay.
Jrue Holiday is good at basketball. Similar to the stats from the Knicks game, however, I'm not gonna get on my knees for anybody for putting up some decent numbers against the Nets. The Nets. But I can pat Jrue on the head for playing well and there's nothing you can do about it. 19-7-7 on 8 of 11 shooting and just one turnover. Keyon Dooling and Courtney Lee couldn't stay with him, and didn't particularly try. The media asked everybody how impressed they were with Jrue, and got Domonic Brown-like reactions from them, so his likability is another piece of good news to go with his lovely rookie year. On the offensive end, he's really working on his spin move to get by guys in game action. One thing that's hindering him is dribbling into traffic and coughing it up a bit too much, although it didn't happen tonight because the Nets were doing their best impression of Scott Schroeder defense. I don't think it's absurd to think Jrue can be a capable starter on both ends next season, when we will presumably be an actual basketball team. +18 for him on the night.
A key to this game was Andre Iguodala taking the ball to the basket. He didn't shoot any three's tonight and while he claimed it wasn't a conscious decision, I believe someone got to him and told him to play to his strengths. At least that's what I would say. 20 points on 14 shots with 8 dimes and a bunch of orchestrating fast breaks. While Chris-Douglas-Roberts-got-the-best-of-him (enough hyphens CDR?) to the tune of 23 crafty points (have I mentioned he's crafty?), he held Terrence Williams to 4-16 shooting. In this post game interview, he said "I'm just trying to play 82." I can definitely respect it, and feel bad for a player so talented that has to deal with a team this awful, but then I remember he's in the NBA and stop feeling bad. Still hope he gets traded in the offseason with Brand.
Nice game out of Rodney Carney, who hasn't done much of anything this year. 11 points on just 2-3 shooting and 5 rebounds in 14 minutes. His athleticism is really otherworldly, he just hasn't been able to refine his game to the point where he's decent at anything but being the wing on a fast break. I don't think he's back next season.
Another solid game from Samuel Dalembert, who continues to put together his most consistent season of his enigmatic career. 10 points, 9 boards, and 5 controlled blocks and not nearly as many stupid plays this season as he's averaged the rest of his life. He kept Brook Lopez in check, and although I still think the front office will be looking to move him this offseason, Sammy has been one of few great stories in this long, long season. Whatever happens, at least his value has gone up and he seems like he may have matured.
The Nets are 7-61. If they don't get a top 3 pick, Kiki Vandeweghe will single-handedly murder the lotteryballpickerguydude. As long as we get in there, I'll be down like a clown Charlie Brown.
Modie Jeeks got in the game despite not ever being up 30. I can therefore assume that everything Eddie Jordan has said is a lie. He got a point.
The Sixers shot 56% from the field compared to 41% for New Jersey and STILL only won by 11. Maybe if Francisco Elson got some PT, things would be different. I'm his biggest fan.
Josh Boone's ugliness continues to amaze me. But it's okay because prettyboy Kris Humphries makes up for it, second only to Joe Mauer of Minnesota-born aff-letes.
First round of March Madness action starts tomorrow at noon. Last chance to sign up! Password still ricko. I'm literally DVRing the entire day of college basketball tomorrow because I'll be in NYC interviewing for things that are much less important than the day 1 of the tournament. Damn you future mike!

I hate winning. Knicks on Friday, gotta get that loss loss loss, that future loss loss loss, give it to me.

NetsDaily is a quality place

Nets @ Sixers game thread

2010-03-17T20:47:56Z

Gail Burton - AP

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Update: Lou is playing.

Tonight's game could have an enormous impact on the Sixers' future. With 15 games remaining and the 4-10 lottery spots separated by a total of 3 games, every loss is crucial. One loss could be the difference between drafting a role player and drafting the face of your franchise. One loss could be the difference between 10 years of mediocrity and 10 years of championship contention. One loss, could be the difference ...

That's where tonight's game comes in. Of the 15 games remaining for the Sixers, tonight's is easily the most winnable. They face the league's worst team (maybe of all-time), at home, fully rested -- while the Nets play the second of a back-to-back, without their best player (Devin Harris). All signs point to a Sixers win, but wait.

Check out the three games the Sixers and Nets have played this year:

Sixers 82 Nets 79

Sixers 97 Nets 94

Sixers 83 Nets 79

For whatever reason, the Nets play the Sixers tough -- with only 10 total points separating them this season. All three games were without Devin Harris. Note: The Nets also went 4-0 against the Sixers last year.

And more good news for our tanking dreams: It looks like the Sixers be without Thaddeus, M16 and Lou Williams tonight. I'm really hoping for a Green, Meeks, Carney, Kapono, Smith lineup at some point.

I don't know if you guys have any superstitions, but if you do, please bust 'em out for this game! We need a loss, badly.

Go Sixers!

Bonus: Here are the chances teams 4-10 in the lottery have at landing a top 3 pick (WTF):

4th - 38%

5th - 29%

6th - 22%

7th - 15%

8th - 10%

9th - 6%

10th - 4%

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NetsDaily

NBA Exec: Holiday will be best point guard from 2010 NBA Draft

2010-03-17T18:07:36Z

NBA Exec: Holiday will be best point guard from 2010 NBA Draft

An NBA executive recently messaged me this: "Evans is going to be the best guard in this draft, but Holiday is going to be the best point guard." Curry, Lawson, Collison and Jennings all will have something to say about that, but Holiday is certainly proving to be worth the No. 17 pick despite his average college credentials.

