An NBA source said the Sixers had made contact with unrestricted free agent Corey Maggette and hope to speak with him next week. - Philly.com
The question is why?
Because the competition in this year’s free agent market isn’t as weak as everyone expected. Going into July 1 it was the Memphis Grizzles and the Philadelphia 76ers with significant cap space to pursue the top free agents. With the recent developments in Golden State and with the Clippers, now there are 2 other teams involved. That means more competition to sign Josh Smith and more heat on the Sixers regarding their own restricted free agents, Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams.
Let’s consider Corey Maggette with the Sixers
There are a couple possible scenarios.
Possibility 1: The Sixers can’t steal Josh Smith away from Atlanta or convince Elton Brand to leave the Clippers. Therefore Corey Maggette would be signed as the major impact player of the summer. To me this is the most likely of the possible scenarios. Corey Maggette is clearly a big upgrade over our current starting shooting guard Willie Green. He adds a proven scorer to the lineup who can get the foul line and put pressure on opposing defenses. He also runs the floor well and fits with the Sixers’ current style of play. Maggette’s defense is pretty weak. It’s more about effort and the desire to lock up on defense rather than physical deficiencies. Who knows whether that will change if he got in the right environment, but I am not banking on it. Another thing to consider… the addition of Maggette will probably stunt the offensive growth of Thaddeus Young to some degree. We already complained about the lack of plays being called for Young; I don’t see how that gets any better when you add an offensive player such as Maggette. In this scenario how much better do you think Corey Maggette would make the Sixers?
Possibility 2: Once again the Sixers lose out on their top PF targets. But, so does Golden State and they make a HUGE offer to Andre Iguodala in the $14-15M+ per year range, and Stefanski and the Sixers don’t match. I see two outcomes here.
- We lose Iguodala outright and sign Corey Maggette as his replacement.
- We work out a sign and trade with Golden State for Iguodala involving Al Harrington who will soon be asking for a trade anyway. And then sign Corey Maggette as well. Now our starting line-up is A. Miller, Corey Maggette, Thaddeus Young, Al Harrington and Samuel Dalembert.
I think we all agree outcome 1 would suck! The Sixers will be worse off in my book. But what do you think of outcome 2? We get an upgrade at PF with Harrington and improve the shooting guard position with Maggette. But we also make room for Thaddeus Young to thrive by clearing the potential logjam at small forward. I hear a lot of Sixers fans calling for a sign and trade of Andre Iguodala. Well I just presented you with one. What do you think?
How do you guys feel about the prospect of Corey Maggette in a Sixers uniform. As well of the likelihood that it will actually happen?
34 comments ↓
Why would GoldenState be more likely to go after AI in stead of Maggette? From what I’ve read, they are similar players with AI more committed to defense.
Is Maggette really an upgrade from AI or Rodney Carney? If either Carney or AI return this year as better shooters either one might be better than Maggette, who, as an older player, is probably not going to become a better jump-shooter.
I wouln’t be happy about either scenerio that brings Maggette.
I would rather not acquire Maggette. I’m sticking with my plan B from the previous Sixers thread. If we don’t get Brand or Smith, my top priority would be to spend our money on a replacement starting PG. Then we can trade Miller at the deadline or let him walk at the end of next season and use his $10 million to get our PF.
Duracorr - Golden State would be more likely to go after Iguodala because he is younger, more well-rounded in his game and flat out the better player, I think that is pretty clear.
I think you are taking it a little far thinking Rodney Carney is on the same level as a proven NBA veteran right now. Maggette is a 20ppg scorer Rodney Carney is a back-up role player so yes it would be a huge upgrade over Carney. But that wasn’t what the scenario proposed. It would be replacing Willie Green as the starting SG as a way to improve the team if the Sixers strike out with their pursuit for a power forward. And to me that would be an upgrade. Carney would still be the back-up SG/SF on the team.
I clearly stated that if we lost Iguodala and replaced him with Maggette that would be going in the wrong direction without question.
Bski - I have read your comments about a replacement PG as plan B and I don’t disagree. But, I ask who? With Calderon not going anywhere that PG would have to come via trade.
The first guy I think most ppl will say is Raymond Felton who may become available. I don’t think that is going to happen this summer. That is of course, someone offers them a very attractive deal and I am not sure the Sixers have the right pieces to do that (I would really have to assess the Bobcats needs).
