I went to the Sixers vs. Heat game last night in Miami. Before going to the game, I thought my guys (the Sixers) had a chance, but a very slim one. I only thought that because I am extremely bias. Player for player the Heat dominate the Sixers. Just look at the starting line-up comparisons. Jrue vs. Bibby, Meeks vs. Wade, Iggy vs. LeBron, Brand vs. Bosh, Hawes vs. Dampier. I guess you can make a case that Jrue is better than Bibby, now that Bibby is nearing the end of his career and lost a step. You could also make a case for Hawes vs. Dampier, but who really cares about that match-up. Philly may have more depth with Williams, Turner, and Young. But then again Miller, Jones, House, Big Z, and Anthony all play their part well, defending the interior and knocking down 3's. What the game came down to was experience. Not experience together as a team, just experience in the NBA.
The Sixers looked awe-struck by the stars on the Heat. They were playing hard on both ends, but got out of their offense every once in a while to go one on one against players that were much better than them. It reminded me of poker where amateurs play draws against pro's just to try to get lucky and give the pro's a bad beat. Had the Sixers taken better care of the ball, ran their offense the whole game, and only taken good shots I think they could have had a chance. Instead, they were too worried about who to give dap to first after the game was over.
The game was very predictable. Wade, LeBron, and Bosh had 39, 32, and 20 points each, while no one else on the Heat scored more than 6. The Sixers had 6 players with 10 or more points, and Brand chipped in with 8. I could have told you that was going to happen before the game even started. The Heat are top heavy, while the Sixers are balanced. The Sixers spread the wealth like the Celtics, while the Heat have 3 super stars, but also ball hogs who demand the ball and their stats, and a bunch of role players
The Heat had 28 FTs taken to the Sixers 14 and the Heat out rebounded the Sixers 49 to 31. That was the difference in the game, but that's what both teams do all the time and is expected when they play against each other. In Philly, the FT and rebound ratios wound have been a little closer, and the Sixers may steal 2 home games out of 6 in a 7 game series going down 4-2, but they can't beat this Heat team right now. They are too young. They are too inexperienced. Iggy and Brand are the two veterans on the team, but they scored 10 and 8 respectively and were shut down by LeBron and Bosh. The Heat knew that, even though 7 Sixers average 10 or more PPG, if you stop these 2 from getting into a flow, you can beat the Sixers. That's what they did and the rest of the Sixers youth got in the way.
From a coaching perspective, the Sixers offense moved the ball well, Collins called TOs at the right times, Williams hit 2 big 3's with around 32-36 seconds left in the quarter capitalizing on the Sixers 2 for 1 opportunities, and the Heat did what they do. They let the big 3 wear down the less talented Sixers, and they let the 3 point shooters hit down big 3s.
In the playoffs, I'd rather see the Sixers play the Celtics than the Heat. And I would rather see the Heat-Knicks. The Sixers and Celtics play the same style and the Heat and Knicks have similar styles as well. They would be fun series to watch. I'd like to compare the Sixers to the Celtics, but the Sixers are much younger, and not as good or established yet. Let's be honest, the Sixers can't beat the Heat or the Celtics without home court in a 7 game series, but tonight showed that the Heat are just too good for the Sixers, but the Sixers can hang if the better teams have an off night. When Wade and LeBron decided they've had enough (as Shore likes to put it), they turned it on and no one on the Sixers had a chance. Pierce, Allen, Rondo, and Garnett wont be able to do that one on one type of domination. They depend on each other for their success. Ultimately, the Sixers have a better chance against a team of really good players than 3 individual amazing players because the really good players can't impose their will without the others, while the big 3 in Miami took the Sixers one on one and the Sixers couldn't stop it.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
South Florida Fickle Fans - PART 3 - Panthers
The Florida Panthers have the hardest job of all South Florida teams, but have done surprisingly well. The Panthers were an expansion team in 1993, just like the Marlins, but have only reached the finals once, where they were swept by a very good Colorado Avalanche team. Hockey, on average, is not as popular in South Florida than the rest of the country. Additionally, hockey is not as popular in America as compared with the other local sports team’s sports; football, basketball, and baseball. But hockey fans are die hard and very loyal. Getting these fans to the games is not hard, but getting other fans in nearly impossible.
On the sports side, the Panthers want to create a “family” environment with the Panthers. They want fans to enjoy the game with family and friends shifting the focus from the actual product, the team, and more on the experience as a whole, the activity. That being said, they have hired a new, highly touted General Manager who is implementing a “blueprint” for the success on the sports side. They have begun to cut players and payroll, and rebuild with draft picks and free agent signings. So far, they seem to be on the right track in getting the sports side on par with the entertainment side of the organization.
