Coach Eddie Jordan isn't afraid to sit his stars at crunch time. He did it six times in seven games with Elton Brand earlier this month, and he benched Andre Iguodala for the bulk of the fourth quarter in Tuesday's one-point loss at Washington. Jordan explained that by limiting Iguodala, whom he calls the Sixers' best player, and Brand, he's sending a message to the entire team that he wants unselfishness and teamwork from whoever is out on the floor. Jordan didn't like the 40 third-quarter points that the Sixers allowed -- on 16-for-25 shooting -- so he relied heavily on reserves Jason Smith and Jrue Holiday, a rookie, in the fourth. That group nearly helped the Sixers overcome a 14-point deficit with 8:06 to go.
"We showed resiliency (in the final period)," Jordan said. "We showed poise. We showed harmony and effort. It's amazing how when five guys do it -- no matter what name's on the back, what number's on the back -- you can be successful and effective."
Iguodala didn't have a particularly good defensive game and shot 2-for-10, so he spent 9:12 of the last 12 minutes on the sidelines. He didn't appear too thrilled with the way Jordan handled the situation.
"I think I'm one of the best all-around players out there," Iguodala said. "I don't know what it was -- I guess it was not making shots. I feel like I defend better than anybody out there. Whatever the reason may be, I can't really harp on it. I just move on."
One night later, Iguodala appeared to have moved on. He contributed 25 points, nine rebounds and nine assist in 46 minutes against Boston.
CELTICS 113, SIXERS 110: The shorthanded Sixers dropped their fourth in a row, slipping to 2-6 on the road. The 5-10 Sixers limited the Celtics to 7-for-27 (.259) shooting three-pointers and went an uncharacteristic 13-for-20 (.650) beyond the arc. Some missed free throws down the stretch cost Philly.
Play Basketball Hot Streak and win prizes!
