Tonight is the night when we find out if we will land John Wall and the like or Cole Aldrich.
According to Pete “we’re screwed.”
Sadly, that’s seems to be the sentiment surrounding this franchise. Everyone is down on them and good luck doesn’t seem likely. But I reserve hope.
What We’re Playing For
The Sixers are sitting in the 6th spot in a 5-man draft. The prizes:
- John Wall
- Evan Turner
- Derrick Favors
- Wesley Johnson
- DeMarcus Cousins
If the ball bounces the Sixers way and they move up those 5 guys are the unquestioned player pool to choose from.
1 and 2 are a lock in my opinion. Wall will go #1 99.5% of the time, with Turner 2nd. But, there are some rumors floating around that maybe Minnesota would take Turner at #1 since they have Flynn (irrelevant really) and love Rubio who is waiting in the wing. Also, what if Utah lands the top spot? Would they really draft Wall with Deron Williams, a top 3 NBA point guard right now?
Where it’ gets more interesting is 3-5. Many believe Favors physique, athletic ability and upside is a near lock at #3.
Simple question to kick off this thread…
If we land the 3rd pick, who do you want and why?
Have at it.
If I understand it right we can’t get the 4th or 5th pick. The top three are up for grabs then after that it’s the order of losing record. So we could get pick # 1-3 or 6-9. It’s highly unlikely that we get 8th or 9th because that would mean two teams with a worse chance than the Sixers would have to hop over them into the top 3.
As far as our chances are moving up, I have a good feeling about it. It’s not certain that the Nets will win. In fact since 1991 only twice has the worst team won, according to wikipedia. 3 out of the last 5 winners of the Lottery have been the 5th or 6th worst team.
I’m really hoping that we can land Wesley Johnson. A small forward who can shoot the lights out would be one hell of a breath of fresh air. If we get him, I’d trade Iggy (I’d trade Iggy regardless of who we draft, though) and play Thad in the backup 3-4 role where he seems strongest. I think that’s the best somewhat likely scenario. I’d rather have Wall, obviously, but the 5.8% chance of getting the #1 pick doesn’t have my hopes up.
The worst case scenario, which seems to be Cole Aldritch, isn’t too bad, either. This team could really use that guy. Unfortunately, we need a whole lot more than that, as well.
bball - That is right, I fixed.
The Nets are a 3-1 dog to land the top pick at only a 25% chance. It’s obviously not a lock, but the odds are still the odds and the Sixers only have a 5.3% chance at the top spot. 6% for 2nd and 7% for 3rd.
If we got the 3rd pick I’d like Cousins or Favors to get a big man to pair with Jrue to run the pick and roll with. I think I’d choose Favors because he seems to have higher upside. The Sixers probably won’t contend next year so I’ll go with the upside and hope I get lucky.
We get the #1 pick and choose Turner. Then, we sign Larry Brown to coach. Then we sign LaBron to a free agent contract. Then we win the next 5 consecutive NBA Champtionships. Then I win the MegaMillions lottery (Since I’m dreaming, here, I’m gonna dream for all of it!)
…what if Utah lands the top spot? Would they really draft Wall with Deron Williams, a top 3 NBA point guard right now?
Because they have Jerry Sloan as coach, I think that Utah can somehow make Deron Williams and John Wall work. It might be the only way they can get the talent they need to finally get past the Lakers. There’s a chance the team could implode, but if I’m Utah I take my chances. It could set them up to be the West’s dominant team in 2~3 years. They get the nod over OKC and Portland because of Sloan.
Zack - They are the West’s dominant team with just Wall, Williams and Millsap?
I wonder if they would just trade the pick for value (I don’t see them trade Williams or HOH trading Paul if they land the #1 pick).
I am very interested as to what happens though. I am waiting for some team to end up with two elite players that either play the same way or the same position and see how they manage it and see if and how they succeed with it.
For example, if I am LeBron and I want to win a championship over all else I would do one of two things…
The Thunder would be damn near unbeatable. And Wade/LeBron would be unstoppable in the East and guarantee Finals appearances every year for the next 5 years even with 3 other weakish starters.
We land the number one pick. We do not draft Wall. We draft Turner or Favors because we have Jrue. Jrue tears his ACL during summer league play. Turner or Favors ends up being a bust. John Wall, who the sixers passed on, goes on to have an amazing career with several MVPs and Championships and Jrue never returns to form.
Would this suprise anyone? Not me…
Oh yeah, Iverson returns next season to a full house at the Wachovia Center, plays in 5 games and then turns to drinking. again. Doug Collins, the new coach, also develops a drinking problem and doesn’t last 40 games.
Would this surpise anyone?
Trade Iggy and draft the best shooter in the draft.
Jrue, Rookie Shooting Guard, Thaddeus, Brand and Dalembert.
Or draft the best center available who isn’t white and trade Dalembert next season.
