Before we start blaming AI...

Iverson is likely to return to the court — in his old Sixers uni (!) — next Monday against the Nugz. Which means we have until about next Friday to start hearing how much Iverson is ruining this team.

So let me say this now (not that it’s any revelation):
This team is already in ruins.

Kevin Durant is awesome, yes. And Jeff Green, Russell Westbook, James Harden, etc., comprise a nice, talented young squad. But this Sixers team, as constructed, should not be dropping games to the Zombie Sonics by an eleven-point margin. That’s not just a loss; that’s an indication of some fundamental problem(s).

Let me name two: our defense blows, and we don’t rebound for shit.


No, Elton, please -- don’t leave your feet.


From last night’s box score...

Total rebounds --
PHL: 29
OKC: 43

You can’t win like that. And it’s not like they were trying to fend off huge guys in the paint. Christ, even I can box out Nick Collison — and I’m five-f**king-nine!

The Erz also gave them waaaay too many wide-open looks. The Zombies shot 50% from deep (12/24). And 16 Sixer turnovers (which isn’t horrible) turned into 23 points (which is), thanks to the aforementioned crap-ass defense. (You do NOT allow a team to convert on 72% of your TOs. You just don’t.)

(shaking my head)

Get back on D. Stay glued to your man. Learn how to switch on the rotations. Put a hand in the shooter’s face. Make good fouls when needed. Clean the glass.

These are basic basketball fundamentals. A 10-year-old in hoops summer camp learns this. So why does a professional squad making a combined $63M/year not get it?

No matter. It’ll all be AI’s fault soon enough. (Like, within a week.)

-G