Going into last nights game these teams where very similar. Neither team has that star power. They do it with depth and smart basketball players. The Sixers have seven guy’s averaging 10 points or more. Denver has five guys averaging 10 or more points with Andre Miller averaging 9.3 ppg making it a close sixth.
Speaking of Miller did we piss him off or something? Damn, Miller was insane tonight. I will talk about him more later on. So with this game ending in overtime seemed fitting. This was an entertaining game. The Sixers just came out on the wrong side of it with 108-104 loss to the Nuggets. The Sixers came out fast in the first quarter something they have not done that much so far this year. They actually held the Nuggets to nearly five minutes without a field goal in the first quarter.
The Sixers shot 52% and the Nuggets shot 38% in the first quarter. Sixers once held a 13-point lead at one point only to see that wiped away by 26-6 run by the Nuggets to lead 51-45 at halftime. In the fourth quarter the Sixers tighten up their defense and started to get out on the open court again. We where on the sea-saw for the rest of the game as Marc Zumoff would say. Obviously losing in overtime. Like I said before it was an entertaining game. Here are some of the things that I saw…
SIXERS
– Andre Iguodala I know that he did not have a great night shooting and had a chance to win the game at the end with two foul shots with him only making one of two but he did lead the charge in the fourth quarter with his defense and getting out in the open court. Overall he had a solid game with 11 points 10 rebounds and 9 assists. He shot 4-12 from the field.
– Evan Turner. He was awesome last night. I have said this before but he might be the best rebounding guard in the league. He was aggressive all night long. The one thing that bothered me though was that he was not in for the last possession of the game. Lou was in for him. Lou sat all of the fourth and all of the overtime until he came in for Turner at the end. Did not make any sense to me why Doug did that especially the way Turner was playing. He finishes with 20 points 11 rebounds and 2 assists. By the way Gallinari might still be trying figured which way Turner went. Still can not believe that offensive foul call on him.
– Thaddeus Young . He was easily the Sixers best player most of the night. He had 12 points and 4 rebounds at halftime. He ended up having 22 points and 7 rebounds. The guy just can score in many different ways. Some times not the prettiest either. He just seems to be around the ball all the time. I love watching him play. His jump shot is improving.
– Jrue Holiday. I know he made that turnover that ended up costing the Sixers the win though he also made that unbelievable play late in the fourth to give the Sixers the lead. All signs of growth. Sometimes you are going to make a play and sometimes you don’t. That is how you learn.
NUGGETS
Andre Miller. Seriously, did the Sixers piss him off when he left here? He was insane last night. You look at him and say there is no way this dude beats us. Then all he does is beat you. He is a crafty veteran. He just knows how to play the game. He even knocked down three triples last night. He obviously still has some game left. He ended up with 28 points 8 rebounds and 10 assists. BOOM.
Nene. He controlled the paint most of the night. Brand and Battie did all they could do against him but he still had his way with them. He is a beast down low. Umm, did anyone else notice that walk he got away with late in the fourth when the Sixers were up 3. Just saying… He had 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Lawson. He had 13 points and 7 assists last night but that does not give him justice. He was creating havoc all night. He was getting into the lane all night long. If he could ever develop a more consistent jumper he would be an all-star. He is lightning quick.
Bird Man. I think he needs one more tattoo. I think he missed a spot. He only played 15 minutes and George Karl let him foul out. Though in the minutes he played he was every where. He makes plays with his all out hustle. If he played here is would easily be a fan favorite.
Aright peeps on to the next game. The Hawks are up next and then the Heat. This should be a fun Friday and Saturday night. Let’s goooooo! Here is the recap and box score.
Watching the LAkers Heat right now and just know the lakers are going to have to make a trade this year if they want to seriously contend for a ring (kobe will make them do something since he doesn’t have a ton of years left). I know the Sixers have been playing good ball but they should try to trade Iggy to the Lakers if they can for Bynam. Obviously it would take more than just Iggy but I would offer him our rookie and Battie…or include our 1st rounder or something.
Think Iggy would be a much better player since he would be the 3rd option behind Kobe and gasol, prolly open alot due to double teams Kobe gets. Further their coach loves to play D and they would prlly be all for Iggy(think ppl overrate his defensive capabilities). I know Collins love Iggy but lets be real their not winning anything this year…get a centerpiece with Bynam and let the young guns hustle and play around him. Further, can’t stand watching Iggy in the last minute of a close game…any fan here knew he wasn’t going to make both those 2 free throws last night.
Iggy and a combo for Bynam. Amnesty Brand after the season and sign a player that fits this team in a better way than he does…Iggy can be easily replaced. There are always defensive specialists available in the offseason for reasonable prices…see the heat with Battier
I’ve been saying for two years now, we need to properly rebuild, & get rid of Stinkadala! I can’t take looking at this bum anymore! He’s a bum! Everyone who makes excuses for this overpaid over-hyped loser, is nuts. If anyone says he is a shut down defender again, I’m going to go on a rampage. Shut down defenders don’t get salaries of, 2012- $14,859,500; 2013- $16,046,000; 2014- $17,232,500. He is paid to be the go to guy, & he IS NOT! We have ZERO go to guys on this team. Nobody is consistent enough to be a go to guy. Truth be told, when all is said & done, we have ZERO chance of doing anything of significance, because we are the same mediocre team as last season, because we made ZERO upgrades in the off-season. Everyone is all chunked up, because of the good start. Now that the schedule is starting to pick-up & playing real teams, & not bottom dwellers & teams without their best players playing, they will be exposed as the frauds they are. We have too many of same type players, & no star power. Turner, Iggy, Thad, Williams are all tweeners, with no true positions. Jrue is a turnover machine, but is our only hope of something remotely close to a good player. Turner is improving, but is MEH! The Wells Fargo isn’t empty for no reason. We fans aren’t stupid!
Cut it out with the Bynum garbage! Bynum is an injury prone, underachieving, mutt! I don’t want that stooge! If we can’t get Howard, Love, or a legitimate, offensive shooting guard, we might as well make no changes, because garbage for garbage, does nothing for the future of this franchise, NOTHING! Wait for the off-season, trade Iggy, Amnesty Brand, & move on & hope you can sign a great free agent & draft better. This team is 3 years away, from being 3 years away anyways!