Sixers v Rockets

[tk76-]

These games against Huston tend to be one sided affairs.

Stephanski was interviewed by Jasner, but he gave little or no new info.  Just the same old spin. http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sixerville/Life_On_The_Run_With_And_Without_Brand.html

Of note:

Brand, the 6-9 power forward who was heralded virtually unanimously around the NBA as the most impactful free agent signing during the summer, is expected to miss another 10 days to two weeks as he continues his rehabilitation process. He is scheduled to be re-evaluated later this week by Dr. Craig Morgan, his personal orthopedic surgeon, and Dr. Jack McPhilemy, the Sixers' orthopedic specialist.

''They will determine whether Elton is ready for some live action, but they agree that we've bypassed the time in which surgery might have been necessary,'' Stefanski said. ''They also agree that, given the force he took in a freak fall, with an opposing player landing right on his shoulder, they're very happy and relieved the injury wasn't worse.''

''I'm hoping,'' he said. ''I'm hoping, as Elton comes back, we can turn this around. I know one thing: We're not giving up until they tell us we're done.''

It's more than fair to say, though, that even though Stefanski sees what we all see, he's much more optimistic than most.

[Skates]

This is an unusual version of the Texas three-step with the Houston game being played here in Philly after road games in Dallas and San Antonio.

[anklebreaker]

Speights should start this game.  We're going to need some size going up against a taller frontcourt.  Unfortunately, that probably won't happen and Ratliff will probably play more minutes. 

[tk76-]

Agree, it probably should, but won't happen.  Only a few more weeks until Brand returns, it would be good to get Speights lots of low block game experience, but the team is too focused on salvaging this season.  Their not willing to risk running more plays for the rook.

[anklebreaker]

  Their not willing to risk running more plays for the rook.

Which is stupid since the rook is leading the team in FG%. 

[RickyPryor]

As much as I think his minutes are (almost) ok...I, too, think tonight is the night to start him.  What the hell.

[tk76-]

How many min per game has Sam played these last 10 games?  Is he even on the team?  Not that it has hurt them, but he might as well be coming off the bench with the limited minutes has has gotten.  Not what I expected after his 17 board game when DiLeo started.

[rickortreat]

Well, they didn't start him, but they did play him 23 minutes, and they got 15 points, 8 boards, 4 blocks, one dime and one theft.  Imagine what Mareese would do with 35 min!

For the first time in quite a while, I even was happy with the coaching. DiLeo did a good job, especially when the Sixers ran up their big lead to 15 points and Houston took Yao out. I loved the block party by Ratliff and Speights! Once Houston went small the Sixers tried to and that's when Houston got back into the game getting within 3. It took DiLeo a little longer than I would have liked to figure out that Evans wasn't protecting the middle and put Speights back in with 2:46 left.  Instantly the Sixers started to score again and managed to get the lead back to 6.  After that the game ended with free throws.  Speights had a put-back dunk off of a Young miss that got th momentum going in the Sixers favor again.

The team really has improved and so has the play of Andre Iguodala. Some of the shots he made were Kobe-type shots. When your team shoots 56% for a game you really are executing well.  Tony deserves some credit for that, under Mo Cheeks I don't think the team got over 50%, ever.

Very nice win for the Sixers. For a whole there, with Yao in the game they were destroying the Rockets with the running game going full bore.  The Sixers should start to win some games now. I think they have turned a corner.

[tk76-]

Great line by Speights: 15/8 4 blks on 6-9 shooting-despite the missed dunk.  As usual he made some mistakes, but he more than made up for it.  His jumper is pure.

BTW- that was offensive goaltending (barely) but he also probably should have gotten the call on the charge, so it evened out.

Good to see Lou with 8 assists, even though again he struggled against pressure.  Having Speights out there is great for his assist numbers and his drives.  Did you how they stopped leaving Speights on the pick and pop after he hit a few.  That really opens up drives for Lou.

If they do move Sam, I would be happy with a frontcourt rotation of Speights, Brand and Theo- who has way more in the tank then we expected.  This guy just plays his best ball for Philly.

[anklebreaker]

Nice game.  We owned them in fast break points, and we pulled out a lot of hustle plays throughout the game like Speights running back to get the block after a missed free throw, Green preventing a sure two when Yao was cherry picking (which Yao went on to miss one), or Miller taking the rebound away from Scola and getting a crucial possession in the guts of the game. 

Iguodala has been balling lately.  Nice to see him put 4 quarters together tonight and continue his solid play.

Speights just makes me feel comfortable when he's on the floor.  Great game by the rookie tonight. 

[Skates]

Sam is presenting a real problem.  His value to the team is becoming negligible, but so is his already minimal trade value.  I liked seeing Speights on the floor at the end of the game and Theo is really playing better than I thought capable at his age.  Iggy is producing at a solid second option rate and has come out of his seemingly annual early season funk.  I only caught the fourth quarter tonight, nice to see them put a game away solidly.  of course, if they hit their FT's it is a blow-out.

[RickyPryor]

but so is his already minimal trade value. 

My thoughts, too.  What now?  Is it even possible to dump a 10 million dollar dumb dumb?  Ugh.

I missed the game but I hear Iggy looked great, as did Speights.  And as I'd said before...23 minutes is a good number for him for now.

[anklebreaker]

Thad's dunk made it to #3 on SportsCenter top 10. 

Green didn't get much recognition in the win... he played solid d, shot well, and was extremely aggressive last night.