More important to the Panthers than the hockey team is the BankAtlantic Center (BAC) and the entertainment side of the building. Since Michael Yormark took over as Chief Operating Officer, the Panthers have taken an entertainment first, sports second approach (as you can see from Jason’s article a few weeks ago). The BAC is one of the most highly rated and respected venues in the country primarily due to concerts and other events, not hockey. While working with the Panthers the summer between my freshmen and sophomore years in college, I was able to witness the Corporate Sales and New Business Development departments at work. They are relentless (as they should be) and they go after every sponsor, every musician, and every event coming through South Florida. The work ethic by Yormark, Matthew Rickoff, Eric Tomasini, and the rest of the Panthers organization is unparalleled. I would arrive to work at 8:00am only to be greeted by Yormark, Rickoff, and Tomasini well into a meeting, and an e-mail from Yormark with a daily (or weekly on Mondays) agenda on what had been done the day before, and what needs to be done the day to come. The most impressive aspect of this entire experience was that the e-mail was written and sent prior to 4:05am. I knew what was expected of me for the upcoming day or week well before I had even woken up or brushed my teeth.
The culture and environment was also superior to any other organization that I have worked with, which is why the employees were willing to work so hard. Phrases such as “Dream Big and Dare to Fail” were posted around the office and would inspire all employees. Casual Fridays, Thursday bagels, and monthly pep-rallies were events that I looked forward to throughout the internship. This is what makes the Panthers competitive in a sport that is undesirable and a city whose fans are as fickle as the teams that play in it. In marketing class we called this the “Service Profit Chain,” whereby you invest in your employees, which leads to employee happiness and loyalty, which, in turn, leads to more productive employees. More productive employees make better products, which leads to more and happier consumers. Happier customers lead to more loyal consumers, which lead to more overall profits and success. I can only speak for the Panthers on this topic, but I assure you that they are among the best in the business in this area.
Ultimately, South Florida sports teams have done an excellent job with the fickle market they have been given. The Heat have self-generated a superior, exciting product and offer amazing perks for consumers. The Marlins are listening to the consumers and trying to meet their needs, in addition to thinking of new ways to bring fans closer to the game and make the game more enjoyable. The Panthers, in addition to a stellar culture and a “family focused” in game environment, look past the sports aspect, and into the entertainment side of the business in order to generate additional excitement and revenue for their organization. In all, these are three great case studies in sports management, and three great sports organizations despite the fickle South Florida fan base.
USA v. Barry Lamar Bonds
It has been a long time coming, however, the Barry Bonds perjury trial is finally underway. Bonds, the single season record holder and all time home run king, is being charged with four counts of making false statements to the grand jury and one count of obstruction. Bonds is accused of lying to a grand jury in 2003 about his use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. Bonds claims that he “never knowingly” used steroids, with the word “knowingly” being critical to the case. Each count carries a penalty of up to 10 years, but federal guidelines recommend a sentence of 15-to-21 months. The trial is expected to take four to six weeks.
The Charges
The charges against Barry Bonds in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, relating to his testimony on Dec. 4, 2003:
1. Made false declaration before grand jury when asked “Did you ever take any steroids he (Anderson) gave you?” Bonds answered: “Not that I know of.”
2. Made false declaration before grand jury when asked whether anyone other than the team doctor and other physicians had injected him. “No individuals like Mr. Anderson or associates of his?” Bonds answered: “No, no.”
3. Made false declaration before grand jury when asked “He (Anderson) never gave you anything that you understood to be human growth hormone? Did he ever give you anything like that?” Bonds answered: “No.”
4. Made false declaration before grand jury when asked “Prior to the last season, you never took anything that he (Anderson) asked you to take, other than the vitamins?” Bonds answered: “Right.”
5. Obstruction of justice: “Did corruptly influence, obstruct and impede and endeavor to corruptly influence, obstruct and impede the due administration of justice by knowingly giving material grand jury testimony that was intentionally evasive, false and misleading, including but not limited to the false statements made by the defendant as charged in counts one through four of this indictment.”
The Judge and Lawyers
Susan Illston is judging the case. Illston is a judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of California in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. She assumed office after being nominated by President Clinton in May of 1995. In 2006, Illston presided over another steroids involved case, US v. Arnold, sentencing Patrick Arnold, the chemist who developed an undetectable performance-enhancing drug for the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO), to three months in prison.
Jeff Novitzky (no relation to Dirk) is the lead counsel for the prosecution. He is the same federal agent who led the investigation of the BALCO over 6 years ago. Assistant US Attorney, Matthew A. Parrella, joins Novitzky in their case again Bonds.
