News, Notes, and Quotes - December 8, 2004

Each Wednesday, Sixers.com will compile news, notes and quotes from Sixers players and coaches from the week and games to give a mid-week report on the happenings on the court.

posted Dec. 8, 2004

Above Expectations
Andre Iguodala is currently ranked in the top 10 in every major rookie statistical category. Much of Iguodala’s success can be attributed to the fact that he has started every game so far this season and has accumulated the third most minutes of playing time for rookies. The two players who lead rookies in playing time, Emeka Okafor and Dwight Howard, were drafted with open spots in the starting lineups waiting for them. The Sixers did not draft Iguodala with the expectations of him becoming a full-time starter by the season opener, but he was able to beat out Glenn Robinson, a former All-Star, to secure the starting job at small forward and now two guard.

Here is how his numbers rank against the other first-year players in the NBA:

Statistical Category	Rank	Stat.
Points Per Game	8	6.9 ppg
Rebounds Per Game	3	5.8 ppg
Field Goal Percentage	9	.438
3 Point Field Goal Percentage	3	.360
Free Throw Percentage	3	.738
Free Throws Made	2	31
Free Throws Attempted	3	42
Assists Per Game	4	2.5 apg
Steals Per Game	1	1.65 spg
Blocks Per Game	5	.82 bpg
Minutes Per Game	3	30.2 mpg
Efficiency Rating	3	12.53
Jesse D Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images

Standing Out
Even though the just-ended five-game road trip is one that the Sixers would most likely prefer to forget, there has been one bright spot: the play of center Marc Jackson.

Marc Jackson has been playing well despite the Sixers recent struggles. Jesse D. Garrabrant NBAE Getty Images

Jackson has averaged 14.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while being only one of two players, along with Andre Iguodala, to have started all 17 games played. Perhaps the most impressive stats have come while the team has been struggling as of late, as Jackson's stats have even improved. Over the 0-5 road trip, Jackson is averaging 15.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.6 offensive rebounds per contest. He has been shooting 61.1 percent from the floor in the second half, and joins Kyle Korver as the only players to be shooting above 33.3 percent in the fourth quarter.

When Jackson was matched up against Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 1, he scored 18 points and had five rebounds in just 20 minutes played. Yet, even after his solid performance, he was more focused on the performance of the team.

“Our effort just wasn’t there defensively," said Jackson after the game. "You have to be aggressive, get up on them, pressure the basketball, force them to make mistakes. There can’t be any easy passes, easy baskets, easy lay-ups, or easy shots. I haven’t seen us give that kind of effort since the first couple of games this season. This was a let-down.”

The team should be happy, though, with the play of their starting center, and see it as a point to build around as they try to improve their current 6-11 record. They will start Dec. 8 against Minnesota, which is the team that traded Jackson to Philadelphia.


Recent Struggles
The 76ers started the season 4-3, including two overtime wins. Since then, Philadelphia has lost eight of its last 10 games. Here is a look at the Sixers breakdown through 17 games this season:

First 7 Games (4-3)	TEAM BREAKDOWN	Last 10 Games (2-8)
97.9	Scoring Average	90.9
.427 (238-557)	Field Goal Percentage	.412 (337-817)
.386 (49-127)	3-Point Field Goal Pct.	.344 (53-154)
30.3	FT Attempts Per Game	23.4
.470 (62-132)	4th Qtr. FG%	.373 (69-185)
.360 (45-125)	Opponent's 4th Qtr. FG%	.455 (96-211)