The summer has been pretty boring and uneventful on the Sixers front to this point. Stefanski surprised us early with a nice little deal giving up a little toughness and heart albeit from a player that wouldn’t see much court time in Reggie Evans for Jason Kapono and his desperately needed shooting ability from deep. Good job there.
I personally thought their draft was weak. Not because they drafted Jrue but because they didn’t gain another pick to add a player of need who is young and cheap later in the draft. There were plenty of shooting guards they could have given a chance especially since they had to know they were moving on without Andre Miller. Jrue could end up being really good but not right away. Hopefully he can contribute on the defensive end and be just average offensively so he can stay on the floor enough to develop his game.
The Sixers success this season is predicated on a lot of IFs. With that said…
Where Do the Sixers Rank in the East Right Now?
Here are who I consider the top 9 teams in the Eastern Conference. They are accompanied by the off-season moves, additions, subtractions they have made thus far.
- Cleveland - Acquired Shaq, signed Anthony Parker
- Boston - Signed Sheed, expected return of KG, up in the air – Glen Davis and Leon Powe, rumored commitment from Marquis Daniels to sign for the bi-annual exception
- Orlando - Acquired Vince Carter, Ryan Anderson, signed Brandon Bass, rumored to be signing C.J. Watson, lost Hedo Turkoglu, Rafer Alston
- Atlanta - Drafted Jeff Teague, acquired Jamal Crawford, up in the air – Marvin Williams
- Miami - Up in the air Jamario Moon, rumors – trade for Boozer, attempt to sign Odom
- Philadelphia – Drafted Jrue Holiday, acquired Jason Kapono, expected return of Elton Brand and Jason Smith, lost Reggie Evans, expected loss of Andre Miller.
- Chicago - Drafted James Johnson, lost Ben Gordon, signed Jannero Pargo, expected return of Luol Deng
- Detroit - Drafted Austin Daye, lost AI, Sheed, McDyess, signed Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva and Chris Wilcox
- Toronto - Drafted Demar DeRozen, signed Hedo, acquired Reggie Evans, lost Anthony Parker, Shawn Marion
Take a good look at that. Let it percolate for a bit. Then lets talk about where the Sixers rank in the Eastern Conference in your opinion and more importantly why?
Where do the Sixers rank - today - in the Eastern Conference?
- Seventh (21%, 58 Votes)
- Fifth (16%, 44 Votes)
- Sixth (16%, 43 Votes)
- Tenth (15%, 40 Votes)
- Eighth (11%, 30 Votes)
- Fourth (7%, 18 Votes)
- Ninth (6%, 16 Votes)
- First (4%, 11 Votes)
- Third (4%, 10 Votes)
- Second (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 270
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{ 179 comments… read them below or add one }
Dannie, I voted us the 8th seed because , assuming our final 4 players added are fringe guys, we took a step back while a lot of other teams made moves to get better, and one of the teams below us, whether it is Indiana,Charlotte or Milwaukee I believe will pass us this year. Detroit , despite not using their cap room to the max, have gotten better, in my opinion. Wilcox/Spieghts, Gordon/Kapono, Stuckey, L.Will., C.Vill./Brand, Hamilton/Iggy, and Prince/Young; how many of these possible matchups do we win THIS year. We still haven!t improved our s.g. position shooting ability unless Kapono is used there and if we don!t add another shooter of consequence a shooting coach is a must. I am actually excited about a L.Will./ Holliday p.g. competition but am not naive enough to not expect a major dropoff in production. Jordan hopefully can have a positive impact but I hope Keuster, Thibodeax and Turner [Minn.?] don!t turn out to be better options down the road.
I would def say that Orlando, Boston, Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami are going to be better as all the teams stand right now. Possibly even Detroit and Toronto.
It is all going to depend on Brand and Lou. If EB can average close to his career numbers and become a fluid part of the offense, and Lou run it and control his shot selection and both limit their tov’s, we could be much better. On paper we still have a very talented and competitive team, health and offensive cohesion will determine how high a seed this team is. I think that this team if centered around Brand and Igg offensively is better without Miller in the back court, while Lou and Jrue are certainly not sharpshooters, we know that Lou can knock them down occasionally and Jrue has decent form and should improve and provide better spacing for Igg to slash and Eb to go to work, theoretically. ( I’m feeling pretty optimistic today )
While this off season has been rather quiet for us, I am still excited, because in some ways it feels like we’ll be trotting a complete different team out there. It just sucks to see this team too poor to make any real noise and have 2 questionable players with large contracts and no wiggle room.
The Cavs just signed Jamario Moon to an offer sheet. The Heat will have 7 days to match. No details disclosed yet. But again all our competition are making moves to improve their team while the Sixers sit on their hands and hope for the best.
So far, the elite teams have made the significant moves (Boston, Cleveland, Orlando). Toronto has certainly improved themselves. The rest of the East is a question mark, including the Sixers. If Andre Miller or a better PG is with the Sixers, then they will be in the 4th-6th area. If Lou Williams is the PG, then probably the 7th-8th seed. So for now, I say the 8th seed. But the good news is that we are in the East and anything can happen from the 4th to the 15th seed. I hope the Sixers management will have everything under control.
GO SIXERS!!
and GO PHILLIES (Get Halladay!!)
I had to vote us eight (that was the intention but I voted for seventh accidentally). Both Chicago and Toronto are rapidly moving past us and I fully expect Derrick Rose to burn us badly every time the Bulls come to town. I don’t see Detroit being any better that us because they seem to have the same troubles as us ( except their logjam is in the backcourt and ours is/was up front).
I have to agree with deepsixer about the SG spot. We have nothing. Another year of Willie “Huh?” Green just won’t cut it. Kapono is a nice addition but he can’t possibly start nor play for long stretches at a time, not with his “defense”.
And while the complete idleness is extremely frustrating, I’m hoping against hope the Easy Ed has a solid plan for this team. Otherwise we’re stuck in NBA purgatory, not good enough for the second round, not bad enough for the lottery.
I voted us 8th which I think is sad. We are a “young” team but yet as we go from one year to the next, we get worse. How does that happen? Oh I know… drafting an unsure, very young player to play one of the most important positions on the floor. Well, we don’t have to start him do we? We don’t have to, but if we don’t than we have a smelly point guard running the show. And as mentioned we still have question marks with Willie Green, Elton Brand, and I could argue Iguodala is a question mark heading into next season. Who knows if he will fall into that horrendous slump like he did at the start of the season last year. Like Dannie said, this season depends on “ifs” and “maybes”. That is why I have us at the 8th spot. Poor PG play and yet another adjustment period incorporating Brand and a new system. Maybe I’m being too negative… but I’m just not sold on this team yet. It will be interesting to watch though.
I voted 7th, although 6th is just as realistic to me.
Detroit is THE huge wildcard in the East this year, imo. I honestly have absolutely no idea where they will wind up. Rookie head coach, two major free agent acquisitions (Ben G and Villanueva), two major free agent losses (Sheed & AI), adding young draft prospects (Daye & Dajuan), adding Wilcox to round out the frontcourt. Stuckey a year older; Rip and Prince still around. I am very intrigued to see how they do this year with their motley crew.
Washington – I think they are right there with the Hawks and Chicago for that 4th – 6th spot. I honestly could possibly see Washington knocking out Orlando to be the 3rd best team in the East…I think people are REALLY discounting the fact that Gil is 100% healthy, has shed a lot of weight and is in peak condition, and is playing with a chip on his shoulder. He is in his prime, their team made great aquisitions in Foye and M Miller, Blatche is looking fired up and hungry…the big 3 healthy…they worry me.
Chicago – Losing their assassin in Gordon is huge, but starting the season with Salmons/Miller is a huge boost, D-Rose, T Thomas and J Noah are all a year older and more experienced, and should be improved. Luol Deng is a huge key to their season…if he can regain the form to the year that made them give him a 6 year contract, will be curious to see what this team’s ceiling is.
Toronto – No team was more disappointing last year (even including us). Chris Bosh came out on FIRE the first half of last year and was looking like a 1st team All NBA guy…then Calderon got hurt, J Oneal didnt play up to par, they didnt have almost any scoring punch from the rest of the roster, no toughness in the paint, horrendous defense…Bargnani improved, but he appears to just be another 7 footer that chucks up threes and couldnt be paid to rough it up and rebound. But I still think Calderon is the most underrated point in the league…starting him and Bosh healthy with an addition of Turkogly? I think they’ll come out with a bit more fire, but still see them only as a 7th-9th team, IF they make it. Their bench is horrible, although JJack should help if the Pacers don’t match.
Milwaukee – God only knows what direction this team is going on. Who knows where Sessions will wind up. They let Villanueva walk. They are relying on Joe Alexander, who I thought was a very overrated prospect at W Virginia. Bogut is a very solid piece that I can see putting up a 14/10/2 blks when healthy. Michael Redd coming off an injury…I think Brandon Jennings will surprise a LOT of people…but if they even sniff the playoffs, Skiles should be in running for coach of the year.
-Charlotte & Indiana – Both two teams that I can see cracking that last spot in the playoffs if the stars align properly. They both play tough, have a pretty nice collection of pieces, and should benefit from health and more experience with younger players having a year or two under their belt. Brandon Rush I think is going to have a very good year and make people remember him, whether starting (if Dunleavy is still hurt) or playing the 6th man role. I really like the Hibbert/Foster two headed center, nice combination of grizzled vet and upcoming, old school youngster center.
Being a 1 and done playoff team is incredibly depressing. Ugh.
Dave T – Arenas is gigantic “IF” just like Elton Brand is for us. At this point he isn’t healthy until he proves he is healthy for a full NBA season. I and I am sure Washington fans could care less what he is doing or what he looks like right now because it doesn’t equate to wins.
No one is discounting anything, the guy has knee issues, that is a serious, serious problem area for any athlete but especially for a basketball player and those types of injuries tend to nag or never go away which pretty much has been Arenas’ problem. He hasn’t proven he heals well to this point.
Further more when they did have their big three playing they still didn’t get out of the first round.
People are making good points. Honestly, this team could end up anywhere from 35-45 wins (5th-11th in the East.) A bunch of other teams fall in that category too. Definitely 2-3 teams will be decimated byinjury, and a team or 2 will surprise people.
I’d say the Sixers could be one of those positive surprises, with their young talent and the return of Brand… but I really doubt it given the early lumps they are bound to endure with a completely new system and no established PG.
Had they landed even a decent PG with good working knowledge there would be an easier transition. I think ultimately they’ll adapt fine, but the first couple of months could be ugly, and that could really kill thm at the gate.
I wonder how Comcast would react to a slow start? So they give EJ some leeway, or do they start looking to unload big ticket players like Iguodala/Brand? I hope we don’t have to find out.
