Sixers are Just Bad

A season that began with high hopes has now deteriorated into damage control. Elton Brand is out for a few weeks. Mo Cheeks is out for good. The ball won't go in the hole. The team isn't in sync. Last year's team that exceeded low expectations has been replaced by a squad that can't meet high ones.

What went wrong? What needs to be changed?

There are 3 schools on the subject:

1. The first school holds that the team just needs time to acquaint itself with Elton Brand. Like last year, it needs to adjust midseason, learn how to run, and then it will once again become a force. If you adhere to this school you see a lot of promise in outlet passes by Brand and Dalembert leading to Young and Iguodala and Williams dunks. You also have to be hoping that the Sixers D will improve.

2. The second school--held by most fans I've encountered--states that the Sixers are a good squad in desperate need of a shooter or two. Add a bit of an outside threat to the present mix and you'll have a solid playoff team. Plug in Wally Szczerbiak or Daniel Gibson instead of Kareem Rush and Donyell Marshall, and you've got a much-improved team. Many who adhere to this view see Andre Iguodala as a 3, who should slide over when the shooter-whose-better-than-Willie-Green joins the team to play the 2. The big problem with this scenario is: where does Thaddeus Young play? The best answer: he plays the 4 and Brand slides to the 5 while Dalembert comes off the bench. Alternatively, Young could back-up both forward positions.

3. The third school is the most truly negadelphian. It says that the Sixers--despite having a roster full of promise--are poorly composed and poorly assembled. Andre Iguodala is not a shooting guard in any way. It was a big mistake to give him a huge contract in the summer. Andre Miller is not the point guard of the future. Pieces like Brand, Dalembert, and Miller don't fit with pieces like Young and Williams. There's too much duplication on the roster: Brand-Dalembert-Speights give you the same thing. Iguodala and Young give you the same thing. And why does a team need two undersized two guards (Green and Williams) coming off the bench--with a third (Rush) waiting in the wings while a fourth (Ivey) sits? The extra baggage needs to be cleaned out so that the team will be more dynamic and versatile. Keep Young, Speights, and Williams. Keep Brand. Get rid of Iguodala, Dalembert, Rush, Green, and potentially Miller. That would mean some serious house-cleaning and definitely taking a big step back (losing vets like Iggy and Dalembert would make the team very young) before any forward-steps could be taken.

Those are the 3 schools......we'll have to see what happens next....

Mo Needs To Find A Way To Get Donyell Marshall Some Consistent Minutes

One good thing came out of Elton Brand's two game stint on the inactive list: Donyell Marshall. Because Brand was out, Mo Cheeks was forced to take Donyell, the Reading native, off of the inactive list and give him some minutes. Donyell didn't disappoint. The reason why: he's a lights out shooter, one of the things the Sixers have been sorely missing this year. He is the only player on this team that can hit a three point shot on a consistent basis. Kareem Rush shot the ball well last year, but there was a reason he played in Turkey two years ago - he' s not consistent. Willie Green has been stroking the ball real well early and Thaddeus' outside shot has been developing (recently, however, we've seen that he needs about another offseason to really perfect the long distance shot). But, Donyell is the only player on this team who has consistently hit the outside shot during his fifteen year career. Therefore, it is imperative that he gets some run once Brand comes back to the lineup (he is expected back on Tuesday agains the Cavs). Marshall needs play when Brand is in the game. Brand sees a ton of double teams and Marshall can be the beneficiary of some wide open looks with good ball movement and decision making (we've seen that Andre Igoudala can' hit this shot on a consistent basis, so let's try something new). I'm not talking about thirty minutes a game, but he should see about ten to twenty minutes. Now, you might be asking how he'll fit into the lineup. He's 6'9" and normally plays the 4 (though he has seen some time at the 3 during his career), which might cause some problems, especially when Brand is on the floor. But I think that Mo, with a little creativity, can easily get Marshall into the lineup and put him in situations where he can effectively contribute by doing what he does, shoot the rock. Consider this lineup: either Miller/Williams at the 1, Iggy at the 2, Thad at the 3, and Brand and Marshall at the 4/5. I know he's not a center, but Marshall has shown that he's an adequate defender and he's got enough size. to play the majority of post players in the east. Plus, the NBA is becoming a small ball type league. This lineup will also allow the Sixes to do what they do best, push the ball up floor and play transition basketball Sure, Marshall is a bit slow, but he can trail the break and be open for secondary break threes. On the other hand, when the game slows down and becoms a half court battle having Marshall open beyond the ac will be more beneficial than having Sammy Dalembert taking fifteen to twenty foot jumpers, Until he can prove that he's worthy of the minutes, Dalembert should be on the bench more often than not. Let's face it, the Sixers have sucked through the early part of the season and its worth it to shake things up and try some new things. Plus, it's fun to watch a guy who can really shoot.
-The Rave