LibertyBallers Big Board v1

2010-03-17T06:14:15Z

More photos » Terry Gilliam - AP

Ohio State's Evan Turner Sure would look good in a Sixers uniform next year. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

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We've been doing the user-voted big board for months, which you can view on the left-hand side of the site. Since we're at least twice as far down the big board as the Sixers will be drafting (and, with any luck, 4 times as far down), we decided to make a big board voted on just by the four of us. Expect this big board to go through at least two more iterations, once after the deadline for underclassmen to declare, and finally after the withdrawal deadline when the final field is set.

Below is the lottery big board, sorted by composite ranking, an average of our four votes. Check after the jump for some comments as we discuss some of our more controversial selections.

One note, players listed as n/a didn't make that person's individual top 14, but did make the composite. Players who did not make the top 14 in an individual's mock were given a value relative to the 17th pick.

How much this changes on future iterations will certainly be interesting. For now, this is our big boards (until we change our mind).

Composite	Player	Jordan	Mike	Tanner	Derek
1	John Wall	1	1	1	1
2	Evan Turner	2	2	2	2
3	Derrick Favors	3	4	3	3
4	DeMarcus Cousins	6	3	5	5
5	Wesley Johnson	7	5	4	4
6	Xavier Henry	10	6	6	7
7	Greg Monroe	9	8	7	8
8	Al-Farouq Aminu	5	10	9	11
9	Cole Aldrich	12	11	8	6
10	Ed Davis	4	n/a	11	9
11	Patrick Patterson	n/a	9	10	12
12	Donatas Motiejunas	14	7	13	n/a
13	Hassan Whiteside	8	n/a	n/a	14
14	Ekpe Udoh	n/a	14	n/a	10

Others receiving votes:

Paul George
Jan Vesely
Avery Bradley
James Anderson
Larry Sanders

Jordan's comments

Defense, rebounding, potential and team need were the areas I focused on with my big board.

I dropped Cousins because of his attitude, lack of defense, and how unimpressed I've been the few times I've watched him. We already have a power forward who can score, plays no defense and has a bad attitude. I don't want two. That said, I couldn't drop him below 6.

I dropped Cole Aldrich to 12 because I think he's peaked already. He's slow, awkward, and doesn't wow me. I don't see his game translating to the NBA. He might stick around a while as a role player, but that's not what I'm looking for with a top 10 pick. I need more potential.

Vessely and Motiejunas I basically know nothing about. They got the last 2 spots by default.

Mike

I came into the season really excited about Favors and was wholly unimpressed for the first 5 months. I thought he fell asleep too much offensively, looked confused on off-the-ball assignments on the defensive end and let too many rebounds go despite having the most talented rebounding front line in the nation with Gani Lawal. All of those things are fine and to be expected out of a freshman. I just didn't see the dominance Cousins showed me. He stepped up big time in the ACC tournament especially on defense. He's a high-character guy with great work ethic and I'm a big fan. If he continues working on his midrange game, he could be exceptional. But I'm still going with Cousins ahead of him.

Henry at 6. Reach? Sure. For his production this season on a stacked Kansas team, taking him at 6 may be a little early. But he's got the sweetest lefty stroke I've seen since Damon Stoudamire and as a 6'6 thick shooting guard, won't be getting pushed around anytime soon. He's knocking down treys at a 42% clip, getting his hands on some balls defensively (1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks), and running the fast break consistently well. X started the season hot, and slumped in the first few games of conference play, but stepped it up again for the final third of the season. The knock against him is his athleticism which I don't particularly buy into – I just think he plays under control. He'd be the first shooting guard that could shoot we've had since I'm gonna say Andrew Toney and you know what, that's a long time ago. If he can keep his crazy dad away from the media, X is gon' give it to ya.

I've done some flip-flopping in the past few weeks with Monroe and Aminu, but a strong 4 day stretch where I seemingly did nothing but watch Greg Monroe gives him the nod over AFA. Monroe is crafty, smart, patient, under control, and stronger than you think. He's got a nice post up game that he can take slower defenders off his quick first step, and a decent turnaround that's a work in progress. Another lefty (God I wish I was lefty), but this one may be the best passer in the nation. Nothing gets me more excited than big man interior passing (Webber-Divac, Rick Jackson-Arinze Onuaku, Lavoy Allen-Michael Eric what up?) and Monroe can find the open man with the best of them. He's sexy, he's money, and if we get the top spot, I'd love to trade down somehow and pick up 2 in the top 10, swooping up Monroe and Xavier. Pipe dream alert.

James Anderson another reach?! A bit. The Big 12 Player of the Year is another solid solid shooting guard that would look really nice on the wing across from Andre Iguodala. He's got some slashing ability and can move up and down the court pretty well, but his best attribute is definitely his jump shot. He's got great size for a 2-guard and rebounds the ball well for his position. I'm a fan.

Tanner

About four days ago I would have put Favors at the 5 spot, swapping with Cousins. That was until the conference tournament started and Favors really showed what he could bring to the NBA. His athleticism, shot blocking ability, and jumper in progress are more appealing to me than the project of a player that is Cousins (47% FT, reports of bad attitude, work ethic questions).

X Henry is higher on my list than on mock drafts because I really like his shooting stroke especially for the Sixers who need a shooter. Merge that ability with his good NBA body for a SG and ability to get in the lane and to the free throw line, he becomes my highest rated pure SG.

I put Paul George much higher than most people would put him because when I see his tapes I just think Danny Granger over and over again. He can soot the j, he can rebound with the bigs, has great length, he's unselfish, he's smart, and screams potential. I think he could end up being an all-star in the league if he works at refining his weaknesses (drive more, improve dribbling ability, play with scorer's mentality).

Derek

For the record, despite popular media, I still don't think Wall vs Turner is a debate. Nor do I think Favors vs Cousins would be a debate if I were picking. I would take Favors with nary a second thought. Even throwing out Cousins' maturity red flags, I have a lot of questions about him on the defensive side of the ball, and a post-scorer with average defense and without the passing ability (or mindset) to take advantage of the defensive attention he receives isn't a franchise player to me. Favors, on the other hand, I see developing into a great all-around defender, and perhaps the most dominant two-way big man since Dwight Howard.

