Sunday, November 23, 2008

Philadelphia: 89 Golden State: 81

Unforunately Don Nelson and his commitment to small ball has and never will work. Unusurprisingly in the Wachovia Centre it didn't. After the Sizers sliced apart the Warriors in the 1st half with their halfcourt offense he turned to Anthony Randolph, Brandan Wright, and Ronny Turiaf to block, bang, and pick-and-roll the Warriors back into the game. It almost worked but only Nelson knows if it made an impression

Boxscore




Block party and lack of production Don Nelson started small and went smaller in the first half, replacing Azubuike with Watson as the team flailed around attempting to stop Elton Brand, Samuel Dalembert and Andre Iguodala. However there was a block party with 13 total. Ronny leading the team with 5 blocks, Randolph and Biedrins with 2, and Azubuike, Jackson, Maggette and Wright with 1 a piece. That right there is the big difference in defense compared to previous seasons.



Having Azubuike back in the rotation from injury was a difference maker compared to last Friday's game. Kelenna, the Warriors leading scorer, contributed 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.



Anthony Randolph had some decent numbers on the floor, 28 minutes, 6 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocked shots while Brandon Wright had 10 points but only 2 rebounds. It's all part of learning the game for these young guys. Lastly, coming back from being down 22 points in the second half was pretty hype. You can thank much of the bench for that and a key 3-pointer by Anthony Morrow with 6:32 left in the fourth. Like I said, a comeback win would have been the icing on my cake. Philly's starters were simply too good for the Warriors tonight.

Elton Brand found his rhythm and stomped the yard on us to the tune of 23 points and 12 rebounds. Dalembert's 16 rebounds were also major contributions in the Sixers win as they helped swing the rebounding edge in Philly's favor 54-38. Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young did their damage as well with both scoring double digit points. Philly's hustle in the first combined with the Warriors lack of it, just goes to show that there are no free rides in the NBA (well maybe Starbury's situation





.

No comments: