76ers News

Injury-riddled Nets lose sixth straight
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November 7
New York Post
 
"There are matters in life that defy belief. Like the Nets losing another player to injury last night. Courtney Lee exited early in the third quarter with a strained left groin and did not return. That left the Nets with eight players, one of them Sean Williams who, suffice to say, played as much as Buck and Jayson Williams. Hard to believe, right? But then, there are matters that are completely believable. Like the Nets losing again. It happened, but this one, a 97-94, down-to-the-last-play defeat to the Sixers that gave the Nets the worst start in their NBA history, 0-6, had a different feel. Make no mistake, the Nets weren't giddy but they knew they gave effort. OK, a losing effort but ..."
Rainy night Phillies blog Why is Brand playing just 18 minutes?
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November 7
Camden Courier-Post
 columnist Martin Frank
"That's the first question that came to mind when Elton Brand, whom the Sixers signed to a 5-year, $80 million contract in the summer of 2008, sat out the final 17:23 of the Sixers' 97-94 win over the New Jersey Nets on Friday. Brand finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds, with all the points coming in the 1st quarter. He played just 1:48 in the 2nd quarter. When asked why Brand didn't play at all in the 4th quarter (the Nets were without 5 players, including 3 starters) even though the Sixers were trailing by 8 points after Bobby Simmons started the quarter with a 3-pointer, Sixers coach Eddie Jordan responded: "I'm looking to find out the group that's going to get it done. Guys who are ..."
Sixers hold off winless Nets
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November 7
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"You're losing to the Nets. That was the challenge to the 76ers, coming from a red-faced fan midway through the third quarter. An extended hand, pointing toward the depleted New Jersey bench, accompanied those words. Tonight at the Wachovia Center, the Sixers spent much of the night losing to the winless New Jersey Nets, but eventually pulled out a 97-94 victory. The win, seen by an announced crowd of 10,054, was uninspiring. Because of injuries and illness, New Jersey was without all-star point guard Devin Harris, starting forward Yi Jianlian, and guard Chris Douglas-Roberts. And still, with a few ticks on the clock, the Nets had the ball and a chance to tie the score."
Sixers' Jordan still looking for bench guard
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November 6
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Eddie Jordan's substitution pattern is like the rest of the 76ers: not quite there yet. After yesterday's practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Sixers coach said he still was looking for his first guard off the bench, still waiting for one guy to emerge and become No. 8 in the rotation. Tonight at the Wachovia Center, the 2-2 Sixers will play the 0-5 New Jersey Nets, and Jordan still will be watching, waiting, and evaluating. Yesterday, Jordan said one of the players who are in a tight pack at the bottom of the Sixers' stat sheet must "distinguish" himself. Those players are Willie Green, Royal Ivey, Rodney Carney, and Jrue Holiday. Jordan said his first big man ..."
Sixers need to start showing their public knowledge
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November 6
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Phil Jasner
"For those of you who think NBA teams piece together and establish their identity through the summer, training camp and the preseason . . . Not necessarily.Consider the 76ers, 2-2 as they enter tonight's game against the 0-5 New Jersey Nets, the league's only winless team:"Right now, we're just in between, really trying to find our identity," veteran guard Willie Green said after practice yesterday at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. "But guys are coming to practice working hard, and we're running our offense, but it's still taking a little bit of time."It's one of those things where we're going to have to turn our practice play over into our game play."Green said they have ..."
Sixers buried by Boston three party
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November 4
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Should the Yankees go deep tonight as much as the Boston Celtics did against the 76ers last night, there will be a parade in the very near future going down Broadway, not Broad Street.The Celtics drained 14 of 20 three-pointers, outscoring the Sixers by 42-3 from distance, en route to a lopsided, 105-74 win at a quiet Wachovia Center that held 11,251 fans.The Sixers entered the game with the second-highest scoring average in the league at just over 115 a game and the Celtics were the stingiest defensively at 81.3. Guess who won that battle, if you could call it that."I would say in that outside of the first 6 minutes, when I thought we played really, really well, it was certainly a ..."
Celtics bear down on defensive end
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November 4
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Entering last night's 105-74 rout of the 76ers, the Boston Celtics were allowing 81.3 points per game.The Sixers, including one overtime contest, were scoring 115.3 a game and giving up 111.0.That low number from Boston is likely the main reason the Celtics entered the game at the Wachovia Center with a 4-0 record.Before the game, Boston coach Doc Rivers said his team wanted to become the NBA's best defensive club, referencing the 1985 Chicago Bears of the NFL."We have not stated that or gone around talking about it, really," Rivers said. "We've talked about, at least in our minds, the '85 Bears - or at least in my mind because I'm from Chicago - and when you hear that name what do you ..."
Celtics bury the Sixers with treys
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November 4
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Tonight at the Wachovia Center, the Boston Celtics shot three-pointers as efficiently as free throws, the 76ers as inefficiently as halfcourt heaves. Other on-court differences - Boston had far superior bench play, rebounding, and defense - contributed to a 105-74 Celtics rout, but none seemed as obvious as the Sixers' shooting from beyond the arc. They made 1 of 16 shots. Boston made 14 of 20 three-pointers. No one was more effective for the Celtics from long range than big man Rasheed Wallace, who capped most of his six three-pointers with a raised fist, then a quick pump of the elbow. Wallace finished with 20 points, second on the team to Paul Pierce's 21. Swingman Andre Iguodala led ..."
76ers' Lou Williams off to a fast start
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November 3
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Through three games, Lou Williams' numbers are as impressive as his vertical leap. After the Temple football team completed a 27-24 victory over Navy on Saturday in Annapolis, Md., calls and text messages came pouring in to the cell phone of Owls athletic director Bill Bradshaw.

Temple had run its record to 6-2 by winning a sixth straight game for the first time since 1974, and became bowl-eligible for the first time since the Owls enjoyed their last winning season in 1990. But here are his most impressive numbers: In his first three games as a starting point guard in the NBA, Williams has 15 assists and only two turnovers. Tonight, the 2-1 Sixers play the 4-0 Boston Celtics at the ..."

Williams has provided strong starting point for Sixers
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November 3
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"All transitions in life should go as smoothly as it has for 76ers guard Lou Williams in going from offensive spark off the bench to starting floor general. Last year, Williams' role was to come off the bench and score, plain and simple. Now, with new coach Eddie Jordan and the departure of starting lead guard Andre Miller, Williams was handed the keys to start the newly implemented Princeton offense. So far, so good as the Sixers, who host the Boston Celtics at the Wachovia Center tonight, have won two of their first three games. The numbers posted by the fifth-year guard suggest that the offense and his offense are a perfect fit. Williams leads the team in scoring at 20.3 points per game, ..."
Sixers blow big lead, then beat Knicks in OT
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November 1
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"As 76ers victories go, last night's against the New York Knicks was scary.A game that should have come down to running out the clock came down instead to overtime.After leading big for the entire game, the Sixers disappeared in the fourth quarter, allowing the Knicks to, remarkably, force overtime. The Sixers reappeared in the extra frame, finally defeating, 141-127, a team they should have defeated in regulation."Well, that was some game," said Sixers coach Eddie Jordan. "Both teams really gave it their all, both gutted it out, both were determined."The Knicks, down by 15 entering the last quarter, scored 41 points in the fourth. "They shoot themselves out of games, and obviously they can ..."
Knicks Fall to the 76ers in Overtime
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November 1
New York Times
 
"The Knicks' season showed fraying edges and frustration at the core even before their home opener. That arrived Saturday and ended with revitalized hope but also another loss in its own embarrassing fashion. The Knicks again fell behind early, rallied from a 23-point deficit to send another game into overtime, then sputtered badly in a 141-127 overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden. In between, Al Harrington and Danilo Gallinari swapped places in the starting lineup. Harrington had a resurgence and Gallinari had an official welcoming party spoiled by the 76ers' 17-0 run to end the game. "Again, another night we need to build on," Coach Mike D'Antoni said. "I ..."
Idle Holiday learns lesson on dress code
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October 31
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"On Wednesday night in Orlando, 76ers rookie point guard Jrue Holiday had to borrow teammate Jason Kapono's sports coat for the game against the Magic.Holiday, unaware of both the NBA's quota on activated players and its dress policy for those inactive, was surprised when Sixers coach Eddie Jordan told him he wouldn't be suiting up for the season opener. "I didn't know about the whole 'you can only have 12 people' thing," Holiday said. "I went out there and cheered on my teammates. It was all I could do."Before last night's home opener against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Wachovia Center, Jordan activated Holiday and deactivated center Primoz Brezec. Under NBA rules, a team can have 15 ..."
Sixers hold off Bucks in home opener
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October 31
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"TO CELEBRATE Halloween, many of the fans at the Wachovia Center to watch the 76ers home opener against the Milwaukee Bucks were in costumes.The Sixers didn't wear any during their 99-86 win, but their identity still remains a little bit of a mystery.At times last night, they seemed to be a very good defensive team, like when they held Milwaukee (0-1) to just one field goal on its first nine possessions in the third quarter.Their offense also seemed to gel at times, like when they started the game with 11 assists on their first 12 baskets and, more specifically, in the third quarter when they scored 35 points and made 19 of 20 free throws and turned a 47-41 halftime deficit into a 76-67 ..."
Flirting with history
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October 31
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"Point guard Brandon Jennings nearly tripled his fun on opening night, and he almost made National Basketball Association history in the process. Instead, the Milwaukee Bucks rookie came up just short of a triple-double with 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in his team's 99-86 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night at the Wachovia Center. Jennings' eye-opening performance nearly put him in the company of Oscar Robertson, the former Bucks great. Robertson was the only rookie in league history to record a triple-double in his opening game, an achievement he reached in October 1960 with the Cincinnati Royals. "You've got to be blind not to see some of the gifts he has," Bucks ..."
Jason Williams helps lead the Orlando Magic in season opener
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October 29
Orlando Sentinel
 
"After sitting out all of last season, 33-year-old Jason Williams would be forgiven if he showed some rust on the basketball court. That's why the Orlando Magic put him through a workout in August before they signed him to a one-year deal. The team wanted to make certain he was injury-free and still could compete in the NBA. Williams passed that test. And he passed another Wednesday. The backup point guard played a key role in Orlando's 120-106 season-opening victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. When starter Jameer Nelson picked up his second foul midway through the first quarter, J-Will came into the game and gave the Magic a boost. Orlando led by four points when Williams stepped onto the ..."
Magic open their season with a rout of the Sixers at home
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October 29
Orlando Sentinel
 