That being said, Cousins is too talented to drop too far. At some point, the reward outweighs the risk, and it will likely happen fairly early in the draft.

I believe Wesley Johnson is both the best talent remaining and the best fit based on team needs, so he goes #5 without much hesitation. After #5, however, is where the draft starts getting interesting. The can't miss prospects are off the board, and a fair amount of projection and risk assessment is going to need to be done.

Cole Aldrich may be a little high (particularly when you look at this team, and figure he may never be more than an opportunistic scorer), but I tend to overvalue defensive bigs. Is there some concern perimeter oriented bigs will be able to take him off the dribble? Sure. But a good post defender, that provides weakside help defense, can defend the pick and roll and has the size and technique to be a good defensive rebounder will always have an impact on the game. Add in good decision making and I view Aldrich as a valuable piece.

Xavier Henry is perhaps overvalued to the Sixers because of his skillset. A little disappointing in how little he showed off the dribble -- perhaps exacerbated by the depth on that Kansas squad -- and perhaps a little slow laterally to be a great defender at the shooting guard, Henry's not perfect. That being said, being able to put a shooter who can run the break, make good decisions, and play at least competent defense next to Iguodala and Holiday presents an interesting combination of skills to build around.

As you can see from my rankings, I'm not a fan of Aminu, and even less of a fan of Aminu on the Sixers. I don't see immediate success for Aminu on the offensive end, and it's sometimes hard to expect players that athletic, but with that poor of ballhandling, to ever reach the level of proficiency to fully utilize their physical gifts. A bad overall fit with the Sixers, and I don't see him being a can't miss prospect that you have to throw fit out the window.

The possibility of Hassan Whiteside declaring has made him a high riser on the draft boards, and I'd be lying to deny his intrigue. The overall team defense, both with weakside shotblocking and outstanding pick and roll defense, make him a potentially game changing defender, and he shows a pulse offensively with a surprisingly effective jump shot. That being said, he's a definite project (turns the ball over frequently in the post, not much in the way of passing, suspect man-man defense), and he reportedly has character and maturity red flags. Overall, I'll gamble on Ekpe Udoh putting it together before Whiteside. Wesley Johnson's transfer from Iowa State has garnered the most attention (and rightfully so, as he's become an impact player making Syracuse legitimate contenders), but I'm not sure if it wasn't Udoh's transfer that has helped his stock the most.

Quick blurbs on notables I left off my list:

I was excited when I got my hands on a few full tapes of Motiejunas this year, but disappointed when I saw him play. I have a hard time seeing him ever becoming even below average defensively and on the glass. Avery Bradley, while tempting to put on because of his shooting and defense, is really limited off the dribble and lacks ideal size to play shooting guard. James Anderson could have the ideal offensive arsenal to play shooting guard on this team, but his defensive deficiencies would prevent him from being a real impact player.

Remember, this is version 1.0 of the LibertyBallers mock draft. Much will happen between now and June, and expect this to be updated to reflect that in time.

Last Chance!

2010-03-17T04:46:51Z

To join the CBS Sportsline Bracket phenomenon with all your favorite Liberty Ballers pals!

You know Jordan's gonna be there!

And Scott mother trucking Schroeder is there!

DO IT!

http://libertyballers.mayhem.cbssports.com/e password: ricko

Ricko, if you're reading this, join. And comment. We all miss you terribly and promise to never cheat on you again. It was one time, and I thought she was you! Honest. So join, even if you're not Ricko and are confused about what just happened.

Thaddeus Young will miss tomorrow night's game against New Jersey with a broken right thumb. No...

2010-03-16T21:22:40Z

Thaddeus Young will miss tomorrow night's game against New Jersey with a broken right thumb. No timetable has been set for his return, the Sixers said.

Young cracked the nail on his right thumb in the first quarter last night against New York, but returned and started the second half. He reopened the wound early in the third quarter, leaving a trail of blood which caused about a 5-minute delay. He returned again in the fourth quarter with the thumb heavily bandaged.

Phil Jasner

SB Nation Power Rankings

2010-03-16T21:17:58Z

SB Nation Power Rankings

25. Philadelphia 76ers: 23-44 overall, 0-5 last week.
SBN Blog: Liberty Ballers (ed. note: that's us)
Last week: 24.
Philly is a hilarious mess right now. Eddie Jordan's supposedly a goner, in large part because management wants him to play Jodie Meeks and he won't (haha!). Elton Brand, meanwhile, played 22 minutes last night against the Knicks and grabbed fewer rebounds than Jason Kapono. Jrue Holiday, who was in Jordan's doghouse earlier in the year, got 41 minutes against the Knicks, more than everyone except Andre Iguodala. I bring these up not to prove Philly is tanking, but instead to prove that nothing is coherent.

Kind of like this recap on Liberty Ballers. The stream-of-consciousness of the post mirrors the 76ers. As does this tanking poem.

We're moving on down
It's a free fall
We have one of the worst records in basketball
We're moving on down
It's a free fall
For a slightly better chance at John Wall

Yosoysean getting some major Mike Prada pub. And I think he may have been insulting our blog (or my writing) in his comments but as is characteristic of myself as an idiot, I'll take it as a joke. Wooo.

Link Me Baby One More Time

2010-03-16T18:44:16Z

Will Mark Jackson and his tight shorts coach the Sixers next year? Phil Jasner says why not.