I voted for the fifth spot our players will be back this year better, stronger, and smarter. The chemistry between our guys is growing. Brand and Smith are healthy and will be ready. Iggy, Thad, Jason, and Lou have been playing together went to Prices shooting camp totally on there own. This is a good sign. Speights is working on his game he will be improved.Nice draft pick with Jrue, you know he will play his heart out, good stuff from him is coming, also adding Kapono is a big plus for this team. Don”t be surprised when Willie Green”s Shooting percentage jumps this year. He is not a dumb player he is working his ass off to improve his game this year. I am excited about our new Coach and his helpers. Jordan will have Sammy the turd, playing like he played the year before. Eddie will figure Sammy out. When this team gets togther in Sixty or so days Jordan will have a good group of basketball players to work with. The replaement for Miller is the big question, will have to wait and see. We don”t need to go fishing all over the league we have talent that will improve more and more each year. We need to stay health and let our chemistry grow
They will be 10th according to my vote. All the teams that finished above them will stay that way with Chicago, Detroit, and Toronto passing them and one of Indiana/Charlotte also breezing by.
This is so frustrating as a fan to watch these low-level years and money deals being signed by these free agents with other teams. And to be owned by this cable conglomerate with deep pockets that isn’t willing to shell out, is puzzling to say the least. Guess Stefanski giving Mo Cheeks that 2nd extension for around 3 mil (I think) is really biting back hard.
He thought we were good enough to win now by signing EB to that hefty contract, and re-upping Dala and Lou in the same year, and holding onto Miller when expiring; but now he thinks we need to go all youth movement with that boneheaded draft pick and possibly handing the keys to an intricate offense over to Lou. If the plan was to go youth then why obtain Brand (who is nearing the downside of his window), and especially hold onto Miller, and not play the young guys last year (Speights, and Thad at the 3 with Dala at the 2). Stefanski didn’t just realize after the season that he didn’t want Miller back, he had to know this during the season, so why hold onto him when you suddenly change course on draft night ushering in a certain youth movement (with that developmental project of a pick). All this with the HOPE you may can contend in 3 years when the rest of the league and conference will be drastically changed by then. Those that continue to defend this guy and give him the benefit of the doubt will be assuredly tearing him down in a matter of time.
I want him to succeed b/c it means my team will, but he set this franchise back for years by making that draft pick and HOPING it is a fruitful forest down the road, all the while not realizing we have to plant some NEAR-READY (half-grown) trees along the way. You just don’t achieve a forest without any trees.
You have to actually like the Sixers playoff chances this year. Unless the Heat add any combination of Boozer, Odom and AI none of the East’s 5-10 seeds improved themselves more than the Sixers. I know Detroit added Gordon and Villanueva (sic) but I don’t think they have the chemistry and frontcourt depth to really contend. We’ll probably suffer another underwhelming first round exit but at least we’ll be able to see Lou and Jrue get postseason minutes. It sure is nice to be in a conference that allows you to be BOTH a playoff team and rebuilding team simultaneously.
Chris – I don’t agree. The Sixers are going to have as much chemistry issues as any team. Remember Brand is coming back, Jason Smith is coming back, no more Reggie – insert Kapono, Andre Miller is likely gone, Lou and a rookie at the point and a new coach with a new system. You don’t think that screams serious chemistry issues and a possible horrible start to the season as they try to figure things out?
Also, since Detroit added Wilcox their front court depth is fine with Brown, Villanuva, Maxiel and Wilcox.
If the Heat add just Odom or Boozer they are significantly better. Both and they start really moving up the ranks.
Finally, I actually think it could be a double edge sword to be in a weak conference that allows you to make the playoffs and attempt to rebuild. The only benefit is you get playoff experience. The downside is you lose the opportunity to be in the lottery and upgrade your talent that way, lose the chance of getting really lucky and winning the lottery and getting a young franchise changing talent. And by continually making the playoffs with a mediocre team you could very easily look at that is if the team is closer than it really is. Where as if you were missing the playoffs you know that wouldn’t be the case.
Just something to consider.
I don’t think it’s about other teams passing us, I think it’s about us taking a step down. Even if other teams haven’t gotten better, I think we have gotten worse. In my opinion a Lou/Jrue combination at the most important position is a very risky move, one that I never saw coming when the season ended. I like the addition of Kapono, but it looks like management thought that move was enough to keep us in the hunt for the 4-6 seeds. I don’t think that was enough. My prediction is that we will struggle much like last year at the start, and come on strong the 2nd half of the season much like the past 2 years. We will get matched up with the Cavs/Celtics and probably get beat pretty bad in the playoffs. Hopefully between now and then… Lou and Jrue get key playoff minutes and gain the experience necessary to run our team for years to come.
Anyone else repeatedly smashing their heads into a desk because one of the keys to our season is “Lou Williams’ play”? Ugh.
I hate this team right now. I just hate it. I am so frustrated with this team. This mish mash of youth and 2nd banana veterans is just…!@#$!@#$!@$. I love the Sixers with all my heart. I think Speights is a future 19 and 10 guy in the waiting. I think Thad Young is a stud. I like Iguodala’s versatility. But we have no manueverability and are officially caught in mediocre land. We aren’t on the way up…aren’t on the way down…
…at least we’ll have a coach that runs a proper basketball offense, instead of this ridiculous isolation garbage that has destroyed the NBA. We will be fun to watch. I just hate that even IF we overachieve…we are a 2nd round playoff team at best.
Eddie Jordan is the second best thing that has happened to us in the last 5 years, the first best thing was us drafting Thad at 12.
Watching how EJ handled Speights after he poured in 28 pts in his first game was just a pleasure. EJ didn’t give a sh*t that speights go 28, he wanted him to play the game the right way by setting up shop down low and passing it to the open man.
they had a bad year, so it’s easy to forget, and i don’t think you considered them…but don’t count out the Wizards this year. they were injury plagued last season. if they get Gilbert and Brendan Haywood back healthy, plus their additions of Foye and Mike Miller, and Flip Saunders running the show…don’t count them out. they will be very, very dangerous, and a lot of people are overlooking them because they won 19 games last year. if healthy, they’re one of the better teams in the conference.
…and my point with that (meant to include this) is that it doesn’t seem like it, but they will have improved considerably because they’re getting their star player back, one of the top scorers in the league…
Swiss – I don’t think people are overlooking them because they won 19 games last year. Everyone knows they were not healthy. But what people are not sold on is 1. they can ever get and stay healthy and 2. Even if they do that they are anything more than a first round playoff team.
I like the Foye and Miller additions. But Arenas needs to prove he can 1. get and stay on the court for a full season and playoffs 2. be a leader and more than just a great offensive player. Not to mention that he can fit in since he has been gone for so long.
We have the same questions and issues with Elton Brand as well.
Swiss - And to that point the Sixers even without Elton Brand and Jason Smith were a playoff team and they added something that they didn’t have in a shooter with Kapono and a defensively minded point hard as well.
I picked the Sixers 7th because too much has to go right for them to be even in the middle of the pack with how the conference as a whole improved. Even the non playoff teams got a bit better which threatens a teams overall record.
Swiss – I’m with you. I think the Wizards overtake the Hawks as the 4th best team in the East this year, and could possibly unseat Orlando as the 3rd best team. Arenas is 100% healthy and ready to go for the first time in a LONG time. He’s pissed, he’s ready to do anything to win, and I have a feeling he’ll do nicely under an offensive minded coach like Flip. If there are three players in this league that I would NEVER want to bet against when they are truly pissed off and going into a season with a vengeance…they are Kobe, Iverson, and Arenas.
I also just have a feeling this will be Gil’s year. When he passes and is team oriented, which he’s shown in spurts he can be, he is an automatic top 5-7 player in this league. I think with ALL the time a player sits with injury, it makes them appreciate what they have more, and that he’s really ready to do whatever it takes.
Elton Brand – I have very high hopes for him this year. I don’t think he’s going to put up gaudy stats…in fact, I don’t really see him being a 20 ppg scorer. I think he will give us a 19 & 10…but a VERY SOLID and reliable 19 and 10 that shows great leadership, doesnt back down, and brings a tough defensive presence.
Even with all that though, he’s still a 2nd banana guy…I still consider Iguodala a 3rd banana guy…and with Thad coming up, Speights…TWO young unproven PG’s, and a C in Jason Smith we are overvaluating…just don’t see good things happening.
I voted 5th. Let’s hope those last second shots where they lost the game can turn into a few positive wins instead. I do think Eddie can account for about 5 wins just off of coaching alone. Where in most cases Cheeks and Dileo would lose games because of poor coaching decisions. I do think there are teams that got better this off season. However, just like the Sixers have to develop chemistry those teams who made pretty substantial changes will have chemistry issues as well.
Having Brand this season is almost like a new addition. He hardly played so he comes in fresh and his second off season developing with his team. I’m hoping for the best, 4th would be ideal. That’s homecourt.
Greek, I”m with you about EJ, theirs a new Sheriff in town
A 44% sheriff. Not exactly the NBA’s Wyatt Earp. Acting like a hard ass with the undisciplined Speights in July is one thing. Winning in November (and beyond) is altogether another. He may prove otherwise in time but I don’t see the reason for optimism with EJ, even though he & Stefanski rode first car of the NJ Kidd Train to the Finals.
Frank Isola states that Donnie Walsh met with Andre Miller.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2009/07/20/2009-07-20_andre_miller.html
The talks of Andre Miller for Chris Duhon deal still has a pulse to it.
I”m staying positive in the off season and looking for the bright side of things, being to negative now is not how I want to spend my summer. When the season starts and there playing crappy then thats another story.I”m hoping for the best
@ The Real Rob
We should have traded Miller at the deadline (I really wish I would have know about this site then. I had some…. words). I just don’t see why anyone would want to sign and trade for him when they could just sign him outright. I know teams are always looking to drop unwanted players and contract and that’s what worries me; getting (potentially) someones garbage in return for the MVP of the Sixers the last two years. Chris Duhon? I’m not sold on him. I think he benefited from the offensive stat inflation that comes with D’Antoni’s system.
Eddie Jordan may be a career loser but I think he’s a cut above DiLeo and Cheeks but I take that with a grain of salt because his offense has been just as successful as ours playoff wise. If he can get us to adapt the Princeton offense semi-smoothly, his first year will be a success in my book.
I’m not going to put a whole lot into this season. I see it more as an experiment. If we win 44+ (our ceiling at this point) then great. If we fall short, well, I wasn’t expecting too too much.
Any PG at this point is better than having Lou start? The Sixers need someone who is unselfish, shoot the ball, and play defense. Lou needs to work on those greatly if he wants to start. But who knows, Duhon would be playing slightly more minutes than Lou if the Sixers acquire him. Anyway, we’ll have to wait a long time to find that out!
JJG you will be happy with EJ, that act he pulled with Speights was more then any coach has done for the sixers since lb left. The team might be put together terribly, no pg, a dumber then a pile of bricks center but we will be proud to cal EJ our coach.
Rob, it isn!t L.Will!s job yet. After watching what Thad did his rookie year it wouldn!t surprise me THAT much if Holliday makes it real hard to keep himself off the court for our new coach. The summer league showed me one thing, he played with defensive effort and unselfishness, 2 things he may be ahead of L.Will. already in and something his coach may fall in love with quickly.
