Minor setback

Well, that wasn't exactly the best way to start the second half of the season. Going to Minnesota to play a pretty bad Timberwolves team looked like a great opportunity. Instead, it's a missed opportunity in the form of a 104-88 loss.

Remember those three key areas I outlined two days ago? The Sixers were poor in all three. The defense was porous, allowing the T-Wolves to shoot nearly 50 percent from the field. Nobody really made a difference in the front court. Thaddeus was 5-for-5 for 12 points, but Reggie Evans and Jason Smith only combined to score nine points. Sammy Dalembert was very ineffective, scoring just six points. On the defensive end, he was manhandled by Al Jefferson (19 points, 14 rebounds). While were on the subject, how good is Al Jefferson? This guy just fills the stat sheet every night. Minnesota sucks (after all, they're 11-41), but Jefferson's a hell of a player to build around.

Finally, the third of my three keys, Andre Iguodala, had an off night. It wasn't so much his 17-point output, but the fact that he had to take 16 shots to get to that total. The Sixers need more from him. But he's certainly not the only one.

In any event, I don't want to dwell too much on this loss. It's just one game in the long run, so we should think twice before overreacting (even though it is the Timberwolves). It just makes the next few games more important.

There's a few stories about there with rumors about Andre Miller being traded. Nothing new than what we've heard already. Once again, I'd be surprised to see him leave. Meanwhile, the Inky reports Ron Artest isn't bound for Philly, which I personally think is a good thing. Finally, the Chicago Tribune reports the Sixers are offering Gordan Giricek for Bonzi Wells, which is interesting. No clue what Wells' contract situation is, though.

And that's all for now. It's the Knicks tomorrow, so time to get focused for that and get back on the right foot.