The Good:
- The team showed fight and a pulse Friday in the first quarter against the Suns. Aware of Eric Bledsoe’s comments, that the University of Kentucky would beat the Sixers in a seven-game series, they showed they were aware and disappointed in the comments. In the first quarter, with Bledsoe entering the paint, Nerlens Noel gave him a nice little shove. Nothing happened afterwards, but it was enough for Noel, a Wildcat for 24 games, to send the message that he didn’t care for the message Bledsoe was sending, that the Sixers are worse than a college team.
- Noel’s bounce-back game against the Knicks. This was very encouraging. The big man recorded his third career double-double, but just the first in the month of November. Noel also showed some flashes of progression on the offensive end, making a few nice moves to convert shots away from the basket. Overall, it was his most fluid, effective game as a pro.
The Bad:
- The play of Michael Carter-Williams since returning from injury. MCW started last year off with a bang, but the start to this season has been a complete dud. He looks very rusty and is often sloppy with the ball. His shooting has bordered on pathetic this year, and he had an air ball he posed for after releasing that made the rounds on various blooper reels. The most disturbing stat of all: 27 turnovers, 26 assists. You have not shot to compete with a point guard playing like that.
- Brett Brown’s management of the rotation. Seriously, why is Luc Richard Mbah a Moute playing more than K.J. McDaniels? And why is Hollis Thompson playing more than the rookie? McDaniels is one of the few players on the team whose potential isn’t severely limited, so it would likely behoove the rebuilding process to give him more of an extended look, compared to some of his teammates. Because the Sixers aren’t interested in winning these games anyway, right?
The Ugly:
- K.J. McDaniels’ mom airing a public complaint. Apparently she felt she was qualified to speak on what she thinks is a good plan and what is not a good plan. She blasted the Sixers’ plan over twitter to Liberty Ballers, even saying “his coach is hatin on him”. Frankly, her actions and comments are not helping anyone out. While McDaniels has had nice moments and, as noted above, it would be nice to see him a little more, it’s not totally ridiculous that a second round pick isn’t starting.
- They still haven’t won a game. Tank supporter or not, you have to admit it is still ugly to see that goose-egg. Even 1-11 looks better than 0-12.
Around the NBA:
- The Trail Blazers, who come to Philadelphia tonight, are red-hot, winning 7 in a row.
- LeBron James called the Cavilers a “fragile team”, after they fell to 5-7 on the season.