"The official report will read that the Orlando Magic opened the season by trouncing the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. The Magic actually won this particular game this summer. General Manager Otis Smith didn't break a sweat in the Magic's 120-106 victory at Amway Arena, but the moves he made this offseason showed up in the franchise's first meaningful game since they trudged off the floor as NBA Finals runner-ups. They especially revealed themselves in the second quarter, when new players on a second-team run reflected the Magic's impressive depth. Point guard Jason Williams (15 points, five assists) power forward Brandon Bass (eight points, four rebounds) and small forward Matt ..."
Sixers mauled by Magic in opener
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October 29
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Tiger Woods, relaxing in one of the Amway Arena's courtside seats, left at halftime.In those first two quarters, Woods had seen enough of tonight's season opener between the 76ers and Orlando Magic to assume the outcome without watching it unfold.He was right.After a competitive first quarter, the Sixers' game deteriorated: They lost 120-106, giving up 16 three-pointers and trailing by as many as 31 points.Orlando had 70 points at the half and 100 after three quarters.Six players scored in double figures for the Magic, whose starters spent much of the second half stretching their legs on the bench. Star center Dwight Howard finished 9 for 11 from the floor, collecting 21 points and 15 ..."
Magic makes Sixers disappear in opener
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October 29
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Yes, sports fans, there was another Game 1 last night as the 76ers and the defending Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic opened their seasons at the Amway Arena. And the best thing that came out of it for the Sixers was that they won't play the Magic in Game 2.The Magic made 26 of their first 39 shots, including 10 of 14 from beyond the arc, got a phenomenal performance from the bench and torched the Sixers, 120-106.For the game, Orlando finished 45 of 81 (55.6 percent), including nailing 16 of their 29 three-point attempts (55.2 percent)."They are really, really good," said Sixers coach Eddie Jordan, following his first regular-season game as the team's head coach. "The fact that ..."
Sixers' Iguodala poised to lift team on his shoulders
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October 28
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"TONIGHT in Orlando, forward Andre Iguodala will play in his 405th regular-season game for the Sixers as they open their season against the defending Eastern Conference champion Magic. And for the 405th time, the public-address announcer will introduce Iguodala as a starter.His game has improved in each of his five seasons with the club - since being taken as the ninth overall pick in 2004 out of the University of Arizona - but has it plateaued? Or can the team build around the 6-6, 207-pounder in hopes of becoming an elite NBA team?The Sixers will unveil their new coach, Eddie Jordan, tonight, along with his heralded Princeton offense. In Jordan's previous coaching jobs, his offense helped ..."
Sixers guard Lou Williams gets the point
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October 28
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"The kid - and, yes, at 23, he's still a kid - has played in 252 games in four seasons with the 76ers.He has been on the court for 4,615 minutes.He has been out there lots of times at the end of games.But never at the start.Until tonight."I've played it in my head a couple of times - I've played the game already," Lou Williams was saying, celebrating his birthday and looking ahead to being a starting guard for the first time when the 76ers open their NBA season tonight in Orlando.But he is very clear on how he intends to approach his long-awaited assignment: He has no intention of trying to replace Andre Miller, last season's starter."We have this team book, and everybody has a role in the ..."
Will 'reprogramming' Brand work in Sixers' system?
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October 28
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"The 76ers are "reprogramming" the only former all-star on their roster: power forward Elton Brand. It's always a little eye-opening when the big-name free agent, the one brought in as the possible linchpin for a young-gun roster, is now the subject of such remarks as, "We see improvement from him" and "He's trying to find his way" and "He needs to be patient with his touches and help his teammates," and "He needs to understand that . . ."Or when your starting power forward, to whom you've committed $80 million, says things such as, "I'm not 100 percent, but what 10-year veteran is?" or "I know the flow will come", and "This is different than the traditional way I get the ball."No matter ..."
Sixers' new coach no stranger to Magic
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October 27
Orlando Sentinel
 
"The Philadelphia 76ers have a new coach, but what they'll attempt to do against the Orlando Magic in Wednesday's season opener shouldn't be a big surprise. The Magic are familiar with the Sixers' new coach, Eddie Jordan, because Jordan used to coach the Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings. The Magic started to prepare for the 76ers during Monday's practice at RDV Sportsplex. "We were really today just sort of talking to them about what the game will be like, how they'll try to scramble the game up [with] a lot of pressing and trapping and zone defense," Orlando Coach Stan Van Gundy said. "The one thing you know that Eddie Jordan's teams aren't going to do is just come out and play ..."
Nets count on Yi Jianlian's improvement to make team more competitive
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October 27
New York Daily News
 