Allen Ruby is the lead defense attorney for Bonds. He has a rich voice that has been regularly inflected with sarcasm. He insists that Bonds has been telling the truth all along and that the people who claim otherwise are bitter because Bonds broke off relationships with them against their will. Ruby is joined by Chris Arguedas of Arguedas, Cassman, & Headley LLP Criminal Defense Law Firm.
Mark J. Geragos is the lawyer of Bonds trainer and long time friend, Greg Anderson. Anderson was Bonds connection to BALCO, and could have been a key witness in the case. Judge Illston, however, has already informed the jury that Anderson was unavailable and that jurors may not draw “any inference from his failure to testify,” after Anderson declined to testify against his good friend for the fourth time and was again sent to jail.
The Jury
The jury is composed of 12 jurors and 2 alternates. After more than 5 hours of questioning, the lawyers selected these 14 individuals from a pool of around 100 candidates. The jury is composed of 8 women and 4 men, with the 2 alternates also being women. Only two members of the jury are black and they are both female, however, Bonds defense team insists that the race and gender of the jury don’t matter.
One potential juror who was dismissed told the judge that he might have been reluctant to render a judgment against a “great athlete like Mr. Bonds.” Another said that he feels “steroids are like cheating. You have an advantage over the other players. It’s not fair.”
Personal Take
While there is a chance that Bonds was telling the truth, things are not looking good for one of the best baseball players of all-time. Witnesses have claimed that they saw him and Anderson enter rooms with Anderson holding a needle. Other witnesses have claimed that they overheard Bonds talking about trainers giving him shots, being upset when they wouldn’t, and insisting that if they didn’t they he would do it himself. Bonds was also heard saying something to the extent of not getting in trouble because “it” is undetectable.
The change in Bonds physical appearance over the years of his suspected steroid usage speaks volumes as well. While it is not unnatural for a person of that age to gain significant weight, Bonds went from being lean to brawny in a flash. Additionally, while it is not unusual for an aging player to rely more on power than speed towards the end of their careers, no player in the history of baseball hit home runs at the same pace as Bonds.
Even if he was never told that what he was taking was steroids, shouldn’t he have asked? Wasn’t he curious why he was putting on muscle and gaining weight like he had never done previously? This all seems a little fishy to me, and if the jury feels the same way, Bonds could be looking at a few years in jail, not to mention a tarnished legacy. If found guilty, I would not be surprise if the MLB gives Bonds something similar to the Pete Rose treatment, keeping him out of the Hall of Fame as he is the figure head of one of the worst eras in the history baseball.
Conclusion
While I am a huge Barry Bonds fan, think that he should be a first-ballot hall of famer, and believe that he is one of the most dominate athletes of all time, I do not feel that he will win this trial. There is too much reason to believe that he knew what he was doing all along and lied to the grand jury intentionally in order to protect his reputation. Athletes of Bonds caliber should know, or at least ask about, what other people are putting into their bodies. It is hard to believe that Bonds, a 14 time all-star and 7 time NL MVP, did not “know” exactly what he was doing. That being said, this is a trial that is taking place in California involving a local baseball legend being judged among a jury of his peers with great lawyers on both sides. This is usually the formula for a very long and interesting case in which anything can happen.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Kemba Walker's Game Winner vs. Andre Igoudala's Game Winner
Immediately after viewing this shot, however, I couldn't help but reminisce another amazing game winner by the one, the only, Andre Igoudala. It reminded me of AI's shot because it's pretty much the same exact play. They both take the ball at the top of the key in a tie game. They both were the only option the entire play. They both drive to the right and do a pull back crossover to the left followed by a drive to the left, which leads to a pull back, step back shot that hits nothing but net.
The only difference is that there was a pick set in Kemba's play that forced a big man onto the speedy guard, Kemba broke this forward/center's ankles, and Kemba left 0 seconds left on the clock. Great play design to force a poor defender onto one of the best scorers in the NCAA. Why the big man didn't switch back with the guard after the guard got around the screen is the real question. He had no business guarding Kemba at any point in the game, especially during the most important play in the game.
Either way, these were both big time plays by big time players in big time games.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
South Florida Fickle Fans - PART 2 - Heat
The Heat arrived in Miami through the 1988 NBA expansion draft. They have reached the playoffs 13 times in 21 seasons, which is an impressive feat for any team. They are one of only eight teams to win an NBA Championship in the past 30 years (Celtics, Lakers, Bulls, Sixers, Rockets, Spurs, and Pistons being the others). They have created excitement for their team through acquiring popular players either through the draft, such as Dwayne Wade, or through free agency, most notably Shaq in 2004, and LeBron James and Chris Bosh in 2010. That being said, as a season ticket holder who has been to a number of games, I still don’t feel that many fans are loyal to the Heat, starting with yours truly, a Philly Sixers faithful. However, I have been enamored by the Heat this season and refer to them as “us” or “we” due to the season tickets and locational connection with the team.