How come everyone in the organization insists Igoudala can play the 2 when he is so clearly a 3? Is it denial or do they just like seeing bricks instead of kick ass dunks?
Pete is right. We’re screwed. They need a pure shooter.
I dunno what it is guys… maybe its the Flyers… but I am feeling good about our chances landing a top 3 pick. My gut is telling me we get the 2nd pick… it’s just a gut nothing more. Here is how I would approach the draft.
This draft is kind of frustrating because I am only sold on John Wall. Evan Turner has the potential to be the best overall player in the draft but he lacks any type of serious athleticism. I actually think Demcarus Cousins is the best talent in the draft and flat out dominated games when he wanted to but his attitude is so bad to the point where I wouldn’t take him if he became available. Unless you are a biased Kentucky fan this guy is almost impossible to like with his antics on and off the court and I could see him turning in to a Derrick Coleman/Zack Randolph type (attitude wise.. there games are not similar).. which to me is bad of course.. and I think philly fans would want him outta town pretty quick.
Derrick Favors has a lot of potential as does Aminu.. but both of these guys were invisible in a lot off ACC games. Aminu didn’t show up at all in either game against Duke. I LOVE aminus talent which became very evident in the NCAA tournament when he dominated Texas and was the only player who showed up against Kentucky and would rank him third or fourth overall in terms of talent behind Cousins and Wall but he lacked killer instincts in about half of Wakes games which scares me because I feel thats Youngs and Igudolas problem. He has a reliable jump-shot.. has shown crafty moves to finish at the hoop, has real good ball-handling for someone his size and has serious athleticism. You could make the argument with both Favors and Aminu that their guard play and teams lack of overall chemistry lead to them disappearing in big games. The same thing scares me about Greg Monroe.. where was his killer instinct in college? He has all the talent in the world but his passive aggressive nature is not gonna cut it in the NBA. He couldn’t take advantage of Ohio’s big men in the NCAA tourney but he didn’t even seem to care. Hes an awesome passer but has only average post up moves at this point. I became a big fan of Wesely Johnson in college..he was so consistent all year however he has a hard time creating hes own shot and im afraid position wise he would not make much sense for the sixers.
I disagree with notion that their about six players and then a big fall off.. I actually think its John Wall and everyone else. If im the Sixers and their isnt a guy in the top two tiers available I trade down to get another pick… theres far more value in doing that. For example in my eyes both Derrick Favors and Whiteside are big men with a lot of potential but neither are sure fire picks. If im the Sixers and want a big man center I see Favors is projected to go about ten picks higher.. I trade down take Whiteside.. the sixers have so many holes and need to aquire picks if it makes sense. Say were at the 5th pick and Wesly Johnson is available if im the Sixers G.M. and I want a SG I don’t see a big enough diference between him and Xavier Henry yet their supposed to go about 8-10 picks different. I would trade down aquire a pick and draft Xavier. They both have holes in their game however.. Xavier is younger has a better NBA body and has just as good of a jumpshot. In fact they have similar holes as neither is great at creating their own shot but I like Xavier 8-13 far more the Johnson 3-7. Honestly Avery Bradley could have the most potential out of any of the SG’s just showed the least and hes projected in the 20′s. The thing that hurts him is his size.
Here is how I would rank the tiers
Tier 1
1. John Wall- Clearly has the most upside/potential of anyone in this draft. Is a freak of nature athletically .. almost in the Lebron James/Dwight Howard category. However he doesn’t have anything close to a reliable jumpshot.. doesn’t always play within himself.. and what I mean by that is he often plays to fast for his own good.. turning the ball over way to much for someone of his talent.
Tier 2
2. Evan Turner- Love Evan Turner… when he wasn’t on the court OSU was an average team at best. Great ball-handler and is very good at creating his own shot. Just a great overall solid prospect who can do a little bit of everything… However he doesn’t have the overall athleticism you would expect from the number 2 overall pick.
3. DeMarcus Cousins- Like I said he really did dominate games when he wanted to.. however he has a piss poor attitude at best like I already said.
4. Favors- Favors upside is pretty obvious.. he was a top tier high school prospect.. has an NBA body.. faired well against the more talented big men in the nation however there were some games where you would say this guy is a project top 5 pick..why isn’t he jumping off my screen? Really only came to play in about 60-70 percent of ACC games.. as did Aminu.. A lot of people will tell you it was because of the lack of guard play that G tech had. I would draft him solely on potential- which I think is higher then Aminu’s.
5. Aminu- has a reliable jump-shot.. has shown crafty moves to finish at the hoop, has real good ball-handling for someone his size and has serious athleticism. What position is he at the next level though? Thats a big concern of mine and while I think his skills are apparent that scares me a little bit. I think you could make the argument for Ed Davis, Derrick Favors, and Aminu that their numbers and seasons weren’t as impressive as you might expect someone of their talent to have due to the teams guard play. Ish Smith often raced down the court before Aminu, Mcfarland, and the rest of the Wake team could even get set up. I think Dannie would agree with this.