Spitzer v. Rave: Round 3 (Spitzer's Take)

First off, when I said the Sixers should model themselves after the Celtics, I didn't mean they ARE the Celtics. What I meant was that their only shot of winning a championship in the next few years is if they model themselves after Boston, in a sense that they make "the big splash" in terms of player movement and free agency over one summer, a la Boston in 2007. My point was that, considering their cap situation, the only way they (or any other team in the NBA is concerned nowadays) can get much better is by sacrificing the future somewhat and going for the 'ship right now (see Boston trading Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Telfair, Ryan Gomes, Delonte West, Sczcerbiak's contract, and several draft picks for Garnett and Allen).

The Sixers have a lot of tradeable pieces on this team. I know Rave won't want to hear this, but if the Sixers keep floundering this year, I would trade Andre Miller in a heartbeat to a contending team in need of a true point guard (Portland, Miami, Houston, Lakers), in return for young talent and/or draft picks in return.
Lou Will has been struggling for the most part this year, as it doesn't seem like he's grown as a player at all. He makes horrible decisions with the ball, and looks out-of-control when bringing up the rock on offense. I think some of that has to do with who he's paired with on the floor, as it seems like he usually finds himself flanked by some combination of Willie Green, Reggie Evans, Speights, Thaddeus, Iguodala, etc. My point being he rarely plays with Andre Miller and Elton Brand, the two proven veterans who can make others look better on the floor with their passing ability in Miller's case, and their post-up and attracting the double-team ability in Brand's case. There is something to be said, however, for a player that consistently shoots under 40% from the field, as his shot selection needs to improve.

As it has been alluded to, Iguodala is completely miscast as a shooting guard. I'm willing to allow him some more time to get used to his new job, but it's a very awkward situation in Philly as it is clear to every single fan that Iggy doesn't look comfortable in the least bit as a 2. Albeit he can't hit a shot consistently to save his life, I still have a lot of hope for him given his athleticism, his defense, and his rebounding and passing abilities. He's also only 24! People forget that even though he's been in the league for four years, he still is very young and should get better.

Thaddeus is very good. Again, it may have been unclear in my earlier analogy, but in no way did I mean to say I equate James Posey to Thaddeus Young. It was an incredibly rough analogy between the Sixers and Celtics, and that was the closest match I could find (although Thad could become a Pierce with steady improvement). That being said, Sixers fans as a whole are blowing Thaddeus's early production out of proportion. I have been very impressed with his output thus far - his shooting especially has dazzled me. Yet if you watch how he plays, he is still VERY raw and inexperienced. He is a little out of control on offense and is somewhat weak on defense and rebounding. He also is the 4th or 5th option on offense, so while he's on the court with Iggy, Brand, and Miller, he is an afterthought of the opposing defenses, and for better or worse he is benefiting from that. Eventually, when opposing coaches gameplan defensively more for Thad, however, that's hopefully going to free Iguodala up for more production and you'll see Thad's numbers decline slightly. My main point with Thad is that he has really impressed me, but to say that he's already our best all-around player (which many Sixers fans have tried to argue) is a little preemptive, as I'd like to see a little more consistency before anointing him the next savior of our squad. He probably needs to keep starting at this point, although I wouldn't be opposed to seeing the Sixers deal him over the off-season in a trade that would catapult us immediately to the class of the East (similar to Boston with Al Jefferson in the Garnett deal).

All of this being said, I am sick and tired of the Dalembert defenders. He is an absolute liability out there, there's no two ways about it. He either refuses to listen to coaches who tell him not to shoot from the outside, or the coaches are too stupid and haven't yet told him not to step outside his range (which is another issue completely: coaching). Dalembert repeatedly finds himself in compromising situations with the ball 20 feet away from the basket, which leads to an inordinate amount of turnovers from bad passes or attempting to dribble his way out of trouble. The only thing he does well which Rave alluded to - weak-side defense and blocking - isn't that hard for a guy who's 7 feet tall. He doesn't even do it THAT well - he STILL goaltends a couple times per game, and he's so block-happy that he flies in the air for every pump-fake that's sent in his direction.

Honestly, saying a 7 foot athletic big-man is impressive because he's a good weak-side shot-blocker is like saying a Jewish kid is impressive because he's smart. Granted like being Jewish, being a 7 footer is pretty rare, but I'd be willing to bet that almost every single big man in the NBA could do Dalembert's job almost as well - and without the plethora of undisciplined goaltends to boot. I'm definitely not lobbying to start Theo, as after I watched him in the Bulls game on Sunday I wanted him to hang up his sneakers immediately, but many other big men could do the same rebounding and shot-blocking job that Dalembert does.