The most telling feature about the Heat comes from two types of people. First, me; the Sixers fan, but more importantly the sports/basketball fan, with Heat season tickets, who bought the tickets in order to see great basketball and a superior product. Secondly, the people sitting next to me; Knicks fans, who go to the games for the sole purpose of seeing the Heat, and more specifically LeBron James, fail miserably. The main connection between me and my fellow season ticket holding counterparts is that we are both basketball fans first, and are only attracted to the Heat through the love of the game, not the actual product on the court in front of us. It is not uncommon to go the American Airlines Arena (AAA) and hear more boos for the home team than cheers. The AAA reached an all-time low just a few days ago when the crowd was chanting MVP during a free throw taken by Derrick Rose.
That being said, the Heat offer some amazing perks to season ticket holders that should attract many and retain even more existing fans. Such perks include events with players at various locations around the Miami area, and allowing fans to stand courtside at pre-game shoot-arounds before selected home games. This season I have played Shoot-Em Basketball with Mike Miller at Game Works, taken a picture with LeBron and Dwayne, talked to Tim Hardaway, taken a post-game picture with Haslem, hung out at different locations with many Heat players, and stood courtside to watch the Heat warm-up prior to a number of games. Now, as next years season is somewhat in doubt due to the Collective Bargaining Agreement’s expected expiration this summer, the Heat have offered great packages for next year. These packages are designed to give potential customers an additional financial incentive to sign up for season tickets in spite of the looming lockout threat.
Not to seem like a sucker for a good deal, but I indeed fell for their trap, renewed my seasons tickets under the “loyalty” program at only $10 more per game for next season, and agreed to buy playoff tickets for this year at a discounted price. If next season is indeed cancelled, then I will automatically have (or from the other perspective be forced into having) tickets for the next season that basketball is played, rather than getting my money back. This is due to my selecting the “loyalty” program. Aside from the “loyalty” program, there are many other offers of this nature that will allow fans to customize their season ticket renewing experience.
For me, automatically getting tickets for the next season basketball is played is a great thing. For another fan, it is terrible because they may be moving next year or have other commitments of this nature, and tickets beyond this next season are useless. I would prefer future tickets, while the other fan would prefer receiving their money back. This type of personal customization allows fans to decide at an individual level what is best for them, rather than offering only one standard way to renew, which would group fans all into one category. This is advantageous for both the team and the fans because different fans have different want and needs, and this type of customized, individual focus allows for those needs. More personal customization will increase the number of people who will ultimately renew their tickets, thus helping both the fans and the team.
Monday, March 7, 2011
South Florida Fickle Fans - Marlins
I live in South Florida and I am a huge sports fan. Living in South Florida and being a sports fan are not uncommon things. However, living in South Florida and being a fan of the teams in South Florida is a different story altogether for a number of reasons. First, three of the four teams that play in South Florida were not around before 1988 (the exception being the Dolphins whom I will not mention in this article). Therefore, many people in there 20’s were already fans of different teams before these teams were even established. Second, many of the people who live in South Florida are “snow-birds” and only come to South Florida five months a year to escape the cold and enjoy the sun, not to watch sporting events. That being said, the challenge for the teams in this fickle market is to generate interest and passion for a product when people are already passionate about a competitors product, or are uninterested in any of the products in your industry altogether. This is a tough challenge, but the Marlins, Heat, and Panthers have done a great job managing their teams under these tough conditions.
The Marlins arrived in South Florida in 1993 and have won two championships in their many years. Incredibly, they have never won their division, and only reached the playoffs the two seasons they won the championship as the NL wild card both times. Both championship seasons were followed by an exodus of players that the team could no longer afford in favor of young prospects and draft picks. This creates years of meritocracy until their hopeful return to another playoff run. This is a viscous cycle created by the lack of a loyal fan base due to an inconsistent team, and an inconsistent team due to the lack of a loyal fan base. Additionally, a hot and rainy, outdoor stadium in the South Florida summer, has magnified the problem, making it unattractive for fans to attend the games.
