Turn Up The Bass: Brandon Helps Boston Beat Sixers, 101-85

• about 1 year ago
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Doc Rivers And Doug Collins Share A Moment Before The Game

OK folks, we need your help. What could Doug Collins and Doc Rivers possibly be laughing about here?

Some theories:

• The last time they got drunk together.
• A story involving Austin Rivers and Chris Collins.
• The way Collins plays Spencer Hawes.
• The season finale of Community.
• What Kevin Garnett said during the last team meeting.

But really, the possibilities are endless. Let us know what you think the joke was in the comments.

For all news and information regarding the Philadelphia 76ers, please visit Liberty Ballers or head on over to SB Nation Philadelphia. For updates and perspective on the Boston Celtics, check out Celtics Blog or stop by SB Nation Boston.

• about 1 year ago
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Brandon Bass Leaves Celtics Fans Hanging After Big Night

Brandon Bass isn’t used to doing national TV interviews after games, so you can forgive him for being a bit confused when these Celtics fans want to give him a high-five.

• about 1 year ago
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VIDEO: Chris Webber Brings Back His 'RONDOOOOOO' Chant

TNT commentator Chris Webber's most famous gimmick involves shouting Rajon Rondo's name at the top of his lungs, much like Charles Barkley does for Manu Ginobili. However, I don't think we've seen Webber actually try the gimmick during a game he's broadcasting. So far, he's mostly done it when narrating highlights on NBATV.

That all changed after Rondo sliced through the 76ers' defense for three easy layups in the fourth quarter of Game 5.

That might have been a bit of an overreaction on Webber's part, but in fairness, shouting "RONDOOOOOO" is a lot of fun.

For all news and information regarding the Philadelphia 76ers, please visit Liberty Ballers or head on over to SB Nation Philadelphia. For updates and perspective on the Boston Celtics, check out Celtics Blog or stop by SB Nation Boston.

• about 1 year ago
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The 76ers Have Lost Their Composure

The Philadelphia 76ers are a young team, and it appears they've become overwhelmed by the moment. In the first half, their offense hummed, particularly when they ran plays through big men in the high post. In the second half, though, the guards have turned it over too much, breaking plays to try to stem the tide all by themselves.

It's imperative for any team to keep sticking together and running their sets when the going gets tough. It's especially important for a team like the 76ers that lacks a go-to scorer.

• about 1 year ago
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Why Brandon Bass Is Having A Huge Quarter

Brandon Bass scored 18 points in the third quarter, further proving that this Celtics-76ers series makes no sense. Or … does it?

To me, it’s actually a little more simple that you’d think. The 76ers, throughout this series, just aren’t paying attention to the Celtics’ big men. We’ve talked about this several times in this StoryStream, and it’s still true.

But in this quarter, the Celtics made two adjustments. First, Rajon Rondo smartly switched a lot of play calls to run pick and roll with Bass. The 76ers had to honor Rondo because he scored a couple hoops early in the game, and they were reluctant to leave Paul Pierce or Ray Allen. That left Bass open around the basket.

Second, Bass himself started to move a bit more. Previously content to get the ball at 17 feet, Bass made several strong cuts towards the rim when the 76ers stopped paying attention to him. He hasn’t done that very much this series, but obviously someone got it into his head that the 76ers aren’t guarding him.

Eighteen points seems like a lot, but an unexpected boost like that is what happens when a player realizes the opponent is helping off him.

For all news and information regarding the Philadelphia 76ers, please visit Liberty Ballers or head on over to SB Nation Philadelphia. For updates and perspective on the Boston Celtics, check out Celtics Blog or stop by SB Nation Boston.

• about 1 year ago
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This Is Why Big Men Should Not Attempt Crossovers

Nice effort, Elton Brand, but this isn’t the way to finish off a crossover.

Of course, Kevin Garnett did kick him in the shin. In any event, it's an unnatural move for a 6'9'' guy.

• about 1 year ago
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Brandon Bass Has Come Alive

We noted earlier that Brandon Bass needed to start getting aggressive. Well, mission accomplished. Bass has two dunks and a steal to go with 10 points in the third quarter, and the Celtics are back up by six.

• about 1 year ago
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Doc Rivers' Crazy Eyes Are Mesmerizing

By request, here’s Doc Rivers with possibly the scariest face he’ll ever reveal as an NBA coach.

If you have trouble sleeping tonight, we apologize.

• about 1 year ago
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Paul Pierce Isn't Even Sniffing Shots

It really is amazing how much the 76ers are swarming Paul Pierce. He has just four shots in the entire game, and it’s because the 76ers are sending double- and triple-teams every time he has the ball. A recent play was a good example. Pierce caught the ball deep in the post and three 76ers surrounded him. Pierce kicked the ball out for a converted Brandon Bass jumper, but the 76ers will take that.

