76ers
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loopymitch
All-Star
It's been getting ugly for a while. The way they're playing right now, they don't deserve the 8th spot. They need to do some work over the summer to get back into contention.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
The interesting question is WHAT they do. They have been losing with Webb and Iverson both playing well. Its Iggy, Dalembert, Korver that are fading. And of course the complete lack of defense. Chemistry issues has to be.
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SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
The Sixers are stuck in cap HELL! Its going to be impossible for them to get rid of Webber's deal, and they won't want to trade Iverson. Those two guys alone take up almost the whole cap for their team.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
SacTownKid said:
They're not actually that bad off. "Cap hell" is one of those terms that are overused sometimes. Figure they only have one more year where they have the Webber deal (then it becomes a giant ending asset), and might even be able to move it this year if they wanted too for lesser playes with big contracts. Iverson is imminently movabel if they want to go that way. Dalembert has a big contract and many who would love to have him...there is really no problem for them making moves. The question remains, WHAT moves?
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Bricklayer said:
I still think its going to be rather hard to move Chris as a "contract", a lot of pieces would have to come Philly's way or an equally bad series of deals. And they are in "Cap hell" for at least next season, which is an eternity for Philly fans. This all falls in Billy Kings lap and he will eventually take the hit if they don't improve.
And moving Webber for lesser players could be a good idea for them. I think the problem with them is their depth. They need experienced guys around AI and Webb (if they don't move him).
love_them_kings
Starter
Wow... Philly is looking bad. Hard to imagine why, being that they only have 2 players who regularly show up. And now I guess Webb is hurt? Anyone know the story with that?
loopymitch
All-Star
^ It's his back, it was hurting in the second half of the Boston game and he said he just couldn't play. He's had problems with it on and off all season. They really needed him tonight but I'm watching the game v. Bulls and they're not doing so bad right now but they tend to blow leads so I'm not getting excited yet.
acisking
Bench
Iverson's Response
To be honest...it has been all Webb and IVerson in the effort department in the second half of the season. Both of them are trying to make a conscious effort to distribute the ball but the others like Korver, Andre, and Dalembert are extremly inconsistent. The supporting cast is absolutely TERRIBLE.
Here is an interesting article in which Iverson elaborates on the whole situation while choosing his words very carefully.
Frustrated Iverson chooses his words carefully
By Ashley Fox
Inquirer Columnist
During his 10 years here, Allen Iverson has never been, as he calls it, a rip-and-rant kind of teammate. He isn't the most vocal of leaders, but he's always led by example, relying on his teammates to adopt his philosophy of playing every game as if it was his last.
But last night, after the 76ers inexcusably and inexplicably folded against a team that isn't even good enough to make the Eastern Conference playoffs, Iverson looked and sounded like he'd had enough.
He wouldn't rip. He didn't rant. He certainly didn't run. But Iverson clearly was as fed up and frustrated by the Sixers' downward spiral as anyone on the team not named Maurice Cheeks.
For the record, the Sixers lost to the Boston Celtics, 109-99, at the Wachovia Center to drop to 34-41, one game behind tonight's opponent, the Chicago Bulls, who beat the Sixers just three days ago. The loss was the Sixers' 13th in their last 17 games, and the seventh of that stretch by double digits.
Iverson dropped in 37 against the Celtics, and shot a reasonable 14 of 25 from the field, with five assists and two turnovers. Against the 32-44 Celtics, who are not yet mathematically eliminated from the playoffs but are well on their way, that should have been enough.
It wasn't, and Iverson instead spent 10 minutes after the game saying volumes with the words he didn't utter. Words like Andre and Iguodala, Samuel and Dalembert, Kyle and Korver, John and Salmons.
"When everyone is not giving it night in and night out, it's frustrating," Iverson said. "You want to say certain things and you want to try to say the right things to your teammates and the coaching staff... but it gets tired... . You can't coach playing hard and toughness."
