Follow-up on tk's points:
A few observations from that wacky game- applies to Atl game as well:
1. It takes an immense amount of work and energy to fight back from that kind of deficit.
Yes, but the main thing is that it takes defense which is what brought them back tonight. There has been too much emphasis on hwther we are a running team or a half-court team this year and the offensive struggles. If they play great defense they will win a lot of games, plain and simple. It will stop the other team from scoring at will, allow us to run and energize the team. We have more legitamate half-court weapons once we figure out how to use them also, so the more possessions we can get on steals and blocks, the better we will score.
2. It takes an immense amount of luck and lack of focus/winners mentality from your opponent to come back from that kind of deficit.
I always thought O'Brien's offense was a gimmick when he was here and in Boston. Tonight did not change my opinion.
3. It takes poor preparation (coaches and players) to get blown out so soundly in the first 15 minutes. They played like they did not expect to see what the Pacer offense and defense would throw at them.
Yes, our coaching is in over its collective head.
4. This team still really struggles with Sam and Brand on the floor together.
It screws up the spacing around Brand because Sam has no offensive skills away from the rim and he is not much of a screener, at least Reggie can do that, plus he has no basketball brain.
5. This team really thrives when Thad is at PF and Iguodala at SF (at least when the Sixers go small.) Not a long term answer, but clearly the case at this point.
This may go back more to number 4. It also may have something to do with WG being in the game then.
6. How lucky are we to get to watch Young develop into a star? I hope he has the coaching and support to help him reach his star potential. He clearly is doing all the right things, but he needs support from the Sixers organization- management, coaches and teammates to reach his full potential. They cannot mess up this kids development, because this team ultimately goes as far as Thad takes them.
Very, very lucky.
7. Iguodala, Miller, Sam, Evans and Lou are all performing worse than last year, and all seem lost some or all of the time they ae on the floor. I do not think it is for lack of effort. These players and coaches need to get them into some kind of comfort level.
Evans I would disagree on, he does what is asked/needed of him within his abilities. Tonight was not a good match-up for him, if Speights was not going to play I might have played Marshall as a big against the plodding big men and generally perimeter oriented game of the Pacers. Lou has been told to take shots and take the ball to the rim so much (at least that is what they say on every broadcast) that he seems to forget he has teammates to whom he might consider passing the ball. Miller and Brand don't fit, plus Miller is quite obviously out of shape. Sam can't handle stuff more complicated than a running game with lobs to him and high presure defensive units where he lays back to block shots and rebound. I really don't see much hope for Miller and Sam, at least we have Speights to eventually displace Sam from the starting line-up.
