O'Brien, Iverson Need To Share Blame

The Philadelphia 76ers are struggling since the trade for Chris Webber made at the trading deadline but it can't be just him that's struggling.   Webber isn't playing well and most can see that but it still starts with star guard Allen Iverson at the point guard position.   Iverson is leading the league in scoring with over 30 points a game but that was before Webber and Rodney Rogers, another trade deadline addition were signed. Now that they are here Iverson needs to worry more about getting the two new additions and others like rookie forward/guard Andre Iguodala into the Sixers scheme.   Iguodala needs to get more shots that 10 a game and if the team wants to do something in the playoffs not just make them they need "Iguo" to step up.  

All this can only happen if Iverson works more to get people involved and not worry about his stats of 30 plus points and 7.5 assists.   He can get those stats all day but they need some 10 assists for the Sixers to win.   No longer can this be strictly about players looking while Iverson does his thing.   It will not produce wins and Iverson has no excuses of not having another go to guy on the floor to help him win.   Will the light ever go off in the head of the first A.I.?

O'Brien needs to take partial blame to for expecting his point guard to do so little to make his teammates better. Of course Iverson makes people better a little better simply because he does demand a double team but Iguodala only scoring 8 points a game at the shooting guard position is ridiculous considering the talent he has and should be stressed to A.I. You also need to call some plays for other perimeter players besides A.I. and let there things and learn to be threats for more than a three point shot.

Speaking of a three point shot O'Brian needs to stop playing Korver as much and don't give him the green light so much.   Korver hits threes but when he is off he's off and taking shots away from other players especially those mentioned previously and he can't play defense to save his future kids life even if he works hard at it.  

Lastly the defense is pathetic and needs to be reworked or O'Brian needs to go!   The game versus the Miami Heat on March 7 th was the worst case of defense I've ever seen. It looked like a game at the Rucker with Dwyane Wade going to the hoop at will.   Whatever the scheme if a guy starts cooking your team you must adjust and let him beat you from the perimeter.   Guys don't know where they're supposed to be on the floor and when they try to get back on defense they are already lost.   If the players can't run the system you need to adjust to what they can run and that is one that doesn't expect down low players to challenge three point shots and then run back and cover the high percentage low post area.

Sorry For Mo.

Mo Cheeks was recently fired by the Portland Trail Blazers and the Blazers still aren't winning and that is justice.   Cheeks came to this team when they were a veteran team and close to the Western Conference championship.   Since then they have traded players like Rasheed Wallace, Dale Davis and Bonzi Wells and depended on players like Zach Randolph, a very young player to restore their playoff dreams.   Randolph has been immature and his supporting cast lead by Damon Stoudamire has been mediocre at best.   They can't win on the road in their own conference and that seems like a direct point at the leadership on the floor.   Cheeks should have had more time than this especially since the team's direction changed after the firing of former general manager Bob Whitsitt.

Bonds Can't Catch A Break

Bonds has never been a fan or media favorite but that's no reason to make him public enemy number one.   Bonds has grown up in Baseball with his father Bobby playing before and during his childhood so he doesn't need people's approval to play his game.   If you want to pull everyone expected of steroid use on the table go right ahead but it will be a long ass table and it won't be just superstars.   Baseball dropped the ball because they had no true steroid policy and players found away to take advantage even if was unintentionally as Bonds says.  

I'm not trying to say I believe him or not but I will say if it wasn't a designated as a steroid when he took it he shouldn't be blamed.   Lay off Bonds just because he doesn't kiss people's butt.   His head did get bigger but so did the rest of his body and at late thirties and early forties doesn't your body change and that includes for most gaining weight?

Wade and Phillies Perfect Together: Both Biggest Jokes

Ed Wade is either the puppet for the franchise owners or his own man but what the case he is one of (if not the) worst figures in Philadelphia sports history!   Yes people he goes right up there with the Rich Kotite, Norman Braman and Harold Katz because of his continual effort to put his foot further up his mouth and rear at the same time.   Now in comments to a South Jersey paper Wade says the fans live in fantasy world while he live in reality and that we are impatient.

No Wade we aren't living in a fantasy role we just see other teams getting better especially in our own division and we want to see comparable talent to be added to our team.   We aren't happy with year after year getting other teams castoff and being told they are the final piece to our puzzle.   We want great starting pitching and when we have a chance to get Curt Schilling for cheap we would like to have him.   We as fans want and should expect more than zero playoff appearances in your seven-year tenure.   We also want and should expect more than 1 World Series in over one hundred and thirty years!   So Yes we are a bit impatient but isn't it a bit warranted and no we aren't impatient because by this time most people would have ditched your sorry ass team for any other team on the planet!

The Phillies are approaching 10,000 losses people, and as long as this GM and owners are here it will continue because they never want to do what it takes to not just be competitive but also win the whole ball and chain! If Wade tells us about protecting another prospect that doesn't pan out anyway while a great player like Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Schilling and Tim Hudson (among many others) go to other teams I'll. you know what the only way we can get some justice is just don't support this team because they don't support your sanity nor your pockets and love for baseball! Forget the nice stadium and make this ownership group sell the club.   In the meanwhile root for the Oakland A's (a Philly team transplanted sadly!) or another team if you still love the game.

 
Any comments, questions and/or suggestions give Clayton Ruley an email at clayton@geoclan.com.