"As his teammates sweated out the final minutes of a scrimmage yesterday, Yi Jianlian was nowhere to be found. The Nets can only hope that he doesn't pull such a disappearing act this season. After banging his knee with about 20 minutes left in practice, Yi vowed to be back on the court Tuesday, when the Nets make final preparations for Wednesday night's season opener at Minnesota. And the Nets know that Yi's improvement will be crucial to making them a more competitive team. "I think he's playing better," Lawrence Frank said. "He's playing more confidently. He still has a lot of work to do but I think you definitely see some growth." Yi's first season as a Net was a disaster. As the ..."
Jordan says new-look Sixers are ready to play
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October 27
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"After the 76ers' starters fell behind, 10-0, in a team scrimmage yesterday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, first-year coach Eddie Jordan blew his whistle to stop the action."I said, 'Look, this could happen on Wednesday,' " Jordan said after the practice was over. " 'How are you going to react? And it's going to be on the road.' "Jordan was referring to the Sixers' season opener tomorrow night in Orlando. The Magic eliminated the Sixers in the Eastern Conference playoffs last season.After finishing the regular season with a 41-41 record, the Sixers fell to Orlando, four games to two, in the first round. The Magic went on to reach the NBA Finals.Since their 2008-09 ..."
Young was a great choice, if not the first choice, for Sixers
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October 27
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"A FEW THOUSAND Sixers fans had gathered in the lower bowl of the Wachovia Center to share in the happenings of the 2007 NBA draft on the night of June 28.They sat patiently in their seats as the obvious first three picks were announced - in order, Ohio State's Greg Oden, Texas' Kevin Durant and Florida's Al Horford - exactly in the order most had predicted.Then the gathered started to get antsy, wondering how far up the Sixers would move from their 12th pick and whom they would select?Still available were Georgetown small forward Jeff Green, Ohio State point guard Mike Conley, Florida forward Joakim Noah and Chinese forward Yi Jianlian.With each announced pick, the hope for a monumental ..."
Sixers coach Jordan satisfied by team's preseason effort
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October 26
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Despite a 110-88 loss to New Jersey in Queens, N.Y., on Friday night, 76ers head coach Eddie Jordan is happy with how his team has progressed since he held his first practice as the head coach on Sept. 29. "I like the way we were independent of each other," Jordan said of the loss, "and yet we were dependent on each other. We ran the offense with a lot less play-calling from me. And even though we lost, it's the way I look at the game. I wanted to get Rodney [Carney] some time, and he got some good time. I wanted to get Primoz [Brezec] some time and I wanted to get Jrue [Holiday] some time. I wanted to get 20 minutes from our main guys." Jordan met all his goals as Carney, playing in his ..."
Jason Kapono gets shot with 76ers
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October 26
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Shooting isn't a secret recipe.The 76ers' best shooter, recently acquired Jason Kapono, will share his ingredients with anyone - feet at shoulder width, elbow in, hips squared to the rim - because, more than anyone, Kapono knows the separation point isn't knowing what to do, it's having done it hundreds of times a day for nearly two decades.The Sixers haven't had a guy like Kapono - a legitimate three-point threat - since they traded smooth-shooting Kyle Korver to the Utah Jazz in December 2007.Since that trade, the Sixers have been the NBA's worst three-point-shooting team.Finding an outside shooter became paramount on the Sixers' to-do list. Finally, in June, they traded bruising power ..."
Sixers unsettled in losing presason finale
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October 24
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Perhaps no player better embodied the 76ers' frustration last night than power forward Elton Brand, who banged, sprinted, and worked - yet finished with very little to show for that effort. And so it went with the Sixers, who lost their preseason finale, 110-88, to the New Jersey Nets at Carnesecca Arena on the St. John's University campus in Queens: They tried mightily to run their Princeton offense, but just never found themselves aboard the same train. Brand scored 11 points - 10 in the third quarter - and had eight rebounds. He was the leading scorer among the Sixers' starters. Forward Rodney Carney scored a team-high 13, all in the second half, and reserve forward Jason Smith added 12 ..."
Sixers exercise options on Smith, two others
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October 23
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"First-year 76ers' coach Eddie Jordan was asked the other day what he knew upon taking over the team in June about third-year pro Jason Smith, who sat out all of last season with a knee injury. "I just knew he looked good in the team picture," quipped Jordan, who spent five-plus seasons guiding the Washington Wizards before being fired 11 games into last season. Then, turning serious, Jordan remembered having to warn his Wizards about the 7-0 Smith during a game against the Sixers in 2007-08. "I said, 'Geez guys, this guy is big, he's athletic, he's hustling, he can make a shot, and we have to keep his activity away from the paint,'" Jordan said. "I said. 'We have to pay attention to this ..."
Christmas arrested on gun charges
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October 23
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Dionte Christmas, the former Temple University basketball star who was cut by the 76ers on Wednesday, was arrested last night in North Philadelphia, police said.According to police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore, Christmas was arrested by Highway Patrol officers about 7:30 while driving on Nedro Avenue near Broad Street.He was initially stopped for driving erratically, and subsequently found to be driving without a license, Vanore said.The vehicle had a Hi-Point 9mm semiautomatic pistol under the driver's seat with seven rounds in it, Vanore said."
Sixers exhibiting improvement
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October 21
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"If a theme has to be attached to the Sixers since getting ousted in six games by the Orlando Magic in the playoffs last season, call it "Extreme Makeover: Sixers Edition." In is new coach Eddie Jordan with his much-talked-about Princeton offense. Back is Elton Brand, who began last season less than 100 percent from an Achilles' injury the season before, then was sidelined after 29 games for shoulder surgery. Added is veteran sniper Jason Kapono, who is one of the very best in the league from shooting beyond the arc. Drafted was combo guard Jrue Holiday, who spent a year at UCLA before being drafted by the Sixers 17th overall. The results thus far, if you look only at preseason wins and ..."
Wiz, Eddie Jordan meet again
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October 20
Washington Examiner
 