Orlando is about to sign Matt Barnes
From a winning standpoint I honestly see no reason to be optimistic about the Sixers. From an intrigue standpoint though I can’t wait to see what this team looks like healthy. While I don’t think they can compete with the top teams in the East I do really want to see all of Ed Stefanski’s work on the court for an extended period of time so we can all at least see what we really have here.
I’m also intrigued to see how this team looks on the court. How much Jrue will struggle. How much of an impact EJ will have on Speight’s offensive and defensive game, the latter being more important ofcourse because you just have a feeling that he is going to shine on offense.
But are we really going to get another year of Willie G starting?
Well your buddy EJ said he doesn’t really see Andre Iguodala as a shooting guard and they he thinks he will be starting at small forward. That means the starting SG spot is still an unknown at this point. If that is truly the case there are a bunch of options…
PG – Lou
SG – Willie
PG – Lou
SG – Kapono
PG – Lou
SG – player not on roster
PG – Jrue
SG – Lou
PG – Jrue
SG – Willie
PG – Jrue
SG – Kapono
PG – Jrue
SG – player not on roster
That also brings up another question at PF and C. If Brand is healthy I believe he is starting with 100% certainty. So that means either Sam or Thad is on the bench.
Like I said this team has a crap load of unanswered questions.
C.J. Watson turn us down?!?
Apparently the Sixers didn’t want to anyone more than a one year deal.
All figures point to the Sixers being content with what they have at this point.
Doug Collins – I was listening to the Dan Patrick Show today, who usually has about 4-5 guests on per show for interviews that last about 8-15 minutes, and he had Doug Collins on. They wound up talking about his interest in coming back to coach in the NBA one last time…Chicago and Detroit came up, and why Doug and Reinsdorf mutually decided on not bringing him to the Bulls last year, then Doug said (without DP even bringing it up) that the reports about him even speaking with our Sixers were completely false.
In his words: ”There was a lot of speculation that I had talked to Philadelphia. I never talked to Philadelphia, so, a lot of these things that get out, sometimes you just have to live with the rumor aspect of it [The NBA media circus]. But I did talk to Chicago last year, and did talk to Joe [Dumars] for a couple days this year before I decided I didn’t want to do it.”
Just thought I’d throw that out there, since that was real talked up earlier this summer.
Ime Udoka – Wouldn’t exactly be a splashy free agent signing, but I think we’d do well to take a look at signing him to bolster our bench at the SF spot. He’s a pro’s pro, good defense, can hit the three, unselfish, coming off playing with the winning attitude of the Spurs.
Dave T– you read my mind. Plus, the Sixers would slowly be adding defensive minded players, something Jordan never had with the Wizards, which was perhaps the reason why their defense was lacking. That way (hopefully), there would be no excuses to Jordan and encorporate whatever defensive philosophy he has.
Also, the Sixers are looking at some secondary PG vets:
http://csnphilly.com/pages/landing_09?NBA-Notebook-Shopping-for-a-Point-Guard=1&blockID=64964&feedID=704
This is perhaps good news. Eddie Jordan is working with Sammy and Jason today.
http://twitpic.com/b41qj
I’m wondering why do the Sixers continue to offer 1 year deals when they have 4 spots open on the roster. Do they plan on auditioning players for other teams? In this time of recession, most players are businessmen too they want security in their profession. I’m lost with this let’s check you out, see if you have the goods first approach. Then we’ll sign a long term deal. Scouting, research, talent evaluation should determine that even before these offers are made. That way making a 2-3 year committment would make sense if the prep work was put in ahead of time. I hope ES knows what he’s doing.
Rob, good stuff on Jason and Sam!!! According to Missanelli the one trade we turned down for A.Miller was for Ridnour [6.5 mill.] and a protected #2 pick. I would have turned that down too. Jumpin, did you read about Shaq!s new reality show, it looks like Wilt was born 75 years too early!!!
The Greek, Hope you’re right. What coaching qualities of Jordan will make us proud? Strikes me as assistant material, garden variety NBA club member. I’m not interested in another Mr. Congeniality at the head position and am immuned to Princetonitis. His best advantage coming in is his full Stefanski endorsement and backing (both enter season with something to prove). That can help … at least until he rubs some players [I use the term loosely] the wrong way during a 5 game slide.
Suede, I think Shaq’s a sheriff too. Or at least he’s been deputized. Cannonball Run IV. Filming to commence soon near the Cuyahoga River. Lebron has agreed to lend him his Foster Grants in exchange for a case of premium start-up powder.
WILT.
JJG: Curious why you think Eddie Jordan is assistant material only? And why “immune” to the motion offense he likes to run? His version of how he runs the Princeton is TAILOR MADE for teams like ours, where more ball movement, weakside screening, efficient cutting, and mini triangle games are necessary. And where are you getting the idea of “Mr. Congeniality” from?
Just my opinion obviously, but I just don’t see how you can discount what he’s done in Washington. Their big three were healthy and together for a total of one season…their first time playing together…and they were on pace for 50 wins that year before the injuries brought them down. Ever since then the three never played I think more then about 50 games together in any one season. He dealt with one of the most whiney, bitching, instable frontcourts of the NBA for the last half decade…his personality and style of coaching allowed Caron Butler and Jamison to flourish. He knows how to communicate with his players and win their respect. They overachieved every single year he was there.
He has negatives too…plenty of them. But I just don’t get how you can ignore his positives and just brush them off. He’s a quality head coach, not just some crap retread. In fact one of his biggest strengths in Washington was NOT rubbing players the wrong way during losing streaks, and maintaining a level of professionalism and respect in the lockeroom. He’s not some lightweight, wussy pushover like Mo Cheeks, and has a certain expectency and roadmap of how he wants players to perform. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Fox 29 reported that the Sixers have turned down 2 sign and trades for Miller. I don’t understand ES, he’s turning down deals and then he’s only offering 1 year minimums? We have a roster to complete and guys going everywhere but us. This lack of nothing is proof that the NBA is just recycling trash. We’ll stink again and probably for another two years. I don’t think I’ll be renewing my 10 game plan.
Portland appears to be re-interested in Andre Miller. All I can say to that is, hand over Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw. (but Blake especially).
http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/david_aldridge/07/21/miller/index.html
Dannie if WIllie ends up starting again, there should be a movie made about him. Call it the invincible man. No wonder ticket sales are in the shi%%er.
JJG, mark my words dude you will like what he brings to the table. The guy is out there working his ass off. Last year at this time Mo Cheeks was where I am right now in greece, going to the the beach every day.
The biggest problem is that we(the sixers front office) have dealt the man an awkward hand. No pg, 2 sf’s in thad and iggy, and a center who is terrible for his offense.
Dave T, In response to your questions: You and, especially, The Greek are high on him. Contrastingly, I suspect Jordan’s no bellwether based on my having observed his Rutgers/journeyman NBA playing career and Kings & Wizards directorship experiences. Aside from the 44% indicator of the bottom line of his coaching resume (which of course is impacted by the talent on hand in each situation), there’s an intangible ingredient called ‘aura’ that I base my skepticism on; am not of the opinion that his is so winning. It’s only an impressionistic take though; thus my question to The Greek about the specific outstanding qualities he offers as a head coach. You being a Washingtonian, I’m sure you have a better read of his most recent head coaching experience and accomplishments. His being another personnel
representative of Ed “King Midas In Reverse” Stefanski’s machinations dims any fervor I might muster for the new intellectual & spiritual leader of the Sixers. ’Special’ usually rears its head by his point in a career. Am always open to pleasant surprises though.
As for Princeton offense, it requires smart, self-disciplined, good outside shooting players. How many of those populate Sixers roster?
Can’t wait to see LW, MS, SD & AI2 run that baby. 24 second graffiti.
The “Mr. Congeniality” idea? You don’t land 3 jobs with Jordan’s unsweetened record without having a bushel of that.
Willie Green cannot start again this year! How can you have the same problem like 3 years in a row and not find a way to address it in any off season he is not a starting off guard in the league nuff said. He sometimes plays OK and therefor should be a marginal bench player. Sammy has also been a problem but they have tried to address that and because of BK’s terrible contract cannot however how can we not get a starting 2 guard on this team. Yea no freaking way am I buying any tickets if willie is the starting 2 guard. No offense to him it is the management that has let us all down on this one.
If the Sixers knew they were gonna be cheap asses for the rest of the off season why not pick up a 2nd round pick and pay him peanuts throw him out there, anybody but willie give me something to be excited about.
Willie Green cannot start again this year! How can you have the same problem like 3 years in a row and not find a way to address it in any off season he is not a starting off guard in the league nuff said. He sometimes plays OK and therefor should be a marginal bench player. Sammy has also been a problem but they have tried to address that and because of BK’s terrible contract cannot however how can we not get a starting 2 guard on this team. Yea no freaking way am I buying any tickets if willie is the starting 2 guard. No offense to him it is the management that has let us all down on this one.
If the Sixers knew they were gonna be cheap asses for the rest of the off season why not pick up a 2nd round pick and pay him peanuts throw him out there, anybody but willie give me something to be excited about.
Willie Green: Least of your worries. Good soldier; could be effective coming off Princetonian screens; defense – respectable; character – strong. Rest of roster, an athletic mishmash of the goofy (Dalembert, Speights), the unpredictable to varying degrees (Iguodala, Young, Brand), the unproven (Williams, Smith, Holiday) and the uninspiring (Kapono). Low 40 win total again but kaleidoscopic entertainment.
There was a time when Willie Green was effective as a starter when he filled in for Iverson. He used to be very effective in a catch and shoot mode, working his shots through screens. Maybe this system could help him, but I prefer him coming off the bench. He was quite effective last season off the bench!
Also, I pray that the Sixers get Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw from Portland. That is by far, the BEST offer for Andre Miller. Plus, it cuts down Stefanski’s shopping list of a PG and a swingman (a very good swingman, especially when he’s known as “Mr. Fourth Qt”.)
JJG: Just for the record…in NOOOO WAAY am I high on Eddie Jordan as coach. I was an Avery Johnson guy from the get go, felt he was the proper hire, and feel there are weaknesses to EJ that come with him. I more just meant that, while acknowledging the guy is not perfect, I think he certainly brings definite strengths to the team, and is a MAJOR improvement over the Cheeks/DiLeo disaster. I think the bball IQ’s of Iguodala and Brand are being undertalked about in this type of offense, which will cater to the strength.
I do agree with you about reading an “aura” of a coach…kind of an intanbile that certain people have and bring to the table. Some people just exude a winning positive mentality…they project a certain amount of toughness and command respect,you look and hear them and think “Now THIS is a coach.” . Nate McMillan is the best younger coach example of this, for me. And you’re right, EJ lacks some of that. But he’s a pretty tough cookie, isn’t one of these charm the media’s pants off like Doc Rivers or Mo Cheeks, and is a quality improvement over what we have. Let’s just hope he maximizes our talent, and that ES saw things he did behind the scenes in Jersey that people like us aren’t privy to.
Jamal Magloire – Just signed for nothing with the Heat. Ed Stefanski said we needed a cheap center. Why is Jamal Magloire not on our team as an extra 10th body to serve as a backup C.