Iverson insisted he wasn't pointing fingers at anyone, and he wasn't. That's not his style. But he certainly could, because it is obvious from watching this team that some guys have tuned Cheeks out. (Did you notice how long Dalembert sat on the bench in the second half?) Some guys aren't effective enough - for whatever reason - on defense. And some guys can't fill the necessary roles the Sixers need to complement Iverson and Chris Webber.
As frustrating as it is to watch him take jump shot after jump shot after jump shot, Webber is an effort guy. A slacker would not have played all but three games this season on a gimpy knee. He is a veteran, and he cares, and he comes to play, even though he is not the player that he was in his prime.
Kevin Ollie is another gamer, who has built a career on making the hustle plays and being dependable and working hard to compensate for his lack of natural talent and ability. No one will question Ollie's work ethic. It is who he is.
The rest of the group? That's debatable.
"I'm not going to point fingers at anybody, but as a group, we aren't playing hard enough to win basketball games," Iverson said. "We don't seem hungry. We don't seem like we want to make it to the playoffs. It's frustrating for me, because I owe that to my teammates to be one of those guys that goes out there and plays hard every night, and go out there and bring toughness to the basketball court.
"And I expect the same thing in return."
It seemed like Iverson was grappling with exactly what the Sixers' issues are. Either that or he was trying his hardest to be diplomatic. He acknowledged he did not want to stir up any controversy. He's been there and done that.
But Iverson did say this: "Defense and rebounding is more wanting to do it and toughness and just caring about doing it."
And when asked whether some guys have quit on the team, Iverson said this: "I hope it's not anybody that's given up on us, because I haven't. That would be kind of like a slap in my face, and a slap in Kevin Ollie's face, and a slap in Chris Webber's face, guys that are giving it all every night."
That's when it seemed to all come together, because Iverson was having to field questions about guys quitting, and effort, and energy. Again, he left some words out - words like Eric and Snow, Aaron and McKie, Tyrone and Hill, George and Lynch, Dikembe and Mutombo - but the message was clear.
"I never thought I'd be around guys that didn't care," Iverson said, "because we always did a good job of bringing guys in here that did care. We might not have been the best as far as our talent level, but as far as guys that are going to come in and work hard and play hard every game, we never had a problem with that."
Not, it seems, until now.
Seven games remain, and all but two are on the road. A playoff berth is at stake. It might be time for Iverson to rip and rant. He seems ready to go, and nothing else is working.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be honest...it has been all Webb and IVerson in the effort department in the second half of the season. Both of them are trying to make a conscious effort to distribute the ball but the others like Korver, Andre, and Dalembert are extremly inconsistent. The supporting cast is absolutely TERRIBLE.
Here is an interesting article in which Iverson elaborates on the whole situation while choosing his words very carefully.
Frustrated Iverson chooses his words carefully
By Ashley Fox
Inquirer Columnist
During his 10 years here, Allen Iverson has never been, as he calls it, a rip-and-rant kind of teammate. He isn't the most vocal of leaders, but he's always led by example, relying on his teammates to adopt his philosophy of playing every game as if it was his last.
But last night, after the 76ers inexcusably and inexplicably folded against a team that isn't even good enough to make the Eastern Conference playoffs, Iverson looked and sounded like he'd had enough.
He wouldn't rip. He didn't rant. He certainly didn't run. But Iverson clearly was as fed up and frustrated by the Sixers' downward spiral as anyone on the team not named Maurice Cheeks.
For the record, the Sixers lost to the Boston Celtics, 109-99, at the Wachovia Center to drop to 34-41, one game behind tonight's opponent, the Chicago Bulls, who beat the Sixers just three days ago. The loss was the Sixers' 13th in their last 17 games, and the seventh of that stretch by double digits.
Iverson dropped in 37 against the Celtics, and shot a reasonable 14 of 25 from the field, with five assists and two turnovers. Against the 32-44 Celtics, who are not yet mathematically eliminated from the playoffs but are well on their way, that should have been enough.
It wasn't, and Iverson instead spent 10 minutes after the game saying volumes with the words he didn't utter. Words like Andre and Iguodala, Samuel and Dalembert, Kyle and Korver, John and Salmons.