Also, if I am running the Bobcats I think it would be smart to keep Felton and make sure Augustin can even succeed in the NBA (size does matter a fair amount at this level) before they ship off a proven NBA PG. I don’t think Augustin is coming right in an starting. There will be competition for the position for sure though.
DANNIE: I guess right after the draft, I was thinking about Kirk Hinrich or Earl Watson, hoping maybe they would be available after the Rose and Westbrook picks, respectively. Maybe our best shot would be someone like Kyle Lowry or Mike Conley, since Memphis has a PG glut.
Both of those scenarios are terrible. The goal should simply be to get the best PF possible. I’d go straight down the list…Smith, Brand, Biedrins, Okafor, etc.
If we were looking for a SG, Maggette wouldn’t be my first target either and I honestly don’t feel he’d add much value to this team.
Also, I don’t think Felton is available. I think they’ve wanted him to play SG for a long time and he’ll just be switching to the two.
All right, I’ll admit it. You caught me with my head in the clouds a bit with regard to getting a PG. As far as our Maggette options, I’m not to thrilled with any of them. In possibility 1, if Iguodala is our SG, Maggette comes off the bench, right? No way Maggette starts over Iguodala. Maggette is certainly better than Green, but I don’t know that we get more from Maggette at SG and Iguodala at SF than we would from Iguodala at SG and Young at SF.
As you said, possibility 2-1 is horrible. Possibility 2-2 kind of looks ok, but Maggette is an overall drop off from Iguodala, and I don’t think Harrington will give us enough of what we need at PF(although I will say it is more than what we have). I mean, his career average is 6 rebounds per game, and we’re talking about ten years here, so it is what it is.
I keep reading little mentions about how the Sixers are still trying to clear more cap space. Hopefully, it will be enough to land Josh Smith. Then we won’t have to worry about trying to make the best out of what’s left out there.
Duke - can you explain to me why you want Biedrins? I have seen him mentioned in a couple places but no one has given any indication as to why he is a good fit for the Sixers.
He plays center for Golden State, do people think this is our PF answer? I don’t think we would be paying him to be a back-up center either. He isn’t really a big-time post scoring threat so he doesn’t solve that issue.
The only think I could come up with that makes some kind of sense is signing Biedrins as our center for less than Dalembert’s $10M per year contract. Then look to trade Dalembert and get good value for him while he is still only 27 and playing fairly well. Because the two guys put up almost the same numbers. Sammy averages 1 more bpg and shoots better from the line. Biedrins shoots a better % from the field and is 5 years younger and all his number came in 5 less minutes per game than Sammy played.
If you can get Biedrins for say $7M or $8M that might leave room to bring in a shooter as well. The problem again is that he is restricted and I am sure Golden State would match anything under $10M per season.
Oh by the way Duke, I am willing to bet Raymond Felton isn’t playing shooting guard again ever! The Bobcats tried it for a stretch during the middle of the season and it didn’t work. They returned him full-time to the point for the last 20 or so games and he played extremely well. What team in their right mind would put a 6-1 player who never really was that good of a shooter from anywhere (career 39.6% FG shooter and 32.7% 3pt shooter in the NBA) at the 2? That was dumb on the Bobcats part to be completely honest. Also they already have Jason Richardson and Matt Carroll at the 2. Carroll shoots 41% from three and already plays 25mpg.
Raymond Felton is a good NBA point guard (second in the East in assist and 7th in the NBA) and will continue to be a good point guard. I’d like to see him get his assist-turnover ratio up above 3 and continue to work on his jumper. But he has been starting at the point since he was a rookie that says a lot. He is a restricted free agent next summer and if the team really think Augustin is or will be better they will probably look to trade Felton to a team that needs a point at the trade deadline or do some sort of sign and trade next summer so they get value for him. Losing him outright would be a huge black eye for management.
I’d love for the Sixers to try and get him.
Bski - I don’t really think Earl Watson is a guy the Sixers should target. He just turned 29 and I wouldn’t consider that an age for a point guard of the future. More like a PG of right now.
I like Hinrich but he comes with a big price tag and we would have to move A.Miller immediately if we got him.
Lowry or Conley are good choices but what do we really have to offer Memphis besides first round picks? Lowry seems like the guy Memphis would be willing to give up but I really hope he learns to shoot, he is pretty bad right now.
