Almost all QBs in the NFL, even the great ones, need things around them to be operating like a well-oiled machine for them to play at their best. If you take away certain weapons, if you take away an offensive coach they have a rapport with, their performance can regress in a hurry. This is normal. This is the way things work in the NFL. However, every so often a QB will come along who is so special, that he can perform at an elite level despite any condition around him. Take Aaron Rodgers. The guy has been amazing no matter who he has to throw the ball to. Take away Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Mike McCarthy, Joe Philbin; have him play with hardly any running game to speak of for the majority of his career and he will still look incredible every single time you tune in to watch.
However, 99% of QBs who play in the NFL, even the good ones or elite ones are not Aaron Rodgers. If you take give them inadequate coaching or weapons, they will not always look elite. Take a look at Matt Ryan before and after he played under Kyle Shanahan. The difference is significant. Before Shanahan got there, Matt Ryan was a good QB and sometimes even bordering on elite, but he never took that jump into the top 5 where many expected him to be when he came out of Boston College. Bring in Kyle Shanahan and in 2016 he has an incredible season winning the MVP with a 38-7 TD-INT ratio, throwing for almost 5,000 yards with 117.1 passer rating and coming within a hair's length of winning a Super Bowl. Granted, in 2018 without Shanahan, he had an excellent statistical season as well, but the Falcons were poor that season with a horrendous defense, and Atlanta was having to play from behind for much of the season, inflating Ryan's numbers. Regardless, Matt Ryan was the best he has ever been under his career, playing under one of the league's brightest offensive minds, and playing with a plethora of elite weapons like Julio Jones, one of the greatest WRs the NFL has ever seen. Once Kyle Shanahan left, the Falcons struggled mightily to get Julio the ball in the end zone, a feat considered unfathomable by any football fan with a brain.
Nick Foles, a guy we know very well in this city, posted a 27-2 TD-INT ratio under Chip Kelly, and led the Eagles to the playoffs with elite gamebreaking weapons like DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy. Once he got traded to the Rams, he regressed so badly under Jeff Fisher and Mike Groh that he contemplated retirement. He made his way to Kansas City under Andy Reid, and eventually back to the Eagles under the trio of Doug Pederson, Frank Reich, and John DeFilippo, and the rest is history.
Rayne Prescott struggled mightily with the Cowboys last season, until Dallas made a bold trade for WR Amari Cooper, and since then he has rebounded nicely and found himself a nice little niche actually occasionally looking like an NFL QB every once in a while, when league sources told me prior to that, the Cowboys were considering moving him to RB to back up Ezekiel Elliott, and drafting another QB in the 2019 draft.
Most QBs are not Aaron Rodgers. They can't always thrive under not-so-premium conditions. And that's okay. Carson Wentz is one of those QBs. He may not be one of the most talented QBs who has ever lived, but he is still pretty special. And simply because he can't carry a team on his back with arguably the least talented and productive group of WRs in the NFL, and a clueless coaching staff which includes Mike Groh--a man who, in part, almost forced Nick Foles into retirement, doesn't mean he can't be great when the problems are fixed around him, and you can't win Super Bowls with him. As we saw with Nick Foles, he was exactly the same way, and the city of Philadelphia won our first and only Super Bowl with him playing under optimal conditions, with the perfect blend of coaching, weapons, and elite offensive line giving him time to throw.
Does Carson have his flaws? Sure. Does he have the athleticism and physical ability to be elite if you surround him with quality coaching and pass-catching weapons? Absolutely. The Eagles can start next offseason by bringing in some fresh eyes from outside the organization, to help innovate and getting Carson to once again play to his strengths. Much like he did in 2017 with Reich and DeFilippo. And Howie Roseman needs to do his job, much like he did in 2017(coming off an oddly similar season in 2016 with horrible WRs) and get him some receivers who can get open and make plays. Wentz is still a hell of a talent. He's not an Aaron Rodgers type of a talent, but he doesn't need to be. And that's okay.
Monday, November 18, 2019
Friday, June 14, 2019
Jobs should be on the line as the Phillies fight for a playoff berth for the first time since 2011
The Phillies currently sit 2.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East standings, coming off a crushing 9-8 walk-off loss on a Brian McCann bloop single. A frustrating season to this point, which is both riddled with underachieving players and injuries. It seems everywhere you look there's something to be frustrated about.
The Phillies are undoubtedly the most talented team in the NL East. Their offense, even with the injury to Andrew McCutchen is stacked. Their bullpen when healthy is deep, and their starting rotation, which is currently the weakest aspect of the team, has pitched better than expected. The problem is that yet again, just like last season, key players are underachieving. Bryce Harper is not hitting at the level he is capable of, and even if we aren't to expect an MVP caliber season from him, his power numbers should still be significantly better. Rhys Hoskins has been inconsistent, and has cycled through 2 weeks on, 3 weeks off streaks. JT Realmuto's power numbers have not been there, leaving the ultimate pitcher's park, coming to one of the league's premier hitter's parks at Citizens Bank Park. Even one of the league's ultimate professional hitters in Jean Segura has seen his average drop to under .285.
If this continues, it would be nothing short of a monumental disappointment, and embarrassment for the entire organization, especially John Middleton, who spent hundreds of millions of dollars to improve his club this past winter. And in sports, with colossal embarrassments come colossal collateral damage.
So, if the Phillies end up missing the postseason whose job should be on the line? The entire coaching staff to start, and I'd also ponder making sweeping changes in the front office. Sound unfair? Yep. Is it mainly Kapler, the coaches and Klentak/MacPhail's fault? Nope. I'd put the blame primarily on the players for not living up to their end, and will blame John Mallee as well for alarming statistical regression among several hitters, both current and new, since his arrival in Philadelphia. However, the reality is, you can't fire the players. Their contracts are guaranteed. Someone of significance has to take the fall if the Phillies fall short of their lofty 2019 goals.
I know what you're asking: "If it isn't Kapler's fault, why should he and his staff lose their jobs?" Because that is how successful businesses and organizations are run. Not just in sports, but in life. If Apple took significant losses this calendar year, do you think some high level executive would be fired for it? Of course they would. We just accept that as a part of life. When businesses and organizations fall significantly short of expectations, someone always... always takes the fall. If the Yankees' offense suddenly goes ice cold this season for no logical reason and they collapse and miss the playoffs, and then go into next season with their offense continuing to under-perform, would Aaron Boone lose his job? There isn't even a question. I can't name many premium organizations that don't make significant changes, either to their coaching staff or front office, if they incur back-to-back disappointing seasons.
This is because successful organizations establish an expectation of excellence. Nothing less than ultimate success will suffice. The coaches know it, the executives know it, and the players know it. It's a culture that permeates through those clubhouses and locker rooms every single day. They know that jobs are always going to be on the line and everyone has to be at their best because nothing less is acceptable. And to establish this precedent, sometimes there is collateral damage. Sometimes people who aren't largely at fault need to lose their jobs. It's just the way the world works for the most successful, to keep those premium standards going.
The Phillies are in desperate need of establishing that kind of a standard. They haven't made the playoffs since 2011. We're talking about almost a decade of either horrible or mediocre baseball. Every person in that building needs to know that anything less than achieving the goals you have set for yourself is unacceptable. And I'm sure everyone knows it and wants to win, but there's a difference between knowing it and showing it. And if the players are not going to show it, then ownership has to. If you want to be one of the big clubs, you need to operate like one. They started by spending money, and now need to do their part in other baseball matters by establishing a standard and expectation of excellence that underachieving isn't going to cut it.
The Phillies are undoubtedly the most talented team in the NL East. Their offense, even with the injury to Andrew McCutchen is stacked. Their bullpen when healthy is deep, and their starting rotation, which is currently the weakest aspect of the team, has pitched better than expected. The problem is that yet again, just like last season, key players are underachieving. Bryce Harper is not hitting at the level he is capable of, and even if we aren't to expect an MVP caliber season from him, his power numbers should still be significantly better. Rhys Hoskins has been inconsistent, and has cycled through 2 weeks on, 3 weeks off streaks. JT Realmuto's power numbers have not been there, leaving the ultimate pitcher's park, coming to one of the league's premier hitter's parks at Citizens Bank Park. Even one of the league's ultimate professional hitters in Jean Segura has seen his average drop to under .285.
If this continues, it would be nothing short of a monumental disappointment, and embarrassment for the entire organization, especially John Middleton, who spent hundreds of millions of dollars to improve his club this past winter. And in sports, with colossal embarrassments come colossal collateral damage.
So, if the Phillies end up missing the postseason whose job should be on the line? The entire coaching staff to start, and I'd also ponder making sweeping changes in the front office. Sound unfair? Yep. Is it mainly Kapler, the coaches and Klentak/MacPhail's fault? Nope. I'd put the blame primarily on the players for not living up to their end, and will blame John Mallee as well for alarming statistical regression among several hitters, both current and new, since his arrival in Philadelphia. However, the reality is, you can't fire the players. Their contracts are guaranteed. Someone of significance has to take the fall if the Phillies fall short of their lofty 2019 goals.
I know what you're asking: "If it isn't Kapler's fault, why should he and his staff lose their jobs?" Because that is how successful businesses and organizations are run. Not just in sports, but in life. If Apple took significant losses this calendar year, do you think some high level executive would be fired for it? Of course they would. We just accept that as a part of life. When businesses and organizations fall significantly short of expectations, someone always... always takes the fall. If the Yankees' offense suddenly goes ice cold this season for no logical reason and they collapse and miss the playoffs, and then go into next season with their offense continuing to under-perform, would Aaron Boone lose his job? There isn't even a question. I can't name many premium organizations that don't make significant changes, either to their coaching staff or front office, if they incur back-to-back disappointing seasons.
This is because successful organizations establish an expectation of excellence. Nothing less than ultimate success will suffice. The coaches know it, the executives know it, and the players know it. It's a culture that permeates through those clubhouses and locker rooms every single day. They know that jobs are always going to be on the line and everyone has to be at their best because nothing less is acceptable. And to establish this precedent, sometimes there is collateral damage. Sometimes people who aren't largely at fault need to lose their jobs. It's just the way the world works for the most successful, to keep those premium standards going.
The Phillies are in desperate need of establishing that kind of a standard. They haven't made the playoffs since 2011. We're talking about almost a decade of either horrible or mediocre baseball. Every person in that building needs to know that anything less than achieving the goals you have set for yourself is unacceptable. And I'm sure everyone knows it and wants to win, but there's a difference between knowing it and showing it. And if the players are not going to show it, then ownership has to. If you want to be one of the big clubs, you need to operate like one. They started by spending money, and now need to do their part in other baseball matters by establishing a standard and expectation of excellence that underachieving isn't going to cut it.
Sunday, May 12, 2019
Sixers offseason plans and their future
As the Sixers' season prematurely concludes, there are obviously a lot of questions on the table. They have a head coach people have speculated to be on the hot seat, potentially coaching for his job, and two major upcomingm free agents in Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris.
The Sixers front office is indeed highly disappointed going out in the 2nd round of the playoffs, but a source tells me at this current point in time, they have no plans to make a change at head coach. They like the rapport he has developed with the players and think another year under his system and an improved bench should be enough to make a deeper playoff run going forward.
Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris are both virtual locks to be back, as there is already an understanding between the parties that this is going to be a long-term commitment, and neither are expected to make any free agent visits outside of Philadelphia, according to a source. Both are going to sign max long-term contracts with the Sixers. Though the source does say the Sixers are "lying in the weeds" on Kawhi Leonard for this upcoming summer, as they've long coveted the soon-to-be free agent.
The Sixers plan to look for perimeter defensive help and more outside shooter for the bench this summer, as well as improved center depth behind Joel Embiid, as his injury and illness history is well known at this point.
Ben Simmons is still highly-regarded inside the organization, however, a source says if a team calls the Sixers with a "Godfather offer" for the former Rookie of the Year, they will listen.
It is expected to be a highly entertaining and busy summer for the Sixers as they look to make the necessary improvements to get to the next level in their playoff success, and could arguably be the most important summer in the last 30 years. All of that starts right now, and hopefully some big-time luck in the lottery.
The Sixers front office is indeed highly disappointed going out in the 2nd round of the playoffs, but a source tells me at this current point in time, they have no plans to make a change at head coach. They like the rapport he has developed with the players and think another year under his system and an improved bench should be enough to make a deeper playoff run going forward.
Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris are both virtual locks to be back, as there is already an understanding between the parties that this is going to be a long-term commitment, and neither are expected to make any free agent visits outside of Philadelphia, according to a source. Both are going to sign max long-term contracts with the Sixers. Though the source does say the Sixers are "lying in the weeds" on Kawhi Leonard for this upcoming summer, as they've long coveted the soon-to-be free agent.
The Sixers plan to look for perimeter defensive help and more outside shooter for the bench this summer, as well as improved center depth behind Joel Embiid, as his injury and illness history is well known at this point.
Ben Simmons is still highly-regarded inside the organization, however, a source says if a team calls the Sixers with a "Godfather offer" for the former Rookie of the Year, they will listen.
It is expected to be a highly entertaining and busy summer for the Sixers as they look to make the necessary improvements to get to the next level in their playoff success, and could arguably be the most important summer in the last 30 years. All of that starts right now, and hopefully some big-time luck in the lottery.
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Health update
So here's the deal about my health. I don't talk about it a lot, because frankly, even as someone who is on a platform like Twitter, I'm a very private person. I don't like to discuss what ails me in large part because of that, but also because I try not to think about it. When I chat with friends and chat with people on social media, I go on there to have fun and forget about the stresses of day to day life. But a lot of people ask me, so I figured I'd give this one detailed update.
As some of you already know, I have Crohn's Disease. It would take too long to go into detail about it, most already know basic details of the illness, but essentially it's chronic inflammation of the intestines, that leads to a bevy of other issues in the body. If untreated it can be a devastating illness. It can be treated using a wide array of medications and procedures, but the moderate or severe cases or usually treated with biologics(biological medications). You probably see them advertised on TV all the time... the likes of Humira, Remicade, Cimzia, etc. The problem is, the body doesn't always take to these medications. And sometimes it does, but later on the medications just stop working or you can develop an allergic reaction and have to be taken off of the medication and moved to another. My Crohn's was under control for a while... until it wasn't. I started getting severe stomach pains in November, as well as excessive vomiting; a symptom I've never had before. Vomiting obviously means insufficient nutrients from your food and weight loss, which is a problem for a Crohn's patient, who already has trouble getting nutrients, as the intestines don't absorb nutrients from food like a normal person and it's hard to put on weight.
My inflammation is spreading, and my doctors haven't been able to adequately control it. I have a rare case in that I'm prone to inflammation systemically. I have random eczema outbreaks on top of the Crohn's, and the inflammation has now spread to my eyes. In 2014-2015 I had eye issues that flared up, but went away and went dormant until 2018 when they have returned again. My eyes itch, tear, and throb constantly. I've seen 3 different eye doctors in the last month. All highly regarded. I had two appointments in April already and it isn't even April 10th. The only medication that keeps the inflammation under control are strong steroidal drops. However, using them over extended periods of time is detrimental to the eye and can cause glaucoma and cataracts. The other problem: inflammation also causes cataracts. I'm not even 35 and I have cataracts in my eyes already. I'm going to have to get surgery at some point to remove them. The bigger problem is that there has been no other way to stop this inflammation through visiting 3 separate doctors, so this is going to be a recurring problem. The doctors are stumped across the board. They've never seen a patient with such persistent inflammation as I have. I believe it was Jerry Seinfeld who had a bit in one of his acts where he talks about how you never want to be a patient where you go see a doctor and he's like "Holy shit, I've never seen that before." It's hilarious, because it's fucking true. I'm one of those patients now, at least I can appreciate the humor in it. In extensive discussions with my doctors, we've come up with theories on what might be causing it all this inflammation, and still have some more things to try, but so far nothing has worked and the options are dwindling.
My body, that used to have issues strictly with my large intestine, now has issues with almost my entire GI tract, eyes, and skin. All inflammatory in nature. I have seen about 10 different doctors of all specialties since the turn of the new year. GI doctors, primary care, Ophthalmologists, Allergists, Rheumatologists, Dermatologists, you name it. It's incredibly exhausting, and because of insurance networks(don't get me started), some are not short travel distances. Surgeries are going to be on the horizon, which leads me to my next concern.
The first thing doctors prescribe after any type of operation is usually an antibiotic. I can't take antibiotics unless it's absolutely necessary, close to a life/death situation. In 2010 I suffered a bad bout of C. Diff(Clostridium Difficile). It's a very serious bacteria that is usually caused by the use of antibiotics. A lot of people don't know that your gut has good bacteria in it as well. Sometimes when you use antibiotics, it kills off the good bacteria, and that allows the bad guys like C. Diff to take over. It's very bad, and untreated it can be fatal. For people with Crohn's or other forms of IBD it can be fatal very quickly. I almost died from it in 2010. I was incredibly ill and needed to be rushed to the hospital to be put on very strong antibiotics. I dropped to under 130 lbs. And I'm 6'0 tall. It was the sickest I have ever been in my entire life. I honestly thought I was going to die. The problem is, anyone who has had C. Diff is prone to a relapse. Any use of antibiotics can bring it back out again. My doctors always try to keep me off of it whenever they can, which makes surgeries incredibly stressful. Not only do I need to worry about the operation itself, but the aftermath. Either don't use antibiotics and risk infection or use them and risk C. Diff and frankly, death.
You can read about C.Diff here: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/baddest-bug-c-diff-hits-half-million-americans-n312731
That is exactly what happened to me in 2016. I had to get two surgeries that year because of inflammatory related issues. I had a very bad infection in my intestines. I opted to go the no antibiotic route and hoped the removal of the infection surgically would suffice. It didn't. It returned and almost caused me to miss my sister's wedding. I went there in indescribable pain, it almost ruined the entire thing for me. Eventually, I had to get another surgery. Thankfully the infection didn't return again after the second.
So, the next step is figuring out what is causing the inflammation to so rapidly spread through my body. Is there an underlying issue? Is my immune system just fucked? Is it something unique no doctor has found yet? Did extreme stress(a top cause of inflammation) push it over the edge and it has been unable to be reined back in yet? 2015 and 2018 were very emotionally trying years for me for reasons I won't get into now. Those were trying years that did a number on me in terms of stress, being that stress is a significant culprit of inflammation in the human body, which is very harmful to someone like me who already deals with inflammation. It's like pouring gasoline on a fire. People in my life who care about me know this and try their best to not cause me strife, though luckily I don't get stressed easily. Coincidentally(or maybe not), the last time I had complications and surgery was 2016, and here I am in 2019 in an even worse position. Each followed difficult, stress-filled years for me. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a significant factor, whether or not it's the overlying cause remains to be seen.
For now, more tests on the horizon. Cross your fingers that eventually we can find a root cause of this damn inflammation so I can finally get some fucking rest. It has been many many weeks of appointments, tests, lack of sleep, and I feel like I could collapse onto my bed and sleep for a week. No rest for the weary, however, back to it later this week and next week(and again in early May lol). Hey, at least on the bright side is since almost all of it is internal, I don't look sick on the outside, so I don't get all the lame pity and sympathy when out and about. :D
Appreciate all the support, as always. <3
As some of you already know, I have Crohn's Disease. It would take too long to go into detail about it, most already know basic details of the illness, but essentially it's chronic inflammation of the intestines, that leads to a bevy of other issues in the body. If untreated it can be a devastating illness. It can be treated using a wide array of medications and procedures, but the moderate or severe cases or usually treated with biologics(biological medications). You probably see them advertised on TV all the time... the likes of Humira, Remicade, Cimzia, etc. The problem is, the body doesn't always take to these medications. And sometimes it does, but later on the medications just stop working or you can develop an allergic reaction and have to be taken off of the medication and moved to another. My Crohn's was under control for a while... until it wasn't. I started getting severe stomach pains in November, as well as excessive vomiting; a symptom I've never had before. Vomiting obviously means insufficient nutrients from your food and weight loss, which is a problem for a Crohn's patient, who already has trouble getting nutrients, as the intestines don't absorb nutrients from food like a normal person and it's hard to put on weight.
My inflammation is spreading, and my doctors haven't been able to adequately control it. I have a rare case in that I'm prone to inflammation systemically. I have random eczema outbreaks on top of the Crohn's, and the inflammation has now spread to my eyes. In 2014-2015 I had eye issues that flared up, but went away and went dormant until 2018 when they have returned again. My eyes itch, tear, and throb constantly. I've seen 3 different eye doctors in the last month. All highly regarded. I had two appointments in April already and it isn't even April 10th. The only medication that keeps the inflammation under control are strong steroidal drops. However, using them over extended periods of time is detrimental to the eye and can cause glaucoma and cataracts. The other problem: inflammation also causes cataracts. I'm not even 35 and I have cataracts in my eyes already. I'm going to have to get surgery at some point to remove them. The bigger problem is that there has been no other way to stop this inflammation through visiting 3 separate doctors, so this is going to be a recurring problem. The doctors are stumped across the board. They've never seen a patient with such persistent inflammation as I have. I believe it was Jerry Seinfeld who had a bit in one of his acts where he talks about how you never want to be a patient where you go see a doctor and he's like "Holy shit, I've never seen that before." It's hilarious, because it's fucking true. I'm one of those patients now, at least I can appreciate the humor in it. In extensive discussions with my doctors, we've come up with theories on what might be causing it all this inflammation, and still have some more things to try, but so far nothing has worked and the options are dwindling.
My body, that used to have issues strictly with my large intestine, now has issues with almost my entire GI tract, eyes, and skin. All inflammatory in nature. I have seen about 10 different doctors of all specialties since the turn of the new year. GI doctors, primary care, Ophthalmologists, Allergists, Rheumatologists, Dermatologists, you name it. It's incredibly exhausting, and because of insurance networks(don't get me started), some are not short travel distances. Surgeries are going to be on the horizon, which leads me to my next concern.
The first thing doctors prescribe after any type of operation is usually an antibiotic. I can't take antibiotics unless it's absolutely necessary, close to a life/death situation. In 2010 I suffered a bad bout of C. Diff(Clostridium Difficile). It's a very serious bacteria that is usually caused by the use of antibiotics. A lot of people don't know that your gut has good bacteria in it as well. Sometimes when you use antibiotics, it kills off the good bacteria, and that allows the bad guys like C. Diff to take over. It's very bad, and untreated it can be fatal. For people with Crohn's or other forms of IBD it can be fatal very quickly. I almost died from it in 2010. I was incredibly ill and needed to be rushed to the hospital to be put on very strong antibiotics. I dropped to under 130 lbs. And I'm 6'0 tall. It was the sickest I have ever been in my entire life. I honestly thought I was going to die. The problem is, anyone who has had C. Diff is prone to a relapse. Any use of antibiotics can bring it back out again. My doctors always try to keep me off of it whenever they can, which makes surgeries incredibly stressful. Not only do I need to worry about the operation itself, but the aftermath. Either don't use antibiotics and risk infection or use them and risk C. Diff and frankly, death.
You can read about C.Diff here: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/baddest-bug-c-diff-hits-half-million-americans-n312731
That is exactly what happened to me in 2016. I had to get two surgeries that year because of inflammatory related issues. I had a very bad infection in my intestines. I opted to go the no antibiotic route and hoped the removal of the infection surgically would suffice. It didn't. It returned and almost caused me to miss my sister's wedding. I went there in indescribable pain, it almost ruined the entire thing for me. Eventually, I had to get another surgery. Thankfully the infection didn't return again after the second.
So, the next step is figuring out what is causing the inflammation to so rapidly spread through my body. Is there an underlying issue? Is my immune system just fucked? Is it something unique no doctor has found yet? Did extreme stress(a top cause of inflammation) push it over the edge and it has been unable to be reined back in yet? 2015 and 2018 were very emotionally trying years for me for reasons I won't get into now. Those were trying years that did a number on me in terms of stress, being that stress is a significant culprit of inflammation in the human body, which is very harmful to someone like me who already deals with inflammation. It's like pouring gasoline on a fire. People in my life who care about me know this and try their best to not cause me strife, though luckily I don't get stressed easily. Coincidentally(or maybe not), the last time I had complications and surgery was 2016, and here I am in 2019 in an even worse position. Each followed difficult, stress-filled years for me. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a significant factor, whether or not it's the overlying cause remains to be seen.
For now, more tests on the horizon. Cross your fingers that eventually we can find a root cause of this damn inflammation so I can finally get some fucking rest. It has been many many weeks of appointments, tests, lack of sleep, and I feel like I could collapse onto my bed and sleep for a week. No rest for the weary, however, back to it later this week and next week(and again in early May lol). Hey, at least on the bright side is since almost all of it is internal, I don't look sick on the outside, so I don't get all the lame pity and sympathy when out and about. :D
Appreciate all the support, as always. <3
Monday, April 8, 2019
After a disappointing regular season, the Sixers look to take it to the next level in the postseason
Expectations were inevitably going to rise with the Sixers winning 52 games last season and making it to the second round of the playoffs vs Boston, only to fall in 5 games. Granted, falling in 5 vs the dreaded rival Celtics was not easy to stomach, but the Sixers were actually much more competitive in that series than people remember. All games except game 1 pretty much went down to the wire, and had a possession or two gone differently down the stretch, the series could have gone much differently. But, it did not, the Sixers lost, and they deserved to lose. Their glaring flaws that plagued them throughout the 2017-18 regular season plagued them once again in the playoffs. Their lacking offensive players who can create their own shot. Ben Simmons' inability to shoot. No perimeter player to make a big shot in the 4th quarter. Robert Covington's streaky outside shooting. Their lack of athleticism. Their weaknesses were on full display for all to see. Remember, it had gotten so bad, that the Sixers relied on TJ McConnell to play significant minutes, as he was the only player the Sixers had who could remotely take Boston's defenders off the dribble and create offense for the role players.
