Speights Returns, Jrue to c...

Small Lineup

On the one hand, from a basketball standpoint, I hate the small lineup, particularly from a defensive rebounding standpoint. From a developmental standpoint, I have even thinking about the notion that we can spend another 3/4th of a season wasting development time of Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young on the wing, as it's imperative to find out whether the two of them can coexist at the SG and SF spots, respectively. Abandoning it now in a hasty decision only leads to more uncertainty heading into the future. And when Elton Brand has gotten the time, he's played very well of late, averaging 15 points per game, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in only 32 minutes in his last 12 games. His reward? Promptly to the bench for a 19 year old rookie.

That being said, I am a huge fan of Jrue Holiday, and the chance, and his lack of playing time was one of my biggest complaints of the Allen Iverson signing. While short term I think this makes the Sixers a lesser team, I do think it speeds up Holidays development. The last two starts Holiday has received he's been incredible, particularly defensively, shutting down Russell Westbrook and Monta Ellis.

And, frankly, the small lineup was coming anyway, as Eddie Jordan has talked about using it once Lou Williams gets back. I disagree with that decision as well, so maybe this will help me become numb to the idea by the time that comes to fruition.

I actually think Eddie Jordan made the right basketball decision Monday night to go with the small starting lineup. Golden State is a terrible offensive rebounding team, and the major detraction to the small lineup wasn't going to be a major issue. The Sixers needed a quick guard to stick Monta Ellis, who had been averaging 27 points per game in his previous 6 and would have been a touch matchup for a banged up Iguodala. And While Thad would have had a huge mismatch going up against Anthony Morrow or Stephen Curry he had a similar mismatch going up against Vladimir Radmanovic.

All 3 of those keys turned out to be true, as the Sixers dominated the Warriors on the glass (holding them to 6 offensive rebounds), Ellis had his worst game of the years (3-14 shooting, 8 points) thank to stifling defense by Jrue Holiday, and Thad erupted for 23 first quarter points.

Unfortunately, it seems like this was a move that was going to happen regardless, and I don't think this is a lineup that can work against all (or even a handful) of NBA teams, but Eddie Jordan seems in love with it, so get used to it.

Minutes for Brand ?

The small lineup represents a serious concern for Elton Brand's minutes. The 5 games before the Golden State game Brand was averaging 37 minutes per game, but received only 16 coming off the bench. With the return of Speights, those minutes could become even more scarce. And when Louis Williams comes back, pushing Jrue to the bench? Brand's already made comments about not being happy coming off the bench (joking that Mikki Moore can start, but he can't), if this becomes permanent and he becomes a 15 minute per game guy, not only is that bad for the team but the situation could become very combustible.

Holidays Minutes

I've said I don't prefer the small lineup, but I do want to see Holiday getting consistent minutes, ideally ahead of both Green and Ivey in the rotation. This appears to be the case now, but it becomes even more important once Williams comes back, and is definitely something to watch.

Matchup to Watch?

The focus tonight is obviously on Igudoala/Brand, but Thad on Hickson could be as key. Hickson is showing signs of a post offensive game, but should be vulnerable defensively on the perimeter. Similarly, while Holiday has shown great ability on frustrating penetrating point guards, he has gotten beat at times by guards shooting from deep. When he draws the defensive assignment of guarding Mo Williams tonight, he has to stay at home and get a hand in his face.

Prediction: Cavaliers by 12.