View full size photo »

Is there any better way to start the day with a Britney Spears reference? If there is, I've never experienced it. Fresh back from a job (or is it pronounced yob - like a soft j?) interview and I'm ready to be stronger than yesterday. The game yesterday was less entertaining than Drive Me Crazy starring ~~Vincent Chase~~ Adrian Grenier except if you solely concentrated on Jay-Rue (or wanted the dance team poster - ladies, I'm a slave for you). No run-on sentences for you guys from me, don't want to cause any nose bleeds or head trauma. I'll lead that task up to Mikey B and the Funky Bunch because that's my prerogative. I'm just rambling on now and I have no idea why. I must have been exposed to something toxic but I'll hit you up with some links anyway because I was born to make you happy. Womanizer.

Phil Jasner Wants New Blood As Head Coach, No Retreads

Mike Budenholzer is Gregg Popovich's top assistant in San Antonio and was a finalist for the Phoenix job a couple of years ago. I know a lot of people view NBA TV analyst Eric Snow as arrogant and as a guy who has never lost a debate, but he was also a terrific intermediary between the incredibly strong personalities of Larry Brown and Allen Iverson, and was the only player who had any level of control of Iverson. At least hear him out.

People in Portland rave about Monty Williams and onetime Temple assistant Dean Demopoulos. See what Mark Jackson, the TV analyst, has to say.

Lou Diagnosed with Lower Back Spasms

According to Sixers officials, Williams' back problem had been lingering and was exacerbated yesterday afternoon.

*Same Article* According to Eddie, Jodie Meeks Does Not Have a Good Shot at Playing Again

"It's going to be hard for him to get a real comfort level and we're trying to win a game," Jordan said. "When we're up 30, he'll play a lot more."

Elton Brand Not Confident that Sixers Have an Identity

"When you play a team that shoots a lot of three-pointers, you kind of fall into that trap," Brand said. "I think we did a little bit too much of that in the third quarter and they caught up really fast because that's their style of play. We have to figure out what ours is."

*Same Article* Thaddeus Young's Thumb Hurts

Forward Thaddeus Young cracked the nail on his right thumb in the first quarter, but returned and started the second half. He reopened the wound early in the third quarter, leaving a trail of blood which caused about a 5-minute delay.

Rodney Carney Has No Faith in Tanking, Kelly Dwyer Does (yes, I know Mikey B posted it yesterday but it's a valuable link)

Everyone tanks, and there's nothing wrong with that. This league is designed around the idea that teams have to develop at their own rate and only truly get great once much of one team's core hits their prime at the same time.

Silly Sir Charles Barkley Pictures

Some of the photos in the collection were in a post a long, long, long while back but this album has a few more, including one that looks like Charles inspecting an official for lice.

Completely Un-Sixer-Related News of the Day, Part I: Chris Paul, Filmmaker

I guess being injured gives you a lot of free time.

Completely Un-Sixer-Related News of the Day (AND EXTREMEMLY IMPORTANT), Part II: NBA Jam 2010 Trailer Released!

If you don't like NBA Jam, there's something wrong with you! I'll take the Orlando Magic tandem of Penny Hardaway, Nick Anderson, and Horace Grant.

That's Tanktastic!

2010-03-16T02:38:06Z

yay

View full size photo »

My new favorite team, the Gneu York Knickerbockers, took care of bidness on the road against our Philadelphia 76ers, who are reportedly not tanking. Despite an 11 point halftime Sixer lead, the home team's sub-30% second half shooting brought the Ca-Knicks back in the game before the final fourth quarter surge that pushed NY over the top. The Sixers now sit tied with Detroit for the 7th seed (they're down 30, I'll give the Celtics the dubya), a full game worse than the Knicks, who they'll face again on Friday. As of this writing, the Wizards are struggling to stay with the Jazz midway through the game. If the Wiz win (not to be confused with wiz wit, which is how I like my cheese steaks), we'll be smashed into a 3 way tie for the 6 spot, the magical spot according to Human Target lookalike Derek Bodner. Dream big.

Let's go to the game action shall we? We shall. The entire Sixers season was generously, metaphorically, and metaphysically jammed into one single play down 9 with the game basically out of reach with under two minutes to play. Andre Iguodala (who?) had the ball on the far side foul line extended with about 15 seconds left in the shot clock. Thaddeus Young was on foul line extended on the near side, and Jrue Holiday stood in the near corner. As 'Dre jab stepped baseline and power dribbled to the middle of the lane, Jrue and Deus made cuts to the same exact place. The two guys off the ball bumped into each other and the guys guarding them, while Iguodala pulled up just shy of the awkward bumpage and took what looked like a two handed floater (isn't that a jumpshot? whatev, cbssportsline) that made the ugliest sound off the back rim/backboard I've ever heard. It was uncoordinated, disgusting basketball emphasizing this team's poor communication and guess-and-check offense without any direction or purpose. And it made me laugh because I'm just too tankalicious for you baby.

The Knicks are the worst rebounding team I've ever seen. Or at least tonight they were, I won't claim to have watched them a ton this season, because frankly, snarkysnarkysnarkysnark <-- I'm assuming there's something funny I could say there. Philly missed 53 shots from the field and 9 from the line, picking up 21 offensive rebounds in the process. I will award us no credit for that, and place all of the blame on the softest frontline in the league named David Lee, Danilo Gallinari and Al Harrington. It hurts just to type those names together. Offensively? Sure. They're plenty talented. I think Harrington could be a top 25 player in the league if he improved his shot selection and defense. But he's been in the league for 12 years and been on 4 teams (and a second stint with Indy) so I'm gonna go ahead and say itsnotgon'happen. Anyway.

