Sixers v. Wizards 1/30/09

[rickortreat]

This is the start of a long homestand for the team and a chance to rise up the standings.  The team has had some tough matchups as of late, but the schedule has more easy challenges coming up with a few serious tests.

There should be no way the Sixers can loose to the Wizards.  They are a bad team and the injuries have killed them.  Good way to keep their new winning streak going.

Likewise New Jersey shouldn't offer much of a challenge, and Iguodala can take it out on them that their player got selected to the all star game over him.

Then we get Boston.  I hope that these two games plus the last few have gotten Brand integrated enough to get a real sense of the teams relative strength. Until we play Boston, we don't know if we're even close to competing or not.  They're the team to beat and a better test than Dallas or Houston.

[Skates]

This is a team they need to step on and throttle quickly, otherwise it could be a trap game coming off of the Rockets comeback.

[anklebreaker]

Ugly win, but a win is a win is a win.

Lou and Igoudala were clutch in the 2nd half.  Iguodala once again knocked down some 80 million dollar 4th quarter shots. 

Brand looks like he's finding his rhythm.. nice to see him step up in the 3rd when Sam went down and go 4-4 for 9 points.  Also had 4 blocks on the other end. 

Would have preferred to see Speights get Reggie's minutes down the stretch. 

Willie 'pimp city' Green was money tonight. 

Miller quietly had a nice night (sans the fouls), 6 points (3-3 FG's), 9 assists, 6 rebs. 

Back above .500.  DiLeo says Brand will start if Sam can't go tomorrow. 

[rickortreat]

Tough game for the Sixers as Sam Dalembert twisted his ankle and was lost for the evening.  That was a big loss for the Sixers and it affected the entire game.  The coaching staff decided to give a lot of the extra Center minutes to Elton Brand, and it resulted in a game where the Sixers could score, but could not stop the Wizards.  

As it turned out it didn't matter, the Sixers were still able to find a way to stay in control of the game, with Lou Williams and Andre Iguodala making shots.  Reggie Evans did a great job helping out Elton with the board work and Marreese did well in the spots he got.

The real star is Andre who was a stone-cold killer, making clutch shot after clutch shot in the 4th.  But Willie Green started the game on fire and finished with 20 pts on 15 shots.

I was somewhat surprised and perturbed that Theo Ratliff got no minutes, but this could be because they play the Knicks tomorrow and decided to save him for the tougher of the 2 games.  I hope that Sam will be able to play by the time the Celtics come to town so we can get a good read on the teams.

We'll worry about the Celts later, for now, a good win for the Sixers in spite of a severe loss.  Now, they have to focus on the Knicks and figure out a strategy to beat them without Sam in the middle.  The Knicks should go as big as they can for as long as they can to gain an edge.  The Sixers have to find a way to protect Brand in the middle.  Thad is not strong enough to play defense and rebound behind Elton in the post.  Reggie is, but he's too short.  That leaves Marreese and Theo, so IMO the smart play is to pair Thad with Marreese and Theo with Brand.

The way the Sixers shot tonight, they won't need much inside help. They shot 54.5% for the game, and were only outrebounded by 3.

[anklebreaker]

FYI Rickortreat, we play NJ tomorrow 

I was mentioning after the Houston win that these 5-6 assist nights for Lou Williams are becoming routine.  He quietly put up 14.1ppg and 4.8apg for the month of January so far (14 games).  I saw the points, but the assists are a pleasant surprise. 

[Skates]

I definitely expect to see Theo against NJ tomorrow, they have a legit center in Lopez to guard.  As far as Lou goes, he is a good passer in limited situations.  He alcks real PG floor vision, but is good at the drive and kick and playing a two man game.  When he truly tried to run the point tonight it was TO city.  Not a selfish guy or bad passer, just not a PG.

WG is the type that you ride when he is hot and avoid when he is not.  He can go on a tear every now and again like he did early tonight.  The team has been looking ragged at least one period of every game lately, usually the third, sometimes the second.  They get careless with the ball at times and it carries over to their D.  Too much penetration and too many offensive boards tonight for the Wiz. 

The team is playing well enough to put bad teams away down the stretch like they did tonight.  A nice burst by Brand with Iggy and Lou sticking the daggers in tonight.  We will need more production from Speights and Miller tomorrow.

[DuckyNinja]

I was at the game, a few thoughts:

-Brand's hands were awful tonight.  Dalembert-ian.

-Thad needs to add weight/strength/handle.

-Miller can't play with Brand.  For whatever reason, he can't hit the quick pass off the pick and roll.  Lou hits it.  Miller just didn't make it at least twice.

-Iggy.  Clutch.  On the same note, Louuuuu for twooooo (the PA announcer says that when he goes to the FT line for those who don't know).

-Worse offensively: Evans or Songaila?

That's really it.  Boring, mediocre game.

[tk76-]

Skates is right about Lou.  His is AI'esque in that he can pass and run the pick and roll, but the team really suffered in the 3rd when Lou tried to run the offense.

Ducky is also spot on about Miller and Brand continuing to lack chemistry, but they can cover for this by having others run the pick with Brand.

And for ankle, WG playing like... Cosmo Kramer

[DuckyNinja]

I don't know if it's lack of chemistry as much as Miller just can't pass the ball out of the pick and roll.  It's why Speights always looks better with Williams.  Miller may have better overall court vision, but Williams runs the pick and roll to perfection.

[tk76-]

Miller cannot run the pick and roll because he is not a threat to shoot of the dribble.  His man just goes under the pick, clogging it up for the big.  Unless defenses start respecting his shot, Miller won't be a good PG to run the pick and roll with.

[anklebreaker]

And for ankle, WG playing like... Cosmo Kramer

Nice find.  Green certainly was in rare Cosmo Karmer form last night. 

[rickortreat]

I don't know if it's lack of chemistry as much as Miller just can't pass the ball out of the pick and roll.  It's why Speights always looks better with Williams.  Miller may have better overall court vision, but Williams runs the pick and roll to perfection.

Miller just doesn't make quick passes. The opportunity is there, but you have to be able to anticipate it to be fast enough to slip it through the window to cutter. He rarely 'threads the needle'. But the team has players that Miller can get the ball to, like Igs, Thad and Lou who can spot up and make shots. He's actually a pretty decent shooter at times, but it's better for him to post up his man, he's very good at drawing fouls and making the shot.

Lou just needs to learn more about how to be a good point guard. He tends to try and do it himself rather than get his teamates good looks. If he could add that component to his game, he'd be deadly.  I can see him driving and passing to Brand...  You don't have to have great court vision, just a plan of how you want to attack the defense with your teamate. The play is designed to get the ball to the scorer in position, or take the shot yourself.