6. Wesley Johnson- Favorite player in college basketball this past year. A really good volume shooter.. has hops….. was consistently good all year.. however he was not able to consistently create his own shot off the dribble.. which is obvisouly something you need to be able to do at the next level. I hate to say it but my gut is telling me he won’t be a star at the next level.. and I don’t think he would make sense for us unless we traded AI9 (which I would like to do)
Tier 3
7. Hassan Whiteside- I love this kid and while I understand hes a big high risk/high reward type pick as are Favors and Aminu.. He is more polished offensively then a lot of people seem to think..he has a hook shot and dude even has a jumpshot unlike a lot of the big men in this draft. Some of his dunks are just straight nasty… he is a great defensive player and shot blocker and has the potential to be one the best defensive big men in the NBA. This would also be purely a potential pick but I like him more then Ed Davis, Monroe and Aldrich.
8. Greg Monroe- A high IQ big man.. great passer… but only average post up moves from what I can see.. lacks any type of killer instinct.. often has bad body language.. in my opinion a big underachiever in college.
9. Xavier Henry- Had a chance to meet him at the Temple Kansas game where I had front row seats. Has an NBA ready body.. I have cooled of on him a little bit as it has become apparent to me that he doesn’t have star potential. He definetely has a reliable jump shot but I think he would be best served being drafted by a contender.
Tier 4
10. Gordon Hayward- A guard stuck in a big mans body… had the best ball handling skills of anyone his size in college basketball.. has a good jump-shot… altho his 3 point percentage decreased this year and was not as high as you might expect.. low 30′s. Has a really high IQ.. great passer and good at crashing the boards… however his body is pretty far off as of right now.. needs to gain atleast 20-25 pounds and put on so more muscle.. and for the most part was outplayed by Kyle Singler in the ncaa title game.
11. Cole Aldrich- He is a what you see is what you get type of prospect. He is a solid big man who can rebound with the best of them.. finish and shot-block. However I actually think he actually regressed a little this season as the jump-shot he had last year seemed to be a weakness of his this year… and he never developed any better post moves this season.. I would stay away from him assuming we got a top 6 pick.
12. Ed Davis- Left Handed big man… so quick putting the ball up.. never hesitates which I love… just goes straight up with the ball… his stock obvisouly dropped a little bit.. but that mostly had to due with the fact UNC lacked any playmaking guards who could get him the ball in good positions. The one guy that he reminds be of a little bit.. which scares me.. who I also loved out of college is fellow tar heel Branden Wright.. due to the fact they had similar offensive games in college and are both pretty far off in terms of having an NBA ready body.
Tier 5
13. Elliot Williams- Great slashing guard who loves to drive to the rim and often finishes with success. Really good on ball defender.. great at pressuring the ball and a terrific athlete. However he still doesn’t have a good jump-shot.. not a good ball handler for a guard… and he ALWAYS goes to the left which teams were able to pick up on…. forcing him to go right in which he would often force things that weren’t there.
14. Devin Ebanks- Has good length and long arms..good defender and rebounder.. serious athlete… could have been an all american but didn’t work hard enough. Can’t shoot worth a lick… and needs to work on ball handling… still has high upside.
15. Avery Bradley
16. Patrick Patterson
17. Ekpe Udoh
18. Gani Lawi
19. Jarvis Varnardo
20. Luke Babbit
21. James Anderson
I obvisouly have no idea how these guys are gonna pan out but I try to look at the negatives and positives of each player and balance them out.. thats how I did my rankings.. its a guessing game.
Thats all im doing.. if we were to get the number 3 pick I would select Derrick Favors over Cousins due to his maturity issues.. but I wouldn’t feel all that confident.
I don’t know enough about the European kid and I am not gonna pretend I do.
I would probably take Favors at #3, but I can guarantee you I want no part of Cousins. He’s Zach Randolph incarnate. I’ll take him in 7 years when he’s matured a little, but I don’t want him now. I actually think he could be there at 6 for us because of his attitude issues and because I could see someone falling in love with Monroe or Aminu.
Cousins is an absolute train wreck. Gonna be a huge pain (all I can think of is Zack Randolph) to anybody that drafts him.
I am a big Georgetown homer so I love Greg Monroe, but I have to say that Cole Aldrich would be an excellent value pick at #6. Favors didn’t impress me (his team didn’t do him any “favors” though), and Welsey Johnson was on an excellent team in a system that he thrived in. Don’t know if one year really sells me on him either.
So, yeah, Aldrich is the right pick and I would consider him even at #3. What has Derrick Favors done to be a “lock”?
