By James Blackburn
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Game 4- 7:00 game New Jersey (0-1) vs. Philadelphia (1-0) 76ers win 84-74 Box Score GAME NOTES • The 76ers push the ball every possession. • Terrance Williams is the only source of Nets offense. • Doug Collins was sitting a couple seats down from me. He was coaching the game the entire time from his seat, calling out plays, motioning to the assistant on the bench who to take out and who to play. He was even calling players over and talking to them. It was very interesting. • Last game of the day, gym would normally be clearing, but this is the weeks most interesting matchup- Favors vs. Turner. |
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Scouting Reports
Nets
Derrick Favors (24 min., 2-8 FG, 4-7 FT, 9 reb., 7 Fls, 2 blks, 8 tp)- Favors opening debut was less than spectacular, but you can see why NJ drafted him. When he develops an offensive game, the Nets will have one of the youngest, most talented front courts in the League with Lopez. Favors is a presence in the paint. He either blocks or alters shots near him. He runs the floor well and can finish at the rim. One thing that is going to hinder Favors is that he is very foul prone. Instead of staying straight up on defense, he extends his arms and reaches across the body, causing the officials to blow the whistle a lot. He needs to be more patient on the offensive end on the block. He is active on both ends on the boards. Has ability to face the basket and create or he can give wrap around pass from high post.
Terrance Williams (32 min., 8-12 FG, 1-1 3pt,6-9 FT, 7 ass, 23 tp)- Great game from Williams, who lead the Nets in points and assist. Williams had the ball in his hands 75% of the time and ran a lot of P and R for him. He is incredibly explosive going to his right, where he finished very LeBron like above the rim several times. Has a nice jumper and can put the ball on the floor and pull up. He has NO LEFT HAND, which the 76ers were aware of and still couldn’t stop him. Also played solid D on Turner. It will be interesting to see if he plays point forward some this season, with showings like this.
76ers
Evan Turner (27 min., 2-5 FG, 8-8 FT, 8 reb, 4 ass, 2 st, 12 tp)- Turner showed that he can fill up the stat sheet and could be a triple double threat down the road. He has great ball control and showed several nice dribble moves that freed himself for jumpers. Has a smooth stroke on his jumper. Has ability to get to the rim and finish. Good dribble pull up. Has very quick hands and plays solid D. He is smart and draws fouls well. Can take the ball coast to coast and finish. He is a good passer and is tall enough to see over the defense. Good solid game where he didn’t force any action and let the game come to him.
Cedric Simmons (16 min, 3-3 FG, 2-5 FT, 4 reb, 8 tp) – Simmons runs the floor very well. He is a big and strong PF, who needs to continue to work on his offensive game. He needs to extend his shooting range. He is a very quick leaper and can finish strong at the rim.
Marreese Speights (30 min. 1-11 FG, 4-5 FT, 7 reb, 6 Fls, 3 st, 6 tp)- Very frustrating game for the second year man out of Florida. He has a pretty jumper but it just wasn’t falling. He did settle for a lot of tough shots, like Kevin Garnett fade aways. He loves to turn over his right shoulder and do a fade away jumper.
Jodie Meeks (28 min., 5-12 FG, 2-5 3 pt, 6-9 FT, 5 reb, 18 tp)- Jodie is a great shooter, who does a good job of moving without the ball and running off the screens set for him. He has good footwork, where he gets his feet set, squares his shoulders and shoots. He showed good anticipation on defense. He also boxes out well and is athletic. He showed off his creativity in the air several times with pretty finishes.
Jrue Holiday (31 minutes, 8-13 FG, 1-4 3pt, 6-11 FT, 4 reb, 8 ass, 1 st, 23 tp)- Great game from Holiday, who had an up and down rookie season last year in Philly. Displayed great PG skills from his ball handling to decision making to his passing. Coach Collins seemed to really like him. We could be seeing Holiday and Turner as the starting back court in Philly this season. Has a good pull up and set shot. Is a great ball handler, but sometimes over dribbles. He gives good soft deliveries on alley-oop lobs. Very active on defense end, with quick hands. Is a solid scorer and defender who is a good passer. Did a good job of following Coach Collins instructions and ran the offense to perfection.