I’m not as big on Corey as you are. Living in L.A. I ‘ve seen him play quite a bit. His defense is weak, he struggles within a team concept, he’s, basically, a one-on-one player. Mike Dunleavy has tried to trade him several times, but the owner (Donald Steirling) likes him alot, and refuses to make the deal.
To me Iguodala and Corey are basically the same player. Even though Maggette is a better perimeter shooter, Andre has a better overall game and, to my way of thinking, is a better player. So, as you can tell, I’m not too thrilled about bring him to the Sixers. I think our money can be better spent elsewhere.
Biedrins wouldn’t be as much of a fit as I think a best available player option (value wise). He’s young and has a lot of upside. I think Golden State will match any offer on him. The last thing I want to see happen is to overpay a guy we think might “fit” and then be stuck with him “fitting” on the bench and eating salary cap space for the next five seasons. We’ve already lived through too many of those nightmares.
As for Felton, I agree he’s a point guard. I also think Michael Jordan and Larry Brown are idiots (personnel wise) and haven’t ever understood many (if any) decisions that either has made. Jordan managed to trump his Kwame Brown draft fiasco, by passing on Brooke Lopez in this year’s draft and then selecting Alexis Ajinca instead of Kosta Koufos later in round 1. So do I think we see Felton at SG again, yeah. Then again, with Larry Brown as coach it may not be for another year since rookies are only allowed 5 minutes per game.
I like Maggette as a player, but want no part of him in a Sixers uniform. We’d take 10 steps backwards if we lost Iggy and our best acquisition was Maggette.
Both are terrible.
Magette is a good player, but is a SF primarily. Not a need. He doesn’t shoot especially well either(he did last year for some reason though) and doesn’t defend.
Harrington stinks, but “kinda fits” since he can shoot the 3. He isn’t good enough though… that is the problem.
Felton also stinks. I would vomit if we got him. He did make improvements this year though I must admit.
Maggette will just go to a contender for a mild pay cut or go to GS for money. The Sixers should have zero interest since he doesn’t fit.
Joe - I really don’t even know how to respond to you anymore at this point. You apparently don’t like anyone and think everyone stinks outside of the Sixers. It’s kind of ridiculous actually.
DANNIE: Somehow I missed earl Watson’s age. Not very thorough on my part, I guess.
As far as Hinrich, maybe we can get him. After what what the Celtics were able to do last year, it is not beyond the realm of possibility. Plus, with all the coaching changes, I’m expecting a lot of teams will be willing to deal as each one tries to bring in players who fit their new coach’s system and clear out the ones that don’t.
I don’t read all things NBA, so I can’t say I have a good idea about who each team figures to keep, who they will let go, and who they are trying to acquire. Maybe that should tell me not to get too involved in these discussions. In any case, I was just trying to come up with a better plan B than Maggette and Harrington.
I’m looking at it like this. Maybe, if Ben Gordon leaves, Chicago would value Lou Will. Many in the blogosphere think that he can develop into a PG. At least, he should continue to be good 6th man material and a solid backup at both PG and SG. Skiles could possibly see enough in him for us to work a sign and trade for Hinrich. We would certainly have to include something additional in the deal, but maybe not too much.
You are right, if we get Hinrich, we would have to move Miller. Again, I have no idea whether or not he wants to stay with us. If the Sixers have a pretty good idea that he doesn’t, then they will be looking to trade him anyway. Denver seems to have really missed him and he said how much he liked it there. Maybe they miss him enough to make a deal. Camby is making about $300,000 less than Miller and has two years left on his contract. I think he can slide to PF. Camby and Dalembert would be monstrous defensively, plus the two years would give Speights time to develop. I know Denver was an awful defensive team even with Camby, so I don’t know how likely they would be to part with him, but Miller could really help them. Maybe we’d need to do something like Miller and Evans for Camby and Atkins(J.R. Smith could end up in the mix as well). That could work, too.
If we were able to pull these two deals off we should still have enough money to go after Eddie House or Roger Mason or Chris Quinn or some other shooter.
So, we could have a starting five of Hinrich, Iguodala, Young, Camby, Dalembert, with House(or someone), Carney, Smith and Speights coming off the bench.
I realize there are so many contingencies and unknowns that every sentence should begin with IF, but I’m just tossing scenarios out there. Maybe they’re too out there though, huh?