Magliore? Take a look at his stats for last 3 seasons. When he’s on the tube, my dog starts barkin’. Don’t see how he’d be a plus.
jjg.. that was very funny! LMAO. I want no parts of Magloire. Big man stealing money. We have one of those already.
Names are actually being thrown in the Sixers direction as we approach the month of August. That is when our schedule should come out and perhaps a better indication of what Stefanski must get!
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20090723_Sixers__Stefanski_going_shopping_in_Vegas.html
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20090723_Source_says_Sixers_looking_at_Tinsley__Watson.html
I honestly could care less about these fringe players. Stefanski would have to really show some creativity in the guy(s) he brings to get any sort of excitement out of me on that front. The names being tossed around are extremely underwhelming.
Jamal Tinsley is the only name that jumped out to me like hmmm that could be interesting from a “I have no clue how that would work out but at least it provides for a story line to look forward too.”
Dick Vitale recommends Jamal Tinsley … he’s a PTPer, baybee!
Conversely, with rare insight, equipment manager advises extreme caution before adding Tinsley to steer.
Sheds Miller, Ivey, Ratliff, Marshall, Evans.
Adds Kapono, Holiday.
ES owes us 3.
Yard sale additions in the offing.
Will incumbents return with improved games?
Given competitions’ changes, they had better.
Or this season could be disastrous.
On court and at box office.
JJG being from Jersey I can tell tell you first hand that I have a lot of fans who are Nets fans and they gave total credit for there glory years to EJ.
2one5, I am with you bro. If Willie Greene starts for us the sixers aren’t getting a nickel out of me.
Oh the state of the sixers, first thing that I do when I get online is check Tom Moores blog because he seems to have the best inside info on the sixers and the other day when I went there the headline was about Malik Allen signing somewhere. How much do we suck? No news about us but news on Malik Allen.
JJG rumor has it there going to be selling Shawn Bradley’s sweaty underwear at that garage sale. Also rumor has it that there also going to have about 4 cases of Sammy’s rubber duckies, hopefully after they sell those “Bute’s” they will be able to afford a Free agent.
It’s going to be a long year boys, possibly/probably 2 years before we can even entertain the thought of sniffing 50 wins pre flop.
The Greek, That couldn’t be. Double check your rumor source. Bradley didn’t sweat here. The stiff was scared stiff. Bulked up and formed a little dew in Texas though. An all-time flop of a pick (ya can’t teach taw & we beat Depaw). And Sam has matured into battleships and Crazy Foam.
Theo, a Spur. Smart move on his part. I guess Billy Paultz wasn’t available.
It looks like PGs are coming out of the woodwork!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4351672
Jason Williams might “comeback”. He would be interesting in a Sixers uptempo game with his jump shooting ability and crafty plays. Only the defense would be a question mark.
Hoopshype mentioned us going after Luther Head, as well, a guy I thought we should have signed last year after the Rockets cut him.
Jamal Tinsley – This is VERY intriguing to me. Honestly, he’s similar to Andre Miller in that he is a veteran, old school type of PG that cannot shoot a lick, but really knows how to run the position and make people around him better. A lot of Tinsley’s issues with the Pacers were due to constant injury problems…given that he’s had two years of nothing but rehab and getting back in shape to do since Larry Bird sat his ass, I’d actually be optimistic he’d be healthy.
Might not have the greatest attitude in the world…but after sitting TWO YEARS…thats a LONG time…I’d imagine he’d be ready to bust his butt and do anything just to prove he can still ball. Also…I think people forget just how good Tinsley is. I mean, this is a guy that can REALLY play the PG position, pass his ass off, and has excellent court vision. I would honestly not mind renting him for a two year contract to keep us a bit more affloat in the east, rather then just throwing Holiday in the fire. Plus, if his stock rises (which Im sure it would), we could use him as a trade chip to a team that needed PG depth, or an expiring contract.
Jerryd Bayless – No idea if it’s true or not, but Hoopsworld reported that Portland is finally including him in trade discussions, whereas before he was 100% hands off. Interesting note, if true.
According to Marc Stein, the Sixers or the Pacers are the top-choices for Luther Head.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&page=Chatter-090723
sixers get head would be a great headline
Jrue Holiday didn’t make it into David Thorpe’s top 20 rookies or even get an honorable mention. He was put into the “project” category.
“Holiday had the double misfortune of not playing the point for an entire season at UCLA (though after watching Collison’s talent it’s easy to understand why), then getting to do it for the hybrid Nets-Sixers team that never jelled at all. The bad news is that every part of his offensive game seemed below par, but the good news is that his talent was obvious. He’s a solid prospect to be sure, and the best news is that he defended the ball better than any guard we saw in either summer league.”
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=thorpe_david&page=RookieRankings-090722
Thanks a lot, Greek.
Been told the Sixers are only offering C.J. Watson a one-year deal and Watson wants two.
As for Tinsley, am told the Sixers have talked about him but are worried (rightly so) about his numerous off-court incidents.
Your welcome Tom, keep up the great work!
Andre Miller to Portland. Something like 2-years with a team option for the third, $21 million ($14 guaranteed).
Good for him and us. Officially moving on…
Take away lobs, most of his best efforts were individual ones. Grade B mercenary with matador D. Sayanara.
Of course, Stefanski passed on the opportunity to get a return on ‘Andre the Asset’ by not moving him before the trade deadline. Another mistake in a litany of them.
Is there any chance of an S&T or do you think it will be just a FA signing?
Ryan F, If reports are correct, Sixers pulled their 1 yr. offer off table and closed book on a sign & trade. But as reported transaction is not official yet, who knows? Anything can happen, especially when related to Portland (see Turkoglu, Milsap). Suppose they got tired of waiting for David Lee and overinvested in a “good” but geezer PG.
Holiday, Holliday & Halladay: transient firm, in town for the weekend.
According to CSN, the signing is not yet official according to Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard.
http://csnphilly.com/pages/landing_09?Blazers-GM-Deal-With-Miller-Not-Done-Yet=1&blockID=65620&feedID=704
Maybe a sign and trade could be there. The Blazers are jammed with PGs. (Miller, Blake, Bayless). I hope the Sixers get something in return.
Rob, I believe Blake has an expiring contract, too valuable to give up probably and Bayless is their L.Will., not quite a one or a two. I ,for one, will miss A.Miller but he deserves a shot to play for a contender, something we sure aren!t. Dannie, who on our team picks up the offensive production of A.Miller the most this season?
Maybe a three way deal can be made. The Blazers are also looking for David Lee from the Knicks and the Sixers need a point guard who will compete with Lou for the spot. It will be a complicated process, but look at how Turkoglu was acquired by the Raptors in that 4 team deal.
Also if it becomes offical, I for one am going to miss Andre Miller and his intangibles: his rebounding, toughness, strength, and playmaking skills. That was about it! He was a quiet competitor, but maybe too quiet. I certainly want to thank him for his contributions as well as Theo Ratliff. Now, the Sixers need a PG and a big man.
Plus, Jason Williams should be a looksee. Give him a “Pedro Martinez” offer and see how the Sixers can benefit. I am not saying you will see the J-Will of his days in the late 90s, but it is worth a shot. He did play the Princeton Offense when he was with the Kings. Seeing the two Williams’ compete for the starting spot should be interesting, plus he excels in an uptempo game. Now his defense may be a question mark, but that could determine who starts or not.
Looks like the Jays have named their price for Halladay:
Drabek, Happ, and Brown (as per Andy Martino, posted at 6:18pm)
The lead of the article: “Well, here it is, the Blue Jays asking price for Roy Halladay: Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi has spoken to the Phillies within the past 24 hours and negotiations are underway in earnest, baseball sources tell the Inquirer. They want Kyle Drabek, J.A. Happ and Dominic Brown.”
“That’s what they’ve asked for. It remains to be seen how the Phils will respond to that.”
Suede – Lou will pick up some scoring from sheer opportunity and volume shooting. But hopefully Brand’s offense will be consistent and efficient. If Jordan’s system works out many guys should be getting opportunities, what they do with them well I don’t know yet.
Rob - We don’t need another point guard to compete with Lou Williams. They just need a third guard. Time for Lou to earn his keep and show whether or not he is worth keeping. Jrue will play some D at the position you just need insurance not someone who is coming in to compete for a starting job or even starters minutes. That would simply be counterproductive to the development of those two young players.
Jason Williams = please no.
Get Luther head if you can, he provides more of a shooter at the point when you need it.
Now that A-Miller is going to Portland (that third year team option is a joke, no way they use that with him being 36-37 years old), basically our current choices are:
A. Do we want to go into the season with Lou Williams getting the bulk of the PG minutes, seeing if he improves from his abysmal season last year, and Jrue getting thrown in the fire with the rest of the minutes. Period. Meaning our team most likely dips, and PG is a huge question mark with youth and experience (or lack thereof), yet would be good for Jrue’s growth and so we can get a feel for his potential as a future starter.
B. Do we want take a flyer on one of three previously solid, and sometimes very good, NBA starters (Jamal Tinsley, White Chocolate, Carlos Arroyo) to rent out for two years and take A-Miller’s place as the starter, costing less money then A-Miller would. This would likely earn us a few more wins, keep things more consistent, and up the level of bball IQ. Especially with Tinsley or Arroyo, if both proved competent, we could use them as a nice trade chip in year 2 of a two year deal (10-11), the same year other contracts are scheduled to come off our books.
C. Sign more of a minor backup PG…Anthony Carter, Brevin Knight, CJ Watson…to split time evenly with Lou Williams and Jrue, playing likely by committee with Lou getting the most minutes.
I’m for B right now…as long as its for an inexpensive, short term, 2 year deal to coincide when Sammy + Willie’s + Kapono’s contracts are done…and as long as Jrue is getting at least 15-18 mpg. I would much rather have our team stay in the playoff realm and if the stars align at least have a SHOT of going deeper, rather then potentially missing out this year in the 7th – 9th spot just for a slightly better draft pick.
If it’s between J-Williams, Tinsley and Arroyo, I like Tinsley the best. He’s by FAR the best actual PG of the three as far as getting teammates involved, is an excellent passer and has great court vision, and can facilitate things nicely in half court sets. His defense is also much better than that of Jason Williams.
After Tinsley I’d go for Arroyo, who had one very productive year as a starter in Utah, pissed Sloan off, found himself splitting time with Raul Lopez for the starting job, then got shipped to the Magic where he was always logjammed with Jameer and Dooling, and then went overseas for one of the top European teams. I think Arroyo can ball and never got a fair shake. Not an amazing player, but certainly a capable one and someone I’d trust with minutes.
Tinsley: reportedly a bad egg. Was suspended for a full year for numerous offenses. It takes a lot for an NBA team to reach that point of discipline, particularly when he has real court value. An organization that couldn’t bear a rebellious frontline all-star (AI) would be hypocritical and noodleheaded to sign Tinsley. Can’t change the spots. Can ball; may make you bawl.
Williams: Probably still has some flair if not same baseline-to-baseline speed as in former days. Erratic shooter. Doesn’t play a lick of D. Says he might play 2 to 3 more years; wouldn’t bother him though if he doesn’t. Great candidate, huh.
