Staff Blog
Morning Rounds, November 20th
In losing to the lowly Timberwolves last night the Sixers showed they still aren’t a grown-up basketball team. They didn’t get stops when they needed them, they looked lost on a couple of must-have offensive possessions and they ended up dropping a should-win game against one of the worst teams in the league. They remain unable to get past .500.
The problem is a simple one to identify but a hard one to fix: the 76ers not only don’t have an identity, they don’t have a leader. Elton Brand, the guy the money counters think should lead the team, got torched by Al Jefferson throughout the fourth and didn’t do anything memorable against a Jefferson/Love frontline that you and I should be able to put up some numbers against. Thaddeus Young, the guy the pundits are starting believe in, didn’t take a shot during the final quarter. He finished 7-11 from the field, showed early that bad defenders can’t guard him, and, by not demanding the ball, showed late he doesn’t know that yet. AI2 had a couple of nice plays late, but struggled with his shot all game, going just 6-15 from the field, 1-6 from deep and 4-9 from the line. He showed that all that talk about his jumpshot this summer was bullshit.
Look, it was the 11th game in a long season, and it is the NBA where damn near everyone makes the playoffs, so the loss itself isn’t exactly crippling, but the fact that the Sixers were unable to focus and execute coming off an extended break is telling. It was the type of game the team needs to be able to win. Until someone on that team establishes that it’s his team, it’s the type of game they’re still going to be susceptible to losing.
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| Scottie Reynolds, leading his team |
“They wanted it more than us. It was obvious.” - Willie Green
Three lines on their world:
- Mike Mussina is calling it a career
- Pacman Jones is back in the NFL
- and Allen Iverson and the Pistons took down Lebron and the Cavs
Three lines on ours:
- The Sixers dropped a game to the lowly T’Wolves
- A shorthanded Villanova team held off Niagra
- and the Phillies are screening their victory video tonight
Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everbody is talking about, after the jump
EAGLES
John Smallwood thinks that Donovan’s inability to diffuse tiegate is telling. READ
Bob Brookover reports that the Birds had a players only meeting. SKIP
Les Bowen’s notes look at Andy Reid’s reaction to the ‘fire Reid‘ chatter and Brian Dawkins‘ spirited defense of his quarterback. READ
Ray Parrillo’s notes look at Dawkins‘ history with overtime and more. SKIP
Phil Sheridan reminds us that the Eagles have bounced back before, and warns that they might not have a shot to do go again. READ
Ray Parrillo says Brian Westbrook is breaking down. Good thing the Birds locked him up for the next three years. SKIP
Les Bowen on what an injured Westbrook means. READ
Frank Fitzpatrick has jokes. SKIP
Reuben Frank on the effect the city is having on the Birds. SKIP
SIXERS
Kate Fagan talks with all the former Sixers on the Wolves and looks at Randy Foye’s season. SKIP
Phil Jasner looks at Rodney Carney, who is stuck on the bench in Minnesota. SKIP
PHILLIES
Peter Dorchak reports that the Phillies are unveiling their championship DVD at local movie theaters tonight. READ
David Murphy says the Phillies might be interested in Raul Ibanez. SKIP
Don McKee wants the Phillies to sign a 38 year old lefthanded hitter. SKIP
Todd Zolecki addresses the Ibanez rumors. READ
FLYERS
Sam Carchidi thinks Marty Biron is the key. READ
Ed Moran says Simon Gagne is pissed about all these head shots. READ
Ed Moran talks about the head shot problem with Flyers’ assistant Craig Berube, who puts responsibility on the players. SKIP
Wayne Fish looks ahead to the offseason, where both Marty Biron and Mike Knuble will be unrestricted free agents. SKIP
TODAY and MORE
Later today we’re going to take a closer look at who really should be in charge at determining MLB awards, pick Thursdays’ game and try to keep you up on the happenings of the city.
As always, feel free to email with any questions, suggestions, comments or complaints.
‘ Until someone on that team establishes that it’s his team, it’s the type of game they’re still going to be susceptible to losing. ‘
hmm, yeah -the power of vision and leadership DO make a difference….