Yesterday I wrote the post asking if anyone cares about the Sixers right now. I think I need to clear something up on that. The purpose of the post was to openly take the pulse of Sixers fans about how they feel about their team right now. In doing so I expressed my frustration with their inconsistency among other things to see if anyone agreed. Many of you did. But I think some may have gotten the impression that I was Sixer bashing, have been Sixer bashing for a while now and have a negative attitude towards the team. Well, that’s as far from the truth as can be.
Anyone that knows me can will tell you I dedicate a large portion time and energy to the Sixers. That includes going to games, watching every game and writing about the team often among other things. On top of that I also allocate a hefty share of my discretionary income and an unhealthy amount of my emotions in support of the Sixers regardless of their performance. My girlfriend can speak to that.
I go into every Sixers game knowing what their best game could be as well as knowing what their worst game could be. Those two points are different for everyone. How optimistic I am is based on their recent play. If they are hot I think they can beat anyone on any given night. If they’ve been floundering expectations are lower. It’s only natural that their inconsistency seeps into the optimism of their fans. But don’t get it twisted. My loyalties are true and my love for this team is real.
What’s also “real” are my opinions of their play, how the team is being managed and how I express them on the blog and elsewhere. I don’t B.S. you and I don’t promote puffery. When they suck, I call it like I see it and say they suck wrapped with thoughtful analysis. When they play great I say so exuberantly. If the tone of my Sixers commentary is not positive or depressing most likely that’s because the Sixers performance on the court is equally depressing. That may not float everyone’s boat but that’s me and that’s all I choose and want to be. The greatest compliments we’ve gotten since we started Recliner GM is that people feel the passion in our writing and in the comments and that is what sets this blog apart from others. Take it or leave it.
I think JJG answered the question from yesterday’s post best by saying…
I care about the logo, its representative history, and future prospects of the organization.
Well said. I think we all would agree with that. To that end…
How Can the Sixers Infuse Some Excitement and Get Some More Wins Down the Stretch – all while preparing for the future?
Look to last season. What happened after Ed Stefanski came on board last season? He said play the young guys and run like a rabies-infected dog was chasing you. Since Dileo took over the Sixers have averaged 18.6 fast break points. 1.8 more than when Mo Cheeks was the coach this season. And on par with last season after Stefanski became GM (18.8).
They’ve got the running part covered. Now it’s time for a change to shake things up and breathe some life into this team.
Everyone has been clamoring for it and now is the time. Marreese Speights NEEDS TO BE the starting power forward for the remainder of this season and I honestly can’t figure out why he isn’t. This team is still young and that young talent still needs to be accurately evaluated in addition to providing necessary production game-to-game in support of the Sixers as a playoff team. Right now I don’t see how Stefanski or Dileo can know what they have with guys not playing enough minutes at their natural positions (Thad, Speights) or at a necessary switch of position (Iguodala).
Put Speights at power foward, move Thad back to the three and Iguodala back to the shooting guard and see what you got.
Marreese Speights at PF helps the Sixers in so many ways.
- It would reestablish the Sixers as one of the most dominant all-around rebounding teams in the league. Part of the Sixers problem that hasn’t been talked about is their work on the defensive boards. They are only securing 72.5% of the available defensive rebounds. That is below league average at 20th in the NBA. Think about that. How can they be a high-octane running team if they are a sub par defensive rebounding squad? Yes, Speights has been inconsistent on the boards, but he is clearly better than Thaddeus on the glass at PF. And he has shown the potential to be a very good rebounder especially on the offensive end. Speights at power forward helps rebounding not only on his own, but by creating rebounding advantages on the wings with Thad and Iguodala that we saw when Brand was in the line-up to start the season.
- Adds a high percentage shooter to the line up. Speights, albeit on only 6.2 shot attempts per game is the only player shooting over 50% from the field on the entire roster. Give him some more shots see if it holds. If it does the benefits are obvious.
- Shot blocking. Speights averages 1.9 blocks per 36 minutes. This would help ignite the break, make up for shoddy perimeter defense and in theory help improve FG% defense.
- Stefanski wanted to see how good Thad was last year. He should be thinking the same thing this season with Speights for two reasons.
- He needs learn his potential. Does he have a legit post game? Can he be the defender and rebounder we would need at the position? Can he be the versatile post player we thought we got with Brand – only younger and more athletic? It will also help gauge his worth, trade value (not saying trade him) and to prepare for the draft and off-season decisions. Remember we still have Jason Smith to consider in the rotation next season or as potential trade bait if we can’t move Reggie or Sam.