So coming into the 2018-19 season, the Sixers had an unsuccessful summer of luring star players to Philadelphia. I was bummed, the lack of interest for this season compared to last season during the summer was apparent. Whether it was realistic or not, much like the Phillies quest to add Bryce Harper was going to be the only thing to jolt excitement back into the Phillies fan base, adding another star player to the Sixers was the only thing that was going to get the fans believing that this team had a chance to make a Finals run. Because the bar had already been set the season prior. No longer was this a team with no expectations and just enjoying the fun ride, and seeing where it ended. Now, the Sixers had to improve, and by improve, I mean advance deeper in the playoffs this time around. So when the Sixers started the season with basically the same roster as the season before, which proved to be insufficient in making a deep playoff run, fans weren't going to be conned. They knew the end of the story before even reading the novel.
However, something changed. On November 12th, new general manager Elton Brand pushed his chips into the center of the table and dealt two quality and important role players for disgruntled star wing Jimmy Butler. Brand said he knew the Sixers weren't good enough with the current roster and he wanted to be aggressive and add star talent. He did just that. Butler started off his Sixers tenure slow, however, the attention was taken off of his slow start because of some early game winning shots vs the Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets. The Sixers finally had that perimeter player who could create his own shot and offense at the ends of games and be that closer the team lacked the season prior, especially in the playoffs. But as the season wore on, and Butler continued to display lack of aggressiveness, passing up wide open shots(some layups), deferring to inferior scorers, and not bringing the same defensive prowess he was known for, fans started to wonder. Is his age and workload finally getting to him? Or is he saving himself for the playoffs? The answer to that question still looms, but even as most people supported the trade, even the staunchest supporters were a little disappointed with the version of Jimmy Butler the Sixers were getting on a nightly basis.
The Sixers, as long as their starting 5 was healthy and on the court, continued to have success, and in the end that's all that matters, so fans pushed their Butler concerns to the back burner. Sure, the team had its flaws. The defense was notably worse, and their utter inability to defend quick and shifty guards haunted them all season. But on most nights, their overall talent level would win out in the end. I say most nights, because despite winning games and playing relatively well, they struggled against the Eastern Conference's elite. They were winless against the Bucks, Raptors, and Celtics, aside from one game where Toronto rested almost all of their starters in Philadelphia, and the Sixers beat wounded Raptors squad. This was concerning, because after all, what does your success matter if you can't defeat the teams who will be in your way come the playoffs? With expectations raised, the team will be defined by their success again the top teams in the east. Not middling teams or bottom feeders.
Fast forward to February, and Elton Brand makes another aggressive move. Trading away almost all of the Sixers remaining assets to acquire skilled scorer Tobias Harris. The expectations have been raised even more. On paper, they had the second most talented starting 5 in the East. The Sixers started right out of the gate looking tremendous, after playing a Nuggets team nip/tuck for 3 quarters, they pulled away in the 4th, blowing out one of the NBA's best teams in Philly for Harris' first game. The team looked great, the Sixers were Finals bound, right? Well, as things tend to happen, the team started to settle. Since the hot start, while the Sixers still remain successful(8-2) with their new starting 5, the flaws are still there and very apparent. The team still has not quite put it together like people envisioned. Jimmy Butler still hasn't found his niche within the Sixers offense. Sure, he will take over some games in the 4th quarter, but for many, most games in fact, he's just kind of "there" for 3 quarters, and in games with less notoriety, sometimes the entire game. Tobias Harris' numbers, like Butler's have dipped in several key areas since coming to the Sixers. Harris' FG%, 3 point FG% and his points per game have dropped. Now, of course his points per game was going to drop on a team with so many talented players. But the lack of efficiency both he and Butler have displayed with the team is disconcerting.
Because of this, the Sixers this season are just as much reliant on Joel Embiid was they were last season, if not more. The Sixers went on a sizeable winning streak to end last season, capped off by beating LeBron James and the Cavs, and blowing out the Bucks, two playoff teams without their best player. This season, you'd think they'd be better equipped to handle Joel missing games, yet the opposite has been true. Without Embiid, the Sixers often look like a lottery team, and just in the last few weeks alone, have failed to beat several lottery teams when he didn't dress. Elton Brand made these trades to up their talent level and give more offensive potency to a team that lacked it last postseason, but without Embiid they still struggle offensively. Butler and Harris have not stepped up as feature threats on the scoring end in his absence, and yet again, Embiid unfairly has to shoulder much more than his fair share of the load to get the team wins. The question is why are Harris and Butler struggling? Is it the inability to develop team chemistry with their limited time together? Is it a struggle for players who like having the ball in their hands adjusting to an offensive system that preaches ball movement? I think you can make a case for either. I do find it curious however, that both players have struggled similarly. It seems like both players comfort has actually lessened as their tenures with the Sixers have gone on, with Harris starting off in his first few games pulling the trigger from 3 point land, and now being much more hesitant to shoot, just like Butler has displayed since he arrived in Philly. It gives credence to the latter theory, though it could very well be a combination of both.
