Philly vs. Detroit 3/29/2009 Redemption or destruction?

[rickortreat]

While the WC road trip was mildly successful, the Sixers took a big step back by loosing to Charlotte. But the NBA schedule always offers a chance to feel better, by getting back to winning.

Detroit had to play yesterday, so the Sixers actually have an advantage even though they are in Detroit.  The Pistons are 3-7 in their last 10, which is really pathetic, brought on by multiple injuries and ego drama. The Sixers in spits of their missteps here and there are 7-3 in their last 10. .700 ball is really very good, so we do have reason to stay positive.

Detroit and Chicago are 2.5 games behind us, and I'd prefer to keep them in the rearview mirror.  Miami has slipped ahead of us again thanks to our loss and their win. Obviously the Sixers are better off facing Atlanta than Boston, so it's important to keep pace with the Heat.  Miami is only 5-5 in their last 10, but they are still a game ahead of the Sixers in the standings.  Atlanta lost, so they're still only 4 games ahead, but with a win by the Sixers it could have been 3. It still can be after today, as Atlanta gets to play LA.

[RickyPryor]

While the WC road trip was mildly successful,

What the-?

Before they went west I said 2 wins would be terrific; 3 a miracle.  "Mildly successful"?  What would you have had them do?

[rickortreat]

I wanted them to win 4 of 5, I could accept the loss to Phoenix instead of LA, but loosing to Golden State was very bad.  The equivalent of the loss to the Bobcats- bad teams that the Sixers should beat.

They are in a real playoff race and the stakes are a first round they have a chance in and one in which they will likely be overwhelmed. Atlanta or Boston, who would you want to face?  If those losses were wins, we'd be in a better position than we are now.

The point is losses this time of year can be very significant for the playoff standings.  The other teams fighting for position are every bit as motivated and these games are an extension of the playoffs.

I'm a little concerned with the Coaching staff. The reluctance to play Ratliff and Speghts is pretty disturbing, considering the performance or lack thereof from Evans and Dalembert.  When Sam is playing well, he really is an asset, but when he's not rebounding or blocking out or defending, he needs to be replaced. Evans should only be used in spot situations- to deal with specific players. He really shouldn't be part of the regular rotation, but the Sixers need him for his rebounding with the injuries to Brand and Smith.

[RickyPryor]

I wanted them to win 4 of 5,

Of a west coast road trip??  EIGHTY PERCENT?

That's just unrealistic.  And a recipe for constant disappointment.

[anklebreaker]

Is anyone else not getting this game on CN8???

[rickortreat]

It's on.  I see it fine.

[anklebreaker]

I had to resort to watching it on justin.tv.  For some reason, CN8 is showing drexel lacross. 

[anklebreaker]

I really don't have a whole lot of confidence in our coaching staff at all right now.  This 2nd unit of ours is beyond terrible.  In the 4th, it only took the Pistons turning a 6 point deficit into a 2 point lead for DiLeo to re-insert the starters. 

Lou Williams simply hasn't given us that spark off the bench this year that we were all anticipating from him.  Last year, he was known to go off in 4th quarters.  This year he just doesn't even seem like a threat to go off for a big offensive night.

Evans is just a flat out terrible guy to have on your side in a tight 4th quarter game.  Zero offense, bad free throw shooting, a strong likelihood to commit fouls (and often stupid fouls), and pretty much serves as a green light for opposing teams under the basket.  Not to mention, he just hasn't exactly been tearing it up on the boards this year, which is pretty much the ONLY thing he's good for...

Ivey is a dime a dozen guy in the NBA, and his productivity leaves A LOT to be desired (see tonight for example - 15 min. - 2 points, 0 rebs, 0 assists, 0 steals), especially when being on the floor at the same time with someone like Evans, who isn't going to contribute much either.  Simply put, we get killed when these two are on the floor together, and it's painfully obvious. 

Speights is a guy we all know is capable of filling a need for us.  His defense is suspect and to be nice, he's an average rebounder.  That being said, he's by far a superior player to Evans, Ratliff, and Marshall, so it's frustrating to see him get the shit end of the stick when it comes to bigs minute distribution off the bench.  He may be a rookie, but when a guy like Evans is out there jacking up ill advised 18 foot jumpers, and committing bone headed fouls in penalty situations, there's no reason why Speights can't work through the inevitable rookie mistakes and settle into some consistent floor time.  He clearly stands to contribute more for us than any other big man option we have off the bench, which is a reason why my confidence for the coaching staff is severely lacking. 

I think we really need to keep another starter out there with the 2nd unit, or do something to change our sub patterns to avoid this drastic drop off in talent that we're currently experiencing when our starters go to the bench. 

[tk76-]

Speights looks lost out there.  I think his Yo-Yo minutes have gotten to his head.  Not the confident, take the world by storm player we saw earlier this year.  Now he's constantly looking over his shoulder for the hook.

I could be completely wrong, and maybe he just hit the rookie wall, bt that's my take.

