Open Thread: Washington Wizards vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Preseason Game 7
by Mike Prada on Oct 20, 2009 5:38 PM EDT
in Game Threads
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PrintWashington Wizards at Philadelphia 76ers, Oct 20, 2009 7:00 PM EDT
The Essentials:
Wizards (19-63 last season) vs. 76ers (41-41)
7:00 p.m.
Wachovia Center
TV: Comcast SportsNet (hoo-ray!!!)
Radio: 106.7 The Fan
Notable 76ers numbers last season
15th in expected winning percentage (.503)
21st in pace (90 possessions per game)
19th in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (107.9)
14th in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (107.8)
Pre-game links
Liberty Ballers, SB Nation's Philadelphia 76ers blog
Philadunkia, a 76ers blog
Depressed Fan, a 76ers blog
Deep Sixer with Philly Inquirer 76ers reporter Kate Fagen
Eddie Jordan opens up about his time in DC - Michael Lee
Ball Don't Lie's 76ers preview
Liberty Ballers' 76ers season preview
ESPN's Experts Preview: 76ers
Backup role a struggle for Dominic McGuire - Mike Jones
Mixed Emotions from Wizards players about facing Eddie Jordan - Michael Lee
GameDay Philadelphia
| Tonight's Projected Starters | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wizards | vs. | 76ers |
| Randy Foye | PG | Louis Williams |
| SG | Andre Iguodala |
|
| Caron Butler | SF | Thaddeus Young |
| PF | Elton Brand |
|
| Brendan Haywood | C | Samuel Dalembert |
UPDATE: Nick Young's starting instead of DeShawn Stevenson. Just when you think a guy is buried in Flip Saunders' rotation, it turns out he might not be. Also, Fabricio Oberto is starting instead of Andray Blatche. Say this about Flip Saunders: he has stuck to his mantra of "let's tinker so I can see all possible combination before the games count."
It's the Wizards vs. the former Wizards coach and his band of preseason-winning but slow-to-pick-up-the-Princeton players. If anything, it should be pretty interesting. The Wizards are kind of outclassed here -- Antawn Jamison is out due to injury and Gilbert Arenas and Mike Miller stayed back because of the flu -- but they have more experience with the Princeton offense than the current crop of 76ers has. That should be worth something, somewhere, at least you'd think.
The 76ers are a solid 5-1 this preseason, which is good. Eddie Jordan, thus far, has resisted the temptation to go really, really small and play Willie Greene instead of Samuel Dalembert, which I'd thought he'd do at this point. They seem like they're learning the Princeton gradually, which is good for them. But there has also been some odd behavior from the new 76ers coach this preseason, and I mean odd as in out of character, not bad. He had his players completely scrap the Princeton offense for the final three quarters of a win over the Knicks earlier in the preseason, claiming the Knicks, specifically former Wizards Larry Hughes and Jared Jeffries, knew the plays. Then, Jordan randomly bashed breakout candidate Marreese Speights after a game in which he scored 32 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, blocked two shots and nearly led the 76ers back from an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit against Phoenix.
"We want people to produce while we win," Jordan told FanHouse. "That's what we're looking at. We're not just looking at guys who get stats. We're looking at, are you making winning plays? Are you helping your teammates?
"You know, a lot of guys can go out and get a lot of numbers and not help their teammates and do things to win. So, we want him to grow as a team player, and yet, be productive individually."
Jordan might be right, but ... man ... couldn't that have been handled in-house? Then again, he might be trying to lay the law down early. One of the complaints many 76ers had with former coach Tony DiLeo after the playoffs last year was that he wasn't very disciplined, and Maurice Cheeks, the previous coach, certainly didn't do well on that front either.
Either way, Philly's a talented team that might take some time to get going. Losing Andre Miller hurts, but the 76ers are confident Louis Williams is a better fit for the no-PG Princeton. Time will tell.
The 76ers remain a team that forces turnovers extremely well (2nd in the league last year), but can't shoot. Flip Saunders' teams usually take good care of the ball and make you hit the outside shot. Hopefully, those trends continue.
This is an open game thread, so any comments (good or bad) about Eddie Jordan are welcome. Seriously.
GO WIZARDS!
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I thought they retired #76 for Shawn Bradley
I’m shocked and hurt right now.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
i think that's what that picture is of
he’s just finished realizing that the name on the back is not Jordan, but Bradley
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
By the way
To get things going on the EJ discussion:
I received an advanced copy of Chris Ballard’s new book “The Art of a Beautiful Game,” (very good book, might review it sometime when I get a chance), and I’ve been reading it the last couple days. There’s a chapter in there about Idan Ravin, the famous “Hoops Whisperer” trainer who puts all these great players through these really intense workouts. One of Ravin’s clients is Brendan Haywood.
According to the book, when Eddie Jordan was having trouble with Brendan, he went to Ravin to ask for advice on how to reach him. Here’s the excerpt from the book:
“When Jordan was coach of the Wizards, he was having a hard time talking with Brendan Haywood, the Washington center who was then sharing minutes with Etan Thomas and was none too happy about it. Remembers Jordan, “Brendan loved working out with [Ravin], so I went to Idan and asked, ‘How do you keep a positive relationship with Brendan?’” Ravin explained that Haywood merely wanted to be involved, to be part of the process. “You think he’s challenging you, but all you have to do is ask his opinion,” Ravin told Jordan. “Brendan’s a cerebral guy. Empower him.”
