Just got back from the game, obviously the Wiz are pretty toothless so it was not a huge test other than being the back end of a back-to-back. Not really time for DiLeo to make many changes, but the treatment of Brand was very different. They ried the pick and pop early, but to little avail because the big man would not follow Miller's penetration and stayed on Brand. On post-ups they are clearing out Brand's side of the floor completely except for the guy feeding him the ball, essentially playing a two man game, with the remaining players well spread out. It produced a lot of open outside shots, but they were either missed or declined by the shooter. Later in the game more guys started cutting from the weakside with Brand in the post which made for some easy baskets. Brand looked a little shaky on his jumper early, but really got it going later. Brand is very good at receiving the ball as a cutter himself and getting the basket or drawing contact.
More significant playing time for Thad and Speights. Speights may have the most feathery touch I have ever seen on a big man. Thad looks in between on a lot of plays, either under or over aggressive. He has a terrific burst of quickness going to the rim, but he needs to figure out when to use it. He and Speights also need to grow into their bodies a little more to really be consistently effective.
Williams is still the only guy who can consistently get his own shot, although Thad definitely has the potential. Leave Thad on the second team for now if only because Lou will pass to him, while Miller basically ignores him. As long as he is getting his minutes I don't care for now. WG is essentially a place holder starter. DiLeo seemed to be testing different floor combinations today. Brand, Thad, Iggy, Lou and Miller seemed to be the most dominant grouping from a quality of play standpoint.
The offense looked pretty simple, with a good bit more passing and ball reversal. I like the way Thad looks in the post and he passes to cutter very well. The game would not have been as close as it was except the Sixers missed a lot of tip-ins. The game also got kind of chippy at times, with Blatche amd Dixon playing very physical. After a few hard fouls by Blatche, Reggie suddenly appeared in the game and it looked like he had a mission to push back a little, plus he had some nice energy minutes.
Miller still can't guard anyone and Lou still sticks to screens like they are flypaper. Some nice defense by Green, Brand and Iggy, with Sammy controlling the boards, although he had a lot of help from Brand who really knows how to block out solidly allowing Sammy to go get the ball.
