Sixers head coach Eddie Jordan seems to have discovered that defense and rebounding are just as important as having offensive talent on the floor.
Jordan has come up with a new starting lineup which takes regard of playing defense and rebounding.
The starting lineup of Allen Iverson, Jrue Holliday, Edon Brand, Andre Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert has been assisted by Thaddeus Young and Lou Williams, who have added some scoring punch coming off the bench.
I thought Jordan had been thinking only of the offensive side of the floor with some of his previous lineups.
As far as I’m concerned, Iguodala plays the same position, small forward, as Young and they shouldn’t have either one of them playing the power forward position too long.
I know they are two of their better offensive talents on the ballclub, but they play the same position. Playing them together means one of them is playing out of position and hurting the team’s rebounding and defense.
The same is true with what Jordan was doing at the guard position.
Jordan had been starting two small guards together in Iverson and Williams in the backcourt. How could he even dream that those two little guys could defend any team league’s guards.
Clearly Iverson and Williams are the team’s best offensive guards but the game involves a lot more than offense. Holliday is the best defensive guard on the team and has helped establish a defensive intensity in the last two games.
The Sixers forced 21 turnovers by the Pacers last night and it had a lot to do with the victory.
They also were able to grab 16 offensive rebounds.
Brand is starting to play better as he dropped in 23 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished out 4 assists while leading Philly to another win.
From now on Jordan needs to think about defense and rebounding when he puts together his lineup.