They are the West’s dominant team with just Wall, Williams and Millsap?
I would say just Wall and Williams. Millsap is an essential role player.
About them being a dominant team, look at the Lakers’ opponent in the conference finals, the freakin’ Phoenix Suns. I think that with Williams, Wall, and a bunch of really good role players – which the GM has shown a knack for finding – they can become a more talented team than the Phoenix Suns are now. In a couple of years, without Phil, with aging players, are the Lakers going to be as good as they are now? I don’t think so. A lot of the other Western powers are also aging. New teams will take over the top spots in the West. I think the top team will be Utah IF they land John Wall. They would have two of the top 10 players in the West in 2-3 years. I think that gives you a great shot to be really really good.
The Thunder have three future problems: a) will the coaching get better, b) can they keep all the talent they have for reasonable salaries, and c) now that they’re NBA playoffs-good, how are they going to get more talent? I think Portland’s talent is spread out among too many players – there isn’t that singular player that is almost always needed to take them to the Finals.
I still think if Utah or anyone else is going to beat the Lakers in the next year or two, they are going to need size to match up against Bynum/Gasol. Utah has a lot of talent right now, but just no one even comes close to matching up againt the Laker’s bigs. (The Thunder can compete, but still probably need one piece to overtake the Lakers).
As for the Sixers, I still haven’t really gathered any thoughts on who I’d take with the 3rd pick.
But as a question to you all, what kind of impact, if any, does our next hired coach have on who we take?
Utah won’t be good enough with just Williams and Wall and not real front court play. No way.
Phoenix is there because they shoot at an extraordinary rate AND have key players at point and PF/C.
Also, why are you talking about the Thunder’s coaching? I think Scott Brooks is a good young coach. That team didn’t go from 22 wins to 52 wins on a whim. And they didn’t got from a bottom 10 defensive team to a top defensive team on a whim. Their coaching is fine, in fact it’s better than fine and focused on the right way to play. They need an offensive assistant to come in and help open up the half court offensive so it isn’t so reliant on Durant or Westbrook going one on one. But other than that they are good.
Guest - Depends on who the coach is.
I take Favors at 3 and probably at #2 because I think he will have a Dw. Howard like effect defensively and real good bigs are harder to find than good wings, if on the same level talent wise. I think we get Johnson at #6 because some g.m. will fall in love with one of the bigs in front of us. Aldrich at #6 allows us to let Sam, Willie and Kapono all go and free up some cap room so that works also. I believe Aldrich will be better than Sam [passing,screening,pickroll defense] and I am NOT a Sammy hater.
Utah won’t be good enough with just Williams and Wall and not real front court play. No way.
Not just Williams and Wall – they’re going to be surrounded by good role players. I don’t know who they’re going to get, but Kevin O’Connor (the Jazz GM) is good and I give him a better shot than a lot of other Western conference GMs to put together a good roster. There’s something statistical from David Berri – the “win score”/Wages of Wins guy – that I believe because it just intuititively feels right: most of a team’s wins come from their top 3 players. The better your top 3, the better your team.
So let’s take this out of Utah – you have two of the top 15 players in the league, and let’s say you don’t include the top 3. Your team is in the West. Look at the two best on each of the West playoff teams this past year, and I’ll only list a second player if he’s a superstar talent like Williams, and potentially John Wall:
Kobe/Gasol
Nash/Stoudemire
Durant
Carmelo/Billups
Brandon Roy
Duncan/Ginobilli?/Parker?
Nowitzki
I’d take Kobe/Gasol first, then I’d say the John Wall/Deron Williams would beat all the other teams.
You and guest raise good points about frontcourt play, but I think the kind of frontcourt skill you need to be a contender can be acquired more easily than championship-level guards like John Wall and Deron Williams. Utah CANNOT pass up John Wall.
Chuck, agree with you trade down scenario. Whiteside or Orton with one of the shooters(Henry, Bradley, Anderson or Hayward). I’d look at Minny, if they miss out on Turner and have an opportunity to pick JOhnson at our selection.
Holy Shit!!!!!! We’re in the top 3!!!
HOLY SHIT!!! I just freaked out and my fiance thinks I’m an idiot.
TOP 3!!!!
Favors here we come.
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAA!!!!!!!!! #2 BABY!!!!
I guess it’s going to be Evan Turner?
Evan Turner baby!
I just wet my pants… Evan Turner!!!!!!!!!!
I’m VERY curious to hear what people will think if we draft Turner, and then have a team of: Iguodala, Turner, Thad, all at the SF position. Considering Speights/Holiday…we could put together some very attractice trade packages.
Gotta be Turner. Jrue Holliday was probably happier that they got the 2nd pick then the 1st pick and his job is safe.
I hope not. They don’t need Turner, they need Favors.
So Dannie what do we do with Stefanski now? Good by Iggy, we finally have a true 2 guard.