Once again, our vaunted three-point defense held the Knicks to JUST 44% from three, which is better than we could do, so I guess we should commend them for that. Wide-open looks were a result of lazy double teams and random rotations. I can't tell you how many times I've seen Samuel Dalembert run out on an open three from about 15 feet away with a worthless hand in the air. Actually I can ballpark it -- a bunch. But again, I was rooting for them to be open and go in so I'm cool as a fool in a swimming pool.

Final thoughts in a horrendous run-on sentence! Willie Green scored well and did everything else horribly, good thing basketball is only about scoring NOT and Jodie Meeks apparently maxed out his minutes last night and will be paying overage (that's spelled like the opposite of underage but i meant it pronounced over-ige -- clear? Crystal) charges for at least the next bill or two I think Toney Douglas can play and always have because he and Isaiah Swann were cashmoney at Florida State but Jrue played lockdown D on him for a good part of the game speaking of Jrue he looks so much better than he did earlier on this season that it's foolish to call him a rookie anymore and I expect we'll be seeing 18-8-6 from him for years to come and Dalembert looked pretty solid on the boards but again it doesn't make any sense to cyberstroke him when he's outrebounding Alice from the Brady Bunch and Iguodala really really really couldn't find hay in a stack of hay (that's obviously a metaphor for his 5-22 shooting night but that was for our metaphor-deficient readers out there HEY GUYS!) although Jason Kapono's shot looked great when it went in he is still without doubt the worst ~~pirate I've ever heard of But you have heard of me~~ all-around basketball player I've ever seen oh and hey if you predicted Kapono would snag more defensive rebounds than Elton Brand tonight than you sir are a sorcerer and I applaud you PERIOD

Reference roundup:

1. Silent G's

2. Hockey

3. Cheese Steaks

4. Elementary Mathematics

5. Destiny's Child

6. Sarcasm

7. Seinfeld

8. South Park

9. Borat

10. AT&T

11. A Few Good Men

12. Obscure College Basketball Players Only I Remember

13. Pirates of the Caribbean (HT mopey)

14. Family Guy

Find 'em all! God that's awful, eclectic writing that has very little to do with the Sixers. Here's hoping this doesn't ruin our bloglationship! For Jordan's sake, at least read what he writes. He tries so very hard.

UPDATE (seconds later): From commenter yosoysean, here is your new 2010 Sixers theme song, to the tune of the Jeffersons.

We’re moving on down
It’s a free fall
We have one of the worst records in basketball
We’re moving on down
It’s a free fall
For a slightly better chance at John Wall

Does it get any better than that?

Poll

By jsams: Which hurts your head most?

Knicks @ Sixers game thread

2010-03-15T22:29:08Z

Frank Franklin II - AP

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Mike Bourn is running late. He's just now leaving Tyrone Hill's house. They were recording a song for their new album, 'Rone and Me - in stores April 20, 2010. Or he's just stuck in NYC traffic; I can't remember.

Anyway, this is one of the most important games of the season for the Sixers - a rare must lose. Losing is the only chance the Sixers have at WTF (Wall, Turner, Favors). The good news is, the Knicks aren't tanking because their pick is owned by the Jazz. But according to Rodney Carney, the Sixers aren't tanking either. Wink, wink. I think you fooled 'em RC.

I predict the Sixers win this one and shatter my dreams in the process, but a little back-and-forth via Twitter with my boy, bandwagonknick gave me a glimmer of hope. He reminded me that the reason the Knicks won their last match-up with the Sixers was because they went to a "college-zone" and forced the Sixers to shoot from the outside. I don't see why that wouldn't work again, and since D'Antoni seems to know what he's doing, I expect he'll do just that.

Plus, Bill Walker owns.

Update: No Lou Williams (back spasms) or M16 tonight (knee).

Go Sixers!

Posting and Toasting

Franchise altering week

2010-03-15T14:22:37Z

More photos » Michael Perez - AP

Philadelphia guard Jodie Meeks may be doing more in the final 16 games than fetching basketballs during warmup (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

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Every now and then a franchise faces a point in time that could drastically alter its fortunes going forward. A point in time when two or three games could be the difference between turning the franchise into contenders rather than extending the window of mediocrity another five years. The Sixers are sitting at such a crossroad.

The last time the Sixers were in such a position was during the 2006-2007 season. After a dreadful start which led to jettisoning disgruntled and disgraced superstar Allen Iverson, the Sixers were 5-19 through 24 games. Trading for veterans Andre Miller and Joe Smith led to a late season surge that left the Sixers with a 35-47 record and the 12th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. In the end, netting Thaddeus Young wasn't awful, but it wasn't the franchise altering addition Kevin Durant or Greg Oden -- if healthy -- would have been. The Sixers were close, perhaps closer than they realized, only three games back in the standings from Portland (#1 pick) and 4 games behind Seattle (the #2 pick) in a bunched up final standings.

Those late-season wins were hollow, the impact they would have on the Sixers young core overstated. In the end, talent wins, and a lack of talent will doom a team to mediocrity, experience be damned. It's true that the Sixers have no shot of catching New Jersey, Minnesota, or Golden State, the three worst teams in the league, but they are within two games of the 4th worst record in the league. Besides the fact that picking 6th provides significantly more opportunity than selecting 10th, history has repeatedly shown that in order to truly be involved in the lottery 6th is about as far down as you can fall. In my opinion, this team needs an Evan Turner or Derrick Favors -- or, obviously, John Wall -- to turn around their future. Cole Aldrich could be a nice roleplayer, but he doesn't turn the Sixers into contender status, either next year or in five. This week will define the Sixers chances.

