The Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers had the first
two picks in this year’s draft, and both rookies are being counted
on to help turn around their franchises, but only one has broken
into the starting lineup.

Considering how empty the present looks for both teams, Tuesday
night’s game between the Washington Wizards and

76ers becomes a comparison of the
future.

More specifically, a matchup of the No. 1 selection in the 2010
NBA draft, Wizards point guard John Wall, vs. the No. 2 selection
in that same draft,

Sixers guard Evan Turner.

Neither team has won a game, combining for five losses, but both
rookies have demonstrated that there is some reason for hope.

The Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers had the first
two picks in this year’s draft, and both rookies are being counted
on to help turn around their franchises, but only one has broken
into the starting lineup.

PLAYER NOTES:

–G Lou Williams is averaging 16.3 points on 14-for-28 shooting from the field, including 5-for-9 from 3-point range.

–F Jason Kapono, after starting the first two games, didn’t get off the bench against the Pacers. Kapono and F/C Darius Songaila were the only two Sixers not to play in the Indiana loss.

–C Spencer Hawes, a starter, has accumulated 10 points, eight fouls, eight rebounds and shot 7-for-19 in the first three games.

MEDICAL WATCH:

None.

ROTATION:

Starters:

–Point guard Jrue Holiday

–Shooting guard Andre Iguodala

–Small forward Andres Nocioni

–Power forward Elton Brand

–Center Spencer Hawes

Bench:

–Guard Lou Williams

–Guard Evan Turner

–Forward Thaddeus Young

–Forward/center Tony Battie

–Forward/center Marreese Speights

Eddie Jordan - Doug Collins - Eastern Conference - Philadelphia 76ers - Allen Iverson

Considering how empty the present looks for both teams, Tuesday
night’s game between the Washington Wizards and

76ers becomes a comparison of the
future.

More specifically, a matchup of the No. 1 selection in the 2010
NBA draft, Wizards point guard John Wall, vs. the No. 2 selection
in that same draft,

Sixers guard Evan Turner.

Neither team has won a game, combining for five losses, but both
rookies have demonstrated that there is some reason for hope.

The Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers had the first
two picks in this year’s draft, and both rookies are being counted
on to help turn around their franchises, but only one has broken
into the starting lineup.

–Sixers coach Doug Collins changed his starting lineup after two games by inserting Andres Nocioni at small forward in Jason Kapono’s spot. Nocioni had six points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes against Indiana.

“He has to start for us,” Collins said. “‘Noce’ is going to give us more of a physical presence out there. It’s nothing Kapono did or did not do. We just need more physicality.”

–Collins after the loss to the Pacers, in which Indiana went on a 13-2 run to start the second half: “It’s like the same old movie. Bad stretches. We had a 13-point lead, and we had a bad stretch. We can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again.”

QUOTE TO NOTE: “We’re trying to build something here. We have to work hard.” — Coach Doug Collins.

Eddie Jordan - Doug Collins - Eastern Conference - Philadelphia 76ers - Allen Iverson

PLAYER NOTES:

–G Lou Williams is averaging 16.3 points on 14-for-28 shooting from the field, including 5-for-9 from 3-point range.

–F Jason Kapono, after starting the first two games, didn’t get off the bench against the Pacers. Kapono and F/C Darius Songaila were the only two Sixers not to play in the Indiana loss.

–C Spencer Hawes, a starter, has accumulated 10 points, eight fouls, eight rebounds and shot 7-for-19 in the first three games.

MEDICAL WATCH:

None.

ROTATION:

Starters:

–Point guard Jrue Holiday

–Shooting guard Andre Iguodala

–Small forward Andres Nocioni

–Power forward Elton Brand

–Center Spencer Hawes

Bench:

–Guard Lou Williams

–Guard Evan Turner

–Forward Thaddeus Young

–Forward/center Tony Battie

–Forward/center Marreese Speights

Eddie Jordan - Doug Collins - Eastern Conference - Philadelphia 76ers - Allen Iverson

Considering how empty the present looks for both teams, Tuesday
night’s game between the Washington Wizards and

76ers becomes a comparison of the
future.

More specifically, a matchup of the No. 1 selection in the 2010
NBA draft, Wizards point guard John Wall, vs. the No. 2 selection
in that same draft,

Sixers guard Evan Turner.

Neither team has won a game, combining for five losses, but both
rookies have demonstrated that there is some reason for hope.

–Sixers coach Doug Collins changed his starting lineup after two games by inserting Andres Nocioni at small forward in Jason Kapono’s spot. Nocioni had six points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes against Indiana.

“He has to start for us,” Collins said. “‘Noce’ is going to give us more of a physical presence out there. It’s nothing Kapono did or did not do. We just need more physicality.”

–Collins after the loss to the Pacers, in which Indiana went on a 13-2 run to start the second half: “It’s like the same old movie. Bad stretches. We had a 13-point lead, and we had a bad stretch. We can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again.”

QUOTE TO NOTE: “We’re trying to build something here. We have to work hard.” — Coach Doug Collins.

Eddie Jordan - Doug Collins - Eastern Conference - Philadelphia 76ers - Allen Iverson