TORONTO -- The good news in the 76ers opening 106-97 loss to the Toronto Raptors is that they overcame a 22-point deficit midway through the third quarter to make a serious game of things.
The bad news is that they got down by 22 in the first place. Still, the Sixers appeared to be lifeless and they kept scrapping.
They showed character, although that lone doesn’t produce W’s in the NBA.
Still, had they opened up and gotten blown out by Toronto, then the team would have had nothing to hang its hat on as it prepares to another difficult game Friday in Chicago.
Twice the Sixers got within one point, the second time with under five minutes remaining.
“I’m pleased the way we came back but we put ourselves in such a hole, and we can’t do that against a team like Toronto,” Cheeks said.
Actually, the Sixers can’t do that against any team. Attempting to survive 22-point deficits is a sure way to disaster in the NBA.
Tightening up the defense is also something the Sixers need to do.
Toronto shot 49.4 percent from the field and was a sizzling 9 for 16 from three-point range (56.3 percent).
The Sixers simply didn’t defend Toronto on the perimeter, allowing the Raptors too many open jumpers.
And remember, Toronto’s best outside shooter, Jason Kapono only attempted five shots (although he made four).
Andre Iguodala had an inconsistent first three quarters, then looked like an all-star in the fourth when he had 12 points, three rebounds and a blocked shot.
The problem is that the Sixers need Iguodala to play like that for four quarters.
In fact they need four consistent quarters from the entire team.
It’s hard to believe that the Sixers could have won this game, but if they shot free throws better (14 for 23) and didn’t commit so many turnovers (17) they might have stolen this game.
Losing doesn’t do much for their psyche, but getting blown out would have a difficult jolt to the confidence.
So they realized that they can compete with what should be a playoff-bound team.
Now the next step is actually beating one of these teams, or any team for that matter.
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The Positive & Negative Of An Opening Loss
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Author
Marc Narducci is in his 23rd year as a sports reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The 2007-2008 season will be his first as the 76ers beat writer. For the past two seasons, Marc had been the backup writer for the Eagles. Over the past few years Marc covered the NBA, NHL and Major League baseball as well as writing on sports media. Prior to covering professional sports, Marc was a long-time high school sportswriter for The Inquirer's South Jersey section.
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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on October 31, 2007 11:26 PM.
The previous post in this blog was No Surprise: Cheeks Names Green Starter.
The next post in this blog is Sixers Must Be Bullish On Defending Perimeter.
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Comments (9)
"It’s hard to believe that the Sixers could have won this game, but if they shot free throws better (14 for 23) and didn’t commit so many turnovers (17) they might have stolen this game."
I was not surprised at all with the Sixers' performance last evening.
I saw the same, though...turnovers and the foul line, but, as Coach Cheeks said post-game, they'll work on tightening things up, and I believe they will.
On to Chicago...I love this team.
Posted by Ed Rosenberg | November 1, 2007 8:10 AM
Posted on November 1, 2007 08:10
this was my first chance to see this team play, and there's a lot to like.
Reggie Evans is like a mini Moses Malone out there. Rebounding, defending, and even scoring with strong moves to the basket. He's even got the hairline. I love this guy.
They also had great ball movement on offense, with players cutting and moving without the ball, and Miller always getting the ball to the open player. Korver has turned into an instant offense threat when he steps on the court. Iguodala brings so much to the table, passing, rebounding, and scoring.
I thought they played better with Carney at the 2 then with Willie Green, mainly because their offense tends to bog down whenever Green gets the ball. He puts his head down as soon as he's made his mind up to go tot he basket, and everything just stops.
Sammy wasn't favoring his foot, and played well at times. But it drives me crazy that whenever he's on the court, the Raptors were getting easy layups. I don't know for sure because I don't know what the defensive assignments were, but it seemed like the Raps were getting uncontested layups when they ran a pick and roll and Sammy was on the court. It's exasperating. I really want to see him succeed, and I can tell he's really trying out there, but he just doesn't have a good feel for the game.
Posted by Jake | November 1, 2007 10:06 AM
Posted on November 1, 2007 10:06
Didn't I told you, sixers are going to start green and miller, what happen, they got down by 20 points. I told you so! The speed of the nba guards are to fast for them to match for a full game. What is the business of playing these guys almost 40 min. This not a playoff game! How can our young guns developed if they don't even get on the court. How can they succeed if they not given a chance, to fell. It's (not playing the young guns minuties)make it more glaring how poor of a job sixers management did in drafting and developing their young talent. Al thorton is one of top rookie scores, he could have really help this team. What did the sixers do? take our best commodities and put them on the shelve(speed and quickness and youth). Hopefully it was just for one night!
p.s. HEY BIGS!! SAM and EVANS I am talking to you!! In no way, form of shape, should you let a point guard, score repeated in the basket. This is your house, this is your paint, this is your work area! You guard with your life! And the next time a point guard try to score in your house. You let them know who lives here.
Marc please give this message to them!
Posted by kevin | November 1, 2007 1:44 PM
Posted on November 1, 2007 13:44
I thought the Sixers represented themselves very nicely against one of the better teams in the East. Their bench will keep them in alot of games. Take a look at NBA.com, which is now tracking the +/- figures, certainly makes the case for Lou Williams getting more PT. That guy has been a revelation so far this year (including end of last season, summer league, preseason and last night)
Link:
http://www.nba.com/games/20071031/PHITOR/boxscore.html
Posted by Roman | November 1, 2007 2:48 PM
Posted on November 1, 2007 14:48
I only hope Thaddeus Young makes progress the way Lou Williams has. God knows, Al Thornton is going to totally light it up this year. Imagine him in our lineup alongside Miller, Iguodala, Evans, and Dalembert. Yep... we'd be 1-0 right now, friends.
Posted by Whatever | November 1, 2007 3:04 PM
Posted on November 1, 2007 15:04
someone please tell me why did the sixer's sign calvin booth, a wasted roster spot
Posted by mark staton | November 1, 2007 3:53 PM
Posted on November 1, 2007 15:53
When is Billy King going to trade or release Dalembert he is single handly pulling this team down. Its time to get rid of him and get a true all-star level center. Maybe if we had that we would be 1-0 instead of 0-1. And why did we sign Calvin Booth and Louis Amerdon that was a waste of two roster spots. Once again Billy King has gave the sixers no chance to win.
Posted by Donte | November 1, 2007 4:38 PM
Posted on November 1, 2007 16:38
Agreed... Booth better not get more than a few minutes/game this season. We need to keep Jason Smith on the court... a guy with real potential. And, frankly, once Shavlik Randolph and Herbert Hill are completely recovered from their respective injuries, they need to be out there as well. Booth is a journeyman... an average player in his best years. He has no place on a team that's supposed to be building for the future.
Posted by whatever | November 2, 2007 9:38 AM
Posted on November 2, 2007 09:38
Why does management continue to beleive in Dalembert? It's so obvious that he isn't good enough to be a starting center in the NBA.
Posted by Che | November 2, 2007 12:22 PM
Posted on November 2, 2007 12:22