<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">A year ago the bench was one of many disaster areas on a 76ers team that missed the playoffs for the second time in three years. This season, the early play of the Sixer reserves is a big reason why they're a surprising 3-0 after Sunday's 107-98 win over defending NBA champion Miami. Led by Kyle Korver's 22 points, the Sixer bench outscored Miami's 33-21. In Friday's win at Orlando, the Sixer reserves, led by Korver's 28 points, outscored the Magic's bench 35-29, and rookie Rodney Carney also played some big defensive minutes on Orlando's Grant Hill. ''They've shown what they can do,'' said Allen Iverson, who had his sixth straight 30-point game (dating back to last year) Sunday. ''It's easy to have confidence in a guy when he comes in and does what he's supposed to do.'' Korver, who a year ago was somewhat reluctant to give up his starting spot to come off the bench, has provided just what's expected of him, an offensive spark. Through three games Korver is averaging 18.7 points a game, 25 over his last two, and is shooting 57.6 from the field, including 9-of-11 from behind the 3-point arc. ''He's making them look like lay-ups right now,'' said fellow pine crew member Steven Hunter. ''I'm not going to shoot this percentage the whole rest of the year,'' Korver admitted. ''It'd be nice if I did, but while it's cooking I just want to feed the fire.'' That's fine with Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks. ''Kyle has been of the charts the first three games,'' Cheeks said. ''I think we're doing a lot better job of screening, getting him open a lot better.'' Korver agrees, and he said he feels he's starting to develop his offensive game beyond his trademark 3-pointer. ''The last couple of years I've tried to only shoot in different spots, and this year I'm feeling a little more comfortable posting up, coming off screens, that sort of stuff,'' he said. Comfort is also the key to what appears to be a rejuvenated Hunter, who is averaging 4.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 17.7 minutes a game. ''Last year I felt confused and off-balance at the beginning,'' Hunter said. ''At the end of the year I started to feel more comfortable, and I'm just trying to carry it over. This year, the bottom line is, this team needs me to win, and the coaches have expressed that to me,'' he added. ''So I come ready to play every night.'' Hunter was the lone Sixer big man on the floor for the final 12 minutes Sunday. ''I thought Steven Hunter played very well, and closed off the middle extremely well,'' Cheeks said. Cheeks also pointed to Willie Green's contribution Sunday. ''It may not show up in the stats, but the way he played defense [on Duane Wade], the way he drove the basketball, not necessarily for himself but for other guys, was great,'' Cheeks said. ''I thought we had a lot of good bench play.'' </div> Link
hopefully korver will stay this hot for as many games as possible, we really need him to hit big shots for us. also hunter needs to continue to hold down the paint, but get more boards.
I knew Korver would be better as a spark off the bench. To be honest though, I'd rather see Willie Green start at the point. Either that or have Carney start with Iguodala running the point and Iverson at the 2.
I think ollie is doing a good job starting, and getting ai the ball early. i think carney could use some more minutes, but so far the rotation is looking good.
Consistnecy is the key with these players. As you can see, when they play well the 76ers as a team play a lot better. Thats why I am kind of shakey on the 76ers good start. Are these players going to be able to produce this way night in and night out?