"When everyone is not giving it night in and night out, it's frustrating," Iverson said. "You want to say certain things and you want to try to say the right things to your teammates and the coaching staff... but it gets tired... . You can't coach playing hard and toughness."
Iverson insisted he wasn't pointing fingers at anyone, and he wasn't. That's not his style. But he certainly could, because it is obvious from watching this team that some guys have tuned Cheeks out. (Did you notice how long Dalembert sat on the bench in the second half?) Some guys aren't effective enough - for whatever reason - on defense. And some guys can't fill the necessary roles the Sixers need to complement Iverson and Chris Webber.
As frustrating as it is to watch him take jump shot after jump shot after jump shot, Webber is an effort guy. A slacker would not have played all but three games this season on a gimpy knee. He is a veteran, and he cares, and he comes to play, even though he is not the player that he was in his prime.
Kevin Ollie is another gamer, who has built a career on making the hustle plays and being dependable and working hard to compensate for his lack of natural talent and ability. No one will question Ollie's work ethic. It is who he is.
The rest of the group? That's debatable.
"I'm not going to point fingers at anybody, but as a group, we aren't playing hard enough to win basketball games," Iverson said. "We don't seem hungry. We don't seem like we want to make it to the playoffs. It's frustrating for me, because I owe that to my teammates to be one of those guys that goes out there and plays hard every night, and go out there and bring toughness to the basketball court.
"And I expect the same thing in return."
It seemed like Iverson was grappling with exactly what the Sixers' issues are. Either that or he was trying his hardest to be diplomatic. He acknowledged he did not want to stir up any controversy. He's been there and done that.
But Iverson did say this: "Defense and rebounding is more wanting to do it and toughness and just caring about doing it."
And when asked whether some guys have quit on the team, Iverson said this: "I hope it's not anybody that's given up on us, because I haven't. That would be kind of like a slap in my face, and a slap in Kevin Ollie's face, and a slap in Chris Webber's face, guys that are giving it all every night."
That's when it seemed to all come together, because Iverson was having to field questions about guys quitting, and effort, and energy. Again, he left some words out - words like Eric and Snow, Aaron and McKie, Tyrone and Hill, George and Lynch, Dikembe and Mutombo - but the message was clear.
"I never thought I'd be around guys that didn't care," Iverson said, "because we always did a good job of bringing guys in here that did care. We might not have been the best as far as our talent level, but as far as guys that are going to come in and work hard and play hard every game, we never had a problem with that."
Not, it seems, until now.
Seven games remain, and all but two are on the road. A playoff berth is at stake. It might be time for Iverson to rip and rant. He seems ready to go, and nothing else is working.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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I don't even think it's debatable. I think it's pretty clear the rest of the team is just willing to let AI, Webber and Ollie do the work...
This isn't really that much different than what Webber said on the trip home from Minnesota. Just like Webber didn't name any names, AI hasn't either - but I'm willing to bet he's gonna take some flak for his carefully worded comments.
It never ceases to amaze me that the guys who DO BRING IT so often take the heat for pointing out - even in veiled terms - those who DON'T bring it.
acisking
Bench
Thanks for making my post more readable VF.
And yea, I completely agree with you...if somebody is not performing, then it is certainly justified and even commendable for a player to point that out. If players are not willing to inspire themselves, then I am of the opinion that it is perfectly alright for somebody to light that fire in them. If anything, Iverson - along with C-Webb - have earned the right to at least comment on the flaws of their team without being assaulted by critics trying to spin the story and put them down.
And yea, I completely agree with you...if somebody is not performing, then it is certainly justified and even commendable for a player to point that out. If players are not willing to inspire themselves, then I am of the opinion that it is perfectly alright for somebody to light that fire in them. If anything, Iverson - along with C-Webb - have earned the right to at least comment on the flaws of their team without being assaulted by critics trying to spin the story and put them down.