Luther Head & Carlos Arroyo: 2 decent options to fill complementary roles, though I’m unaware of the entire field.
Guys like Jason Hart and Tyronn Lue are out there, too.
Sorry guys! I just now realized that I put my Phillies post in the wrong spot. I was checking in to see if there were any Halladay updates and I didn’t see my post there. I looked here and sure enough I put it under the wrong topic by mistake.
Dannie or Pete, please move comment #79 from here to the correct topic if you can. Thanks. Sorry again.
Tom, please no TLue. Lue as in Luuuuuueser. The ‘e’ is silent. A negative influence on the court if given more than 8 minutes a game. I’m sure he’s a nice practice player/person. Don’t want him. Give me someone to push LouWill & Drue for time. Like Arroyo. Talent and skills with something to prove in the NBA. Could also play along side Drue OR an A Carter who would kick the SH@T out of both them during practice and provide steadiness during games.
Anthony Carter would be interesting. A professional who could start or come off the bench. He seems under control when he plays, plus he has a jump shot and can play defense.
Also, the Grizzlies withdraw their offer to Hakim Warrick. I don’t know what kind of offer he is looking for, but if it’s the minimum, the Sixers should definitely take a look at the Philly native, while searching for a PG and a big man. Stefanski said something about needing another swingman.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4354901
I like Hakim Warrick. I don’t know if he plays with the same intensity as Reggie Evans, but it seems like he could accomplish the same sort of things on the floor. Although I would like to see his rebound numbers go up from 5 rpg considering he is 6-9. If we can afford him than I think it would be a nice addition.
Dave T–Don’t forget that Arroyo was with the Detroit Pistons in 2005, a team that went to the Finals before losing to the Spurs in 7. Carlos Arroyo would be very intriguing to this team, plus we need some foreign flavor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzOIiPJ4vvk
The Sixers have a lot of interesting options for veteran PGs. They just have to choose wisely.
Real Rob: While Arroyo was on that Pistons team, I didn’t mention it because he didn’t have nearly the same impact as when he was with the Jazz or Magic. Arroyo was only get spot minutes on that squad, and the lion’s share was going to Chauncy.
JJG: You’re absolutely right, and Tinsley is certainly not your ideal role model on any team…to say the least. That said, I’d like to believe that after being forced to sit TWO YEARS on your ass and basically being kicked off the team for all intensive purposes…you’d learn a lesson, and conduct yourself with more proper behavior. If it’s a low paying two year deal, since he has more talent than all the other options (imo), I’d take the gamble, have him play 25 mpg, and help keep us more affloat. Signing Tinsley would be like getting a quasi A-Miller, except five years younger, more athletic, better at defense, and at 1/4th the price tag.
I also think Arroyo, A Carter and B Knight would also make excellent additions, and as SFW said, would be a talented player to push Lou and Jrue in practice. Dannie once mentioned he felt the “vet pg presence” was overrated…and I agree. But I still feel it’s necessary to have a vet PG on the team for injury purposes and just to have someone out there to teach tricks to the younger guys, or to have someone as a minor trade piece for 10-11.
I just hope it’s one of the Tinsley – Arroyo – A Carter – B Knight crew, and NOT CJ Watson. I think we absolutely need a vet PG on this team in some capacity or another, and not a third youngin’ trying to make a name for himself in the NBA. Signing Watson makes absolutely no sense to me.
On hoopshype today the Knicks are reportedly going to offer V.Wafer a one year deal in the 2 mill. range. If L.Will. is our starting p.g. and Willie is out of here after next year wouldn!t he be a good fit and a good investment if 2 years and 6 mill. gets him? He is a freaky athlete and can hit the 3.
Given state of Sixers, I’ll take a Von Wafer at right price. 6′ 4″ SG, 23, can drill it; doesn’t give ya much else. Had 1st productive season last yr. 13 G playoff minutes down by 5.5 from reg. season - there’s a reason for that. Not certain, but think he may have petered a bit as season went on. Sixers need another deep shooter though.
Signing Wafer would help to remove the ill feelings I felt about not acquiring a 2nd pick on draft night. He’d be a great addition. Although, Wondering why Houston wouldn’t bring him back?
Signing anyone other than a flyer on a young guy with shooting ability and potential upside, like Wafer, bores me. I’m fine with Dave T’s option A (the Lou and Jrue show at PG).
FWIW, I came across an account of a recent season ticketholders meeting where coach Jordan says his starting backcourt at the moment is Lou and Igoudala.
Right on Morty, Dannie it looks as if my boy E.J. will be doing the right thing!
During a recent event for season ticket holders, Coach Jordan indicated that the roster is currently two quality players deep at every position, with Lou Williams and Andre Iguodala likely be the starting guards going into Training Camp, with Willie Green and Jrue Holiday providing depth
“The Lou & Jrue PG show”: Unless both jrop anchor in court activity previously unexplored at the highest level of competition, it’ll be a mess - jriven by 2 pampered, relatively frail, unpolished
AAU/McDonald All-American types; a turnover jrag, with very jreary outcomes against formidable teams. Bang the jrum slowly on this, another ES brainstorm.
Dave T– Come to think of it, I think Carlos Arroyo never had the chance to really shine and that is why he is underrated for some reason. If he were on the Sixers, then that opportunity would be there in a Princeton offense. Arroyo played for Sloan, one of the toughest minded players in NBA history as a player and a coach. In that system, they play those sharp backdoor cuts. Plus, there are many games where Andre Iguodala was our playmaker. But down the stretch in the 4th, I would prefer it in a PGs hands. I am certainly on the Arroyo bandwagon now.
Just curious…
Who here would take Iverson back if he would come back at a cheap price and “promise” to not be a distraction and fit into the offense without dominating the ball (if thats at all possible).
I mean if this team and us fans would even consider Tinsley, why not Iverson. If there would be a team he would let his ego go for it would have to be us right? Ticket sales would definitely increase, not so sure about the teams production.
I know Detroit stunk it up last year, but they had many more problems than just Iverson’s inability to play a certain role.
Not so sure if I’d do it, just wanted to get a feel from everyone else.
Tom, do you think that the front office (management/ownership) has thought the same, or would even consider such a thing. I know they haven’t made out to well financially since he has left.
Basketball-wise, I think bringing Iverson back would be a bad move. Since Iverson was unable to play the role that Detroit wanted, what makes you think that he will be able to play the role that we want him to?
That’s the whole issue really. Even at this point in his career, I don’t think that Iverson sees himself as a role player, regardless of his many assertions to the contrary. He just has a very difficult time deferring and/or being a supporting member of a squad.
Even if he started out in his role, how long do you think it would last? I don’t think he’d be able to stand by and watch us go through our struggles with Lou and our growing pains with Jrue, while continuing to lose games in the process, for very long before he started to take over.
I can understand it. The guy wants to win and he still believes that he’s a guy who can lead a team to wins. Nothing wrong with that, but I just don’t think that fits with our long-term plans.
I’d rather get a guy who understands and accepts what his role is and will stay in it.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO FUUUUUUUUUUUUCKING WWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY to Iverson.
I am the hugest Iverson fan on earth…after enduring the 93-95 seasons…three of the most painfully trying seasons I have ever witnessed as a Philadelphia sports fan…Iverson will always be my #1 biggest fan for bringing us back into relevance, being exciting, and one of the most unique and gritty players to play this game. As a fan? Id LOVE him to end his career here as a bench player. I think people really underrated his maturity from about 05-08 that took place…both on and off the court.
But basketball wise? He’s had the same weaknesses he’s always had: dominates the ball, poor shot selection, needs the ball in his hands a lot, and plays best with other role players that defer to him. Adding that to our mix right now would royally screw with the little chemistry we already have. Just wouldn’t make sense, as heartwarming as it would be.
Besides…Iverson is the quintessential guy that has learned to say the right and proper thing to the media…and then his actions on court tend not to follow through with it. Iverson could have averaged 10 assists per game if he really wanted to. He could have gotten more teammates involved. He could stop settling for jacking up so many jumpers. He says he’ll do “Whatever it takes to win”.
I love the guy to death, but he does not do whatever it takes to win. He does what HE thinks it takes to win…HIS way. And that’s not what we need. I still root for him though, and I really hope the Bobcats pick him up. Heat are rumored too, but theyd (imo) be better off going for a pure PG like Tinsley or Arroyo then another scorer to pair with D-Wade.
AI & “The Princeton” – poifect together. Has always been a strict system man – ‘you can have the assists, I’ll take the shots; get a stand-in for my defensive assignment’. And he trembles with awe at the mention of EJ’s & ES’s names. Prepare new throwback duds #3. Nothin’ but hosannas and ear-cuppin’.
Where is Josh Childress and why haven’t ES tried to pry him away from overseas? He is more than worth that mid level exception. A nice compliment player as a 6th man that can play more than one position. Sixers need basketball players. He doesn’t shoot extremely well but he can hit the open jumper with that awful looking shot. He could cause mismatch problems because of his length on offense and defense. IF he signed somewhere and this is totally off the cuff here then someone stop me. Otherwise, someone on this staff needs to get on a plane and offer 3 years 15 mill. Playing over there can’t be better than the recognition he’d get in the NBA. I hope ES is working and not sleep in his office.
Andre Miller is finally gone. Closure! now we can move on.
Best thing about Jrue Holiday – he will push Lou Williams for minutes and to play harder. Playing harder will develop Williams’ talent (not sure what that is, other than getting to the hoop with ease), dunno how that factors into the future anymore.
Holiday PG of future? all a matter of whether he can learn to both shoot and play the point. seeing Thad and Speights, I think we can be lucky.
New team for 2010, add new coach with new style of play, subtract our go-to-guy Miller, add former All-star Brand, no SG, Thad and Speights’ development, Iguodala the constant enigma – should tell you that NO ONE HAS ANY IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT.
however i would caution; keep expectations in your pocket. the best way to approach this.
A.Miller, when he got here from a playoff team to a losing team, showed a lot of class and never bitched about his circumstances and just played hard. When he just left he gave the Sixers organization good reasons why they couldn!t sign him when he could have been bitter towards a team he helped improve greatly and actually talked up his replacement with the following words; ” L.Will. will be fine, he is going to surprise people.” I will miss his attitude as much as his game and will always wonder ,” what could have been”, this year if the rest of the pieces are healthy and we play the eastern conference finalist again and take THEM to the max. Part of me is glad we are moving on but a bigger part of me wonders what we could of done this year and next by giving him his 7 mill. a year, a pretty small salary for ,arguably, our best player in the playoffs last year; just an opinion!
suede, right on about Miller being our best player, when his pluses and minuses were added up. In my opinion, he gave us the best years of his career. I don’t think he’ll be as good in Portland, but they won’t ask him to be. I thought Stefanski should’ve traded him at the trade deadline – ANOTHER STEFANSKI GOOF-UP (I pored over the philly.com comments looking for Dean, I bet his opinion of losing Miller for nothing would’ve been very interesting). Isn’t it weird that Stefanski hasn’t been able to get much right, even though it seems like he’s got pretty sound reasoning behind his moves? It’s like jjg said – whatever the reverse of the Midas touch is, he’s got it. It’s the complete opposite of what Pat Gillick has. And do you remember when he came in on his white horse, saving us from future mismanagement by Billy King, one of the traits that was supposed to make him a better GM than Bend-me-over Billy was his risk-taking, but I actually hadn’t seen it until the Eddie Jordan move (which I’m starting to like just because of its riskiness; on the contrary, the Jason Kapono move scares the bejesus out of me – if another GM makes this movie, things work out, but because it’s one of those seemingly sensible Stefanski moves, I just know something bad’s gonna happen, like Kapono and Iguodala get into a fight and hurts his shooting hand because Kapono won’t stop teasing him about this).