Hinrich is so overrated, no thanks on that front. That is to big of a downgrade of Andre Miller.
Camby and Dalembert on the court at the same time? Do you never want to score down low expect for on alley oops? I am sorry but that would be a horrible lineup.
Option 1 doesnt suck to me, but then again looks like I am the only one that thinks Maggette is better than Igoudala. Im ok with that.
Option 2 is the way you would go though, sign Maggette and sign and trade Igoudala for a big man of some type( if you cant get Josh Smith)
Letting Lou go would be a mistake, I really think this kid is developing.
Wanted to respond to Bski and some of the others that have brought up PG as a position to pursue if we flame out on Josh Smith. Here’s a list of some of the guys that could be moved or signed that are available because of: PG’s caught in logjams, team just needs a change of situation at the PG spot, rookies that haven’t gotten enough burn and whose stocks are down but were talented coming out of college, etc. I broke them down into several categories (they are listed in random order):
Best potential of long term NBA starting PG job:
-Raymond Felton
-Kirk Hinrich
-Javaris Crittenton (I’m sure people will disagree with me on Javaris, but I love this kid)
Short term NBA starting caliber PG’s (as a stop gap), or good veteran NBA backups:
-Carlos Arroyo
-Luke Ridnour
-Jason Williams (Miami)
-Jamal Tinsley
-Earl Watson
-Damon Stoudamire
-Brevin Knight
-Sebastian Telfair
-Anthony Carter
Youngins (with some vets) that I don’t think are talented enough to start, but could really blossom into either great backup PG’s, or great 6th man combo guard backups:
-Kyle Lowry
-Aaron Brooks
-Jordan Farmer
-Kenyon Dooling
-Daniel Gibson
-Jannero Pargo
-Gabe Pruitt
Young 1-3 year PG’s who have question marks, are too unproven, or have had injuries, and could go either way (career backup, or the potential to blossom into a quality NBA starter):
-Shaun Livingston
-Ramon Sessions
-Marcus Williams (NJ)
-Sergio Rodriguez
-Acie Law IV
Classic risk/reward veterans that given a situation change, or injury free season, could still be potentially extremely capable starting PG’s:
-Jamal Tinsley
-Carlos Arroyo
-Jason Williams
-Luke Ridnour
Again, just wanted to say the above is NOT a comprehensive lists of all PG’s in the NBA. This is a list of PG’s I feel that, right now, could be realistically had in the market via FA signing, “tweak” trade, part of a package for a bigger trade, or that teams would realistically consider (or actively want to) move.
Dannie: I don’t know Joe personally, but I gotta defend the guy - all everyone has here are OPINIONS, that’s all. I don’t think you or Pete are more qualified than he is to analyze sports. There’s nothing ridiculous about what he’s saying regarding the Sixers. Do I agree with everything he says? Nope, I don’t. And if I post something and you or any other poster disagrees, that won’t change my mind, I’ll believe what I’ll believe.You guys all hate Jason Smith, I don’t, I think they should keep him, there’s a chance he could develop into a unique and productive player, but I won’t respond every time someone knocks him, there’s no need for me to “win” here.
I really enjoy reading differences of opinions, don’t you? For example, I think everyone’s too bandwagon-y on Josh Smith, I’d love it if someone put up a post discussing how it would be a horrible move (e.g., the NBA’s final four all had very efficient players, Josh Smith doesn’t produce efficiently, he still has a long ways to go to harness his abilities).
Anyway, in my OPINION, I wish you wouldn’t knock people’s ideas and analyses as “ridiculous”, they’re no more ridiculous than yours or Pete’s.
KEVIN: Don’t misunderstand me. As I have stated many times, my preference is to extend Miller. The problem is that I don’t know how likely it is that he wants to stay. If the Sixers know they can’t keep him, I’m sure they will be looking to trade him and get equal value in return. The point of my last couple posts has been to try to identify a starting PG we can get to take over for Miller, because I don’t see Lou Will as the guy who can do that.
I’m not saying my suggestion is the ideal solution, merely that it could be a doable and acceptable plan B, at least for the short term, in that it would allow us to address a few needs at once and still keep us under the cap.