I understand an inability to openly cheer for your team to lose. As a season ticket holder myself, it's something I struggle with daily. This team, however, has sucked away any emotion I had in me, and I'm left with a purely analytical viewpoint of this team. From that perspective, it's clear that losing for the rest of the season aids the long term development of this franchise moreso than squeaking out three extra wins. People can argue that losing creates a losing culture, and over an extended period of time I can buy that. That being said, the remaining 16 games of the season aren't going to change whatever damage has been done by a dreadful opening 66. More importantly, talent wins. The Chicago Bulls weren't ruined in 1984 when they won only 27 games, just like the Sixers late season run in 2007 didn't propel them past the Seattle Sonics/Oklahoma City Thunder.

The good new is, unlike the the ill-fated 2007 finish, upper management appears cognizant of the fact, much to Eddie Jordan's chagrin. For the first time all season, Willie Green was a DNP-CD, instead being replaced in the rotation by Jodie Meeks (7+ minutes in the first half) and Jason Kapono, who started the second half in place of the struggling Louis Williams.

Too little too late? Perhaps, thanks in large part to the meaningless five game winning streak in early February when the Sixers were supposedly "going uptown". They've gone 3-12 since then, including losing 4 in a row and 9 of their last 10.

The Sixers play only 6 of their final 16 games against sub-.500 teams, 4 of which come this week. The Knicks have no reason to tank, as they do not own their own draft pick this year, and the Nets are trying desperately to avoid setting a record in futility. With two games against New York, one against New Jersey and one against Chicago, this is the week the Sixers need to put them back in contention. The two games against the Knicks may be the biggest games of the season.

Good luck, Sixers fans. Wish the team well.

Sixers Lottery Standings 3.14

2010-03-15T06:11:35Z

Lottery	Team	Record	GB
10	Clippers	25-42	3.5
9	Knicks	23-43	2
8	Pistons	23-43	2
7	Sixers	23-43	2
6	Kings	23-44	1.5
5	Wizards	21-43	1
4	Pacers	21-45	--

This week's games:

Clippers: Hornets, Bucks, Kings

Predicted record: 1-2

Knicks: @Sixers, @Celtics, Sixers, Rockets

Predicted record: 2-2

Pistons: @Celtics, Cavs, @Pacers, @Cavs

Predicted record: 0-4

Sixers: Knicks, Nets, @Knicks, Bulls

Predicted record: 3-1

Kings: Lakers, Bucks, @Clippers

Predicted record: 1-2

Wizards: @Jazz, @Nuggets, @Blazers, @Lakers

Guaranteed record: 0-4

Pacers: Bobcats, @Cavs, Pistons, Thunder

Predicted record: 1-3

-------------------------

This is a franchise-altering week for the Sixers. Either they solidify the 10th spot in the draft lottery, or keep hope alive for Wall, Turner or Favors (WTF). They have 16 games left in this dismal season. Of those 16 games, 5 are against sub-.500 teams. And all four come this week!

This is it folks. 0-4, I'll be jumping for joy. 1-3, I'll be satisfied. 2-2, I'll have delusional hope. 3-1, I'll stop caring about lottery. 4-0, I'll ... I don't even want to go there.

I'm pumped.

D-Wade is Good, Sixers are Not

2010-03-15T02:35:43Z

More photos » Issac Baldizon - NBAE/Getty Images

Dwyane Wade can point at the ball.

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Going into the game we know what is wrong with this team, what we have to look forward to in the future, and that we need to lose as many games as possible to get more ping-pong balls (no we are not playing beer pong). As entertaining as the game was on Friday, this one was just as much a dud. The Heat had control of the game from the get go and controlled it throughout. The closest the Sixers got to being competitive was at the end of the 3rd quarter when Andre nailed a fadeaway before the buzzer to cut the deficit to five. The Sixers turned right back into the Sixers making only one field goal in the first four and half minutes of the fourth. The Heat took advantage and posted a 14-3 run in that time without Wade on the floor.

Some Notes from the Game:

Jrue Holiday started the game on Q Richardson - he was going under screens nonchalantly and giving Q open threes - soon switched to D-Wade (tough to evaluate his defense on Wade because nobody can really stop him) - gave way to much room to Carlos Arroyo in the second half which allowed him to get pull of jumpers without contest - the boy is straight cash homie from long range hitting all four of his attempts - seemed to lag off the ball concentrating more on who has the ball than staying with his man
More on Jrue (can you tell who I paid most attention to during this game?) - the court vision was there and it was spectacular; especially on a first half fast break where he found Andre on a half court bounce pass that lead to an Iguodala slam - when Heat went to a zone, he split the defenders on a gorgeous find to Thad in the middle for a floater - got into the lane extensively, many times looking to pass rather than draw a foul or pull up - one instant he drove and drew the double-team immediately finding Sammy for an oop
Thaddeus Young had a nasty box-out on Udonis Haslem, I thought I would never see the day (maybe he does have the ability) - couldn't grasp the concept of getting a hand up on perimeter shooters allowing clean looks for the Heat - struggled on pick and roll situations when he was at the 4; of note, Haslem set a screen for Mario Chalmers and instead of showing on Chalmers, he ole'd and allowed Mario to easily get to the bucket - still has some sweet shoes (no black but still sweet)
Jodie Meeks played 9 minutes and air-balled his only shot attempt
The Heat went to a zone midway through the first half and were content with Sixers jacking up threes - Sixers did a pretty nice job with this hitting 11 of 24 but gave up on the inside game - early on Elton Brand got the ball down low on the first 4 possessions (two fg's and drew a foul)
Jason Kapono started the second half over Lou Williams - my only guess as to why is in an attempt to break the zone with an outside threat? your guess is as good as mine - he took the second most shots (one behind Iguodala) and hit his first threes of 2010 - to quote the great @derekbodner "Jason Kapono's hustle stats: 1 rebound, no assists, no steals, no blocks" - when the big story out of the game is that Kapono got 25 minutes and took 14 shots, chances are you lost
Andre Iguodala had pretty solid numbers getting 15 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists but on 15 shots and 5 points from the line; not exactly efficient scoring - kept settling for pull-up jumpers rather than taking it to the basket and getting fouled (when he did drive, he got fouled or finished the majority of the time)
Dwyane Wade is extremely good - if somebody ever tells you NBA players don't try, show them a tape of D-Wade - he abused everyone who attempted to guard him, ran the break to a T, was aggressive on defense generating 5 steals, got through double teams easier than the Situation on a Saturday night (hey-oooo!!!), and was unstoppable in the P&R
Sam Dalembert's biggest contribution was getting elbowed above the neck (never showed it but host of SportsNite said that's what occurred) leading to Jeramaine O'Neal's ejection.
Jordan's boy Joel Anthony started
Marreese Speights' dress attire was subpar
Billy-Bob Green got 0 minutes tonight. Maybe Eddie read Kate Fagan's latest column?

Well that does it for me in my first Game Recap. Please be kind. I'm still pissed about Maryland being in the hardest bracket. Next game is tomorrow at the Wach against the "I Hope We Get Lebron Cuz We're Screwed If We Don'ts". I'll be in attendance booing like crazy when they announce Eddie Jordan as the coach (once again, only in title).

Box Score

Peninsula is Mightier

The Artist's Picks

2010-03-14T21:24:39Z

More photos » Darron Cummings - AP

Good, yes?

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We're all friends here so I figured you could stand a bit more college basketball talk minutes before Selection Sunday officially gets underway. Whatcha think?

Sixers @ Heat - Selection Sunday? More Like Selection FUNDAY!

2010-03-14T20:00:37Z

Though I'm writing this the day before, it is not hampering my rectum-tightening excitement for ~~this game~~ Selection Sunday. Joy, heartbreak, excitement, pain.... it's like seeing the opera performed by Greg Gumbel. For free! I plan on filling out my own bracket before the Selection Committee comes out with theirs, so we'll see how I do compared to ol' Joe. I recommend @DerekBodner does the same so we can compare penis size after the fact. Also, join our Liberty Ballers March Madness Pool For Pride (LBMMPFP) at CBS Sports~~line~~.

What'd you say? Oh this is a Sixers blog? I had no idea.

Sixers/Heat. I predict a huge loss in light of how well (well?) they played against the Cavs. Still impressed by 'Dre and hope he brings it again tonight, but I think the letdown of losing to LeBron despite Cleveland's lack of effort will result in another ping pong ball. By the time you see this (I'm going all visionary here, don't piss yourself ~~douchebags~~ Lost fans <-- sbnation better not "expletive" that, I was referencing the cleansing device), the Wizards, Pistons, and Knicks will have beaten the Magic, Hawks, and Mavs (respectively). And tonight (tomorrow for me) Indiana is at Milwaukee and Sacramento hosts Minnesota!!! That's like money in the bank (Tanner whatchu drank?).

(NEXT DAY UPDATE: Some of these things happened. Oh and Tanner's got the recap tonight, treat him nice and click on his linkies)

Eh-knee-way, go Heat, go college basketball, and go Jay Bilas's comments about everybody's tremendous wingspan.

Out.

Lazy Sunday Sixers Links

2010-03-14T16:43:31Z

More photos » Matt Slocum - AP

"Why does she want me benched for young guys? Doesn't she know I put up 36-14-15 in a conference tournament 7 years ago?" -- Willie Green

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Today is one of the greatest days of the year. No, it's not because Daylight Savings started and I LOST (every time this word is mentioned it will be in reference to the show) a precious hour of sleep. It's Selection Sunday Babay! Get your brackets printed out and your formulas (U+Me=Us) in your TI-83 Calculator. But on a day as wonderful as this, we are reminded that our awesome team plays and Edward Jordan is still the coach, by title only of course. Enjoy the links, not very many because it's Sunday. I'll be going to the game tomorrow so I can root for our boys to lose in person. Sadly, I do not have a "Fire Eddie Jordan" shirt to wear on the red carpet.

EJ Unfazed by Firing Talks

"It doesn't bother me," he said after a film study and short practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

"It's something you get used to," he added. "It's part of the business. We are just going to prepare our team to play as well as we can."

*Speights Update* Post player Marreese Speights, who sprained his right knee against the Toronto Raptors on March 7, will be a game-time decision.

Eddie has not LOST this team; Well According to Him

Everyone thinks Eddie Jordan is fired. Fans. Media. Management around the league. I'd bet a few of his own players. Everyone, that is, except Eddie Jordan.

"I don't know where that [rumor] comes from. [The media] just puts it out there: 'The team's not listening.' They're full of crap."

Fagan Not a Fan of Tanking Rest of the Season

...because a good portion of this roster will be back next season, playing the rest of this season to lose - as opposed to playing to win and losing anyway - would affect next season, too. Something akin to declawing a cat and tossing it back into the wild.

...we'll still likely see quick hits of talent evaluation within that effort. The talent-evaluation minutes need to come from Willie Green and Samuel Dalembert. But tanking the final three weeks will rip apart whatever is left of this roster.

SAS Apologizes for Iverson Article

Yea, and monkeys might fly out of my butt. This "apology" is more of a defense mechanism and attack at Iverson's inner circle.

I've been vilified and excoriated, called a turncoat and a sellout, unworthy of so much as a handshake from several members of Iverson's former team, the 76ers - the last people in need of more adversaries. The truth is, I deserve it.

The thing is, if I'm honest enough to express these feelings about Iverson, to stand up and say none of us who care should sit idly by and act as if the combination of Iverson's history in the fast lane and his present family issues will be healed by silence, where are his so-called friends, the ones with the all-is-well expressions while knowing there's mounting evidence to the contrary?