The Marlins are combating both of these issues by building a new, state of the art, indoor stadium that will be opening in 2012. This stadium is intended to attract more potential fans and also bring these news fans closer to the game. More fans will fill the seats of an air-conditioned stadium where the forecast is always 72 degrees and clear skies. Additionally, David Samson, the President of the Marlins, mentioned at a Business Law Society meeting a few months ago, that the stadium will be equipped with seat-side touch pads where fans can order food and beverages directly form their seats. In the past, baseball teams would send employees around with certain foods or beverages shouting to create a sale, and hoping fans would be interested in that exact product at that exact moment. While this is part of the game, and part of the ballpark experience, this is very inefficient and ineffective.
This new, innovative technology puts the fans in control. They can communicate to the Marlins when they want something, rather than the Marlins trying to force the sale. This takes a “marketing”, rather than a “selling” approach. This should allow fans to order food without missing any live action, decreasing the wait in concession stand lines, and increasing both fan enjoyment and Marlins profits. Additionally, the Marlins will be able to track what fans in certain seats have been ordering and offer them special, in-game promotions via text message in order to further increase sales and revenue. The more information the Marlins can get about fan habits and behaviors, the better the Marlins will get at meeting their fans wants and needs. This type of fan interaction will be great for the Marlins and revolutionize the game experience.
Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban is a loud, cocky, arrogant NBA owner who gets fined more than any other owner in the league. He tried to become the majority owner of the Texas Rangers, but barely failed. His team has never won an NBA championship. He traded away Steve Nash before he hit his prime and won 2 MVPs in Phoenix. He broke up the original Big Three of Nash, Finley, and Dirk. Now, he is trying to team up with one of the most embarrassing, despised, and insane men in America for a TV show. And he is an absolute genius.
Aside from the moves I mentioned, he has created a team with a number of big named all-stars in one of the top 5 biggest media markets in America. Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Terry, Peja Stojakovic, Tyson Chandler, and Caron Butler, just to name a few. They are 2 deep in every position. They are always in the hunt, and if it wasn't for a few unfortunate calls in the finals and Dwayne Wade going nuts, they would have a ring. Also, he should be the owner of the Texas Rangers, but the MLB screwed him over big time. The league and the Rangers wanted Nolan Ryan to be the owner and that was that. Cuban offered more money, but that didn't matter. It was very political. That being said, it was probably a good decision for the Rangers and the league, as Cuban may have caused problems, while Ryan is a legend of the game.
More importantly, than what he does on the court, he is a marketing genius. He was on Entourage promoting Vinny Chase and Turtle's new Tequila, Avion. All his side-line antics have created a buzz for him and his team. No publicity is bad publicity for celebrities, and he knows this better than anyone. Now, he is trying to team up with Charlie Sheen for a reality show. Sheen who just got blasted for his behaviors with drugs and prostitutes. Sheen who just went on an interview and quoted the late, great Allen Iverson, about how it's not bad to miss a practice every once in a while. Sheen who has more followers on Twitter than anyone not named Kardashian or Gaga. Sheen, one of the most hated, talked about, and popular people in America. For this, and for many other things, Mark Cuban is a genius and should be admired despite his unusual, brash, in your face, and arrogant tactics.
Aside from the moves I mentioned, he has created a team with a number of big named all-stars in one of the top 5 biggest media markets in America. Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Terry, Peja Stojakovic, Tyson Chandler, and Caron Butler, just to name a few. They are 2 deep in every position. They are always in the hunt, and if it wasn't for a few unfortunate calls in the finals and Dwayne Wade going nuts, they would have a ring. Also, he should be the owner of the Texas Rangers, but the MLB screwed him over big time. The league and the Rangers wanted Nolan Ryan to be the owner and that was that. Cuban offered more money, but that didn't matter. It was very political. That being said, it was probably a good decision for the Rangers and the league, as Cuban may have caused problems, while Ryan is a legend of the game.
More importantly, than what he does on the court, he is a marketing genius. He was on Entourage promoting Vinny Chase and Turtle's new Tequila, Avion. All his side-line antics have created a buzz for him and his team. No publicity is bad publicity for celebrities, and he knows this better than anyone. Now, he is trying to team up with Charlie Sheen for a reality show. Sheen who just got blasted for his behaviors with drugs and prostitutes. Sheen who just went on an interview and quoted the late, great Allen Iverson, about how it's not bad to miss a practice every once in a while. Sheen who has more followers on Twitter than anyone not named Kardashian or Gaga. Sheen, one of the most hated, talked about, and popular people in America. For this, and for many other things, Mark Cuban is a genius and should be admired despite his unusual, brash, in your face, and arrogant tactics.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The Biggest Sleeper in the NBA: THE SIXERS
It's finally time to give my Sixers some love. Let's start with their most important player. He's a triple double machine averaging around 14, 7 and 7 a game. Not to mention he is the best defender in the world as showcased this summer. He's not the original AI, but he's just as athletic, much taller, and much more versatile. He is a player whom I thought we would, and should, have traded by this point. I thought he was overpaid. I thought he was a poor man's Scottie in desperate need of a Michael. While that still may be the case, Andre Iguodala has been the man this year for this surprising Sixers team. He has changed his game. He is not the number 1 option like he was last year, because no one on this Sixers team is the number 1 option. SIX players are AVERAGING over TEN points per game. Brand, AI, Holiday, Williams, Young, and Meeks. More impressively, Young and Williams don't even start, and should finish in the top 10 in sixth men of the year voting, an award Young has previously won.