If, as you say, Hinrich is too big a step down from Miller, who do you see as our long term solution at PG if Miller leaves? Also, you suggested trading Iguodala for a big man. I value Iguodala more than Lou Will, which is why I suggested trying to move him instead. I’m hoping that Lou Will in a package with another player or draft picks will be enough to get a very good player in return.
DAVE T: I know that it seems like I’ve singled out the PG position, but that’s because I’m afraid we won’t keep Miller and I think his replacement is very important. Really, since we’re most likely a couple years away, I’m good with making one major acquisition this year and one next year. If we whiff on the PF spot this year, we can go after a big time shooter now, then address the PF at the deadline or next off season.
I don’t think you have given your opinion as to what the Sixers should do if they can’t get Brand or Smith. It certainly doesn’t appear that ES is planning on keeping the money in his pocket until next year, so should they just get the best available PF, or what? What are your thoughts?
Zack - Slow down. You might want to reread my comment. I didn’t say Joe’s ideas were ridiculous I said the fact that everyone “sucks” outside of the Sixers roster in my “opinion” is ridiculous and simply not a realistic way to talk basketball. “how bout this player” - “he sucks”, “how bout this player” - “he sucks.” Can’t really carry a conversation that way is my point. Sure some guys do suck and I will be the first to admit it but when everyone sucks outside of the home team and the indisputable elite players that is not productive discussion.
To any other ideas or opinions I always respond the same way with data and my own subjective opinion.
This should probably be a new topic, since it has nothing to do with Maggette, but this is from Hoopsworld today “It seems more and more likely that the Heat are going to have to trade Shawn Marion to get the playmaker they need, likely to be Chicago’s Kirk Hinrich, Philly Andre Miller, or perhaps Golden State’s Monta Ellis, though Ellis is not a point guard by nature.”
If we’re unsuccessful in attaining J.Smith, E. Brand, or Biedrins, I think it would be our best move to land Marion for Miller and use the remaining cap room (I believe it would be about 6 million) on a pg.
I think Igoudala is a better player than Lou as well. I just feel that Lou is more valuable to this team than Igoudala. By that I mean that Lou fills a need more. See I am in the Lou can be a point guard camp. He is not Andre Miller, nor will he ever be. He is a different kind of PG, one that I think he fits in. As he continues to develop that is. Igoudala is not a 2, and will never be. He just dont fit this team anymore.
I also dont think that Andre Miller is going to resign him. I say trade him at the deadline. By then I think Lou will be ready to take over. I would not be opposed to another PG or combo guard being brought in.
Duke - I read that as well, but doesn’t Marion fit in the same mold of Young and Iguodala? He isn’t really going to add any half court offense or post scoring. Very little 3pt shooting. I think we can get a much much better deal for Miller to help the Sixers long-term (younger players, draft picks etc.). The Sixers would be crazy to resign Marion (30-years old) who is looking for a big extension since he is an unrestricted free agent next summer.
I think Marion’s a better fit at PF than Young. He’s already played successfully in a high octane offense (Phoenix). Again, he wouldn’t be my first choice. I’d love to get Smith or Brand, but I think this would be a better move than just settling for a player like Maggete or striking out completely in FA this year. I’m becoming more and more concerned that we end up with a mid level guy and nothing more in what was supposed to be a franchise altering offseason for us. Furthermore, if that happens…the cap clearing Korver trade ends up a total failure, as I’d rather have Kyle than some of the lesser options that will be available.
Duke - I agree, I think Marion is a much better option at PF than Young. Thad is a small forward in my book. But for how long is Marion our PF is the big question? He is 30 and will be 31 next May. His game thrives on athleticism more so than craftiness or tremendous skill. So I think he will be declining in production going forward, on a team that is trying to rise. Is this a rental for one season? If so, do we think Marion and maybe one more minor addition gets us to the Conference Finals? I don’t think so, which begs the question what is the point.
Side Note: How are we structuring this deal? Is it straight up Miller for Marion? That deal would eat up roughly $6M of our cap space by absorbing the excess of Marion’s $16M contract. Which we would then use to find our new starting PG? Or Shooter if you want to put Lou at the point? Thoughts?
On the other side do we think the Sixers should either extend Marion now or resign him next summer?
I just think when looking at potential deals (especially this one) we can’t just consider “right now” but also consider what the plan is down the line as well. Know what I mean? Unless we are getting a super, super star player at a big need (Elton Brand etc.) all other deals are part of a bigger building process to get this team a level where they can compete for an Eastern Conference Finals and Finals every year. We have some good pieces already I think.