"Caron Butler's personal relationship with Eddie Jordan wasn't severed when Jordan was fired as Wizards head coach 11 games into last season. Far from it, as their families took a vacation together this past summer to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. But while Butler wishes only the best for Jordan, who as the new Philadelphia 76ers head coach will host his former team for the first time on Tuesday, the Wizards All-Star still thinks his team is better off. "That's what happens in this business, no matter what accolades that ever happened," said Butler. "But when stuff runs dry, when the water runs dry, you gotta turn to something new. That's what happened. Now, our new coach, new voice, ..."
Mixed emotions for the Wizards
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October 20
Washington Post
 
"Caron Butler didn't have to wait until Tuesday to have a reunion with former coach Eddie Jordan. Butler said he and his family vacationed with Jordan and his family at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas last summer, proving that their friendship didn't end once Jordan stopped being his coach in November. "Me and coach Jordan are great friends. I had a great time with him and his family," Butler said as the Wizards geared up for an exhibition game against Jordan and the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday at Wachovia Center. Butler had his best seasons during more than three years under Jordan, who helped him make two all-star teams and gave him the nickname "Tuff Juice." Jordan, who was fired ..."
Sixers meet coach Eddie Jordan's old team, Wizards
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October 20
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Sixers coach Eddie Jordan's former team, the Washington Wizards, will visit the Wachovia Center tonight to face his new team in a 7 o'clock exhibition game. The Sixers improved to 5-1 in the preseason on Sunday with a 116-94 win over the Phoenix Suns in Monterrey, Mexico. Andre Iguodala had his best game of the preseason, collecting 23 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Thad Young added 17 points, while Sam Dalembert (11 points) and Marreese Speights (14) each collected 10 rebounds."
Iguodala's 23 points help 76ers top Suns
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October 19
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Swingman Andre Iguodala scored 23 points last night as the 76ers beat the Phoenix Suns, 116-94, in a preseason game in Monterrey, Mexico.The two teams met for the second time in three days. On Friday night in Phoenix, the Suns handed the 5-1 Sixers their only loss of the preseason, 115-113. Iguodala went scoreless in that game."We challenged our starters tonight, and Andre really took the bull by the horns and really took us to another level," Sixers coach Eddie Jordan said. "Our defense was good, a lot more energy tonight, and we sustained it in the second half.""
For Jordan, the past is present
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October 19
Washington Post
 
"Eddie Jordan doesn't want an asterisk placed next to his five-plus-year tenure as coach of the Washington Wizards, but he would like the era to be viewed in proper perspective. Jordan believes he had "more than moderate success" in leading the Wizards through their most successful run in the past three decades -- four postseason appearances and one playoff series win. But he said it is impossible to ignore the series of misfortunes that kept his teams from doing more. "Injuries. The injury part," Jordan said, when asked why his teams didn't have more success in Washington. "It's not like your 10th, 11th or 12th guy got hurt. It was your first, second and third guy who got hurt, and your ..."
Suns show positives in narrow win
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October 17
Arizona Republic
 
