His Greatness

Any one remember the pranks we did on AIM? Good times. We were so stupid. Glad to call myself a contributor for a good part of these five years. Here's to another five years.

Tommy Heinsohn is absolutely atrocious. He's got quite the nerve to incessantly gripe about officiating every game when he's announcing for Boston.

As someone who just has fun out there.

Hurts man, it really does.

Social anxiety?

It's much easier to just watch the whole game through.

We have no philosophy on screen and rolls, which is why they're all adventures to watch. You've got to keep an eye on Holiday the next time you have the misfortune of watching the Sixers again. He's this year's Mbah a Moute (standout rookie defender), but possibly better. One of the best first-year defenders in recent years. I can't sing his praises enough. I didn't watch the game so I can't give any credible input, but you can still chalk it up as a poor, aberration game. I can tell you that he's made the most of his limited opportunities, and he's truthfully been one of the few highlights this season. And it's not like he has difficulties operating against defenders like Jeffries; he had his way with the Knicks earlier in the season, and some of his best games have come against the long, athletic type. Kapono was acquired for the sole purpose of spacing the floor and busting zones, he doesn't have to start to be utilized beneficially. Same goes for Green, Carney, and everyone else with a three-point stroke. Also, I'd like to point out that Ivey's percentage is deceptive — all of his looks are wide open, and he's got one of the slowest releases on the team. True, but Jordan isn't making the most (or anything) out of this squad. That's what the beef is. The personnel is not without its flaws, but Eddie Jordan is just a disaster. Ratliff was not a specialist, he was a spare body with size, and one of the three active bigs that could play a modicum of defense—the others being a slumping Dalembert and an undersized Evans—so he played. Wasn't a very good defender anyways, and the guy wasn't even in Philly the two seasons before when we were still average defensively. I can give you Evans, but he was the eighth or ninth man and was never a difference-maker on defense. Besides, we now have a healthier Brand, who is double the defender Evans was, and Jrue Holiday, a better perimeter defender than anyone we've had in recent years not named Andre Iguodala or Jason Kapono. I understand doubling when there is an obvious mismatch. However, there is no excuse for cheating on a drive when there is adequate help on the strong side. Screen and rolls? Stay at home and don't cut off until the situation calls for it. One weak side defender is typically enough. The entire team shouldn't be collapsing to stymie one player, whether he's face up or with his back to the basket, otherwise it inevitably leads to scrambling defenders to recover against open shooters. And it's not like we don't have the personnel to play defense — Iguodala is outstanding, and Brand, Dalembert, Holiday, Carney, Green, and Ivey are all capable defenders. I suggested Holiday at the point à la Eric Snow, where he could defend the twos and allow Iverson to play off-guard. Brand starting in lieu of Young would put a dent in the transition offense, but we can live with sacrificing an athletic wing playing out of position for better defense, board work, and half-court opportunities. Brand may not be as explosive as he once was, but he can still move. I can't find a highlight package showcasing Brand yet, but PLEASE JUST BELIEVE ME. DO IT. BELIEVE ME. HE'S STILL GOOD, TRUST ME.

Tim Duncan is also white. The correct answer was Iverson, for all you non-racists.

Iverson, Wade, LeBron, KG, Howard, Nash, Kobe, 'Melo, Duncan, Amar'e. One of these is not like the other.

No surprise on the Moss dig. They don't like each other.

Rookie mistakes. He spends a lot of his time at the off guard, but as the primary ball-handler, I've seen flashes of brilliance, and much like you saw with his shot selection, he is aggressive, and will capitalize on any perceived openings. I love that. He'll eventually find a balance between looking for his own shot and creating for others but I love what I'm seeing out of him. I assure you that you would change your mind if you watched him more. Any comments on his defense? There is no coherence. He doesn't space the floor, he doesn't take advantage of mismatches, he seems to put emphasis opposite our strengths, and his lineups are likely put together on the basis of how much he can piss off the fans. There are dribble handoffs at the top of the key, but it mostly results in a drained clock and reset floor spacing. Isos are usually neutralized by the packed lane (no shooters in, or movement to counter that). And despite the bad game against New York, Brand is still a very efficient player, but he hardly gets opportunities high or low, and his points are all created by simply outworking his defender. It's harder to play defense when the coach instructs his players to uncheck shooters and abandon the weakside to unnecessarily collapse the lane at any sign of penetration. Sure it secures the boards, but that doesn't matter when the ball keeps going in because how open the shooter is on the outlet. And it's not like these kids can't play defense; they were at least average (top 15) defensively for the past three years, and now they're among the league's worst. I maintain that Holiday at the point and Brand at the four is the best lineup they can put out there. Shades of the '01 Sixers. Jordan was hired for his offensive expertise. If the offense is failing this miserably, it falls on him. Savvy point guards help, but that communication on offense is supposed to be a dual role for the head coach.

When it's all said and done, Wade will be a shoo-in for the Hall, hailed as the best player in Heat history, one of the best of his generation, a top 10 player in the last decade, and he'll have at least one ring and a Finals MVP award to go with it. Whether or not Beasley is remembered as Wade's plus one, he's never going to top that.

They better have a [expletive]ing plan if they do make a trade, not one just for the sake of making one. The fanbase doesn't need to be appeased right now; the season is already lost.

What are our options? Will Thibodeau still be available?

How often does the first overall pick actually go to the worst team? Because we're not out-losing New Jersey. They already changed their name to John Wall.

Keep in mind that Brand is being very poorly utilized, his numbers aren't being inflated by his offense, and he doesn't have the green light to take liberties with the ball.

How can you make that assessment based on two misreads in one game? He needs to sharpen up his point guard skills, but he is a natural point and his future is at that position. Remember, he is the youngest player in the league. Also Erick, I am disappointed by the lack of Eddie Jordan criticism in your breakdown. You can not size up the 76ers accurately without blasting Eddie Jordan for at least a paragraph. If you would like to edit your article now to fix this significant mistake, suggested topics include his rotations, defensive philosophy, and his undesirable face. Very thorough work again though. I only hope that Jordan doesn't get a hold of this because we need to keep losing.

Brookings wouldn't be menstruating if that play ended in a turnover. And besides, it's the playoffs. Whether or not there was any conviction in that last touchdown, the Vikings had to keep that swagger tight going into the biggest game that isn't the Super Bowl. Also feels great to send a message when you were almost universally doubted before the game (and probably still are).

Kobe > Rudy Gay, therefore I'm a Gay hater.

Darren Sharper is so hit or miss.

No sign of defense yet.

Iguodala sprained his ankle. Now we can see if it's possible to get any worse.

Can someone please notify Eddie Jordan that his best lineup is with Holiday and Brand. We should be starting and closing every game with that unit.

Six minutes into the first quarter, and Sammy already has eight boards and two blocks. When is he going to admit to juicing?

Curb Your Enthusiasm is somehow missing from this thread. Watch that.