Focusing on family would be a beautiful thing for anyone to do under such difficult circumstances, but how often does that happen - particularly with someone living the life he's lived? And those closest to him sat around, watched, and did virtually nothing.

Dei Lynam Previews Tonight's Game vs. the Miami Heat - If embed doesn't work just hit the link

Completely Un-Sixer-Related News of the Day: Gus Johnson Gets Very Nervous on Desperation Threes

I love Gus Johnson, especially during March Madness. Only 5 more hours until the brackets are announced. Oh yeah, also 5 more hours until the Sixers tip-off in Miami. Welcome to Miami (Will Smith reference quota met).

Saturday Sixers Link Fix

2010-03-13T19:00:18Z

More photos » Matt Slocum - AP

"His hair is mesmerizing. I could stare at it all day" -- Thad Young

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Not a lot of hard-hitting links today but we must press on (see what I did there? press.... like the media... and I'm giving you media links). More college hoops on today so there's time to catch some prospects. Greg Monroe is in the Big East Championship tonight along with Devin Ebanks (9 PM ESPN). Derrick Favors and his ability to shoot after the shot clock goes off and still have the basket count (bitter much?) plays NC State at 3:30 on ESPN2. John Wall and UK are puttin a hurtin on Tennessee as I type. Cole Aldrich and X Henry play at 6 in the Big 12 Championship on ESPN. Good basketball today. Check it out. On to the links.

Tom Moore Says Expect To See EJ Until April

Comcast-Spectacor COO Peter Luukko said Friday that chances are "not good" Sixers coach Eddie Jordan will be fired this weekend.

Game was Entertaining; Ending Came According to Script

...the roles were played as scripted. The Cavaliers made all the defensive plays down the stretch. The Sixers became, well, the Sixers. Turnovers. Airballs. No-hope threes. Missed free throws. All the things bad teams do at critical moments even on good nights.

Last Night Certainly Had Plenty of Highlight Moments: Check Em Out

Zumoff Tells Fans What to Expect for Remainder of Season; Toots Pinckney's Horn

...here’s what you, the fan, can look for. Ed and I will be analyzing the roster, as Sixers management will be doing as well, to determine how individual players are developing while projecting into their future. Ed is especially good at breaking things down to the fundamentals, having been a former player and assistant coach.

Meet Me in the Sixers Locker Room, It's Goin Down

SAS recently made even more of Allen Iverson's troubles public with this column a few days ago. An anonymous NBA player recently told ESPN this about the situation:

"One of my NBA friends in Philly says a bunch of Sixers can't wait for Stephen A. to show up in their locker room so they can have words with him."

Larry Brown Continues his Quest to make the Bobcats the Old Sixers

Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer is reporting that the Bobcats have signed (Larry) Hughes for the remainder of the season

Completely Un-Sixer-Related News of the Day: Don't Put Weed There

Former Jazz center Robert Whaley was arrested in Salt Lake City yesterday and jailers found marijuana "between his buttocks." Apparently we'll see how he does on the prison playground league now.

Sixers lose to Cavs

2010-03-13T02:21:37Z

More photos » Matt Slocum - AP

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Box Score

Fear The Sword

Fantastically fun to watch. Andre Iguodala put on an absolute show, as did LeBron. The first quarter had some of the sickest in-game dunks I've seen all year. AND WE STILL LOST! (Which is a good thing for all you tank-rooters? root-tankers?)

Here's a brief recap:

Andre Iguodala played one of the best games I've seen him play in ... I don't know how long. He had a few hiccups toward the end of the game, took too many threes, and shot 5-9 from the line, but overall it was a fantastic performance -- superstar-esqe. Going head-to-head with LeBron for most of the game was even more impressive. I'm trying hard not to get sucked into believing that Andre can be a superstar, because performances like last night make you wonder.
Jrue Holiday has a couple nice moments, but didn't have a very good game. Mo Williams went off, after being shutdown the last time these two met. Mo dropped 21 points on 13 shots, and got into the paint often. Jrue also had a back-breaking turnover down the stretch. Bottom line, these types of games are going to happen with a 19 year-old rookie -- no big deal. However; something to keep an eye on is Jrue's defense. It's been getting worse as the season goes on. Let's hope it's not a fundamental problem and either a) some form of the rookie wall or b) a product of the team's collective lack of effort slash defense.
Lou Williams was awful for the most part.
Thaddeus Young had a pretty good game, but all I can think about is the play where he tried to crossover, stepped back for an 18-footer, and missed the rim by about 6 feet (short and to the right). I think we have to accept Thad for what he is. A year ago we all thought he could be a go-to guy on offense. Now, I think his ceiling is a less coordinated Lamar Odom with half the rebounding skillz -- and that's not necessarily a bad thing. If he can continue to provide energy off the bench, crash the offensive glass, and somehow maneuver every shot he takes within 2 feet of the rim in, then I'll be happy.
Elton Brand dropped 24-9, but I wasn't impressed. It wasn't a dominant 24-9. It reminded me of Joe Smith circa 2007 aka the ping pong ball killer (along with Andre Miller). And he failed to get to the line a single time.

----------------------------

Overall it was a very entertaining game. I wouldn't get to excited that the Sixers were able to hang with the Cavs. I got the feeling the Cavs were just going through the motions most of the game, and watching it live, there was not a single second where I thought to myself, "I think the Sixers might pull this one out." The Sixers always seem to play the Cavs tough, partly because Andre takes the LeBron-hype personally -- at least that's what it looks like.

Unfortunately, the Pistons were the only lottery team in front of us to win last night, so we didn't gain much ground. But as the season comes to a close I become more and more excited for the off-season -- especially those 30 minutes of the draft lottery where our sports lives could change forever.

Next game is tomorrow in Miami. I expect another loss.