[anklebreaker]

It has to be a reason.  A few games back (maybe Minnesota, not sure), Speights had a short run in the 1st half.... it wasn't a great outing by any stretch, but average... I think he hit a couple buckets, grabbed a couple boards, and blocked 2 shots.  In the same game, Evans had 0 points and 0 rebounds in a 9 minute 1st half run, and it was Evans who got the call the 2nd half and I don't think Speights even got off the bench in the 2nd half.  That's gotta be frustrating. 

[RickyPryor]

His defense is suspect and to be nice, he's an average rebounder.  That being said, he's by far a superior player to Evans, Ratliff

If his defense is "suspect" and his rebounding "average"...how is he "far superior" to Evans and Theo.

[anklebreaker]

Because Evans defense is also suspect, his offense doesn't exist, he's turnover prone, and boneheaded plays are inevitable every time he touches the court. 

Ratliff is a better defender than Speights, but lets be honest, his defense is a far cry from what it used to be, and his offense is extremely limited (last night is about as impressive of an offensive showing as Theo will give you). 

Outside of Thad at PF, we get zero offense out of our bigs.  Speights is the only big we have right now who can fill it up offensively, and seriously, it's not like the little things that Evans and Ratliff bring are enough to offset what rookie shortcomings Speights has to the point where playing Evans/Ratliff over Speights on a consistent basis would be advantageous to us.  It really doesn't take a whole lot to be superior to Reggie Evans or an aging Theo Ratliff...

[RickyPryor]

Speights isn't in the same league as Reggie on the boards or Ratliff's 'd'.  And both make many many many less mistakes then Speights.

Speights - while filled with potential but having played just 70 games in the NBA - blows chunks compared to these other guys.

Honestly, the guy hits a bunch of 16 footers and he's god's gift to the PF spot.

To me - he won't be an impact player for 3 more seasons.

Because Evans defense is also suspect, his offense doesn't exist, he's turnover prone, and boneheaded plays are inevitable every time he touches the court. 

Ratliff is a better defender than Speights, but lets be honest, his defense is a far cry from what it used to be, and his offense is extremely limited (last night is about as impressive of an offensive showing as Theo will give you). 

Outside of Thad at PF, we get zero offense out of our bigs.  Speights is the only big we have right now who can fill it up offensively, and seriously, it's not like the little things that Evans and Ratliff bring are enough to offset what rookie shortcomings Speights has to the point where playing Evans/Ratliff over Speights on a consistent basis would be advantageous to us.  It really doesn't take a whole lot to be superior to Reggie Evans or an aging Theo Ratliff...

[Derek Bodner]

Speights isn't in the same league as Reggie on the boards or Ratliff's 'd'.  And both make many many many less mistakes then Speights.

I'm not sure which Reggie you've been watching, but he's a mistake a minute out there.

[anklebreaker]

Speights isn't in the same league as Reggie on the boards or Ratliff's 'd'.  And both make many many many less mistakes then Speights.

Speights - while filled with potential but having played just 70 games in the NBA - blows chunks compared to these other guys.

Honestly, the guy hits a bunch of 16 footers and he's god's gift to the PF spot.

To me - he won't be an impact player for 3 more seasons.

Because Evans defense is also suspect, his offense doesn't exist, he's turnover prone, and boneheaded plays are inevitable every time he touches the court. 

Ratliff is a better defender than Speights, but lets be honest, his defense is a far cry from what it used to be, and his offense is extremely limited (last night is about as impressive of an offensive showing as Theo will give you). 

Outside of Thad at PF, we get zero offense out of our bigs.  Speights is the only big we have right now who can fill it up offensively, and seriously, it's not like the little things that Evans and Ratliff bring are enough to offset what rookie shortcomings Speights has to the point where playing Evans/Ratliff over Speights on a consistent basis would be advantageous to us.  It really doesn't take a whole lot to be superior to Reggie Evans or an aging Theo Ratliff...

Yeah, I pretty much disagree with everything you said.  By your logic, you can just as easily say 'Honestly, the guy grabs the occasional rebound and he's god's gift to the PF spot,' about Evans, or 'Honestly, the guy blocks an occasional weakside shot, and he's god's gift to the C spot.' when referring to Ratliff.  It's not like Evans and Ratliff are even close to being more than one dimensional players.  Evans grabs 4.3 rebs in 13 minutes.  Speights grabs 3.7 rebs in 15 minutes, while at the same time doesn't leave us in a 4 on 5 situation on the offensive end.  To say that Speights 'blows chunks compared to these guys,' well, is just flat out stupid Ricky...  take a second and realize that you're talking about Reggie Evans and Theo Ratilff.  For a guy who spent the last 8 years bitching about Dalembert, it bewilders me that you can see right through Evan's mistakes, and completely overrate Ratliff's defense (which is an occasional blocked shot in limited minutes - from a guy who always called the blocked shot an overrated stat).  Also, you say Speights is 3 years away from being an impact player (which I disagree with), but can you even argue that Evans and Ratliff have had more of an impact THIS SEASON than Speights?