Jordan took the advice to heart and, as he says, “I carried it over to my daily regimen, the idea that this is what I have to do with Brendan. And by the end we had a great relationship.”
Perhaps this explains why Haywood keeps saying he gets along with EJ when he clearly didn’t for long stretches.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Where to watch the game?
I would do it legally if there were a legal way to watch it but in Birmingham, Alabama the stations are covering other things, and League Pass hasn’t begun and NBATV is not covering what could easily be the game of the century (Haywood’s revenge triple double?)
Help
try this
http://www.atdhe.net/9291/watch-washington-wizards-vs-philadelphia-76ers
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Caron's taking like every shot
Can we please work it inside to Brendan? Please?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Foye just took off running there and didn't take the ball
PG fail.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Wow
Four turnovers in a row? Really?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
5
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
terrible
foye seems to be a bit of a ball stopper
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 7:27 PM EDT reply actions
It's almost as if guys aren't ready to receive Fab's passes
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Wiz are playing good defense at least
Forcing Philly to hit some tough shots … Dalembert’s hit a couple that you can live with, Iguodala hasn’t gotten to the rim, etc.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Haywood's dominating the 76ers inside
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
maybe they actually do listen to flip
when he talks about defense. nice to see. i see lots of people moving really well and no wide open 3’s
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 7:43 PM EDT reply actions
McGee!
By the way, that’s twice that McGuire has made an unnoticed big play. That offensive rebound was one, his rotation @ the end of the quarter was another.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
he's playing like a center!
mcgee that is
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope nobody wants to bring him back
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Not when equally successful ex-Wizards guards Mike Wilks and Billy Thomas are available
If we’re keeping it in the family
by morethesamewiz on Oct 20, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Donnell Taylor just got cut too
Right?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
None of the above
Laron Profit is already on the way
by BayAreaBullet on Oct 20, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
Look how high JaVale gets. Just when it becomes easily to take his length and leaping ability for granted, he does something like that.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Yeah, he looks great
It’s crazy what happens when he doesn’t just jump all over the place.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Bringing the intensity tonight
I hope he goes back to Matrisciano next summer, I know he went two weeks this summer, and has the video evidence (http://www.youtube.com/user/bigdaddywookie#p/a/u/2/er0dDS7_6fA wait nevermind its this one http://www.youtube.com/user/bigdaddywookie#p/u/0/X1Z8hzdGsLA) on youtube to show for it, but maybe a more extended stay like Blake Griffins http://ballhype.com/video/blake_griffin_s_incredible_training_regimen/
could rub off more on his overall attitude and give him some killer instinct.
by morethesamewiz on Oct 20, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I bet he still watches KissCam during timeouts though
But when he plays like this, who cares
by morethesamewiz on Oct 20, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
no joke
very encouraging – loved the rebounding and better defense
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow, that was an awful call
In related news, the NBA and the refs reached an agreement that could bring the regular refs back by the start of the NBA season.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
When the NBA reach an agreement with itself to get rid of two-steps and touch fouls?
Until then, the games screwed up even with the best refs
by morethesamewiz on Oct 20, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions
seems like Foye
doesn’t use his body well on drives. He doesn’t shield the ball which lets it get slapped or blocked often.
Yeah, I agree
It’s almost as if he hasn’t realized he isn’t athletic enough to jump over the interior defenders.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
6-4
with a 6-4 reach he can’t go head to head with any big man. If he can learn to use his drive to create space for the bigs it will open up the floor for him.
by forthepeople on Oct 20, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
he should watch hours of video on Tony Parker's tear drop runner
by BayAreaBullet on Oct 20, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Joe Johnson has a good floater too
Both of those guys.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
True
its a tough shot, but ive seen him make it. He definitely prefers that to finishing with his left.
by forthepeople on Oct 20, 2009 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Foye
is no threat to go to the basket. Once he penetrates below the free throw line he is a terrible passer so teams just play him for the blocked shot. He has to make it harder on the defense.
by forthepeople on Oct 20, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely!
I didn’t notice. Good news!
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
yeah all i've about his injury
seems to indicate pretty good news
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
i've heard, that is
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
The ball's really zipping now
Love the way the offense is running.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Oct 20, 2009 8:23 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Foye's trying too hard to make plays
He’s passing up open shots.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I'm suprised we have a lead,
it doesn’t seem we are playing particularly well.
lou williams will be a weakness for them, i think
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I just think they still have no outside shooting
And Dalembert presents EJ with the same dilemma Haywood did (big with no ball skills), except Dalembert actually sucks.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
He's destroying Dalembert on both ends tonight, IMO
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I know you said that him and Eddie patched things up towards the end...