Rounding out the starting line-up with AI is Holiday, Brand, Meeks, and Hawes. Jrue Holiday is a young point guard out of UCLA. He only played 1 year at UCLA and came out in a PG heavy draft, allowing him to slip a litter. He was a steal for the Sixers who took him with the 17th overall pick. The Sixers saw the talent, just like every other team, but unlike other teams, they were able to be patient in his development. He was only 19 when drafted. He is a solid PG, who has had a few 30 plus point games, a triple double, and many double doubles this year. Brand used to be an perennial all-star, year in and year out. After an injury, it took him some time to return to form, but now he is back. He is not all the way back, but he is averaging 16, 8, and 2 blocks per game, not too shabby. Meeks was a freak shooter at Kentucky, dropping 50 plus on a few occasions. Now he still has the killer instincts and he is a knock down 3 point shooter in the pro's to go along with his mid-range game. Hawes is a tall, serviceable center with soft hand who can pass well out of the post. This starting line-up doesn't seem like much, but with the 3 young guys, and 2 all-star veterans (AI, and Brand), it's been producing this year at a pace no one saw coming.
What makes the Sixers so good, however, is the DEPTH. Aside from Young and Williams, they have Evan Turner, Marresse Speights, Nocioni, and Kapono. The 2nd unit is almost as good as the first. Young and Williams are instant offense. They can run, shoot, provide energy, and score in bunches. Evan Turner, last years 2nd overall pick, is going to be a solid player for years to come. Speights can come in at center, hit down a jumper, run the court, and spark the offense. Nocioni and Kapono are knock down shooters to compliment the rest.
While the depth is what makes the Sixers good, the coaching is what had made the difference. Doug Collins is hands down the 2011 NBA coach of the year. No doubt in my mind that he deserves and will win the award. Popovich has done a great job, so has the Bulls coach, and who ever else may have a say in the outcome of the award, but Collins has taken a bunch of ordinary players, and made an extraordinary team. No other coach has taken the talent of his players, and maximized them as much as Collins. The team is greater than the sum of its part. They started 3-13, and were dead last in the East, but they never gave up. They were young. They had growing pains. They were adjusting to Collins style. Since their awful start, they are 29-17. They are 0.5 games behind the Knicks for the 6th seed. Everyone has been all over the Knicks this year, but the Sixers are just as good, if not better and more consistent. They are 10-4 in their last 14, losing to the Mavs, Orlando on the road, Memphis on the road, and the Knicks on the road (after beating the Knicks the night before in Philly). They had the 2nd overall pick last year and their only pick up was Tony Battie, a non-factor. Collins has done an amazing job.
This article was mainly written for me to give my favorite team some dap. Ever since Iverson left, no one talked about the Sixers too much. Sure there was a little talk when Brand came over, but then he got injured and that was the end of that. Now, I am putting the rest of the league on notice. This is a team that no one should want to see in the 1st round. The Sixers have the Coach of the Year, the Best Defensive Player in the World, 2 Sixth Man of the Year Candidates, Depth, Speed, Shooting, Defense, Team Play, and Heart. This is a young, hungry, and scary team. My Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers are for real.
Rounding out the starting line-up with AI is Holiday, Brand, Meeks, and Hawes. Jrue Holiday is a young point guard out of UCLA. He only played 1 year at UCLA and came out in a PG heavy draft, allowing him to slip a litter. He was a steal for the Sixers who took him with the 17th overall pick. The Sixers saw the talent, just like every other team, but unlike other teams, they were able to be patient in his development. He was only 19 when drafted. He is a solid PG, who has had a few 30 plus point games, a triple double, and many double doubles this year. Brand used to be an perennial all-star, year in and year out. After an injury, it took him some time to return to form, but now he is back. He is not all the way back, but he is averaging 16, 8, and 2 blocks per game, not too shabby. Meeks was a freak shooter at Kentucky, dropping 50 plus on a few occasions. Now he still has the killer instincts and he is a knock down 3 point shooter in the pro's to go along with his mid-range game. Hawes is a tall, serviceable center with soft hand who can pass well out of the post. This starting line-up doesn't seem like much, but with the 3 young guys, and 2 all-star veterans (AI, and Brand), it's been producing this year at a pace no one saw coming.