First off, if I were to make that trade, I’d make them take Willie Green’s salary along with A. Miller. The salary effect would then be negligible and we’d still have FA money for this offseason. There’s no stud PG out there, so I might then go for Kristic and Telfair. We’d then have some pretty good depth at all positions. Of course, we’d be keeping our fingers crossed that either Lou or Telfair would pan out as a starting PG.
As for Marion I’d re-sign him to a three or four year deal. I happen to think he’s got a lot more left in the tank than most do.
(Again, I’d prefer finding a way to land J. Smith over all these scenarios.)
Duke,
I agree that J Smith would be best all around, but if Atlanta is determined to keep him, trading for Marion might work out. I understand 08-09 is the last year on his contract. Wouldn’t that mean we would pick that up as “cap space” next summer? If so, we could be players again next year when there may be more options. Renting Marion for a year may not be a bad idea. However it would cost us AM. I think Lou W can play the point. He’s had 2 years of teaching from Mo and 1-1/2 with AM. His assist/turnover ratio has improved. I think we here see him as a little bit like Allen Iverson and are afraid he will be a “shoot first” kind of player. His attitude seems to be good and, as I said, he’s had excellent mentoring.
Who knows, maybe Spreights and Lou W will progress well this year and we can look in another direction next summer.
@Dannie
I was under the impression that these were ideas you were just throwing out there. That is why I approached them with the bluntness I did. If I knew you were backing them, I would have been more long-winded in my response. Perhaps I misread your initial post? I don’t think so. Anway…
http://www.wagesofwins.com/Distortion0708.html
Using defensive efficiency as a measure of defensive ability, I like the personnel on 8 of the top 10 defensive teams greatly. The Sixers were 5th best. They were an elite defensive team last year. That is also why they have a chance at 50 wins without additions like Josh Smith. They should evaluate their talent level more so and then make judgments as to what holes they need to address.
The Sixers aren’t going to magically forget how to defend. They have 0 terrible defenders on their team. They have several studs like Iggy, Thaddeus, and Sammy. They have another really good one in Andre Miller. They have good ones in Lou Williams, Reggie Evans. They have an average to mildly below average one in Willie Green. I can’t give an evaluation to Speights or Jason Smith because I don’t have one.
You look at their problems in the half court offense and think this team can’t win because they don’t have a 20 ppg player. I look at this team and say they have a chance to be on the same level as Detroit defensively, if not better. The Sixers struggle on offense, but with minor improvements by Thaddeus, Lou, and Carney, they could easily move from 20th to 15th or so.
The Sixers are BETTER than you think. The personnel is BETTER because you undervalue defense.
Raymond Felton “ran” a team that couldn’t manage to be anything other than bad on offense and defense. His numbers aren’t good and his play, from what I have watched, is poor. He improved this year as I stated. His numbers last year were still worse than a Kirk Hinrich’s offensively and Hinrich’s value is often times associated with his play on the other side of the ball. Felton’s isn’t. Hinrich “ran” a poor offensive team, but last year was a poor year for him and last year was a very good year for Felton. I think of Hinrich as PG that ranks somewhere between 11 and 20 in the NBA aka average starting PG. I think of Felton as a very bad starter.
I honestly didn’t mean to say Al Harrington stinks. He is a below average starter and, with his salary, he just isn’t good enough. That is how I feel.
At the end of the say, you will shrug off the Sixers defensive prowess and overemphasize their offensive flaws causing you to misjudge this team, in my opinion, and THAT is “ridiculous.”
@Duracorr
Capspace is determined by your player salaries and cap holds. Trading Miller for Marion wouldn’t affect either of those for next offseason since Miller or Marion wouldn’t be part of the “player salaries” because they wouldn’t be under contract. If you get what I am saying…
“Who knows, maybe Spreights and Lou W will progress well this year and we can look in another direction next summer.”
I agree. This team is filled with so many “unknowns” long term for a championship caliber team. They are set at SF and C IMO and nowhere else yet. Lou, Iggy, Speights, Smith, and Carney all have the ability, in my opinion to fill out roles, such as Lou(starting PG), Iggy/Carney(starting SG), Speights/Smith(starting PF), then other roles like 6th man, shooter, back up C, etc. With another year, I think we will have a better understanding of who will fill what roles and then make a decision on what direction to go with the cap space, if any.