- Determine if Elton Brand is expendable. A stretch but certainly not out of the realm of possibility given what we’ve seen from Brand to this point and the fact that he isn’t getting any younger and we already lost a year of production on his massive deal.
- 2010 season preview. As far as we know Brand is coming back. He will be in the starting line up. By having Speights start it allows Thad and Iguodala to get used to where and how they will being playing next season when Brand returns. That should speed up the adjustment period at the start of next season as those guys will have been playing with a legit PF in the line up for at least 23 games and a playoff series. I also think this helps Stefanski really see what he needs to do to improve this team. How does Andre Miller play? Can Iguodala and Thad co-exist on the wing together? What players to draft? Important questions that need to be answered. And it’s better business to answer them at the end of this season than starting next year poorly with the same questions marks.
It’s a win-win proposition for everyone. The fans get what they’ve been asking for with Speights in the line up, some change and that should infuse some excitement initially. Positive results need to follow in order for that energy to have any longevity.
I whole-heartedly believe the Sixers would be better off this way. Entering Speights in the starting line up can be the catalyst this team needs to finish the season strong. They add size, shot blocking, rebounding and some shooting without sacrificing their running game at all. Speights and Sammy both run the floor very well for big men. Finally Stefanski gets a real good look at this team and individual players in order to put a barometer on their fit, potential and map out a plan to fill holes.
My gut feeling is this wouldn’t happen immediately as in tomorrow night’s game against the Grizzlies. But a couple more loses, especially to middling or worse teams over the next 4 games could spur this change.
“Stefanski, tell your wing-man Dileo what to do like you did last year when you came in. Make it happen now. The fans are dying for a product on the court they can enthusiastically support. Give it to us.“
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I agree with everything you said. But I also believe stringing off a win streak of about 7 or 8 would get the fans into it again. The high point of this season has been that 7 game win streak that was ended by Dirk’s buzzer beater. Imagine that. But we ended up winning something like 11 out of 12 and the fans from what I could tell, were enthused. Now think back to last season. I think the high point was beating the Celtics and the Suns. We had a nice streak going and won a couple of real impressive games. That also could work this year. Maybe beating the Lakers next week could spark something, considering we should be playing well by then.
I too, would like to see Speights in the starting line-up. Though, I’m not sure I’m comfortable moving Iguodala to the two just yet. What is the ultimate goal moving forward in the next couple seasons? To get a legitimate shooter as a PG or SG. Say we get that SG… would we then move Iguodala right back to the 3? I don’t know if I want Andre flip flopping between positions like that. I am a firm believer in Iguodala being a future All-Star playing at the 3. I am also a firm believer in Thaddeus Young being an average player for the next couple years, until he truly develops in all areas. An average player like that might be better coming off the bench.
I am all for experimenting with line-ups, and I like your starting 5 for now… but IF we get that legitimate two guard, I want Iguodala to be ready to play 3 without having to re-adjust.
Guest – I think there are no discernible differences between the two and three positions in general. I consider them both wing positions, especially in the Sixers current offensive system.
For example if the Sixers had say Kyle Korver, Hedo Turkoglu or Rashard Lewis all considered small forwards and all bigger than Andre Iguodala in the starting line up with him who is the shooting guard and who is the small forward? Does it matter?
Is it mandatory your perimeter shooting comes from the 2-guard position?
I have expressed this point many times. Everyone is quick to say Iguodala didn’t play well early because he was at the shooting guard. How do you quantify that? How much weight is placed on the Brand’s addition, the position change (not really a position change in my opinion) and the fact that he just didn’t shoot well to start the year? I tend to think it was mostly him not shooting well and him deferring too much to Brand or knowing how to work with a player stationed in the post. The questions I always ask people who insist Iguodala started poorly because he was at shooting guard or can’t play be successful at the position is this:
I think the answers to those questions tell the story. In the Sixers offense both wing positions are in the same places the only difference is who the coach wants to have the ball more in order to create shots for himself and others.
I think the Sixers should attack the situation by evaluation the potential and likely production of Iguodala and Thaddeus Young. Right now Iguodala is clearly the better player and I don’t know if Young will ever be as good as Iguodala. With that in mind I think you can bring in a shooter at any perimeter position and be just fine. You bring in a point with range and you can keep Dala and Thad in the line up together, granted you have more shooting coming off the bench. If you bring in a shooting guard with range Iguodala slides to the three since he is better than Young. If you bring in a player like a Turkoglu who can shoot out of the small forward position Iguodala is fine at the 2-guard. Hell, what if you had a player like Dirk, Matt Bonner, Okur or another three-point shooting 4-man. Does that mean you still can’t play Iguodala at two and Thad at three and presumably Miller at the point?