Anyway, to finish my thought on Miller – I would’ve been a happy fan if Stefanski had settled for a package of LaFrentz and Sergio Rodriguez for Miller at the trade deadline, but it was also a pleasure to watch Miller’s high-level NBA talent for the rest of the season and playoffs. No player even came close to his talent level. If the young Sixers learned anything from Miller, I hope it’s that they’re gonna be just like AM in the PM one day – age has caught up to them, and they can’t rely on their athletic abilities anymore, and that they’re gonna have to develop true, serious, ya-ain’t-takin’-this-away NBA talent if they wanna keep playing and stay in the league.
Tom Moore, do you know if the sixers had anyone scouting the euro under 20 championship tourney that just ended today over here in greece? There was some serious talent on the floor.
According to RealGM, the Magic are no longer the favorites to sign C.J Watson. Hmm, I wonder. Although, really I prefer a veteran PG like the ones we have mentioned throughout these posts.
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60812/20090726/magic_no_longer_favorites_for_watson/
Dave T – Couldnt agree more with your Iverson post great player and will always be a fav of mine but says one thing to the media than plays another way on the court.
Greek: Hi. Just saw your question about the Euro championships and sent an e-mail asking that question. House was hit by lightning Sunday night and we lost Internet/phone/cable for 20 hours. Phones are still out.
Thank’s Tom, I was watching the finals game with my bro in law and we were just in shock of the talent that was on the floor. He was joking that the sixers should draft some of these guys and that got me to wondering if we even had the money to send a scout to Rhodes, Greece to watch the tourney.
Greek, was told the Sixers did have somebody there.
Ed Snider, Ed Stefanski, Tony Dileo, Courtney Witte, Eddie Jordan, Jimmy Lynam, John Nash running the 76ers … is this the group you want driving your team, making decisions? Since Barkley trade, with the exceptions of Pat Croce & Larry Brown, the organization has been dreadful in execution of a winning plan. Just thinking of the present state of affairs is saddening. Yes, Billy King had a hand in things, but so did others of the aforementioned - some for a long time, some have bungled anew. My vote is NO CONFIDENCE.
Much appreciated Tom, I just hope that they were paying attention to the action on the court instead of the incredibly beautiful women that were packing the arena.
76ers and international players: Unfortunately for Sixer fans, the Sixers are the most laughably xenophobic team in the NBA, or at least in the top 3. Toni Kukoc is probably the most meaningful non US player (I’m not counting Haitian-bert) to have gotten any PT with us in 15 years…and, of course, Larry Brown completely misused his talent, and he wound up being a crappy fit for our team (although I will admit this was a Billy King move I liked; showed creativity and outside the box thinking, came out of no where at the time).
I sincerely doubt us having scouts in Greece matters. Even the minor guys (Mirsad Turkan once in his NBA journey of being on 5 teams yet not playing a minute) never panned out. We had Peteri Kaponen for almost a minute before trading him away. This leaves us with the following as the greatest highlight reel of international Sixers basketball:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HUH1fb70Pg
…from a man that never played one minute for us, who we then traded to the Clippers. Gotta love it.
Jason Kapono – Since Sixer news is just about dead these days, I thought I’d stir up the pot and go on record saying once again how overrated I think the Kapono deal is. We are paying the backend of a midlevel exception deal…always the worst time to trade for a player…for 6.2 and 6.7 million dollars…for a guy who:
-Has had ONE good season
-Can do only ONE thing
-Plays ATROCIOUS defense
-A move that was made fun of more then ANY OTHER deal for a role player the year Toronto inked him.
-Has not expanded and improved his overall game AT ALL since hitting the pros.
-Has implemented LESS of his offensive versatility at UCLA in the pros then he did in college.
-The majority of Toronto fans are thankful for us taking his contract.
Excellent job Sixers brass!!! Yes, we needed shooting. Yes, Reggie Evans was redundant. But you shouldn’t pay more then $2-4 million a year for any type of minor role player as a general rule of thumb, and definitely not TWICE that for a guy that is completely one dimensional. He’ll certainly help our shooting woes, I just think it’s more worth it to pick up the 100 guys a year for the $1-3 million range, or are on logjams on other teams, rather then the single most overpaid role player in the league, with possibly the exception of Matt Carroll.
Lou Williams – Saw a quote in the Inquirer that made me laugh the other day when talking about his game vs. Andre Miller’s. This is paraphrased:
“Just don’t expect me to be like Andre Miller. He had excellent court vision, and improved everyone around him with his passing. I am the type of player that creates spacing and improves everyone around him by scoring.”
As Bill Simmons would say: Ladies and gentleman, your 2009-2010 76ers!!!!!!
Dave T, Saw that Williams’ quote too - a real beaut. What a mentality for a “distributor”. Maybe 19 yr. old Holiday can mentor him.
Agree with you on Greece – not a wellspring of impacting NBAers. Based on history, the countries to tap: France (Boris Diaw, Tony Parker, Mickael Pietrus, Ronny Turiaf), Germany (Chris Kamen, Dirk Nowitzki, Detlef Schrempf, Kiki Vandeweghe), Lithuania (Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Sarunas Marciulionis, Arvydas Sabonis), Serbia (Vlade Divac, Nenad Krstic, Vladimir Radmonovic, Peja Stojakovic) and
Spain (Jose Calderon, Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol). An exclusive ‘center’
search team would be wise to visit the Netherlands (Dan Gadzuric, Swen Nater, Rick Smits) and Nigeria (Hakeem Olajuwon, Emeka Okafor).
Don’t forget the pride of Sudan, and the best-ever 3 PT shooting 7 footer, Manute Bol. Let’s go out and find another Bol.
Well JJG I hope that the sixers don’t have that shortsighted attitude, because if I saw a team win the under 18 euro tournament and then the next year take the under 20 euro tournament then there’s some freaking talent there. I know that there were lakers and Spurs scouts there because they pointed them out, from that finals game alone there were 3 guys that could play major roles on our team this year.
Edwin Jackson of France, Haris Yiannopoulos, and toruney MVP Costas Papanikolaou. Trust me on this, these guys will be studs.
The Greek, First it’s Eddie Jordan’s coaching splendor/might/magic. Now it’s heretofore unheard of Jackson, Yiannopoulos & Papanikolaou you’re asking me to believe in. If you’re right about their studliness, we gotta find nicknames for the last two.
Lou Williams on what surprised him coming into the NBA in today’s sixers.com chat: “Well, coming into the league, I would have never thought it be my fifth year before I’d get my first start, I kind of took it for granted that I would come in and be a starter right away.”
More Williams, when asked if he’s ready to be a starter: “Born ready… let’s go! This is what I’ve been looking forward to for my career and I’m excited for the season to start.”
Man, its tough from thinking about the merits of Lee vs Halladay… and then go back to the Sixers reality. Luther Head vs Flip Murray… if we are lucky. Ughh.
well its Wednesday and Jamal Tinsely is supposedly available to negotiate with. If his act is together and I’m saying all the pieces of his puzzle are in place then let’s see what he has. Now this is a year deal I wouldn’t mind starting out with. However, I wouldn’t be mad to see 2 years with option on the 3rd. Figuring he still has NBA level skills.
I’d probably pass on Tinsley. The negatives outweigh the positives with him.
JJG lol bro, its’s funny that the only thing that I’m not asking you to believe in is the 09-10 sixers. Go figure, who are we going to lynch this year.
Last year my shitlist ran like this
1 Sammy
2 Stefanski. I might have been the first one to call him out to a chorus of hush up Greek, give him some time.
3. Lou for just sucking at the game of basketball
4. Willie G, he is this low because he was my number one for the 2 previous season’s and I just got tired of bitching about him
The Greek, Funny! I’m certainly with you on the 1st 3, and Stefanski’s making his move on the outside, with Dileo crackin’ the whip. As for Willie G. – some horses just grow on ya and are tough to put down.
Aside: I don’t condone use of the term “lynch” – there’s nothing funny about that inhuman aspect of our history. Somehow overlooked the offensive word in my reading and replying. I’m not going preachy on you, Greek, at all. Just clarifying.
Toronto signs Belinelli in exchange of Devean George and cash consideration . Ok I’m Italian and maybe I oveestimate him but I think He could have been a good piece in our poor roster. He can occasyonally play playmaker (especially in Princeton Offence), he can shot the 3 better than anyone (except the monodimensional Kapono) and he’s still young. Last year before the injury he played a decent defense too. I don’t know if the warriors would have been interested in willy green and\or cash consideration and\or future 2° roud picks or anythig else but we are too much stagnant in this summer market. Any thoughts?
“much too stagnant in summer market” – a good way to put it.
With current mix and 3 or 4 min. contracts to offer, may as well play the young talent (in order to see what you REALLY have) and then hope for a fortuitous ping pong ball next Spring.
wow maybe we should start a ’start Jrue Holiday’ movement. gotta admit, Williams does really believe in himself.
Marco: I just saw the same move on Hoopsworld before logging on here, and had the same exact thought as you. ”Why couldn’t we have landed Bellenelli? Maybe someone would be interested in W Green, as a defensive /slashing guy? Bellinelli seems to be a lights out shooter…granted, he also doesnt seem like an incredible talent, and seems like a trigger happy guy content to just chuck it up that plays no defense as well…but I’ll take all the quality shooters we can get.
Tinsley – RealGM reporting that Knicks, Heat, and our Sixers interested in his services, and that he’s looking for a vet minimum deal. I really, really think Tinsley is going to surprise a lot of people this year if he gets minutes for whichever team he lands on. I just can’t see him being that bad of an apple to not learn a lesson after sitting out and doing nothing for two years…imo, he’s got an enormous chip on his shoulder and will want to prove everyone wrong, and already had plenty of game to begin with. Interesting player at a point where he can ressurect his career.
Dave T: they might wanna fight harder for Tinsley’s services, I don’t think anyone is ready for the Lou Williams’ show. The fall previews so far are ghastly.
Jkay: I agree. Im regularly walking around my apartment banging my head into the wall at the thought of Lou Williams as our starting PG (although if he regains 07-08 form, I still like him as a 6th man sparkplug off the bench). I’d gladly throw a two year deal in the $3-4 million range at Tinsley and see what he can do. He’s a very smart player with a high bball IQ, great court vision…doubt it’ll happen though, I think he’s going to wind up with Miami.
