Collins And The Sixers Went Down Fighting

Last night the Sixers season ended in the first round of the NBA playoffs like many of us expected. They went out with anything but a whimper.

With their backs to the wall, the Sixers gave the Miami Heat all that they could stand last night as they went blow for blow with the #2 seed that included a 4th quarter with all the feel of a Game 7.

In the end the Heat would prevail 97-91- draining 12 three-pointers, six by reserve guard Mario Chalmers (20 points), who until last night had been irrelevant in this series. The Sixers jumped out to an 11-point first quarter lead as they had for most of the series. Miami would pull themselves back into the game and go into the intermission up 45-42.

The second half featured more of the same as the Sixers climbed back from a 10-point deficit in the 4th quarter to cut the Miami lead to one. Joel Anthony, despite shooting 66 percent from the free throw line to put the Heat up 94-91. Dwyane Wade sandwiched a free throw and a classless dunk after missed attempts by Jodie Meeks and Andre Iguodala to end the game.

The Sixers got huge games from Iguodala (yeah, he finally showed up!) who scored 22 points, adding 10 rebounds, Elton Brand, (22 points 6rebounds), who with Jrue Holiday (10 points 8 assists) were the best players in this series for the Sixers.

Thaddeus Young spearheaded the Sixers 4th quarter surge scoring 9 of his 13 points in the final stanza. Off nights for Lou Williams, Evan Turner and Holiday hurt but was compensated with a great defensive effort. For example LeBron James was
guarded by Turner for most of the 4th was held to three points and one shot attempt in 9 minutes of action. A huge effort by a young team that just missed opportunities in the end.

Doug Collins’ coaching job this season ranks second only to Larry Brown’s 2001 masterpiece in terms of success. This is coming from someone who thought Collins had been away from the game too long and would not be a good fit thus proving how much I know. Collins knew when to push and knew when to pull.

His teaching approach to his players is almost fatherly without being condescending. Most importantly, is how the team has taken on his persona, playing to the whistle and until the clock says 0:00. Collins has had this team in nearly every game – during that 3-13 stretch, they shot themselves in the foot and lost some close games. But win or lose it’s always been a hug and a “thank you” from the coach who has been where they’ve been and trying to get further.

The fearlessness of Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner in this series should take them to higher levels if they continue to work. Thaddeus Young proved that he can be effective at both ends. Lou Williams benefitted from Collins’ decision to turn him loose as a scorer. Elton Brand earned some big time respect in this town, that’s all I’ll say.

Jodie Meeks, may have found a home here. Spencer Hawes wasn’t Bill Walton but he wasn’t Jeff Ruland either. As for Iguodala, a great defender and a complimentary player making stud money. If he was making his true market value, you wouldn’t hear the complaints like you do, we’ll have to wait and see what the offseason brings.