Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
For all the attention one Donald Arvid Nelson is receiving for his wacky player rotations in Golden State, there's a coach much further East who is arguably doing more to torpedo his talented team. That man is Eddie Jordan, a widely-respected coach in his first year with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Last night, Jordan's team trailed the red-hot Toronto Raptors 50-41 last night, and 40 of Toronto's points came in the paint. To combat this, Jordan decided to bench his best big man - Elton Brand - and instead start his worst guard - Royal Ivey - in the second half. If that makes no sense, it's because it's doesn't. Royal Ivey is a crappy guard, and Elton Brand, even now, is an above-average big man.
Naturally, the Raptors opened up a 23-point lead in the 10 minutes Brand sat, then nearly blew it once Brand got back into the game. Afterwards, Brand was kind of pissed, to put it mildly.
"I don't call the shots," said a dejected Brand, who played 32 minutes, 30 seconds on the night and scored 11 points. "I just go out there and play the best I can. I didn't think it was my fault, but I'm easy to get pulled, it seems.
"We weren't down enough to switch what we we've been doing in a five-game win streak. That's what we did and we paid for it."
Jordan, for his part, said the decision "sort of backfired," then added "It happens." No, Eddie, it doesn't just happen, because coaches don't sit one of their best players for their 12th man. It only happens to you.
Maybe the 76ers should fire the guy after all.
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