I just don’t think it’s as cut and dry as people make it out to be. We just need shooting in the starting line up one way or another.
Dannie, right on. My post was in the context of, we are aiming to get a SG with a real shooting talent. Then I don’t want Iguodala sliding between positions too much. Now experimenting with the line-up is all good and fine, but first we need to figure out if Thad, Brand, and Iggy can all co-exist in the starting line-up. That’s where I think Brand’s injury hurt us the most, was us not knowing what we have for the next 4 years. Not a good feeling at all.
Guest – That is exactly why I think Speights at PF for the remainder of the season is critical. It allows you to see Thad at the three and get a better read on his future prospects. You get to see if Iguodala and Thad can be successful together without a three point shooter in the line up (helps determine the future of Andre Miller to a degree). And you get to see how the team would play with a line up consisting of two bigs as it’s going to be next season when Brand returns.
You are making the assumption that the Sixers next logical step is getting a starting caliber shooting guard. I am not sure that is the most likely move in the near future.
I tend to think Stefanski likes Thad and Iguodala enough that he is locked in with those guys as his starting wings once Brand returns. He has said many times the +/- at the beginning of the season when Thad was at the three and Dala was at the two with Brand, Sam and Andre Miller was very good. But the team had a negative net as a result of poor bench play. To me that means the shooter is either coming in the form of a starting point guard or bench players.
Great post Dannie. I agree with your premise and you back it up well. You had me at ’start Speights.’
Even if they take a small step back with Speights in the starting line-up (which i doubt) it will still reap benefits in terms of developing and evaluating talent.
I don’t think Miller/Iguodala/Young will shoot well enough to work, but maybe they prove me wrong. Either way they way they will know better what needs to be done regarding Miller and Young this summer- because Young will not tolerate being a bench player next year (he has hinted as much), and they will have to start thinking about making a long term comittment to him after next year.
Nice blog, Dannie. A couple comments:
1. I agree 100% with your thoughts and do not understand why Speights is not starting. Ed stated in his meeting last week that they are high on Speights.
2. I know for a fact that Ed wants to get a shooting guard. He made that clear also last week. So, guest has a good point about moving Iggy (I agree w/ you, I don’t think it matters overall but IMO only).
3. I also believe they need to run some w/ Speights at Center as I believe Ed wants to trade Sammy this summer and need to see what affect that has on the team.
4. As stated before, I also would like to see Lou in more, when he gets hot he will help us forget his slump.
5. He needs to also stop playing Evans so much. They just foul him taking their chances on the foul line (and avoid fouling Iggy that is a good shooter).
Dean H – Did Stefanski make the distinction between getting “A” shooting guard and getting a “starting” shooting guard? To me that is a massive difference and as TK76 just said could create another problem.
We know he isn’t going to not start Iguodala so if he is really in search of a starting shooting guard that means he is thinking one or more of these thoughts…
My gut is that he wants a shooter – period and he’d be willing to take the best available regardless of position because the need is so dire.
DeanH, I know Ed says he is committed to the young guys as the future- but how committed is he to winning next year (with Brand/Miller.) At some point those goals might conflict, and I wonder which wins out.
More specifically, will he start thinking about moving Thad for a starting SG (say Mike Miller and a future #1 for Thad/Evans) so that he can try to win next year with AMiller/SG/Iguodala/Brand/Sam… Lou/Gree and Speights/Smith off the bench?
I would prefer he sticks with Thad, but you wonder how long he can o without a winner?
Danny, I believe the issue with Iggy at the 2 was more about the defensive end, him having to chase the 2 guards around and expending to much energy , but if I had a choice of who I want closer to the boards between Iggy and Thad,as of now that would be Iggy. I think defensively they should put Thad on the more perimeter based player when it comes to matchups.
Suede – I don’t and can’t buy that. Basketball is a sport in which a player is asked to, and should excel on both ends of the floor. “Expending to much energy” playing defense regardless of position is crap to me and something I will never accept as a legit issue.