The b-balls gods have spoken. For going through the trials and tribulations of Eddie Jordans braces. 76′ers shall receive Evan Turner!
Why don’t the Sixers need Turner, the best shooting guard in the draft? And why do they need Favors, a raw but talented pf/c?
MOTHERFUCKING HELL YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m sure Stefanski will go for Evan Turner, 90% sure, but let’s not be SO quick to put this in as an automatic. Bigs are hard to come by, and he might make a gamble. (I’m not saying I’d do this, just saying nothing’s written in stone).
Favors …if we take him I quit being a Sixers fan. The guy is such a huge question mark. He was not able to shine in Hewitt’s system, is very raw, has a lot of work to do. I’m sure he’d make a fine player, but he’s one of those one and done’s that I honestly think anyone projecting how good he will be is foolish. We needed another college year with him to see.
If there is a big man to take a risk on in this lottery, it is DeMarcus Cousins.
What’s great about Turner is his versatility, and ability to play great defense. He can legitimately play the 1, 2 or 3 spots. Is a freaking excellent passer for a forward. And best of all…he’s a WINNER. His game has improved so much from his freshman year it’s shocking.
Probably because Evan Turner played the 2-3 his freshman and soph year and PG full time last year….so, that would mean he isn’t really a shooting guard.
…and I thought I’d just add…FUCK YEAH SIXERS!!! Bout damn time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So happy about the Sixers getting the 2nd pick and not 1st. Let the Wizards take Wall while we grab the best player in the draft in Evan Turner. Turner is the guy i wanted all along. Hes mature and polished, great size and length. He handled the ball well and created his own shot better the anyone in college bball last year by driving to the basket or shooting from the outside. Every OSU game i watched this past season he was the best player on the floor. I was so impressed by watching a guy who was 6’7 and handled the ball as well as he did, and drove to the hole off the dribble like a point guard. I just hope they dont muck it up and take Favors.
I can’t believe it, wow… This is just starting to sink in… #2, wow…
I like Turner, I think Favors would be better for the Sixers down the road, since it’s not like this team is ready to win now but you absolutely can not go wrong with Turner…a 1-2-3 of Jrue, Turner and Iggy…would be fantastic.
If they go big they gotta go Cousins or Monroe. Forget about Favors.
Exciting stuff for sure.
At the same time, this raises A TON of question marks heading into the rest of the offseason.
A couple of them have already been raised in these last few minutes… most notably: What do we do with Iguodala and Thad? (if we were to draft Turner).
It’s been no secret that Andre has been my favorite player for the Sixers and I would like to keep him here if possible, but drafting Turner will certainly bring up some interesting trade scenarios.
OMG yes!!!!
guys as suffering sixers fans for years and years on end, we deserve this!!!!!!!
Guys I dont wanna say anything but umm.. this is what I posted earlier today….I dunno what it is guys… maybe its the Flyers… but I am feeling good about our chances landing a top 3 pick. My gut is telling me we get the 2nd pick… it’s just a gut nothing more. Hello Evan Turner… goodbye AI9
Might be time to let go of iIggy and see what they can get for him. Turner can play SG and they can keep Thad at SF.
Trade Iggy and Speights for an expiring and another top 12 pick and target Monroe, Aldrich, or Ed Davis.
guest, I don’t think we trade Iguodala now, what I worried about with Wall is Wall taking the spotlight and Iguodala getting upset about that, but with Turner I think they could coexist very well 2004 Pistons-style.
Downside to taking Turner – We already have wings in Iguodala and Thad, neither of whom are good outside shooters. Turner is an average, right now, outside shooter. If we take Turner, we again would have a SG/SF combo that is ultra athletic but can’t shoot. Or, Iguodala would be shopped, or Thad.
Downside to taking Cousins – Dude has an attitude and too many people describe him as nuts. That said, he has some of the best footwork I’ve seen for a 6’10 guy THAT young in probably half a decade.
Downside to Favors – Didn’t show me enough. If someone put a gun to my head and said: “Would you take him #2?” I’d say “I don’t know…he didn’t show us enough with his one year.” And I don’t think we can take an unsure thing at #2.
Question of the offseason:
-If we take Turner…are we shopping Iguodala?
-Is Jrue Holiday our PG of the future?
-What is our plan for Post-Dalembert era at Center?
So here is the interesting thing. Unless the Sixers explicitly say they are drafting Evan Turner, not only did we get the #2 pick, but we will have some draft day excitement in that we won’t be 100% sure who the pick will be.
Very excited right now.
I’m very very happy right now. I would have loved Wall in a Sixers uniform, but I feel like Turner fills a bigger need and will fit in better with the team. I don’t know if it was the “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” music that was playing during the fourteenth to the third pick, but I was shaking on my sofa! When they skipped over the Sixers I lost it!
