Sixers Notes: Turner, Brand, Collins
Last night the Sixers fell to the Celtics in a one-point game they appeared to be in control of for most of the way. Here are a few links on the playoff's lone Cinderella team as they get ready for Game 2 on Monday night.
- Evan Turner's first half was nearly flawless last night, but in the second half he struggled. The Philadelphia Inquirer's John Mitchell writes that despite the team's loss, Turner's double-double was a serious bright spot.
- In the Chicago Tribune, Vaughn McClure writes about how now is the time for Turner to step up to the next level.
- The Washington Post's Michael Lee writes a piece about Sixers head coach Doug Collins, and how he hasn't advanced past the first round since he was with the Bulls, when Michael Jordan made "The Shot" over Craig Ehlo.
- CSNPhilly.com's John Finger explains Elton Brand's lack of minutes last night.
Kyler’s Latest: Brand, Love, Lin, Anthony
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld fielded questions from his followers on Twitter this morning, focusing on everyone's favorite topics — Jeremy Lin and Dwight Howard. In addition to his morning tweets, Kyler also has an NBA AM piece up at HoopsWorld that includes a few interesting tidbits. Here are some of the highlights:
- 76ers forward Elton Brand has an early termination option for 2012/13 worth about $18.16MM which will almost certainly be picked up. He intends to keep playing well past next season though, if his body allows it: "Everything hurts now but I still love playing the game and it's a joy coming out and competing against the best guys every night and having some success with the team, it feels good."
- Kevin Love says the presence of Rick Adelman is a big reason why he signed a long-term extension with the Timberwolves: "He's allowed me to play with a lot of confidence and he's a coach that I enjoy playing for and I think everyone will say that in this locker room."
- Addressing some Knicks trade speculation that has arisen since Lin's emergence, Kyler says it's way too early to talk about trading either Lin or Carmelo Anthony. While Kyler acknowledges that Carmelo is a tradable asset, he says the Knicks need to see the two players on the court together before jumping to any conclusions. I think this goes without saying — I don't expect we'll see Anthony leaving the Knicks anytime soon. I'm betting he and Lin will co-exist better that people are anticipating.