You, sir, are an idiot.

I think Redd’s best years were 02-03 and 06-07. He has changed as a player no longer being just a shooter, but I am not sure he is any better after it is all said and done. He can do more things now, but he doesn’t do them as efficiently as he shoots. I think he was great offensively in 02-03 and is still great offensively. Now he can do a bit more offensively, but he doesn’t do those things as efficiently as just shooting the ball, causing a wash.

@dre

good points. I really hope Thaddeus gets more aggressive as well. The biggest weakness in his game right now is that the kid never gets to the line for the easy points. Then again you normally need plays run for you to get to the line… but Leon Powe doesn’t think so based on the fact that he attempts as many FTs as Allen Iverson per minute lol.

Out of our 42 losses (and several of our wins) we had long periods of missed shots and missed opportunities that should be corrected based simply on chemistry. Miller and Iggy will know the other guys so much better at the start of the season, Thad should start from day one with (hopefully) a more aggressive attitude and feel for the game. That Detroit series was the best thing that could have happened to this young team, now they know what team defense looks like and feels like, what it does to team moral and how it can crush a players confidence (Iggy). That should be worth a few games as well.

I know other teams added “talent” but how many became better “teams”?

Dannie, losing 6&7 in match play is like a 30 point loss in basketball, way to go Pete.

He handles the ball more, and often sets up the offense when Mo is not in the game. His ability at penetrating, as well as finishing, in the painted area is far superior. He’s really learned the nuanced Rip Hamilton/Reggie Miller type game well, and has mastered the art of moving without the ball and coming off screens. He is a more efficient player, doesn’t need the ball in his hands as much, and his bball IQ has gone up…he has a far better sense of the court as a whole and when to defer to teammates and take over himself.

I also think one of the best things that can happen to a player is to be forced to be “the man” on a bad team when they are not a #1 option…forcing them to awkwardly learn that role, but fostering eventual confidence…and then finally having that team get some talent, where he can be a quasi #1 option or sometimes #2, where sometimes others can take over for him. Michael Redd and our own Iguodala were in those situations, and in the end it will have both far better players with better mental strength in true crunch time situations.

I do agree with you about Mareese Speights. If he learns to work hard, we definitely got the second 1st round steal of the draft two years running. Although I’m not exactly on the same “Thad is a lock to be a 5 time future all star!” track that others seem to be on. Nice talents, and I enjoy watching them grow and improve.

I will try to address all of your “points” since I apparently haven’t been. My apologies.

This is where the teams will finish this year, not how good they rank against each other when healthy…

How weren’t Rosho’s numbers “decent production”? Those numbers playing alongside Bosh, projected to 36 per, are comparable to Sammy D’s who was, according to most Sixers fans at least, provided more than “decent production.” He has a good jump shot spreading the court as well. This is a center we are talking about, not a SG or PF taking tons of shots.

Would Jermaine double his numbers? Maybe, but he wouldn’t come close to being as efficient probably, so it is a trade off here and not one that amounts to a major upgrade imo. I mean, adding players who put up PPG totals doesn’t imply winning… we all know this fact right? Efficiency is more important. That is why MJ was the best. He stayed efficient. Jermaine had 2 20-10 years and they were like 4 years ago. I can’t see him returning to that form. Jermaine may be healthy, but when a guy has been hurt 4 years running… I don’t think you view him in a similar manner as Andre Miller who has never missed time due to injury.

The Sixers were a 42 win team last year according to efficiency differentials which is probably a better measure than their record last year. If you want a simple argument for why 48 wins is more than possible, then I will just go with Thaddeus. You know this team transformed when he played. I know this. Everyone knows this. The Numbers probably support this team being on close to a 50 win pace when he saw some decent PT. They went on a run the day he got his first start. The kid is special. If you want me to post numbers, I will but you already know that Miller is the key to the ignition and Thaddeus was overdrive or some shit like that.