but isn’t it possible that he’s trying to send him a message tonight?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk
Maybe, but I think it has more to do with how much Dalembert sucks
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
He really sucks
Does anybody remember the time like 4-5 years ago where Gilbert was killing the Sixers(pre Agent 0 emergence) and gilbert passed the ball to the wing and cut through the middle while running the O and Dalembert just threw a wicked forearm to Gilberts face giving him a bloody nose? It was so far away from the play the refs missed it and then Dalembert ran up to the refs telling them Gilbert was bleeding and had to leave the game? I have hated that dude’s guts ever since.
by BayAreaBullet on Oct 20, 2009 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions
this has been an encouraging game
people seem to be responding to things they have been slacking on the last few games.
foye, whatever his position, is very useful, and it’s great to see brendan back at full strength
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 8:39 PM EDT reply actions
AND i love oberto
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Dominic McGuire with the same birthday as one of your favorite BF bloggers (and Hawk Offense semi-expert)….
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
It's D-Mac's B-Day today
PS: Everyone wish Rook a Happy Birthday!
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
happy bday rook
i celebrated your birthday by getting my slingbox set up. i’m ready to go for the season. can’t wait.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Oct 21, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Happy Bday rook
If you can drink take a shot for the BF board.
by forthepeople on Oct 20, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Eddie Jordan is actually playing a rookie!
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Ohh,
is THAT what he was angling for….Happy Birthday Rook, keep up the good work.
Def looked like Speights touched that
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
We didn't even run the princeton anyways
it was just a series of Iso’s for the Big 3.
by BayAreaBullet on Oct 20, 2009 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, that's false
We did run the Princeton, it’s just that the pure Princeton can’t be run on an NBA level because it’s predicated on milking the shot clock.
It was Princeton sets into ISOs that opened up the floor perfectly.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
ehhhhhh
I’ll bow to your superior knowledge on that one.
by BayAreaBullet on Oct 20, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions
You can't shoot long jumpers like that against the 76ers
They fast break too easily.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
defensive evaluation?
I could care less about his O.
by BayAreaBullet on Oct 20, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Was he guarding Iguodala during the 3rd
I admittedly wasn’t watching all that carefully. Can anyone fill me in?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
He was, and he got caught on screens/lost Iggy a couple times
and Iggy hit two wide open long jumpers.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Oct 20, 2009 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions
He looks good
Antawn, that is. Hope he comes back soon.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
We may not like Dray shooting jumpers
But I gotta admit, his stroke looks really good.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Oct 20, 2009 8:57 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Did JaVale just keep his arms up without jumping??
Yay!
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Wizards free throw shooting poor in the preseason
EG better head up to Toronto and beg for Hopla to grace us once again with his presence
McGuire just disrupted that play
By denying Kapono the ball on the dribble handoff. Won’t go in the box score, but I’d hope the coaches take note.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
feeds been broken the last 2 games -
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I had a problem with that yesterday….
Never did get the game…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Come on JaVale, contest that better
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Who gets the shot here?
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Oct 20, 2009 9:16 PM EDT reply actions
nick
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Good call
And a good set play … an actual play! No “Here, you get the ball and dribble around for a bit, then score.”
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
That alone makes Flip worth it.
Although I can’t remember back past Tapscott and Unseld Jr…..
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Oct 20, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions
obvious pick
But correct. And he hit it. I was going to guess D-mac just for the heck of it. Maybe for the gamewinner?
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Oct 20, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
nope - mike james is gonna jump the play
and jack a three
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Or McGee will try to go coast to coast and blow the game.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Oct 20, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions
you called it
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Oct 20, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay I've seen this movie before
Against an Eddie Jordan team, you go for the uncontested layup at the end of the game. Works every time
by morethesamewiz on Oct 20, 2009 9:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Randy Wittman gave him the death stare
by morethesamewiz on Oct 20, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh my God
What did JaVale just do.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
man you could see the gears turning in his head
and see exactly when he said “f it – i’m going for it”
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 9:21 PM EDT reply actions
He was dreaming up the R Kelly in his head
I believeeee I can fly hoo! …….Oh shit
by morethesamewiz on Oct 20, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Obviously Nick goes for the fake
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I don't understand
what could have been thinking on that play. Just lazy, lazy defense.
by forthepeople on Oct 20, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow.
That terrible D by NY is going to make Flip think twice about playing him at crunch time. Doesn’t help his starter’s cause either.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Oct 20, 2009 9:21 PM EDT reply actions
Plus he pulled that move like five times already tonight
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
noted wiz killer willie green
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
No way, they called a foul?
What what what??
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
gotta love replacement refs
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 9:24 PM EDT reply actions
That's the Keanu Reeves
of replacements.
When do we get the real guys back?
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Oct 20, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
When they cut to the Wizards bench
Crittenton had this huge smile on his face like he knew it was a bs call.
By the way, Mike James just pulled a Michael Ruffin.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
No, Young clearly fouled Greene on the other end
It was merely a bad call.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
good lord what an ending
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 9:25 PM EDT reply actions
Nothing will ever beat that.
EVER.
"One-on-one? You can't." -Gilbert Arenas
JC Bandwagon all day!
would you that beating that moment
is NOT POSSIBLE!!!!???
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Oct 20, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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