| Numbers Don’t Lie Authored by Brian Poliakoff - December 4, 2005 - 9:34 pm
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The numbers back up this notion.
AI and company have put up more than stellar offensive statistics all while allowing opponents to do the same thing on the other end of the court.
A close look at the numbers should answer any questions on why this talented team on paper is only 8-10 and coming off a horrible 0-3 road trip.
I’ll start with what appears to be good, but what I believe to be part of the team’s detriment.
The Sixers score over 102 points per game, which is second best in the league. Iverson is playing brilliant ball, averaging a league-high 34 points per game and 7 assists per game. His solid ball control has helped the Sixers commit a league low 12 turnovers per game.
Additionally, Chris Webber, although shooting a low percentage, has proved to be more than a capable running mate for AI. His 19 points per contest are second on the team and Webber leads the squad with 10 plus boards per game.
However, the two stars’ dominance of the ball has led to inconsistent scoring from the rest of the squad. Kyle Korver, Andre Iguodala and John Salmons all have had nights with 15 plus points. But they’ve also had nights in the low single digits.
Are there not enough shots to go around for this team to have a consistent offense? I think so. AI and Webber need to get everyone involved every night.
This team was supposed to get more of a contribution from Iguodala on the offensive end. But in seven of the 10 defeats this season, the Sixer sophomore has scored 10 points or fewer. And it’s not that he’s missing shots. His 53% field goal percentage is tops amongst Philly starters. Get him the ball.
In addition, Sammy Dalembert needs to get going on offense. I understand he’s been back for just five games and that he is averaging over 10 boards and three bocks a game. However, Philadelphia needs more than six points per game out of center who signed a huge contract this past off-season.
My take on the offense may seem overcritical since the numbers appear good on paper. Yet, the team is only 7-4 when scoring 100-plus points.
This leads to the root cause of the Sixers’ inconsistent play. To put it mildly, the defense has been flat out horrendous.
They give up a second-to-worst in the league 102 points per game and are just 3-9 when giving up over 100. Do the math. This means the Sixers have lost just once when holding an opponent to under 100.
A major part of the defensive shortcomings is because the rebounding is just not there. Opponents on average out-rebound the Sixers 44-40 per game. Overall, Philly is 24th in the league in rebounding. That’s not acceptable for a team who has playoff aspirations.
I don’t want to hear any talk of the 8-10 start being ok since the Sixers are currently in first place in the Atlantic. The division is a joke. A team must compare themselves to expectations and show some sort of improvement to avoid criticism.
Maurice Cheeks has to sure up this defense and place emphasis on rebounding the ball.
If we don’t see improvements on defense and see more sharing of the wealth on offense, the Sixers will linger around .500 all year and see another first round playoff exit. |
