While the Sixers are currently in playoff position in the East, they’re doing it without the guy they gave up Andre Iguodala for, as Andrew Bynum is still out with a pair of knee injuries. Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com writes about how Philadelphia coach Doug Collins might be starting to get a little frustrated with the lack of Bynum on the court: “Collins’ public mindset seemingly began to change Nov. 18. Before that night’s home game against the Cavaliers, Collins didn’t say a word and shook his head in the negative when asked if he had anything to add after Bynum admitted to the media that he suffered a bone bruise in his left knee while bowling (Bynum already had a bone bruise in his right knee). Then, prior to a Nov. 24 home date with the Thunder, Collins was asked about not having Andre Iguodala to guard other teams’ top perimeter scorer. “Andre’s one of the better defenders in the NBA,” Collins said. “We knew that. Giving him up, we thought we were going to have one of the best post defenders (Bynum).” Zing.”
Jason Quick of the Oregonian takes a good look at Wesley Matthews, who might have his consecutive games streak ended if he can’t play in the Blazers’ game Monday: “Wesley Matthews was hurt. That Matthews would let anyone see that, let alone write it, says a lot about the status of the Blazers’ starting shooting guard and resident Iron Man. Matthews, who has never missed an NBA game in his four years, said he heard his left hip flexor pop during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 99-80 home loss to Sacramento. That came after the same hip was hobbled a quarter earlier when John Salmons kneed him. He said if the Blazers had to play Sunday, he would have to sit out, ending his string of 250 consecutive appearances. It’s the second longest active streak in the NBA to Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook (332 games). The Blazers next play Monday at home against Toronto. Matthews said he would get electric stimulation throughout the night, rest during Sunday’s practice, then try to play Monday. While he admits his streak of games played means something to him – he even has the game operations staff play Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” during his introduction – he says his desire to play through pain is for more than a note in his bio. ’It’s done not only out of stubborness, but out of sacrifice for the team,’ Matthews said. ‘It’s not just an individual thing,I’m doing this so my team knows I’m going to fight for them regardless. As long as I can compete, I’m going to compete.’ “|
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