)
love_them_kings
Starter
loopymitch said:
Thanks! Hopefully he feels better soon. Philly needs to get it back together SOON.... I REALLY can't stand the thought of Webb not making the playoffs for the first time in many, many years.
love_them_kings
Starter
I agree with acisking & VF. When players like Webb & AI are bringing their 100% effort night in and night out, they have earned the right to say what they want if the other players aren't doing the same. I get so mad watching when I feel like our players aren't giving it 100%, I can't imagine the frustration of being a player, giving it your all, and having your teammates not do the same.
loopymitch
All-Star
Looks like King will make changes
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060411/SPORTS03/604110352/1002/SPORTS
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
By CELESTE E. WHITTAKER
Courier-Post Staff
PHILADELPHIA Billy King wants more defensive-minded players who are tough.
The Sixers president called this season the most frustrating of his career and also said he knows certain players won't be back next season.
King also pointed the finger at himself for some of the Sixers' problems.
They are 36-41 after beating Washington on Monday and are in the eighth playoff spot. If they were tied, the Bulls hold the second tiebreaker, a better conference record.
"After the trade deadline, I looked in the mirror and said I've got to do a better job," King said. "It's been the most frustrating year in my involvement in basketball."
King added: "There's some guys I know for sure won't be back."
He said he must make "tougher decisions."
"Sometimes it's easy to make a decision, like I'm gonna re-sign this guy or sign that guy," he said. "I'm gonna roll the dice and sign-and-trade this guy to go get that guy."
The Sixers have been one of the worst defensive teams in the league this season, and players such as Allen Iverson and Chris Webber, along with coach Maurice Cheeks have questioned the team's sense of urgency and effort.
"There's some things going into this summer that I know need to be addressed," King said. "We've got to get back to playing defense. That's got to be at the forefront.
"Last year, I went in with the approach of retaining our free agents, this year we're going in that we're gonna build a team that starts with defense. Not just defensive guys, guys with an attitude."
"This season Mo's done a good job, I'm looking forward to this summer, sit down with Mo. In evaluating, maybe I could've gotten him a couple more pieces and made his job a lot easier. I've got to look at it and not be held hostage by any players on the roster to make us go in the right direction."
King admitted with all the coaching changes over the last three or four years -- Randy Ayers fired after 52 games in 2003-04, replaced by Chris Ford who was replaced by Jim O'Brien in 2004 and fired after last season -- it's been impossible to sit down with the coach at the end of the season and evaluate the team.
Even though the team has taken a step back this season, King apparently has job security.
"I know the decisions he (King) made I know the reasons he's made them, I know why they turned out certain way," Sixers chairman Ed Snider said recently on Daily News Live. "I'm not about to second-guess because I personally went along with those decisions. Our entire organization was behind those decisions. It hasn't jelled. No, I'm not being too loyal, I think he's a very good executive."
After the way they played without Chris the last 2 games I wonder if he's on the list.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060411/SPORTS03/604110352/1002/SPORTS
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
By CELESTE E. WHITTAKER
Courier-Post Staff
PHILADELPHIA Billy King wants more defensive-minded players who are tough.
The Sixers president called this season the most frustrating of his career and also said he knows certain players won't be back next season.
King also pointed the finger at himself for some of the Sixers' problems.
They are 36-41 after beating Washington on Monday and are in the eighth playoff spot. If they were tied, the Bulls hold the second tiebreaker, a better conference record.
"After the trade deadline, I looked in the mirror and said I've got to do a better job," King said. "It's been the most frustrating year in my involvement in basketball."
King added: "There's some guys I know for sure won't be back."
He said he must make "tougher decisions."
"Sometimes it's easy to make a decision, like I'm gonna re-sign this guy or sign that guy," he said. "I'm gonna roll the dice and sign-and-trade this guy to go get that guy."
The Sixers have been one of the worst defensive teams in the league this season, and players such as Allen Iverson and Chris Webber, along with coach Maurice Cheeks have questioned the team's sense of urgency and effort.
"There's some things going into this summer that I know need to be addressed," King said. "We've got to get back to playing defense. That's got to be at the forefront.
"Last year, I went in with the approach of retaining our free agents, this year we're going in that we're gonna build a team that starts with defense. Not just defensive guys, guys with an attitude."
