* Jrue (1), Meeks (2), Iguodala (3) - With this group, Jrue is pretty clearly defined as the point, but Iguodala will initiate offense maybe 10-20% of the time. Meeks spreads the floor, theoretically, opening up driving lanes for Jrue and Iguodala. Defensively, Meeks is the weak link, but he can hold his own in a fair amount of matchups. * Jrue (1), Meeks (2), Turner (3) - Pretty much the same as above, except the defense takes a step down and Turner is probably a better catch-and-shoot guy than Iguodala. Fewer transition points without Iguodala getting stops on the defensive end. * Jrue (1), Turner (2), Iguodala (3) - Best defensive unit they can put out there. This group gets into the floor and converts in transition (especially if Thad is playing the 4). The distribution of playmaking duties is vague, and both Holiday and Turner need to convert their catch-and-shoot opportunities to make it work in the half court. * Lou Williams (1), Jrue (2), Iguodala (3) - Technically, Jrue is probably still called the point guard for this group, but in reality, he handles the ball the least of the three players. The offense pretty much changes to Lou isolation, with a rare pick that he won't use. When Iguodala has the ball, this unit functions pretty much like the first unit when Iguodala has the ball, with Lou taking Meeks' catch-and-shoot role (which I believe he's good at). For the most part, Jrue becomes a catch-and-shoot guy who never gets the ball unless Iguodala is initiating the offense. Defensively, Lou is consistently on-the-ball, with the rest of the defense focused on covering for him, which is not ideal. * Lou Williams (1), Jrue (2), Evan Turner (3) - Pretty much the same as above, with Jrue and Turner initiating on a rare occasion. Defense and playmaking are both downgraded in the Iguodala-to-Turner switch Those are pretty much the only combinations we see. Far too many of them have Lou at the point, which I think is a misuse of his talents (and he does have talent, this isn't a bash Lou post). I'd like to see more of Jrue legitimately running the point, obviously, but that doesn't mean Lou's minutes need to be cut. What it means is that the team should not stop running its offense the second Lou Williams checks into the game, and especially not when the game is on the line. Lou can thrive off the ball, and if/when the shot clock is winding down and you need someone to get a tough shot off, then you go to Lou. Maybe he can bail you out of a bad possession. As far as this Iguodala point forward debate, I'm fine with it. When Iguodala's initiating offense, he gets good looks for whoever has the advantage. He doesn't play favorites. Jrue gets good looks at three off Iguodala's penetration, the bigs get easy layups. I have a hard time believing Iguodala and Jrue can't play together effectively, and find a good balance of who's making plays/handling the ball, and who's playing off the ball. I find it especially hard when I see what those guys have done over the past two games, especially in the third quarter of each game, the quarter in which the Sixers blew the doors off their opponents. Here are their combined numbers from both third quarters: * 7/11 FG * 1/1 3P * 1/1 FT * 11 assists (7 for Jrue, 1 for AI9) * 3 turnovers (1 for Jrue, 2 for AI9) Not only has it worked, but it has looked organic. Most of the time, Jrue was bringing the ball up, setting the play, then executing from the top of the key. Once in a while, the ball would be swung to Iguodala on the wing who would initiate from there. Everyone was involved, they were pressuring the ball on the defensive end, getting out in transition, and finding bigs for easy scores in the half court. I honestly don't think Jrue's struggles have much to do with Iguodala, and how much Iguodala needs the ball. Jrue's problems come when he's playing in a different combination in the back court, and usually when he's forced off the ball. It's a shame that we rarely get a chance to see what Jrue, Lou and Iguodala could do with Jrue at the point, because I think that group could have a chance to be effective. The "can Turner play with Iguodala" question seems to be less important now with Turner finally finding a comfort level and producing pretty regularly. The next step will be to get Jrue on the same page, I'm just not sure what Doug Collins' plan is to get there. --

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