I agreed with the John Smallwood article from earlier today, where he said #2 was the best for the Sixers — and now they will be getting the college player of the year! YES!
I want Favors, Dw. Howard light, and trade for Morrow [sign-n-trade] this summer and go from there.
Makes for a more exciting off-season with more to talk about.
We’ll get the draft talk going later this week.
What impact does this have on the coaching search? More coaches should find the job more attractive.
If they take Turner or Favors the defense just got better and the focus should still be that of a defense first coaching philosophy.
Suede - I’ve read some of your comments about Favors. You are going on the assumption that Favors is actually on the same level as Turner – he isn’t.
Drafting Favors would not be drafting best available in my opinion.
I understand your philosophy on the matter, but the premise I don’t agree with.
Unless the Wiz don’t take wall because of Arenas.. I think it would be stupid not take Turner. Forget about Iggy… like i was saying earlier were not winning anything with him being a premier guy… Turner is the man.. we should absouletely trade him.
Dannie, I worry Turner has to have the ball and may not fit with Iggy and Jrue but more importantly, if this is our last top 5 pick in a while we may not have any p.f.!s or centers worth keeping in 2 years. Turner isn!t M.J. so give me the big, who seems like a class act, good work ethic and is an athletic freak.
Chuck, I don’t think the Sixers are winning anything with Brand being the highest paid player on the roster either… so the way I look at it, the more good players we have when his contract expires, the better it is for us.
One of the reasons why I want to keep Iguodala, because he is a good player that is getting a lot of blame… even though I could make the argument that Brand is one of the most overpaid players in the league. (Not to mention Eddie Jordan is one of the worst coaches in the league… for this team at least).
I’m not COMPLETELY opposed to trading Iguodala… but I’d rather see what Turner can do first.
Suede - Since when do you worry about fit and need with a #2 pick and no elite player blocking the position?
I like Favors, but I worry he could turn out to be a project that develops into just an solid player.
I think Turner is a can’t miss player.
Dannie, who does Collins pull for?
Suede - Turner
I am willing to bet he thinks he can get more out of Brand and Speights at PF. Turner is a game changing player right now as well so as a veteran coach that would support a winning now mentality.
Favors is a question mark. Period. With the #2 pick, you don’t take question marks. IMO, there are two sure things left at #2:
-Evan Turner
-Demarcus Cousins.
One of the above two has attitude/personality issues. Thus, we take Turner. No brainer to me. We’ll have lots of trade packages to conjure up with the glut at the wing, and this is a good problem to have.
Dannie, I am happy either way till G.Monroe wows them in workouts, just kiddin. Is there any way they take Cousins, ooouch!!!
Suede - This is what makes this pick exciting. You would think the pick is Turner but there has to be a hint of uncertainty.
suede are u on freaking crack!?!?!?! turner is a can’t miss prospect! he WILL be an allstar at worst he is a proven commodity. derrick favours could be a an allstar callibre player but i think that is his potential i do not see him as a franchise player ever. Turner on the other hand i do…
He has shown what he is capable of and could be better than iguodala as early as next year. He is young and can still improve on his jump shot, which isn’t even that bad. He is a more than adeqaute sg however iguodala is a SF straight out that is his positon. Turner is also a great creator in terms of setting up other players and is a great defender too. I can see the sixers running with jrue, dalembert, iggy and turner on the break they would be unstopable and with the right coach they could be a defensively suffocating team.
Tim, my 3 main concerns are his back, his athletism and his 3pt. shot. But again, it isn!t what he won!t become, its what I think Favors can become, just an opinion.
Whats with all this Favors nonsense? Turner is the clear pick here no doubt, but if we’re talking bigs i would take Cousins over him in a second. I would maybe even take Monroe or Aldrich over him too. Wasnt impressed with Favors at all really. Kind of looked like a stiff at time. Just my opinion
Think if you compare anyone to Dwight Howard its gotta be Cousins.
What exactly do you think Favors will become?
Also, i dont think Turner has all that bad of a shot. Hes not a great shooter, but who is in the NBA anymore. I would say hes a solid shooter. I would argue that he has a better shot than Iggy does right now. I mean OSU went with 4 shooters and a 6’6 center in their starting line-up last year and i saw him drain plenty from the outside.
Phil D: I agree. I’d compare the hype withe Favors to be similar to D’Andre Jordan or Jrue Holiday…consensus top 5 high school players that had solid, but unspectacular, freshman seasons, then left. We didn’t get a true chance to see what all 3 players could do that year, and to me it would be ridiculous to draft a player that clearly would be a big man project that might not pan out to anywhere near an all star level.
Cousins, for all his attitude problems, is a legit back to the basket talent and has shockingly good footwork for someone his age. Aldrich has proven he’s a capable, solid, defensive presence willing to play within a team structure. I don’t like gambling on potential, and that’s what would be doing with Favors.