All this said…after badmouthing Lou since the day we drafted him…if he winds up proving us all wrong and suddenly (miraculously!) transforms into a legit player and rebounds from his disgusting year last year…power to him, and I’ll be a happy man. All I care about is the 76ers playing tough, winning basketball, where we start to develop some chips to trade (hopefully Lou and Jason Smith), and hang onto a decent core for our post Elton future (Thad, Speights…and perhaps Jrue, though I’m not seeing it).
Hakim Warrick – Although he just signed with the Bucks earlier today, I thought it was interesting that Marc Stein reported the Sixers were one of the three teams he was interested in (the third being the Cavs).
Makes sense from his end since he is from the area and went to Friend’s Central. But even though he is a talented player, and would provide a team with some good scoring, athleticism and defense off the bench, and the ability to play the 3 or 4 spot…he doesn’t bring anything to the table in terms of shooting. Since he is 6′9 and plays both SF and PF, I feel he’d be a little redundant given that we already have Thad Young.
Best of luck to the Philly native in the mess of a team that is Milwaukee. With RJ and Villanueva gone, he should finally get the 30 mpg he’s always craved since the only other options the Bucks have at the forward spots are Joe Alexander and Amir Johnson.
“With current mix and 3 or 4 min. contracts to offer, may as well play the young talent (in order to see what you REALLY have) and then hope for a fortuitous ping pong ball next Spring. ”
Couldn’t agree more there, JJG. I will only add the hope that Brand can make enough of a comeback to at least be tradeable if needed.
NBA Schedules will be announced to the public this Tuesday! Maybe then, the Sixers will get a better sense and “cents” of things! They really need a veteran PG in that roster.
Also, what is the report on Luther Head?
The report is that this blog is about to go on page 2 once Petie the thread pumper knocks one more out. Dannie come back to us bro.
Haven’t commented here in a while, been checking in every day though. Gotta say, the discussion is getting more depressing by the day.
——The Sixers are just sitting around with unfilled roster spots, which probably doesn’t really matter. I get the impression that Stefanski has his team set for this season and all he’ll do is pick up a few warm bodies, who won’t play much if at all, merely to comply with league rules.
——We are now resigned to sticking with the young guys, seeing where that takes us, and hoping for a lucky bounce of the ping pong balls to turn us around (jjg).
——Not only that, but we are also hoping that Brand is healthy enough so that his trade value increases (morty).
I’m not blaming anyone. I completely understand where it’s coming from (I feel your pain). It’s just a huge come down from last year. Anybody even remember last year? How could we have felt so good? It’s like it almost never happened.
I’m with you bski, I stopped posting also but did read almost daily. I happen to think this year’s team will do what we expected last year’s team to accomplish, 49 wins, 4th or 5th seed in the East.
The problem as I see it is not The Two Ed’s, but the salary structure of the NBA. Anytime you have guaranteed contracts along with a hard salary cap and a luxury tax to boot, it’s hard to turn around a franchise.
Unless you’re in line for a champinsip run the good free agents will not sign a one or two year deal at the vet min. No superstar=no value as a team.
Let’s hope David Stern and the players union see the way the current salary stucture has turn the NBA into MLB.
Greek – Sometimes you just gotta get away from depressing stuff. Needed to ease my mind of Sixers related stuff for a while. Plus I have been much more into the Phillies as of late.
But I will start doing some short Sixers bites going forward. This team has been painfully uneventful this summer.
bski, Don’t twist my words or mischaracterize my message. ”Sticking with the young guys [and taking advantage of consequent lottery placement]” is not resignation in the slightest but rather the most prudent, proactive path from here. Since 6 of their featured and
contracted players were born in ‘84 or later, the die is fairly well set no matter what one’s disposition is towards the personnel developments to date. Most basketball people’s estimation of Sixers places them on a2nd tier playoff level – at best. That’s call limbo. It’s time to remove guesswork (and reaching projections) from personnel decisions and get ’NBA realtime appraisal’ of the accumulated talent (in order to move forward sensibly). If that depresses you, get over it. I’ve been with ‘em as a fan since ‘63 through the good, the bad & the ugly. And I’m a realistic, critical observer of the organization and look forward to fresh days of true progress, not the current “happy meals” we’re being fed by their publicity machinery.
As for the league’s current salary structure being the reason for Sixers’ malaise, I say hogwash. Fundamentally speaking, all competing organizations operate within the same framework, the same limitations. Stefanski knew the deal coming and and has screwed up royally at many turns, boxing the team into its present “pretender” corner. Only way out is to exhibit courage and face the imposing facts head on, while applying both smart activity and necessary patience.
Better days CAN lie ahead.
jjg: did i detect the faintest trace of optimism?
we’ll just see how it plays out. I am a firm believer in LUCK. we’ve been on a cold streak the past few years. Time for us to find something by accident. (draft, roster, trade) i don’t care but we gotta get something for this franchise to get rolling toward hopeville.
jjg……Not my intention at all. Would never deliberately do such a thing.
I am with all of you, it’s freakin amazing how little we have done this off season. How would we have known that the sixers plan would be to not even use the money saved from Miller leaving?
Lou W as a starter? oh brother, we are done for.
So yes, it’s truly depressing. And when Sammy D throws a 2 foot outlet pass to the other team then I will say I am sorry now for what I will say then.
I am going to try and boycott going to any games this season, and just catch them on the league pass. This organization doesn’t deserve a nickel out of me.
We wanted the young guys to play and have more responsibility and we are getting just that. Haven!t posted because there has been no news but am looking forward to the p.g. tandem, Thad having the ball more [ A.Miller loss] and Jason and Marreese showing improvement. Sam putting time in over the summer is past due but encouraging and our coach spending his summer reaching out to the players is a good thing so hopefully ,as Dre said, we reach our goals of last year at least.
Guys, you know its a boring summer when on Hoopshype an article begins with ” Royal Ivey created quite a buzz on twitter in Philly”; when has Royal ever created ” quite a buzz” ? I am happy he is coming back though, he and Jrue can hopefully create some havoc defensively.
jjg – I’m not trying to imply that the NBA’s salary structure is “the reason for Sixers’ malaise.” What I was saying is it maybe the main reason for the inactivity this summer.
They tried to trade Sammy on two different occasions that we know of and found no takers AND they can’t release him without a buyout of his current contract. Even then he could just sign with another team and collect two checks for two years. No other professional league trades contracts of guys that is not expected to suit up and help their team through the duration of that contract.
Look, I’m an eternal optimist and I choose to believe that management is doing all it can to improve the team but are handcuffed by 1) the contracts they themselves handed out and 2) by an unforgiving system that includes BOTH guarantees/max deals AND cap/tax.
I’ll openly admit that I’m not totally familiar with the salary structures of the four major leagues but I realize the negotiating power in the NBA has been non-existant for years. It’s all about expiring contracts, MLE’s, trade kickers, and 125% of the value.
OK I’m done. I’m just tired of this no-mans land that “Fundamentally speaking, all competing organizations operate within the same framework, the same limitations.”
NBA salary structure quite frankly is lame. Thanks to the 3 hoyas for banging there fists on the table and negotiating that gem.
Ivey is back, snarf snarf but kind of glad. Snarf
I am excited to see Brand, Jason Smith, My boy Thad, Jrue, and Speights.
I am horrified to see what Lou does, he is afterall the key to our season.
It’s not just the Sixers that are having a slow offseason. There are a plenty of teams that are going through this as well. In fact, it has been a very slow NBA offseason overall. Hopefully once the schedules are released, there should be some signings for the Sixers.
A lot of other teams are feeling the frustration as well. Miami, Chicago, Atlanta, Milwuakee, and many others.
And on the bright side, the Sixers have been working very hard this offseason and with Eddie Jordan. That should be a big plus and a perfect way to possibly surprise the league and be under the radar!
Now we just need that veteran PG to play 15+ minutes with an effective jumper and some defense.
GO SIXERS!! ENJOY THE PHILLIES SEASON AS A BREAK!!
Now there is news about Ivey resigning with the Sixers for a 1 year deal.
Now with him, you get great effort on D, but a bit shaky on O! Slowly, the Sixers are adding defensive pieces to the roster. But can they click on offense and communication? We will see!
The Real Rob:
“And on the bright side, the Sixers have been working very hard this offseason and with Eddie Jordan. That should be a big plus and a perfect way to possibly surprise the league and be under the radar!”
I’d say their current interest level qualifies as “under the sonar.”
As for Ivey- if he gets the minutes as the squad’s designated defensive stopper at guard over Jrue I will be disappointed. Ivey is probably a bvetter defender right now, but the team needs to get Jrue minutes.
It makes more sense to add a bench scoring guard (Luther Head?) to replace Lou. That way Jrue gets the minutes as a defender while the 2nd unit gets a scoring guard to hopefully bring more than Green.
tk76: i wouldnt worry bout minutes for Jrue. something tells me guards are gonna have A LOT of opportunities to hit the court. Eddie Jordan is gonna want a lot of one thing that no one of our guards seems to be able to provide effectively; scoring. I envision different starters every night, kinda like the shuffle in Minnesota when Crittenton was still there. Heck we don’t even have depth!
Thank goodnesss they brought Ivey back!
Looks like Sixers could be close to signing Primoz Brezec, who played in Italy last year after seven NBA seasons. Told talks are “progressing.” He’s 7-1.
How are talks with Luther Head and/or Flip Murray? With Flip, we could use a scoring punch off the bench with Lou most likely starting.
Also Sixers fans, the NBA schedule should be coming out tomorrow!!!
GO SIXERS!!
Tom: Thanks for the update!
I’m a fan of Primo Brezec’s game, he’s actually got pretty good talent. He had two very productive years for the Bobcats after their expansion draft. After he was injured the next year, the Bobcats threw a lot of reserves (W Hermann, J Volskuhl, R Hollins, M Ely) into the lineup and played center by committee; by the next year, Brezec was out of their long term plans…imo, unfairly. Detroit and Toronto he never cracked the rotation much as they had logjams in the frontcourt.
If Brezec’s made a 100% recovery from that initial injury back in ‘05, and it’s just true he was thrust into crappy situations, I feel we’d be picking up a nice little piece to round out our roster as an 11th – 12th man.
And to another poster that felt this team was going to win the 48-50 many people predicted last year…I disagree. WITH Andre Miller, having Brand back, an extra big in J Smith, and Speights/Thad a year older, plus Iggy with more swagger…yes, I feel we’d definitely be a 47-49ish win team, maybe even 50 if lucky.
But going from a top 10 NBA pg to a guy who is basically a scorer in a pg’s body…and an unproven prospect from UCLA that all we know right now is good at defense…is a big dropoff at the PG position. Id be happily stunned if we win more than 45-46 games this year. But even if we did…and this is what gets depressing…we are still not of a caliber to beat the big guns in the East…Boston, Orlando, Cleveland.
And honestly Atlanta with everyone back plus Crawford, and a year’s worth more chemistry, plus healthy (something they were not in the playoffs) should make them a very dangerous team; the Wizards being healthy and now having a great bench for the first time probably ever, and Chicago starting the year with Salmons/B Miller and T Thomas and J Noah improving? I dont feel confident about our chances in this improving Eastern conference even if all the stars align.