"Suns coach Alvin Gentry consistently has praised Jason Richardson's defensive effort and Amare Stoudemire's progress since training camp, but the merit in such compliments was never as obvious as Friday night. While cheers at US Airways Center went Channing Frye's way for getting his touch back in a 17-point effort, it was Richardson's work on defense and Stoudemire's intensity on the boards that were just as striking and effective in the Suns' 115-113 home victory over Philadelphia. Phoenix led 100-85 with 7:05 to go, but the bench lost the lead. The Suns' Dan Dickau was fouled on a 3-pointer with 38 seconds to go and converted all three free throws to put Phoenix back ahead for good. ..."
76ers suffer first exhibition loss
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October 17
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Channing Frye scored 17 points last night to lift the Phoenix Suns to a 115-113 exhibition victory over the 76ers in Phoenix. Amar'e Stoudemire, Jason Richardson and Leandro Barbosa scored 16 points apiece for the Suns (2-2). Marreese Speights collected 32 points and 12 rebounds for the Sixers, who suffered their first preseason loss after four wins. Lou Williams scored 27 points. The Sixers will take on the Suns again tomorrow, with the game being played in Monterrey, Mexico. The Sixers opened camp under new head coach Eddie Jordan on Sept. 29. Jordan has used the majority of this preseason installing his Princeton offense as well as his defensive schemes."
Sixers' rally falls short in loss to Suns
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October 17
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Marreese Speights scored 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting and Lou Williams added 27, but the Sixers fell short in a 115-113 preseason loss at Phoenix.The Sixers mounted a furious fourth-quarter comback, outscoring the Suns, 41-28.First-round pick Jrue Holiday played 30 minutes, scoring 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting."
Sitting out gives Sixers' Holiday taste of NBA
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October 16
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Rookie Jrue Holiday is the only player on the 76ers' roster who was not called on in Tuesday's exhibition win over the New York Knicks. Yesterday, he was asked whether he could remember the last time he suited up and did not get on the court."I don't think that's ever happened," said the 6-foot-4 point guard, who was the 2008 Gatorade national player of the year at Campbell High in Chatsworth, Calif.Holiday and his teammates had just finished practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and were scheduled to take a 3 p.m. flight to Phoenix for tonight's game against the Suns.Holiday, who averaged 13.3 minutes and 6.0 points in the Sixers' first three exhibition games, ..."
76ers' Jordan sees sloppiness but also strides
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October 15
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"The 76ers had a 14-turnover second quarter during their 93-85 victory over the host New York Knicks on Tuesday, and first-year coach Eddie Jordan saw something he felt needed addressing when the team practiced yesterday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. "When things got rough, there was a lot of frustration with our own play . . . our teammates' play, and we don't want to see that," Jordan said. "If it's not positive energy, then it's no energy, or negative energy. I had to point this out to our guys." Nevertheless, Jordan was pleased by some things as the Sixers won their fourth exhibition game in as many outings. In three of the quarters, the Sixers achieved their goal ..."
Dismal New York Knicks make just 29 of 94 shots in loss to 76ers
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October 14
New York Daily News
 