Evan. Turner. Done.
Cousins red flags take him outta Howard comparisons, Dwight was a boy scout when picked. I wonder who takes Demarcus. I have a vision of a Lopez,Favors and Labron frontcourt, scary.
So you are thinking Derrick Favors becomes Dwight Howard???
I meant bball ability, not character. Cousins has some of the best low post moves ive ever seen from someone that young. I remember one game, i think it was the elite 8 game against WVU, and Jay Billas had an erection talking about Cousins low post ability.
Dave T., I guess Orlando should of taken Okafor, the surer thing, over a high school kid. 12 pts.,8 reb., 2 bl. in 27 minutes per game on a team with no p.g. ain!t bad. Dannie, I think he ends up somewhere between Horford and Dwight defensively, a defensive Amare level athlete is what I think he will become. But I like Turner also, can I have both?
Phil D., I think Cousins is better in the post than Dwight is now, that is why it will be interesting to see where he goes.
Suede – I’m not advocating against potential all the time…let’s not put words in my man, as Favors vs. Turner has nothing to do with Howard vs. Okafor. But, IMO, Favors did not SHOW me brilliant flashes of amazing talent left me going “wow”. You said “that ain’t bad”…you’re right, his stats and season (Favors) were very good.
But with the #2 pick, you DO NOT throw that away on someone that maybe/kinda/hopefully can pan out. Favors showed himself to be a solid rebounder, sometimes good defender, pretty good athlete, improving face up shot around the basket. Not particularly quick. Not great footwork. Not a great bball IQ. I just don’t see the star potential on him. Could it come with time? Yeah. That’s why I’m saying he’s a question mark. But that’s why we took Jrue at #17, or someone should take Favors 4-7. At #2, thats a gift, we have to use it on an accomplished guy.
If we make a gamble on a big man, it should be Cousins, who in his one season HAS proven how capable his game is, and how ridiculously talented his on the block, back to the basket game is. But count me in the Turner camp.
I agree that Turner is the no brainer pick. Cousins attitude problems are so severe to the point where despite his obvious talents im not so sure I would want him at the sixth pick if was still available. As far as Favors is concerned while he has all the physical tools and could be great one day.. he didn’t jump off the screen enough to me to warrant the number 2 pick… hes far from a sure thing…. only showed up to play about 70 percent of the time. With Turner were getting a guy that can do it all.. his ball-handling is ridiculous.. he has a very high basketball IQ…. he can play three different positions.. his shooting isn’t great but there are only a few great shooters in the draft…he was a game changer at the college level which was evident with the way OSU played without him versus how they looked with him.
Suede- how manyy Gtech games did you watch this year? I would argue that Whiteside has the higher overall upside then Favors
Phil D., good points.
Favors is not Dwight Howard.
NBADraft.net compares him to Al Horford. I think that’s a decent comp. He’s more athletic than Horford and will block more shots, could get the same amount of rebounds but doesn’t have a shot like Horford. And that’s if he reaches his upside.
Turner could end up better than Brandon Roy.
Here’s a quick comp of their final years in college:
Evan Turner (6’7”, 210 lbs)
20.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 6.0 apg, 1.7 spg, 0.8 bpg, 51.9% FG, 36.4% 3P, 75.8% FT, 4.4 TO
Brandon Roy (6’6”, 210 lbs)
20.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 0.8 bpg, 50.8% FG, 40.2% 3P, 81.0% FT, 2.3 TO
Turner has slightly lower 3p% and FT% (though Turner shot 44% from 3 and 78.8% his soph year) and higher TO (though b/c he pretty much handled the ball the whole game)
also of note: before going out with his spinal injury, Turner was averaging a stupid 12.8 rpg for a guard.
Cousins is SUPREMELY talented, but I think he’s going to follow the Zach Randolph career path. Like I said earlier, I’ll take him 7-8 years from now – not when he’s a rookie on a crappy team.
Thanks Stu
Chuck, 6 or 7 games probably. Guys, I just hope they get it right, that!s all. Everything I read about Favors I like along with Turner so in Deleo I trust; now how do we get the #1 pick
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtHjfyS4YTI
I am so excited watched this vid three times in a row. Love Turners game silky smooth great ball handler. Seems to have a great attitude. A backcourt of Turner and Holiday is a very bright future. I would like to find a way to try and get Cole Aldrich later in the first round as well. Turner and Holiday should be just coming into their own fully when Brand is in the last year of his contract. Thats when we move him for a big time player, unhappy with his current team.
Important future ramification to mull over:
2011…Dalembert, Kapono, Green off the books
+ #2 pick this year + lots of trade scenarios/roster tweaking
= Possible entry into the 2011 Melo sweepstakes? Just throwing that out there, we just became relevant in the NBA again, he’s an east coast guy.
