The -21 loss is the best news...

Written by Ricky - Sixers4guidos

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 19:09

capt_76ece1fe13cf4efdbc12a6d87903af93_76ers_bulls_basketball_cxa609 ...in a day when Sixers fans learned that Iverson won't return this season and that Brand is injured again. As reported by Kate Fagan:

p.s. Elton Brand, who did not play tonight with right Achilles tendinitis, will also not travel to Atlanta for Wednesday's game against the Hawks. Brand ruptured his left Achilles while he was with the Los Angeles Clippers.

This current injury was initially being called a right calf strain, but at some point tonight it was changed to Achilles tendinitis.

You understand how the 105-126 loss to the Magic is Sixers' (22-37, .393) smallest problem today.

So let's make the recap quick, just as the way Orlando demolished us. You know how they say "They live and die by the threes". Well, I never recalled the Magic "dying" against us: make it ten losses in the last eleven games. This one was no exception.

When the count was 12 threes made on 17 attempts, the score said 81-102 in the third, a period in which Orlando shot 5/6 from behind the arc. Hence, the fourth was pure garbage time, with Iguodala and Howard sitting out for the entire period. Enough said.

But let's make few thoughts about the two biggest news of the day.

THREE ANSWERS

1) Yes, I feel sorry for Allen Iverson. I really do. I am a big fan of Bubba Chuck and, once again, he deserved better. It wasn't difficult to predict that the move wouldn't have worked, especially in the long term. We all did, I did.

Of course, that had nothing to do with his personal issues, nobody could have imagined this situation then, my opinion was strictly basketball related. So I feel sorry twice.

First of all, he has to solve problems that he hasn't any control on, something bigger than hoops. Second, from a basketball standpoint, by signing with this sad Sixers team, he missed the chance to sign with another franchise and, perhaps, make a last run at a championship.

2) No, I really hope this is not true:

Sources say the Sixers pushed for the split between the two, something Yahoo! Sports reported on Feb. 22 was in motion when Iverson first left the team prior to a West Coast trip.

If this story by Yahoo is accurate, you have to ask yourself more questions (below).

3) No, it's the other Achilles. Brand's big injury occurrred to his left, while now it's the right one causing him troubles... Good news? Uhm., what would you say?

THREE QUESTIONS

1) Why would have Sixers "pushed" for a split with Iverson?

Not for financial reasons, I think. They would have saved few bucks, and you don't do that to a HOF-er. Also, they are saying they are gonna pay him anyway. So: to keep the locker room "quiet"? Tough call here as all reports in his second stint with the Sixers said Iverson was behaving like a perfect team mate, not causing any troubles, being a veteran leader, accepting his new role. I saw that on the court as well.

So why? You have two options here, I think:

A) Sixers realized (finally) that this season is lost and aren't interested in winning those 3-4 extra games that Iverson could have helped them getting. Jrue Holiday is doing fine and getting better every night, Lou Williams is balling again and they don't need Iverson as a sixth man. So they are basically "waiving" Iverson but with a pretty credible, efficient PR cover, his personal issues. Makes sense. That's why I think this is NOT the correct answer, not in Sixerland.
B) Iverson's family troubles are really, really big, to the point that they require his presence at home on a daily basis. He can't play basketball like a pro is supposed to do and Sixers are "helping" him to focus on his real priorities. I'm afraid this is the truth. And all my prayers go to his daughter and his family.

2) What's with Brand now? Another tough one. Let's wait for more detailed news to be disclosed and we'll make some extra considerations. What is 100% sure is that the guy will turn 31 in less than ten days and he won't get any younger, nor healthier.

Maybe the injury slowed him in the last 4-5 games...well, I somehow "hope" so, because otherwise it would mean he's really THAT bad. The good part is that he's signed for only 3 more years (jeez).

3) How big of an idiot is Eddie Jordan? I didn't rip him for a while but thank God he always gives you chances to remind everybody how lame he is.

"Someone has to stand up and try to rally the troops, your teammates. The coaches are certainly trying to do it every timeout, every time we get a chance to. But it doesn't come from the coaches ... We try to address it; we try to get them with some more spirit and some more positive energy. And it’s just hard when you don’t have that sort of internal leadership."

The translation here is: "I am doing all I can but Iguodala/the players don't have the balls". Which is even true, of course, but which you as an NBA head coach should never, ever say.

For all of his flaws, I think this time Iguodala taught him a lesson with his reply.

Iguodala, the guy you would think Jordan was talking about, said it doesn't really frustrate him. "You start to play the blame game and it really leads to a dead end, it doesn't go anywhere. I'm just going to go out there and keep doing what I've been doing my whole career, which is play basketball the right way."

How do you say, "taking the high road"? Jordan is showing less personality and maturity than his (young) players. Sad.

REASONS

Why we lost the game

Played no defense for 48 minutes. You don't win many games this way.

To be optimistic

Jrue Holiday's career high 25 points were sweet. He tied his season high (15) in the first quarter alone, on 6/6 !! If you are a tanker, without Brand AND Iverson, more losses are guaranteed, Sixers might have a real chance to the second-third worst record in the conference.

To be worried

I don't think you need more reasons, do you?

The high-flying Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

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