I suppose you are referring to your Calderon upgrade over Ford comment. I will try to keep this short. Do you like the Raptors 9 man rotation? Who are their back up guards? What if JO does go down for say 40 games… is Bargiani stepping in. Bargiani was the worst player in the NBA last year, far worse than Willie even somehow.

The Sixers’ record vs. the middle of the pack east teams… I suppose you are trying to say that the Sixers will lose more of these games causing them to possibly have a worse record… I don’t really buy it. I think they underachieved vs. some of these teams, especially Indiana.

I’m not sure these teams improved. Sorry. I say why in my other posts for the most part. Washington isn’t much better with all 3. They likely won’t have all 3 anyway, so the argument is pointless. I feel like I am arguing with McNabb fans here.(I love McNabb as well but am a realist) These players get hurt. Thats what they do. Some players don’t get hurt. Some players do. Thats just how it is. The Wizards will lose someone to injury and will probably lose Roger Mason as well because of Arenas.

The Sixers have Carney. The last couple months he showed some signs of gaining confidence. He may help out in this department. Thaddeus has some range as well. He could start showing it off a little more.

I think this is the biggest difference… I think the Sixers will be improved more than these teams that made stupid moves to get oft-injured players and locking up old/oft-injured players long term. The Sixers are young and pretty talented and have a pure point guard. So the competition is “stiffer” but the Sixers are better as well. They will hold their own against good teams and beat teams they ought to.

Who predicted less wins? People who said they might not make the playoffs. If you think 42 wins is playoff worthy in the east, you are out of your mind, unless you think the Celtics reign of terror over the East is done.

6 of the top 12. You forgot Oden and Rudy who are both up there. The West also gets the beast in Oden.(Do people already forget the comparisons this guy got?) (Insert he is injury-prone comment here)

I, once again, think the team is improved. I think they got a top 10 impact rookie from this class in Speights. I have a crazy notion that productive, athletic college players from good conferences have an easier time adjusting to the NBA. They have a real talent in Thaddeus. They have a legit point guard to help these guys.

Atlanta has no bench and can’t fiscally keep both Joshes. If you want me to assume they have the same players as last year without any additions, I will say the Sixers will be better, since they were better last year and have a better pure point.

@Dave T.

Thaddeus at the PF position was not squadoosh. Their PF wasn’t a logjam either. Yi just got hurt forcing them to play Charlie V, another injury riddled player, again.

I guess Bogut has progressed, but I don’t see it. he is a good center. Average.

Redd hasn’t really progressed. He has been good since he was the back up for Ray Allen. He is a very good offensive player and always has been. I don’t think he is any different than he was 3 years ago except maybe a bit smarter and a bit slower.

Before, they were trying to get rid of Ford. Now they are trying to get rid of Mo Williams or will be in a year. They love Ramon Sessions down there. They still have that logjam.

So they looked like a 30-35 win team but fell short of those expectations. Now they look like a 40 win team or whatever. They will just fall short again. That is what they do. Joe Alexander was a work out wonder as well so watch out, he could bust. I don’t think he will since he improved SO MUCH in his last year of college.

Jefferson’s production has declined. His play has turned to “score, score, score” and ignoring hustle plays and other factors.

This is an in depth look at the fact that Richard has forgotten how to do things besides score.

I have always liked Jefferson. I think he has been underrated in his career personally, but his last 2 years have been average. He just scores a lot and somewhat inefficiently NOW. Anyone can do that…

Maybe he will go back to his good self over there. Why did they bring in 3 SFs on draft day? Anyone know?

Well, actually, no, I wouldn’t have said the same thing about the Bucks the last two-three years. The last two years Andrew Bogut was still in his NBA infancy phase just learning the game, Mo Williams was just starting to come into his own, and the one real all star level option they had was Michael Redd.