It isn't just Harris and Butler. Ben Simmons has made strides this season in several areas, like improving his finishing at the rim, and playing in the post off the ball. Unfortunately, he still has struggled mightily against the teams that know how to defend him. Namely, the Bucks, Celtics, and Raptors. Coincidentally, the 3 teams the Sixers will likely have to out-duel to reach the NBA Finals. Thankfully, aside from a recent slump, JJ Redick is having a very good offensive season, upping his scoring average and still being a reliable and deadly outside shooter and from the FT line.
So where does this leave the Sixers? With a lot of questions, for one. They have team that has proven to be successful and showed spotty flashes of dominance with their potent starting lineup, yet have lacked the consistency to put it all together for long stretches. They have star caliber players, who have not lived up to their billing consistently. And they still struggle against quick guards who can basically get to the paint as will against any defend the Sixers throw at them. A lot of talent, yet a lot of questions. I think the biggest question of all is one I touched upon earlier, which is have key players, especially someone like Jimmy Butler been biding their time(and energy) for the playoffs, to go all Super Saiyan on the Eastern Conference? Maybe. Sixers fans should hope so. Without the best of Butler and Harris, and Embiid left to burden almost all the load, I find it unlikely the Sixers make a deep playoff run. Though I ask myself, aside from championship-proven teams, how many teams off the top of my head do I recall just flipping a switch when the playoffs start and easily kick it into another gear? I honestly can't name many teams or players off the top of my head. I remember back in 2009 coming off a World Series MVP, Cole Hamels struggled all season. The prevailing sentiment at the time is that once the playoffs started, Cole Hamels would kick it into World Series MVP gear. It didn't happen. Another example staying close to home, the 2011 Phillies, the last Phillies team to make the postseason struggled at times to score runs for their aces. Their core star players were declining, and while they did have nights where they scored, much like the Sixers now do have nights where they look the part, the Phillies didn't do it consistently. Come game 5 in the NLDS, they were unable to score a single run at home for ace Roy Halladay, and thus ended the golden era of Phillies baseball.
The point is, it's not easy to "flip a switch" in sports. You typically look the way you do for a reason. Players generally give it their all from game to game, and minus few exceptions, of a player struggles or doesn't look right, it's because something isn't right. Either with him, the scheme, or both. Not because they are "saving themselves" for more important moments. The Sixers have 2 regular season games remaining, and come this weekend, we will finally get our answers to the many lingering questions. And these answers could make or break this core group, this coaching staff, and the immediate future that the organization wants to go in. For our sake, let's hope the best is to come.
So coming into the 2018-19 season, the Sixers had an unsuccessful summer of luring star players to Philadelphia. I was bummed, the lack of interest for this season compared to last season during the summer was apparent. Whether it was realistic or not, much like the Phillies quest to add Bryce Harper was going to be the only thing to jolt excitement back into the Phillies fan base, adding another star player to the Sixers was the only thing that was going to get the fans believing that this team had a chance to make a Finals run. Because the bar had already been set the season prior. No longer was this a team with no expectations and just enjoying the fun ride, and seeing where it ended. Now, the Sixers had to improve, and by improve, I mean advance deeper in the playoffs this time around. So when the Sixers started the season with basically the same roster as the season before, which proved to be insufficient in making a deep playoff run, fans weren't going to be conned. They knew the end of the story before even reading the novel.
However, something changed. On November 12th, new general manager Elton Brand pushed his chips into the center of the table and dealt two quality and important role players for disgruntled star wing Jimmy Butler. Brand said he knew the Sixers weren't good enough with the current roster and he wanted to be aggressive and add star talent. He did just that. Butler started off his Sixers tenure slow, however, the attention was taken off of his slow start because of some early game winning shots vs the Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets. The Sixers finally had that perimeter player who could create his own shot and offense at the ends of games and be that closer the team lacked the season prior, especially in the playoffs. But as the season wore on, and Butler continued to display lack of aggressiveness, passing up wide open shots(some layups), deferring to inferior scorers, and not bringing the same defensive prowess he was known for, fans started to wonder. Is his age and workload finally getting to him? Or is he saving himself for the playoffs? The answer to that question still looms, but even as most people supported the trade, even the staunchest supporters were a little disappointed with the version of Jimmy Butler the Sixers were getting on a nightly basis.
The Sixers, as long as their starting 5 was healthy and on the court, continued to have success, and in the end that's all that matters, so fans pushed their Butler concerns to the back burner. Sure, the team had its flaws. The defense was notably worse, and their utter inability to defend quick and shifty guards haunted them all season. But on most nights, their overall talent level would win out in the end. I say most nights, because despite winning games and playing relatively well, they struggled against the Eastern Conference's elite. They were winless against the Bucks, Raptors, and Celtics, aside from one game where Toronto rested almost all of their starters in Philadelphia, and the Sixers beat wounded Raptors squad. This was concerning, because after all, what does your success matter if you can't defeat the teams who will be in your way come the playoffs? With expectations raised, the team will be defined by their success again the top teams in the east. Not middling teams or bottom feeders.