I don’t watch a ton of college ball, but based on stats and scouting reports i love Turner for this team. By all accounts we get another solid defender, we get bigger on the wing, and we get another guy who plays the whole game. On paper, Igoudala, Jrue, and Turner is a bit light on the outside shooting, but those are three guys who don’t have much weakness in any other area. You also have guys who are willing passers and should make each other better in theory. Not to go too far overboard, but its starting to look (a bit) like the Billups era Detroit squads. On paper. Hopefully they mesh on the court.
I know a lot of people around here are sick of igoudala’s ‘tude, and believe me I’m with you, but I think you have to give this trio a chance together. Under a bona fide coach. If we weren’t getting a shot at Turner, I’d be all for moving Igoudala.
My off the cuff impression is that if I’m Ed S., i’m looking to find a taker for a package involving Lou. He’s the odd man out of my guard rotation (assuming Turner is the guy) .
Duder – Iguodala and Holiday don’t have weaknesses in other areas besides shooting? How about:
Iguodala – Has horrendous shot selection, settles for not just outside jump shots but turnaround fadaway jumpshots that rarely go on, relies on the 3 too much, is inconsistent in the scoring department, thinks he’s way more of an alpha dog then he actually is, plays inferior on ball defense then he is capable of playing, attempts boneheaded passes that lead to turnovers, is not a reliable crunch time player, is not a good leader and doesn’t have a commanding presence.
Jrue – Is young, has a lot to learn, and we really still don’t know what we have with him yet. Can anyone…fan, coach, GM…honestly say that Jrue is definitely our PG of the future? Is he a future top 5 PG in the NBA? A future 5-10 best PG in the NBA? Future 15-20 PG in the NBA? A legit starter? We honestly don’t even know yet. The guy’s a nice talent, who has shown the ability to thread the needle with passes in a unique way, and has excellent on ball defense. Past that, time will tell.
I’ve always been more in Iguodala’s camp then out of it, but let’s not start heaping praise on him and Jrue just because we are going to land a new, young player. Our roster, with likely the exception of Golden State and maybe Indiana, is THE single most dysfunctional, haphazardly put together roster in the NBA. We should not forget that.
Any more news on Collins being the front runner? Aside from the fact that this was totally expected, is anyone else concerned about the fact that Collins might be the worst coach for this team? This team likes to run, most of them that is. They are built to run and Collins has never had a team that ran. I believe his teams in Chicago and Detroit were towards the bottom of the league every year in possessions per game. Not to mention Collins offensive system seems somewhat predicated on outside shooters something the Sixers don’t exactly have in abundance.
I wasn’t a huge Sam Mitchell fan at first but the more I hear about Collins being the favorite, the more I pray it’s Sam Mitchell, or Avery Johnson instead.
Ed R. – I think Collins is smart enough to realize what the make-up of this team is, what they are capable of and where their strengths lie.
I think he knows they need to create offense from their defense and push the ball. I think he understands he has a lot of good open court players and will need to put emphasis on that.
I have two questions surrounding Collins…
By all accounts Collins is the guy that just hasn’t been made official yet. Maybe Stefanski and crew could throw us a curve ball but I doubt it.
Hiring Collins is by far the best hire for Ed Stefanski personally. What I mean is, no one will be able to blame him if Collins doesn’t work out. Jordan was a bad hire and I place all the blame on Stefanski for that. But hiring Doug Collins instead of some assistant is safe and secure. If Collins fails, everyone will point the finger directly at Collins, not so much Stefanski. But if he passes on a more experienced coach for a top assistant and that guy doesn’t work out everyone will be ready to burn Stefanski to the ground.
Sadly, I still think Tom Thibodeau is the right coach for this team in every way possible (even more so with the #2 pick and a choice of Turner or Favors) but I don’t think the Sixers see it that way.
Thanks Dannie. I agree with you completely, I don’t disagree that Collins is an intelligent guy and hopefully he can maximize the talents he has and not try to implement systems regardless of who is on his roster, ala Eddie Jordan and the P.O. I guess I just see Collins lack of success with some really good players and his less than stellar play off record and that turns me away a bit. I am not sure if I completely agree that if Collins fails that he will get all the blame. Sure he will get a lot of it as coaches do but so would Stefanski. That would be his second hire, the second guy he brought in that did a poor job. I don’t know how many GM’s would get a chance at a 3rd try.
I also agree with you, and have always been a huge fan of Tom Thibodeau and was pleading for him to get hired last year.
Now let’s just hope they draft Turner. He is in my opinion the only sure thing in this draft besides Wall. I do like Favors a lot but he is such a raw talent. Now granted this team isn’t exactly built to win now so a guy like Favors might not be the worst pick ever as you could work with him for 2 years or so, but not at the risk of passing on Turner. I pray this team does not consider Cousins. I’ll turn in my fan card if that happens.