The way Lou Williams explained it after Thursdays workout at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, one loss at home was enough.
Not even 24 hours after the Sixers dropped a 108-104 overtime decision to the Denver Nuggets at the Center on Wednesday night, Williams got his teammates together for a players only meeting. No, it wasnt to air grievances or point fingers about the tough loss, but instead it was a way to keep the team on the same page.
Wait a players only meeting after just one loss?
This is the most success weve had in a long time and were not planning on letting it go, captain Lou Williams said. We cant afford to lose three or four games in a row because guys cant talk out small little things. We lost one. We consider that a losing streak in our building so we had to talk it out.
Actually, according to head coach Doug Collins, his staff likes to give the players some space after video and scouting sessions so they can digest things amongst themselves. In fact, late last season Collins left it up to the players to handle discipline situations amongst themselves, rather using than a heavy-handed approach.
Collins also left the decision to not hold practice last Sunday for his players, too.
My coaching style is whenever we go in to watch tape or we go through a state of the unionwhere we are, what we need to do and lay out the map of where we are, Collins explained. We as the coaches speak with the players, and then we leave and give the players five or 10 minutes to be with each other. Thats protocol. I believe as a coach after you speak with the guys you leave and give them some time with each other and talk about some things.
NBA
Specifically, Williams and Collins cited the series of events that began with 1:56 remaining in the third quarter. After the Sixers had cut a nine-point lead to two, the Nuggets buried four three-pointers to close out the frame. Those were preventableor at least guardableshots that helped swing the momentum of the game away from the Sixers.
Simple communication would have solved matters, Williams said.
We had a stretch last night where we cut it down to two and then they hit four three-pointers in a row, Williams said. That was based on guys not talking and communicating and getting to where theyre supposed to be.
Added Collins: We didnt talk to each other.Thats 12 points.
After last seasons 3-13 start, it was the players and their ability to communicate that kept the Sixers from falling off the cliff. After a tough loss in Miami the day after Thanksgiving, Collins remembered how Andre Iguodala pulled his teammates aside and kept them together.
Essentially, that was the message Williams wanted to get out after the Sixers first home loss of the season.
When you lose a game its important for everyone to sit down and say, Hey, are we alright, Williams said. Its important to see if were all on the same page. That was basically it.
The Sixers will try to bounce back on Friday night in the first game of a back-to-back when Atlanta comes to town. After the game, the Sixers will head to Miami to face the Heat for the first time since last Aprils playoff series.
Next week the Sixers have four games at home against Washington, New Jersey, Charlotte and Detroit. Those four teams have combined for 12 wins headed into Thursday nights action.
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.