"This season Mo's done a good job, I'm looking forward to this summer, sit down with Mo. In evaluating, maybe I could've gotten him a couple more pieces and made his job a lot easier. I've got to look at it and not be held hostage by any players on the roster to make us go in the right direction."
King admitted with all the coaching changes over the last three or four years -- Randy Ayers fired after 52 games in 2003-04, replaced by Chris Ford who was replaced by Jim O'Brien in 2004 and fired after last season -- it's been impossible to sit down with the coach at the end of the season and evaluate the team.
Even though the team has taken a step back this season, King apparently has job security.
"I know the decisions he (King) made I know the reasons he's made them, I know why they turned out certain way," Sixers chairman Ed Snider said recently on Daily News Live. "I'm not about to second-guess because I personally went along with those decisions. Our entire organization was behind those decisions. It hasn't jelled. No, I'm not being too loyal, I think he's a very good executive."
After the way they played without Chris the last 2 games I wonder if he's on the list.
M
MrBiggs
Guest
They're being outcoached. If Adelman and co. had that team, they'd be near top on the East. If, coulda, woulda, yeah those words suck but its true.
Iverson-Craziest scoring threat in the game and he's been more efficient this year than in year's past. Has a team mate who can create shots for him but doesn't nearly enough. He was a prime defender a couple of years ago and still could be if someone was on his arse.
Webber-Said player who can create for Iverson. We all know Webber could RULE the high-post. Especially with perimeter players like Iverson and Korver. His true short coming is his lack of defense. He just doesn't have the legs to do it these days but that would be okay if he had a premier shotblocker patrolling the paint. Wait. He does!
Dalembert-He is said premier shotblocker. This guy could create mucho problems for the opposing team EVERY time they try to drive. For some reason, he just hasn't put it together. Probably because he has such a huge contract.
Korver-Best spot up shooter in the NBA not named Peja or Allen. He could truly lead the league in 3 pointers if he had the right offensive scheme. He's a great addition to any team but his contract is slightly inflated and his defense has lots to be desired. BUT he's a premier shooter. That's a very valuable thing these days.
Iguadala-Future star. Current star on any other team. Freaky athleticism, decent shooting touch, and FREAKY ATHLETICISM. He has it in him to be a hard nosed defender and only needs to work on his ball handling.
So what's the problem with this team?
Timing.
If they've been together for several years, they could be THE top in the West. But Iverson is on the declining part of his career and the expectations of Webber are HUGE. Webber and AI can still be dominant for the next two-three years but management doesn't have that kind of patience.
Shame, since this team could be great.
Iverson-Craziest scoring threat in the game and he's been more efficient this year than in year's past. Has a team mate who can create shots for him but doesn't nearly enough. He was a prime defender a couple of years ago and still could be if someone was on his arse.
Webber-Said player who can create for Iverson. We all know Webber could RULE the high-post. Especially with perimeter players like Iverson and Korver. His true short coming is his lack of defense. He just doesn't have the legs to do it these days but that would be okay if he had a premier shotblocker patrolling the paint. Wait. He does!
Dalembert-He is said premier shotblocker. This guy could create mucho problems for the opposing team EVERY time they try to drive. For some reason, he just hasn't put it together. Probably because he has such a huge contract.
Korver-Best spot up shooter in the NBA not named Peja or Allen. He could truly lead the league in 3 pointers if he had the right offensive scheme. He's a great addition to any team but his contract is slightly inflated and his defense has lots to be desired. BUT he's a premier shooter. That's a very valuable thing these days.
Iguadala-Future star. Current star on any other team. Freaky athleticism, decent shooting touch, and FREAKY ATHLETICISM. He has it in him to be a hard nosed defender and only needs to work on his ball handling.
So what's the problem with this team?
Timing.
If they've been together for several years, they could be THE top in the West. But Iverson is on the declining part of his career and the expectations of Webber are HUGE. Webber and AI can still be dominant for the next two-three years but management doesn't have that kind of patience.
Shame, since this team could be great.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Good luck to King in finding a way to all of that with the assets they have. Very difficult if they don't want to give something away for free.
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