As for board work, I complain a lot about Thad’s lack of rebounding but I think his rebounding suffers when he is at the power forward position because he can’t handle those bigger guys. He tries to out quick them but overall he doesn’t stand much of chance boxing out bigger, stronger players with just average technique, let alone the really good rebounder power forwards. At the three that is a completely different story and I think he’d be an adequate rebounder at the position at the least.
One could argue you’d rather have Iguodala on the perimeter on defense because it puts him in the best position to get out on the break first. And I much rather have Dala finishing on the break than Thad who tends to go up weak sometimes.
tk76- Ed did say clearly that they would like to draft a shooting guard this year w/ their 1 draft pick. Do you know what that means? He was very clear that he thought their biggest problem was a shooting guard at this time.
deepsixersuede is correct that the biggest issue is Iggy chasing the shooting guard, according to Ed. Not playing the 2. I wish I had thought to ask why he did not let Thad do the running then (but did not think of that till later).
I got the feeling from Ed that he wants to win now but I don’t get the feeeling he would say other wise even if he felt otherwise.
In reference to moving someone, I don’t see how it would help the sixers to move Thad/Speights/Smith as none of them would help w/ the money issue. I believe moving any of the young players would be a last resort and really does not make sense w/ money issues. I believe Ed would move Sammy/Willie/Reggie or even Miller to get a piece with Sammy being #1 (which is fine w/me).
Dean H – Assuming the Sixers just stay around where they are in the standings they will be drafting 16-18. I don’t think you are getting a starting caliber shooting guard that is a pure shooter with NBA range that can step in immediately (not just a very good college scorer and shooter) in this draft at that position unless we get really lucky.
So to mean him saying he wants to draft a shooting guard doesn’t mean any more than saying they are planning to draft another Daquan Cook but actually keeping him this time around. Could you start him, yeah. Should you, I don’t know. Depends on Thad’s progression and the point guard situation. That still brings back the situation of benching Thad. What is his long-term plan for that if a starting shooting guard is really the plan.
I think I covered most the options in comment 7 above.
I personally am not in the “Thad is the greatest thing since slice bread” camp and have no problem with him being a 6th man if we get a real shooter at 2-guard.
Dannie: is that a prayer i saw at the end of your post? lol. we will see the power of the blog. maybe it’ll happen. after all Mo got chucked a lot quicker than anticipated. maybe all the lamenting we did?
guys: “Ed Stefanski wants to win now”??- I hope he understands that that is not necessarily an option now.
i think the start Speights scheme is the best way to go cos basically the Sixers have gotten as far as they can with the fast-break game. Now they have to change something; the lineup will alter matchups and defense (defensively Speights is really CLUELESS!) , it will be VERY clumsy but worse case scenario we will have a higher pick. Best case we make noise in the Playoffs with a lineup of our most talented young players playing TOGETHER.
i mean if they are soooo bad at shooting, lets just put all of em together and find how much they really stink it up. Stir it up in a jar, shake repeatedly, if what comes out tastes like honey, sweet!, if not……well back to the drawing board.
ps: Lou Williams?? (BANGING HEAD AGAINST THE WALL REPEATEDLY IN ATTEMPT TO EASE PERPLEXITY)
Dannie, I’m starting to fall into your camp. If we can get a quality shooting 2 guard, what is wrong with using Young to swing between the 3 or 4 positions off the bench. Quality teams have quality 6th-7th men. He’ll get his 28 + minutes. I love Posey. Every game he gets in the +. Could look at Courtney Lee as an example of a young shooting guard who contributes as a rookie.
By the way my firewall at work is preventing me from viewing your website since last week. I might have caused it by attempting to post without the requisite info(name/EMAIL) a couple times. Hesitate to speak to my network guys about it. Did anything change on this site? I can get to depressed fan.
My reason why Thad has to come off the bench; If Iggy is the starting 2 guard [36 min., 12 min. at the 3] and Thad is the starting 3 [36 min.] and A.Miller is the starting p.g. [36 min.] and L.Will. is still getting 24 min. at the 2/1 than there isn!t even time for Ivey to play, let alone a shooter; that is why IO believe L.Will. has to go or Iggy has to stay at the 3.
If they’re going to make a move from seventh, now is the time. The Sixers’ next five opponents — the Grizzlies (Saturday), Thunder (Sunday), Raptors (Wednesday), Bulls (Friday) and Heat (March 15) — have a combined record of 74 games under .500. Among them, only Miami (33-28) owns a winning mark, with Memphis and Oklahoma City at 32-89.