What makes the Sixers so good, however, is the DEPTH. Aside from Young and Williams, they have Evan Turner, Marresse Speights, Nocioni, and Kapono. The 2nd unit is almost as good as the first. Young and Williams are instant offense. They can run, shoot, provide energy, and score in bunches. Evan Turner, last years 2nd overall pick, is going to be a solid player for years to come. Speights can come in at center, hit down a jumper, run the court, and spark the offense. Nocioni and Kapono are knock down shooters to compliment the rest.
While the depth is what makes the Sixers good, the coaching is what had made the difference. Doug Collins is hands down the 2011 NBA coach of the year. No doubt in my mind that he deserves and will win the award. Popovich has done a great job, so has the Bulls coach, and who ever else may have a say in the outcome of the award, but Collins has taken a bunch of ordinary players, and made an extraordinary team. No other coach has taken the talent of his players, and maximized them as much as Collins. The team is greater than the sum of its part. They started 3-13, and were dead last in the East, but they never gave up. They were young. They had growing pains. They were adjusting to Collins style. Since their awful start, they are 29-17. They are 0.5 games behind the Knicks for the 6th seed. Everyone has been all over the Knicks this year, but the Sixers are just as good, if not better and more consistent. They are 10-4 in their last 14, losing to the Mavs, Orlando on the road, Memphis on the road, and the Knicks on the road (after beating the Knicks the night before in Philly). They had the 2nd overall pick last year and their only pick up was Tony Battie, a non-factor. Collins has done an amazing job.
This article was mainly written for me to give my favorite team some dap. Ever since Iverson left, no one talked about the Sixers too much. Sure there was a little talk when Brand came over, but then he got injured and that was the end of that. Now, I am putting the rest of the league on notice. This is a team that no one should want to see in the 1st round. The Sixers have the Coach of the Year, the Best Defensive Player in the World, 2 Sixth Man of the Year Candidates, Depth, Speed, Shooting, Defense, Team Play, and Heart. This is a young, hungry, and scary team. My Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers are for real.
Friday, March 4, 2011
The Heat Being Outcoached
I attended the Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic game last night, and, although it started a blowout, I'm glad it turned into an exciting game. While watching, however, I noticed a few things about the Heat and Magic that seemed relevant enough to rant about. Game after game, half after half, and possession after possession the Heat are being out coached.
There are 2 things that have become trends for the Heat: 1) they struggle against good teams, and 2) they can't close out games when they have a big lead. The more I think about it, the more I think it comes down to coaching. They Heat were out coached by the Knicks and then again by the Magic. The Knicks are coached by Mike D'antoni. D'antoni likes to run a fast paced offense. However, he knew that the Heat in the open court are more dangerous than the Knicks, and the Heat in the half-court are one of the worst teams in the league. D'antoni slowed down the game, played half-court with Billups, Melo, and Amare, and this worked out well. Also, D'antoni realized that if you want to beat the Heat, you aren't going to beat them at SF, PF, or SG, so either beat their center or PG. They don't have a strong center, but Billups is an experienced PG who is one of the best in the league. The Knicks exploiting this match-up, attacked Chalmers, and this strategy worked as well. Adding Bibby may help in this area, and that's why it was such a big pick up if Bibby can return to Sacramento form.
Next, the Magic did the same thing as the Heat. In the second half, the Magic had at least two people back on defense before they even shot the ball in order to prevent fast breaks. The Heat couldn't run and were forced into half-court offense. This is the problem with the Heat. They have Wade, LeBron, and Bosh who are all perimeter players. LeBron was posting up a bit, but this isn't where he is the strongest. Their half-court offense isn't fluid. The ball doesn't move. There are too many players with sticky hands who like to slow down the passing and dominate the ball.
Another problem with these 3 is that none of them are shooters. They are all scorers, but not pure shooters. At the end of the game, the Heat were down by 3 with 10 seconds left. They needed to make a 3 pointer. Bosh and LeBron both had open looks, but neither made the shot. My question for Spolestra is not the design of the play, because it had 3 options and 2 open looks. But why Bosh and LeBron? Why not House, Miller, or Jones? Get shooters on the perimeter, and if they must be in the game, put Bosh and LeBron down low to tap out a rebound.
