Defending BBall Paul
The Opening Tip
Hello & Happy Thursday- It's the Corner Three!
Oh Yeah, The Sixers
Just Kidding
Wasn't worried about Jo's ankle but definitely worried about Jo's swollen knee. Anywho, I know he'll eventually round into form (again) but until then might be perfect time to see just how creative Nick Nurse can get on both sides of the court.
THIS WEEK'S TOP 10 (Ways to end the losing streak)
10. 3 guard lineups
09. Zach LaVine
08. One more Morris twin
07. Team meeting led by Pat Bev
06. Pat Bev challenge each player on his pod
05. Kenny Lofton Jr. big guard minutes
04. Terry Rozier
03. Team Bowling night
02. Alex Caruso
01. Joel Embiid
Content Dump
* Dan Olinger - This is why the Sixers suck so badly without Embiid.
* AU - Why doesn't Joel Embiid like shooting threes?
* Video - In or out on Jaden Springer?
Spike's Corner... I Still Endorse BBall Paul
Every week, Spike or Mike is going to write a column for the #CornerThree. It's Spike's week, and he's writing about staying out the mud.
It is possible that I am a victim of consuming too much feedback about the Sixers. Between Twitter, the Ricky email box and the 833-LICKFACE, there's a lot. But I've noticed a disturbing trend, a lot of "I am out on BBall Paul."
I understand how you're feeling, but I will not succumb to the frustration that once motivated Doc Rivers to play the undead over Paul Reed. I cannot, in all good conscience, spend 18 months begging the Sixers to play a guy, they play him, he's good, they pay him, and then we all abandon ship because he wanted to try a cool hook shot or pretend he's Magic Johnson for a play or two.
We have lived through too many DeAndre Jordans, Montrezl Harrells, and Greg Monroes to decide that is a better option than our one Paul Reed.
I think we can all sense that Paul is still trying to find his groove with Nick Nurse on defense, and without James Harden running the show on offense. And in the absence of structure, or at least one that he's able to sense, Paul fills the void by occasionally trying to cook. In the games when Joel Embiid is not playing, this becomes a little more obvious with more time on the court. There is too much cooking.
But let us not forget, in just last year's playoffs, we had The Paul Reed Game almost immediately in a game the Sixers won without Embiid to close out the Nets. Let us not forget, that it was Paul Reed starting for the Sixers when they shocked the Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Let us not forget, that we finally found a backup center who played plus minutes in the playoffs. Do not forget, that in normal, non-Embiid, BBall Paul backup minutes this season, the Sixers are once again a plus team.
I will not so quickly decide that the player who we decided is the solution, is now the problem. Yes, BBall Paul looks weird sometimes, but that's why we like him. We do not have ant-weird bias around around these parts.
BBall and Mike were preaching a next level of Paul Reed this year, perhaps one that mimicked Pascal Siakam. I think we can all make pretend that never happened. Most notably, Paul, if you're reading this, you probably should make pretend it never happened. We don't need you to be the next Siakam, we just need you to be the first BBall Paul.
We were right about Paul Reed. We all know it. Now is the time to double down. The Victory Tour is not over.
Peace, Love and Process
Go Birds (I guess)
-Zo