They had a hard working SF combo in Ruben Patterson and Bobby Simmons…basically equivalent to our PF combo last year…aka: squadoosh. Their PF combo was a total logjam and was stunting the growth of both Yi and Villanueva. They also had PG issues with a logjam in that Ford and Mo Williams were both capable starters and stealing minutes from each other. They had no real wing talent in the works to groom for the future.

Now Mo Williams is a reliable 17 pt and 6 ast type player, Bogut is a reliable 13 pt 9 rbd, good passing center type guy…Michael Redd has improved his game every year (and confidence, especially playing with the U.S. team), and they just got (finally) a second legit all star type talent in Richard Jefferson. They have a great rookie in Joe Alexander, and a great bench guy in Desmond Mason. So…the last three years I’d say “on paper” they looked like a 30-35 win team. Now I’d say they have entered 38-44 win range, and are on the up and up. Not to mention they just got Mr. Drill Sergeant Skiles to coach them, far superior then Larry Krystkowiak who had no head coaching experience.

And why are you knocking Richard Jefferson, are you serious? He’s another Jamison type…not a mega-star obviously, but is a consummate team guy, and very versatile in his game. “Forgot to do everything but score” you said…for real? Richard Jefferson is a great defender, smart player, good passer, great at attacking the rim, has REALLY improved his midrange game and handle. There’s also the fact that every time Kidd or VC has gone down and RJ is healthy, he has averaged about 22 – 24 ppg, 7 boards and 4 assists. Like many of the Kansas Jayhawks guys in college, his stats are down because he willingly accepts a third fiddle role for the betterment of the team.

Sorry to get so off topic from Philly-Sixers stuff guys.

My point again is many your arguments for why an unimproved Sixers team will win more games (“with another year of experience”) holds true for other teams (like Atlanta) and you refuse to acknowledge that. Many of your points for why other teams won’t win as many games (“haven’t proved they can win more than xx number of games”) hold true for the Sixers but you refuse to acknowledge that as well.

This is a typical homer thought “Washington has 3 “stars” yet they never win 50 games. Call it health. Call it whatever. They haven’t shown they are likely to win more that 45 games.” — Then not consider that the Sixers as currently assembled haven’t won more than 40 games, yet “magically” they are a 45+ win team. Being a homer isn’t just unrealistically suggesting your team will win championships. It is also presenting arguments for the home team and ignoring the fact that many of the same arguments hold true for the home team, like the one presented above.

Sixers record vs. some East Teams…
Miami – 3-0
Toronto – 1-3
Indiana – 1-3
Milwaukee – 3-1
Washington – 2-2
Cleveland – 1-2
Atlanta – 1-3
Chicago – 3-1
Charlotte – 2-1

That is 17-16 vs. middle of the pack near bottom of the East last season. I think Miami is better, Toronto is better, Milwaukee is a little better, Chicago should be better depending on how they play it (by the way Paxson said Rose will be brought along slowly so if they keep Hinrich and play Rose as back-up PG until he proves otherwise that makes this team better), Washington with all three guys playing will win more games.

Those are teams you consider the Sixers, as currently assembled, are either clearly better than or on par. And a few of them have improved while the Sixers haven’t closed up any of the holes they had (inside scoring and perimeter shooting).

Comparing the East to the West in context of how many games the Sixers will win next season has no relevance.

Lets say you are right and West is much better than the East. The West is 10 hypothetical points better in 08-09 vs. last season. The East will be 5 points better in 08-09 vs. last season. Although the West is better it still means stiffer competition from both leagues for the Sixers to navigate (unimproved) vs. the 2007 season. And I just don’t see how an unimproved team wins more games in a league that got stronger overall.

Either way, this is a GOOD YEAR to be a Sixers fan because they will be a team you can watch grow and learn like you did last year. It will be good to see Thaddeus’ game expand and see Miller leading the guys out there night in and night out. This is a good young team that kills itself out there. With another year of experience, I don’t see how they could fall short of last years’ mark.