Bosh went 1-18 against the Bulls and the Magic shot the lights out, so it's not time to hit the panic button, but the Heat need to start figuring out how to play in the half-court with LeBron, Wade, and Bosh on the court. One thing I do like about Spolestra is that he divides court time with LeBron and 4, then Wade, Bosh, and 3. These are 2 good line-ups and good ways to give the 3 a rest without skipping a beat. However, when all 3 are on the court at the same time, you need a shooter out there too. Chalmers and Bibby are good shooters, but what about Miller and Jones. Wade and LeBron can handle the ball, and Miller and Jones have size to grab boards. This would be a tall line-up to help with rebounds and defense, and dangerous line-up with the Big 3, a center, and a pure shooter.
I feel like the Heat will figure it out, but they are running out of time. The Heat vs. Magic game was won by the Heat using their speed in the open court in the 1st half, which is their strength, and then by the Magic with 3 point shooting in the 2nd half, which is their strength. The Magic figured out how to slow down the Heat, now the Heat either need to figure out how to work in a slow paced, half-court offense, or learn how to keep playing fast paced ball when teams have men back on defense to prevent it. They can get better at what they are bad at, or get better at what they are good at by learning how to be good at it, when other people change their defense against it. The Heat are professionals, they have great players, they are motivated, and come playoff time, I think these losses will end up helping the Heat as they will continue to work on new things, grow, and improve.
There are 2 things that have become trends for the Heat: 1) they struggle against good teams, and 2) they can't close out games when they have a big lead. The more I think about it, the more I think it comes down to coaching. They Heat were out coached by the Knicks and then again by the Magic. The Knicks are coached by Mike D'antoni. D'antoni likes to run a fast paced offense. However, he knew that the Heat in the open court are more dangerous than the Knicks, and the Heat in the half-court are one of the worst teams in the league. D'antoni slowed down the game, played half-court with Billups, Melo, and Amare, and this worked out well. Also, D'antoni realized that if you want to beat the Heat, you aren't going to beat them at SF, PF, or SG, so either beat their center or PG. They don't have a strong center, but Billups is an experienced PG who is one of the best in the league. The Knicks exploiting this match-up, attacked Chalmers, and this strategy worked as well. Adding Bibby may help in this area, and that's why it was such a big pick up if Bibby can return to Sacramento form.
Next, the Magic did the same thing as the Heat. In the second half, the Magic had at least two people back on defense before they even shot the ball in order to prevent fast breaks. The Heat couldn't run and were forced into half-court offense. This is the problem with the Heat. They have Wade, LeBron, and Bosh who are all perimeter players. LeBron was posting up a bit, but this isn't where he is the strongest. Their half-court offense isn't fluid. The ball doesn't move. There are too many players with sticky hands who like to slow down the passing and dominate the ball.
Another problem with these 3 is that none of them are shooters. They are all scorers, but not pure shooters. At the end of the game, the Heat were down by 3 with 10 seconds left. They needed to make a 3 pointer. Bosh and LeBron both had open looks, but neither made the shot. My question for Spolestra is not the design of the play, because it had 3 options and 2 open looks. But why Bosh and LeBron? Why not House, Miller, or Jones? Get shooters on the perimeter, and if they must be in the game, put Bosh and LeBron down low to tap out a rebound.
Bosh went 1-18 against the Bulls and the Magic shot the lights out, so it's not time to hit the panic button, but the Heat need to start figuring out how to play in the half-court with LeBron, Wade, and Bosh on the court. One thing I do like about Spolestra is that he divides court time with LeBron and 4, then Wade, Bosh, and 3. These are 2 good line-ups and good ways to give the 3 a rest without skipping a beat. However, when all 3 are on the court at the same time, you need a shooter out there too. Chalmers and Bibby are good shooters, but what about Miller and Jones. Wade and LeBron can handle the ball, and Miller and Jones have size to grab boards. This would be a tall line-up to help with rebounds and defense, and dangerous line-up with the Big 3, a center, and a pure shooter.
I feel like the Heat will figure it out, but they are running out of time. The Heat vs. Magic game was won by the Heat using their speed in the open court in the 1st half, which is their strength, and then by the Magic with 3 point shooting in the 2nd half, which is their strength. The Magic figured out how to slow down the Heat, now the Heat either need to figure out how to work in a slow paced, half-court offense, or learn how to keep playing fast paced ball when teams have men back on defense to prevent it. They can get better at what they are bad at, or get better at what they are good at by learning how to be good at it, when other people change their defense against it. The Heat are professionals, they have great players, they are motivated, and come playoff time, I think these losses will end up helping the Heat as they will continue to work on new things, grow, and improve.
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