After this stretch, they begin a rugged five-game Western swing against the Lakers on March 17. They need to go at least 4-1 in the next five to have a shot at the fifth spot.
‘4-1 in next 5′ necessity for 5 seed - - that’s not what Coach Dileo put out for public consumption this a.m. But naturally he’s giving cautious, political answers in case it doesn’t transpire. Despite sorry records,
neither Memphis or OKC are creampuffs for Sixers; they’d better be ready to play. Defense, rebounding, limiting TOs, making foul shots … if take care of those areas, they’ll register 2 Ws. If not, they’ll have their hands full.
Sixers luck out not having to face Kevin Durant on Sunday as well. He was playing his best basketball and for a stretch of games looked like the second best player (behind D. Wade) prior to his ankle injury.
So Dannie… Your point about Thad’s rebounding, is that his rebounding numbers will go up significantly and consistently while playing at the 3. Do you think he can put up the rebounding numbers that Iguodala often puts up? I think one of our advantages is at the 3 position considering Iguodala’s versatility. There is always that one stat that is always brought up that Iguodala is one of 3 players who avg. better than 16, 5, and 5. (it goes something like that….) Im wondering how much the production will drop or increase when moving Thaddeus to the 3 in the starting line-up… rather than off the bench. I still believe Andre Iguodala is the Complete small forward package. I still believe Thaddeus has a ways to go before he can really be what Iguodala has been. But like you said, you don’t think position matters much. I can agree to that to a certain extent. But it’s interesting to think about, how much our roster could change by the end of next season, and how much better or worse we could be. One thing is certain… We need a Shooter off the bench, or in the starting 5.
If you aren’t watching Uconn vs. Pitt right now you need to be!
Guest – I will get back to you on the rebounding I need to look something up real quick. But I actually think we need a shooter in the starting line up AND off the bench. They need to replace Rush with a player they actually will play who can shoot and ideally defend. I think they can get that player in the draft for sure.
Hadn’t known Durant was out. Book that one.
JJG – Jeff Green is DTD as well with back spasms although he recently said his back feels great, but still needs medical clearance to play tonight against the Hornets.
I think the Sixers should win but I don’t think that game is a gimmie either considering the Thunder are actually on a 3 game winning streak the last two wins without their two best players Green and Durant. Including a 9 point win over the Dallas Maverick in which rookie guard Russell Westbrook had a triple double.
Guest - Just took a quick look at something this season.
When Iguodala is the starting shooting guard he averaged 6.6 boards per game. When he is the starting small forward he averaged 5.6 boards per game.
Thad was consistent either way averaging 5 boards as the starting three man and 4.8 as the starting power forward.
But there was a net positive when those guys are on the wing together vs. Thad at the power forward. And again I think Thad’s rebounding improves as he gets stronger (no where near his prime NBA body), is consistently playing against guys of equal size or smaller and improves his technique and concentration in that area.
I think putting Thad as off the bench as the 6th player is fine if Thad can become a consistent shooter.
Who can we get for Sammy/Green/Reggie that can help us this off season that will help us compete next year? I believe this is the bottom line right now.
Dannie, Westbrook & Green, understand each is talented. Surprised to learn they won last 2 with 2 best scorers out. Doesn’t seem like enough firepower on the rest of roster to whip a rested and ready Sixers team (assuming they are ready). Mavs must’ve mailed it in. Tonight’s game should be interesting.
This is perhaps the biggest why Josh Smith would not fit with the Sixers (despite the Restricted FA status last season): His attitude
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/57755/20090307/smith_woodson_get_into_altercation/
Simply put, when he gets his highlight dunks and blocks, he is great. Anything else gets him easily frustrated, plus he really is a SF!
Rob, Shades of Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson. At least Smith demonstrated some fire. Some of the Sixers could use that ingredient.
I’d rather have Smith’s fresher talent than Brand’s as a chip moving forward but I can understand having reservations on a mercurial sort. Ed opted for pedigree and social comfort rather than potential in that summer menu situation, my read. When he’s right, JS can really play.
Rob- Ive been noticing that too. Iguodala and Smith are often compared. Two good players who have never made it to the All Star Game. Actually I read an article that was about the two best players who have never made an All Star Game and these two players made the list. (I would put D Will. in front of both of them. I can’t believe he’s never made it.)
Dannie- Than that proves my concern of Thad’s rebounding false. Than I really don’t have a huge problem at all with your line-up.
i would trade iguodala, thad, speights, and also throw in ryan howard for deron williams