Joe - that is where you are mistaken regarding my stance on the Sixers. I haven’t even discussed defense, let alone knock their defensive prowess for all the reasons you mentioned - I don’t view it as a weakness or something to worry much about outside of the not sacrificing the good defense for offense (the reason I think Josh Smith fits).
But when I watch this team struggle against good -elite teams both in the regular season and in the playoffs it’s because they go on droughts when they don’t/can’t score. Defense can get you so far, but there is another part of the game which is to put the ball in the hole as well. In order for them to get over the hump they need to figure out a way to decrease both the number of scoring droughts and duration of them when they do happen. For this team that is in the half-court and making free throws at a higher rate. Other strong defensive teams do a good job of getting stops, rebounding and forcing turnovers all things that prevent the Sixers for getting the easy baskets in transition which they thrive on.
This is the off-season and I am looking to fill holes and improve the team. Especially when for once they have the means to do it. Standing pat is fine, but most of my posts are just options worth exploring before getting to that point. So you are right most of the things are just conversation starters and ideas some of which I do personally support.
My point regarding your comments are how do you continue the conversation with someone when the response often times is “everyone sucks.” I could easily ignore them, but is that what commenters really want, to post comments and have them be ignored?
@Dannie
I guess I think you undervalue defense since you never talk about it and seem to really like offensive specialists.
We need help in the half court offense, while not sacrificing anything on defense relative to Reggie Evans. Smith doesn’t fit that bill. Speights could. Heck Jason Smith has a better chance to fill that need than Josh Smith and he is a solid shot blocker as well.
We have a bigger question mark at the PG position since we have one candidate to fill that need long term in Lou. Maybe Jamont Gordon will be amazing and push for some PT this year… I don’t see it happening.
The Sixers ought to continue to evaluate and keep flexibility. They don’t really need help defensively, so I don’t understand why they would get Josh Smith.
As you clearly say, “Defense can get you so far, but there is another part of the game which is to put the ball in the hole as well.”
I agree. And Houston shows it. If the Sixers get Josh Smith, they will show it too.
I hate the thought of either scenario. If anyone pushes that hard for AI or LOU you have to bite the bullet and match, even if there isnt any money left for an additon this year, i hope Stefanski feels the same way. I dont like the thought of signing CM even if we keep everyone, he scores and hes a decent rebounder but thats it. With our current roster there wouldnt be a pos for him to play. IGG needs to be moved to the 2 and Teddy needs to be the 3 and thats it. If your talking about replacing IGG w/ CM your crazy! He averaged less than 3 more ppg than IGG do the math, we wouldnt of won anymore games last season. If you put J smoove 17ppg over Evans 5ppg thats increase enough to add 5 to 10 more wins a season, so all of you who say Smith isnt the answer your crazy too! Also, if the sixers get the bum Al Harrington ill start watching the WNBA
@bski:
You asked what my thoughts are on what we do if we strike out with Brand and Josh Smith. I think we should do nothing. Stand pat, save the cap room for flexibility throughout the coming year and next summer.
-Develop Thad and Speights
-Pray Andre Miller has a repeat performance and gets 8.5+ assists a game raising his stock even higher
-See if Iguodala and Thad can be effective as a 2/3 combo
-Explore “tweak” trades to get draft picks, a bit more cap room, or a shooter or backup PG by packaging some combination of Jason Smith, Willie Green, maybe Carney, maybe R Evans…throw some feelers out, see what we could get.
-Get Iguodala, Thad and A Miller’s stock as high as possible so that we have all kinds of flexible trade options throughout the coming year through the deadline, and then in summer ‘09.
I feel standing pat is very underrated…I don’t like knee jerk reaction moves unless it is one hell of great shot at improving both long and short term. If we were contending it would be different, but we are young, on the up, I see just stay under the cap and don’t blow it on overrated SF’s when we already have 4 of them.
I will say if Krystic WAS healthy, that would be intriguing, but no one knows about his health.
I also should say I love Biedrins, and feel he basically can replicate what D-Bere does and has more tenacity, upside, better rebounding and individual one on one defense. But if we signed him to tag team with D-Bere, we’d have no offensive anything in the post…so if we got Biedrins, for me, I’d immediately look to put Sammy on the block.
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