Fast forward to February, and Elton Brand makes another aggressive move. Trading away almost all of the Sixers remaining assets to acquire skilled scorer Tobias Harris. The expectations have been raised even more. On paper, they had the second most talented starting 5 in the East. The Sixers started right out of the gate looking tremendous, after playing a Nuggets team nip/tuck for 3 quarters, they pulled away in the 4th, blowing out one of the NBA's best teams in Philly for Harris' first game. The team looked great, the Sixers were Finals bound, right? Well, as things tend to happen, the team started to settle. Since the hot start, while the Sixers still remain successful(8-2) with their new starting 5, the flaws are still there and very apparent. The team still has not quite put it together like people envisioned. Jimmy Butler still hasn't found his niche within the Sixers offense. Sure, he will take over some games in the 4th quarter, but for many, most games in fact, he's just kind of "there" for 3 quarters, and in games with less notoriety, sometimes the entire game. Tobias Harris' numbers, like Butler's have dipped in several key areas since coming to the Sixers. Harris' FG%, 3 point FG% and his points per game have dropped. Now, of course his points per game was going to drop on a team with so many talented players. But the lack of efficiency both he and Butler have displayed with the team is disconcerting.
Because of this, the Sixers this season are just as much reliant on Joel Embiid was they were last season, if not more. The Sixers went on a sizeable winning streak to end last season, capped off by beating LeBron James and the Cavs, and blowing out the Bucks, two playoff teams without their best player. This season, you'd think they'd be better equipped to handle Joel missing games, yet the opposite has been true. Without Embiid, the Sixers often look like a lottery team, and just in the last few weeks alone, have failed to beat several lottery teams when he didn't dress. Elton Brand made these trades to up their talent level and give more offensive potency to a team that lacked it last postseason, but without Embiid they still struggle offensively. Butler and Harris have not stepped up as feature threats on the scoring end in his absence, and yet again, Embiid unfairly has to shoulder much more than his fair share of the load to get the team wins. The question is why are Harris and Butler struggling? Is it the inability to develop team chemistry with their limited time together? Is it a struggle for players who like having the ball in their hands adjusting to an offensive system that preaches ball movement? I think you can make a case for either. I do find it curious however, that both players have struggled similarly. It seems like both players comfort has actually lessened as their tenures with the Sixers have gone on, with Harris starting off in his first few games pulling the trigger from 3 point land, and now being much more hesitant to shoot, just like Butler has displayed since he arrived in Philly. It gives credence to the latter theory, though it could very well be a combination of both.
It isn't just Harris and Butler. Ben Simmons has made strides this season in several areas, like improving his finishing at the rim, and playing in the post off the ball. Unfortunately, he still has struggled mightily against the teams that know how to defend him. Namely, the Bucks, Celtics, and Raptors. Coincidentally, the 3 teams the Sixers will likely have to out-duel to reach the NBA Finals. Thankfully, aside from a recent slump, JJ Redick is having a very good offensive season, upping his scoring average and still being a reliable and deadly outside shooter and from the FT line.
So where does this leave the Sixers? With a lot of questions, for one. They have team that has proven to be successful and showed spotty flashes of dominance with their potent starting lineup, yet have lacked the consistency to put it all together for long stretches. They have star caliber players, who have not lived up to their billing consistently. And they still struggle against quick guards who can basically get to the paint as will against any defend the Sixers throw at them. A lot of talent, yet a lot of questions. I think the biggest question of all is one I touched upon earlier, which is have key players, especially someone like Jimmy Butler been biding their time(and energy) for the playoffs, to go all Super Saiyan on the Eastern Conference? Maybe. Sixers fans should hope so. Without the best of Butler and Harris, and Embiid left to burden almost all the load, I find it unlikely the Sixers make a deep playoff run. Though I ask myself, aside from championship-proven teams, how many teams off the top of my head do I recall just flipping a switch when the playoffs start and easily kick it into another gear? I honestly can't name many teams or players off the top of my head. I remember back in 2009 coming off a World Series MVP, Cole Hamels struggled all season. The prevailing sentiment at the time is that once the playoffs started, Cole Hamels would kick it into World Series MVP gear. It didn't happen. Another example staying close to home, the 2011 Phillies, the last Phillies team to make the postseason struggled at times to score runs for their aces. Their core star players were declining, and while they did have nights where they scored, much like the Sixers now do have nights where they look the part, the Phillies didn't do it consistently. Come game 5 in the NLDS, they were unable to score a single run at home for ace Roy Halladay, and thus ended the golden era of Phillies baseball.
The point is, it's not easy to "flip a switch" in sports. You typically look the way you do for a reason. Players generally give it their all from game to game, and minus few exceptions, of a player struggles or doesn't look right, it's because something isn't right. Either with him, the scheme, or both. Not because they are "saving themselves" for more important moments. The Sixers have 2 regular season games remaining, and come this weekend, we will finally get our answers to the many lingering questions. And these answers could make or break this core group, this coaching staff, and the immediate future that the organization wants to go in. For our sake, let's hope the best is to come.
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