Dave T, With all due respect… I give Primo Brezec a big fat NO.
I live in Charlotte and was forced to watch this clown in person way too many times to want to see him with the Sixers. One time, and I’m being completely truthful, the other team scored a basket and the Bobcats were taking the ball up the floor. Raymond Felton was setting up the offense at the top of the key by the time Primo crossed the half court line. As soon as he crossed the half court line, he stumbled over his own feet and fell right on his face. No one was within 5 feet of the dude and he still fell.
Does that seem like the type of player we want?
I’m willing to give anyone a second chance after injury, but this guy was a horrible basketball player a few years ago when I used to watch him play nightly. Maybe he has improved since then, I don’t know. But if we are going to sign him, then hopefully he will be injury free and will be able to stay upright.
Guest: I’ll gladly defer to you on the Bobcats and Brezec, they are one of those teams I only tend to catch a few times a year tops. With what you’re saying, sounds like I caught him those few times on his good nights…aside from that, I just saw his production via boxscore, and he seemed to be productive.
Does anyone in Charlotte even care about that team down there? Kind of a shame that a state that is such a hotbed for hoops has such a crappily managed pro sports team. That said, they might be that “hodgepodge of a motley crew of vet talent that works hard under LB to make the 8th seed in the playoffs” team this year, should be interesting.
Sixers and Brezec have agreed in principle on a deal. believed to be for the eighth-year minimum of $1.1 mill. As for the swingman they want to add, sounds like there’s no rush and a few guys could be invited to camp to compete for the 13th — and maybe last — roster spot.
Primo Brezec: career 7 & 3 in 19 min but he peaked in ‘04-’05; scant, declining production since. Slovenian mush for your covered dish supper of roster completion. A practice body … and a tasty repast for 2nd team enemy talent. Deciding plusses to coaching staff: does not spew curses in English, is content in a folding chair.
At least Royal Ivey is back to lay bricks and build a defensive front porch on a partly-furnished house that’s being ignored by buyers this summer. Longhorn Fever: jus’ try to wrestle it down. And whatever
became of Happy Feller?
I give Primoz Brezec a bit fat ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. I like the Ivey resigning as he showed he could hit a spot up open 3 (although nothing else) and play some D.
Who’s left that can score pretty much at will and add some fearlessness and competitive fire to a very average guard line? Why, if it isn’t ol’ A.I.!! Scrap ‘the Princeton’ and give ‘im the pill. There’s only one
perfect fit for arena hoops on the western bank of the Delaware River. AI2much, LuWobbly, Jrueson, Thadley, Samsun Downindumps - side court, please. Center stage: Allen & The Encores!!!
A good read - Charley Rosen on potentially rising NBAers:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/9889914/What-to-expect-from-young-stars-in-2009-10
Alan Iverson, is the man for this team this year, just this year. He will play hard and fearless and most important this will rub off on the other players. He will score he can score when the games on the line. Alan Iverson, and Elton Brand would be very interesting to watch. I feel Iverson could really be a good addition for one year. I believe the way we sit now really makes me want to vomit. We will have a below 500 season for sure by alot , because of losing our Miller and not replacing him , with the same calibre player. FOR THE SAKE OF WINNING, THIS YEAR, ALAN IVERSON , SHOULD BE SIGNED IF HE IS STILL AVAILABLE
JohnnyLaptop: if you are serious bout signing Iverson then physically its a good signing assuming he’s brings what you lack. Aside from defense, Iverson’s problem is that he brings his own style of play with him. If he can’t play like AI3 then u might as well have a figurehead. NOWHERE has he gone that he has tried to fit in to some style of play but it never works, he’s kinda like a law unto himself. The man’s play that is. Took his benching and feigned prolonged injury status to free Rip Hamilton from the bench.
Good guy but thats the book on him, aint it?
What do you guys (and girls) think about the Sixers’ schedule? If they get some good role players, I think this could help them. The schedule seems light and well balanced, but you never know.
Also, I am now in for the Flip Murray bandwagon. The Sixers need a scorer off the bench, now that signs are pointing to Lou as our starting PG.
jjg, a “Bravo!” for comment #160. I read what Rosen wrote about AI2much, bit I disagree with some of it. Yes he’s strong and willing, but when he wants to slash to the basket I don’t think he does a good job of hiding his intentions well enough so he usually ends up driving right into 2~3 defenders. Asking him to develop a better stop-n-pop game is wishful thinking, I don’t think his footwork is good enough to pull that off.
Also, to be leader, you need to have moments where you take the game into your hands and basically say to your teammates, “Boys, this is how it’s done.” Then you go and do it. I can’t recall too many times where Iggy went and did that. When things start to go awry in games for the Sixers, Iggy’s play usually goes along with it.
Here’s an article about Willie Green in Detroit. It’s a really good piece, and I can’t make up my mind about whether or not to be critical of the Inquirer and/or the Sixers for not putting out a piece like this. It’s similar to how the Salt Lake Tribune was the first to write about Kyle Korver’s philantropic efforts in the Philly area. I think sports is about all sorts of depth, and I think this is one angle the Inquirer/Sixers are missing/missing the mark on. I don’t know if it would help season ticket sales, but it can’t possibly hurt, right? I think some pieces have been done, but I don’t think they were as good as they could’ve been.
The schedule in the NBA is the same every year just in a different order. You play the same teams home and away. Not like football where the release of the schedule is this huge ordeal where everyone must add their way too early to matter analysis.
jkay, my thinking is if you signed Iverson for one year, Elton Brand has a good year, his trade value goes up at the end of the season Iverson is done we get a good trade for Brand we can move forward in good shape. Sammy coming off the books another good piece to replace him our young player our peaking I think its a good idea.
Zack: About your Iggy comments…(and before I make the statement, know that i’ve always seen, and still see, Iguodala as a 3rd banana, Lamar Odom type of guy that you dont want as a #1 or #2 option)…while I agree that Iguodala hasn’t shown himself to be a “hoist the team on his back” kind of player…I do think he has massively improved, and I think the last quarter of the season through the playoffs shows this, in at least trying to take over the game, or giving 110% effort, when it matters.
It’s not an ability thing; if we’re talking ability, I dont think Iguodala is capable of being “that guy”. Just not in his game. But from the mental aspect of being an all around player that can get some points, assists, play defense, attack the basket aggressively…I think you can do this passively, or with some “umph” and “f*ck you I’m taking it to you 100%” mentality. To me, last year Iguodala upped his game to the latter of the above statement, and showed me he’s more mentally prepared to take on a bigger role in simply taking it to the other team when something needs to happen.
But I’ve read a lot of people talk about how Iguodala is a “go to guy at the end of games, which to me is total nonsense. It’s very true that he upped his scoring at the end of 4th quarters, yes. And it’s true he hit some game winners in the last minute.
But if you actually look at the plays, these are isolation plays where no one is moving or doing anything, and Iguodala is basically hoisting up horrendous contested jumpshots from 18 feet. These are not high % shots, these are not shots you want any player taking at the end of the game, and most importantly…Iguodala does not even hit these shots on a regular basis. He is a crappy jumpshooter. He has one of the lowest 2 point jumpshot FG%’s in the NBA, one of the most underated stats that people should pay more attention to then simply straight up FG%.
But I will say I am very pleased with Iguodala’s progress, and I really hope he starts off this coming season in as high a mental lockdown gear as he was in March, April and the playoffs of last season. And I think a motion offense will benefit Iguodala’s game by far the most out of anyone on our roster…he’s got a great eye for the court, seeing cutters and how to move without the ball, I think he’s been in the wrong type of system for way too long now.
Johnnylaptop: Brilliant! Didnt think about it that way. Maybe you should be talking to Ed Stefanski. Much as I dont want to be a fickle fan but trading Brand should be the next step. Not like we can go anywhere now. I don’t have too much faith in Speights as an overall player (PF) but he’s worth the chance. Cap room!
Breaking News: Rashard Lewis suspended for 10 Games!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4381822
Dave T, To answer your question about Charlotte…
People are actually pretty excited about basketball around here. Towards the end of last year when they started making the push for the playoffs, that’s when the excitement started to pick up. Actually the year before last I was at a Bobcats vs. Nets game… and Larry Brown was sitting a few rows down from me. It turns out a couple months later he became the coach of the Bobcats and people were excited about that. However, the excitement with the Bobcats doesn’t even compare to the excitement of the Hornets back in the late 1990’s. Every game was close to a sell out. It sucks they had to leave.
Zack, Thanks for the Green-Free Press link. Enjoyed reading the article. Solid piece on a solid guy. The revelations don’t surprise. Why doesn’t he get more Philly ink? Too square. And I mean that in a good way.
On AI2, funny, I paused at Rosen’s good-slasher-to-the-basket compliment too. Iguodala’s not economical enough in motion and often ends up with a compromised or goofy shot (his successful slashing is completed primarily on the fastbreak). Agree too – his footwork isn’t tight; can’t stop-and-pop well if body balance is whacked (not to mention shot form and arm/muscle propulsion, as opposed to a shooter’s soft reverse-spin fingertip release). On the positive side, both his self-assessment and ambition appear fairly large. Strange player, both imposing and weak. Can drive a team, can drain a team.
What is the latest on Flip Murray? It was a couple of weeks ago when the Sixers expressed interest in him. Flip coming off the bench would be huge for the Sixers and great in a Princeton offense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2P3HaRWf0U
Rob – The Sixers are not getting Flip Murray. Unless no team out there wants him and he gets really desperate I see no way that happens because I can’t see the Sixers paying anyone more than the league min for one year and I probably wants (deserves?) more.
Elton Brand – Just caught an interview of Brand with Elie Seckbach (for those that don’t know, an Israeli NBA reporter that has gotten big for his quirky and humerous style of interviewing).
The reason I’m posting is not so much for the interview itself, but the fact that Elton Brand looks like he’s in REALLY good shape. You can tell he’s shed some weight and added muscle, he really looks primed to start the season. He also said he is 100% healthy and feeling great. Certainly bodes well for the season if we have Brand return to mid 00’s form with the Clippers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPLWENtNYpQ
(while this interview is more low key, I highly recommend checking out some of Elie Seckbach’s stuff with Kobe Bryant, Shaq, and the late 00’s Suns…very funny stuff).
Nice feed Dave T! Without question, one should not question Brand’s work ethic or personality. He is clearly a man on a mission and perhaps the Princeton Offense is exactly what the Sixers need (point guard or no point guard).
Good articles on EB from NBA.com a few days ago, here and here.
Dannie, are you not giving us anything new just to keep this record comment streak alive?
Ryan F – Ha no. I have a post I’ve been trying to right but am seriously lacking in motivation. Pete will have something really cool tonite or tomorrow regarding the Sixers and the new logo.
I will try to push through and post something tonite or tomorrow as well.
yeah the off season has been a little soft, the kapono trade happened way too early.
im still pumped, always optimistic in the summer months.