Bass and Kevin Garnett need to get more assertive. Garnett is starting to do so, and it’s bringing the Celtics back into the game.

• about 1 year ago
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VIDEO: Andre Iguodala's Violent Dunk Leads To Amazing Tony Battie Celebration

There's only one player in the league more fearsome in transition than Andre Iguodala, and he currently plays in South Beach. We focus so much on Iguodala's faults that we forget how scary he is with a head of steam. He's not as powerful as LeBron James, but he's just as agile and is very explosive rising up for dunks.

The Boston Celtics forgot about this and didn't stop Iguodala when he had the ball on the fast break. Iguodala saw the opening, went right down the middle and threw in this right-handed sledgehammer.

How the Celtics didn't stop the ball is beyond me, especially considering Evan Turner fell down on the opposite side. Maybe they just really wanted us to be able to enjoy the highlight.

Speaking of enjoying the highlight, the 76ers' trainer should probably take a look at Tony Battie's hamstring after this celebration.

FE-FI-FO-FUM.

For all news and information regarding the Philadelphia 76ers, please visit Liberty Ballers or head on over to SB Nation Philadelphia. For updates and perspective on the Boston Celtics, check out Celtics Blog or stop by SB Nation Boston.

• about 1 year ago
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Kevin Garnett With A Very Violent Flop

Kevin Garnett is a fearless competitor who gives 150 percent on every possession. All the cliches apply.

But none of that prevents us from ridiculing this especially violent flop in Game 5 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

• about 1 year ago
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Elton Brand Rewards Doug Collins' Trust

Given how poorly Elton Brand was playing in this series, many wanted the 76ers to replace him in the starting lineup with Lavoy Allen, who has had a great series. Coach Doug Collins instead elected to stick with Brand, saying he’s done too much for the franchise to take him out. So far, Brand has rewarded Collins’ trust, turning in a throwback game with 12 first-half points.

There’s a bit of a backstory here that’s worth noting. One of the major reasons former 76ers coach Eddie Jordan failed so horribly in his one year on the job is that he benched Brand and yo-yoed his minutes. This bothered Brand, a true professional by all means who hadn’t given any coaches problems.

Upon taking over the 76ers’ coaching job, one of Collins’ first objectives was to restore Brand’s confidence. Throughout his first year, he talked up Brand’s intangibles and noted how important he was to the team. It was a psychological ploy because he didn’t want to be seen as another Eddie Jordan in Brand’s eyes.

We’re now another year removed from Jordan’s tenure, but I suspect that Collins kept the shaky Brand/Jordan relationship in the back of his mind when deciding not to bench Brand in Game 5.

• about 1 year ago
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Kevin Garnett Needs To Hit Open Jumpers

It sounds simple, I know, but it’s relevant because of the Philadelphia 76ers’ defensive strategy. All series long, they’ve sent hard traps at Paul Pierce and left Kevin Garnett open for perimeter shots. In the first three games, Garnett made the 76ers pay, hitting 14 of 20 shots from 16-23 feet. However, he was just 2-7 from that range in Game 4 and is just 1-5 so far in Game 5.

Leaving Garnett open from his sweet spot is a risky strategy, but if Garnett continues to fire blanks, it’ll work out for Philadelphia.

• about 1 year ago
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Jrue Holiday Is Playing Great Again

Jrue Holiday’s having a great playoffs so far, providing 16 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 42-percent three-point shooting, excellent defense and just 1.6 turnovers a game coming into Monday’s Game 5. In this game, he has seven points and three assists so far, all while chasing Ray Allen around a ton of screens.

After a regular season where his development stagnated a bit, this is great to see. Win or lose, the 76ers have to feel good about Holiday’s future.

• about 1 year ago
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76ers' Small Lineup Alert

It took only until midway through the first quarter for the Philadelphia 76ers to throw out Thaddeus Young at power forward. In Games 1-3, the Celtics punished Young and made the 76ers pay for going small. In Game 4, though, Young was really effective and the Celtics failed when they tried to match the 76ers’ small lineup with their own small lineup.

It’s too early to know which trend will carry over in this Game 5, but it’s something to watch going forward. So far, Young seems to be having his way against Brandon Bass and Greg Stiemsma.

• about 1 year ago
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TNT Really Wants 'Lob City' To Return

Look, TNT, I get it. Lob City was a lot of fun this year. I wish I could see them play again. However ... we just have to face facts. The Los Angeles Clippers are gone and they're not coming back.

• about 1 year ago
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Rajon Rondo, Aggressive Early

With Avery Bradley out and a hobbling Ray Allen now in the starting lineup, the Boston Celtics need aggressive Rajon Rondo in their pivotal Game 5 against the Philadelphia 76ers. So far, they’ve gotten it. Rondo has already beaten Evan Turner on a blow-by and Jrue Holiday on a pick and roll to get layups. Both times, the 76ers’ guard crowded Rondo too closely and Rondo sped by them.