"At least no one was chanting, "We want Steph." Otherwise, the Knicks' first game at Madison Square Garden since April would have been a complete disaster. Sure, it was only the third preseason game, and the real ones don't begin for another two weeks. But the Knicks are making it difficult for their frustrated fan base to feel any sense of optimism. Tuesday night's 93-85 loss to the Sixers was the Knicks' second straight lackluster performance, and the sparse crowd voiced its displeasure in the closing seconds. "We didn't play well and they have the right to boo," Jared Jeffries said. "But I know this, once we start winning they'll be cheering for us." The Knicks are not in full panic ..."
Elton Brand looks to live up to his promise
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October 14
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Elton Brand has big shoes to fill: his own. It's possible, though, that the 76ers don't need everything their power forward is trying to give. Before last night's 93-85 preseason win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Sixers coach Eddie Jordan said Brand was "trying to prove, I think, that he's worthy of everything that's been put upon him: leadership, his contract situation, the big signing from last summer." Jordan added: "He feels healthy and he's trying to be assertive, and he's testing himself to see if he can get to that level he's been at." Last night, Brand scored 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting; he finished with 8 rebounds and no assists. The Sixers remained ..."
Sixers' Brand working on balancing act
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October 14
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"As the old saying goes, there is no "I" in team. But there is a "me," and Sixers forward Elton Brand has had to concentrate on the selfish part of the game a little more than usual this preseason. Besides having to absorb the new offensive and defensive schemes that have been brought in by coach Eddie Jordan, Brand has had to make sure his surgically repaired shoulder and Achilles' tendon are ready to endure what he hopes to be an 82-game regular season. He also has had to find out whether he still has what it takes to be the 20-point, 10-rebound-a-night player he has been throughout his career. Sometimes that might take away from what Jordan is trying to accomplish. But for now, the coach ..."
Gallinari Still Working to Be Player Knicks Hoped
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October 14
New York Times
 
"The wait for Danilo Gallinari continued Tuesday night, through another muddled shooting performance and another four quarters of mild anxiety and puzzlement. The Knicks firmly believe that Gallinari, their 2008 lottery pick, can make a significant impact this season after an injury-marred rookie campaign. First, he has to straighten out his own game. Gallinari spent another night drifting in and out of the offense while his shot simply drifted from the basket in a 93-85 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden. He took six shots and made only one, a 3-pointer in the first half. He finished with 4 points in 19 minutes, doing little to allay concerns about his readiness. ..."
76ers and Young head to New York
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October 13
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"After yesterday's practice, 76ers coach Eddie Jordan said he asked Thaddeus Young how he felt about New York City.Young responded that all cities are "about the same to me.""Really? New York isn't more special?""Not really, they're all about the same to me," Young repeated.Recounting the story, Jordan laughed."So, yeah . . . he's low-maintenance," Jordan said. "I don't worry about Thad."Yesterday, the Sixers practiced at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine before traveling to New York, where they will play their fourth preseason game tonight against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.The Sixers are 3-0 in the preseason. Five exhibition games remain before the regular-season ..."
Ivey upgraded to play against Knicks
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October 12
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"76ers guard Royal Ivey was cleared yesterday to play in tomorrow's preseason game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.Ivey had been listed as day-to-day with a strained left hamstring. Forwards Rodney Carney and Stromile Swift are suffering from the same injury. Carney will not travel to New York, the team said. Swift will be monitored during today's practice to determine if he can play."
Speights aiming to shoot first in 76ers' new offense
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October 11
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Right now, more than any other option, second-year big man Marreese Speights is looking for his shot.Maybe it's because it's the best option for him in 76ers coach Eddie Jordan's new Princeton offense. It's better than running a dribble weave he's still unsure of, better than making a backdoor pass to a cutter who might not be open.But mostly it is because the 6-foot-10 Speights is exactly what he is: a scorer.In Friday night's 93-92 preseason win over the New Jersey Nets - the Sixers' third victory in as many games - Speights scored 16 points, including 10 in the second half. In 22.0 minutes per game this preseason, he is averaging 11.3 points and 8.3 rebounds. Yesterday, the Sixers held ..."
A question remains for Sixers
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October 10
Camden Courier-Post
 
"This we know: Sixers guard Lou Williams can score. But, can he play point guard? Friday night in the team's preseason opener at the Wachovia Center against the New Jersey Nets, Williams shot 6-for-10, scored 15 points, grabbed three rebounds and had two assists and no turnovers in 26 minutes of a 93-92 come-from-behind victory. And while the Sixers improved to 3-0 in the preseason and saw Elton Brand hit the game-winning shot with seven seconds remaining, after rallying from as many as 17 points down, the question about the team's starting point guard remains. With former starter Andre Miller now in Portland, someone has to fill that void. Someone has to bring the ball upcourt under ..."
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