Lastly, Mo Cheeks's run in Philadelphia may just about be over. What he did with the squad last year was impressive, getting a bad Sixers team to the post-season and stealing a couple games against Detroit. Nevertheless, this team looks stale, boring, lifeless, and mediocre to throw out a few words, thus far this season. It may not be all his fault, but this team needs a shot in the arm, and more than anything else as a coach who can divvy up minutes responsibly, actually draw up a couple offensive plays that run through Thaddeus, and finally get adequate spacing on the court so opposing teams will have to cover Brand with only one defender.

Rave's Take on the Sixers

Contrary to one recent post on here, the Sixers have not (and should not) modeled themselves after the current Boston Celtics. The Sixers are actually modeled after the 2004 Detroit Pistons championship team. Billy King started to break down the Allen Iverson led Sixers after he saw what the Pistons could do and attempted to get five cohesive players that played as a team – all of whom who could play “D” and shoulder their fair share of the offensive burden when called upon. The key to this Sixers team is that they do not have one super superstar. They have five good players who, if they ever get the feel of each other, could do some very good things. I’m not sure if this team – as currently constructed – can win a championship. The Celtics and Cavs are too good right now. And that is just the Eastern Conference. Position by position, on pure paper, this team looks like they can compete with anybody. However, right now, the pieces are not fitting together as they should.

Let’s start with the good. At power forward, they have EB. Brand is a very very good player. He is not great. He can carry a team at times, but not on a night to night basis. This was never more evident during the 2004 Clipper season when he had a healthy Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley to help him shoulder the burden. The Sixers and Mo Cheeks – who is a good player’s coach and not a great X and O guy (which has led to some early losses) – need, and are starting to get Elton the ball in positions where he is comfortable, and more importantly, effective. This is the pick and pop game and the mid post. While he was touted by Eddie Stefanski as a great low post presence, it is just not the case. Elton has never been a great back to the basket player. He’s undersized at 6’9” – although he does have a very large wingspan which helps him to overcome his lack of size – and when he goes up against some of the taller power forwards in the game, he has a tough time getting his shot off in the low post. He has a great 16 to 18 foot jumper and he has a very good first step to drive by opposing power forwards. Elton is real nice fit on this team. He can get out and be effective in the running game. More importantly he’s great in the half court – which is important at winning time and playoff time.

The second best player on this team is Thaddeus Young. He is a rising star, an absolute stud. The Sixers never call plays for him, yet he is second on the team in scoring. He can basically do it all and he fits in well with Brand, in the half court, and the running game. His outside jumper has improved as is evident by his increased ability to shoot from distance. He’s an absolute thoroughbred in the open floor and is one of the reasons why the Sixers are such a good fast break team. He’s constantly around the ball and really has a nose for the game. This guy just has a knack for scoring and making the right play at the right time. He is an effective rebounder, gets out in the passing game and is a lockdown defender. Contrary to another post on this site, he SHOULD NEVER come off the bench is about twenty times better than James Posey – there is absolutely no comparison. Posey has been a complimentary bench player, albeit a very good one, in this league his whole career. In a year Thaddeus will be the Sixers best player and I predict in two or three years he is going to be one of the top ten players in the league.

While Thaddues and Brand are the best players on the team this year, Andre Miller held that title last year. However, this year, he is having a tough time finding his game and his role on this team. In order for the Sixers to do anything he needs to find that role and his game quick. He is a deceptively quick player and can be a very effective distributor when he wants to be. However, too many games in the early going he has looked for his shot more than trying to get the ball to his scorers. The Sixers will not win many games if he is their leading scorer. Miller needs to be an effective floor leader in both the fast break game and the half court, both of which he can do and has done throughout his career. In order for the Sixers to go places, their point guard play has got to improve. Miller needs to concentrate less on his scoring and more on getting his scorers the ball in spots where they are comfortable (Brand pick and pop, Dalembert on lobs, Thaddeus on cuts to the hoop, Iggy shots in rhythym and under control). I agree Miller is not a great shooter, but I disagree that Miller needs to go. In fact, I think he needs to stay. Bringing in a Kyle Lowry type is not going to help this team. Sure, Lowry can push the rock, but he can’t shoot a lick, and he’s not as good a floor leader as Miller. If they could somehow swing getting a point guard with a little bit of size (6’4” and up) who looks to pass first, yet can hit the outside jumper, they will do well. That’s not going to happen. Let’s face it, Miller can be extremely effective in the half court (he was our best post up player last year) and the run game. Sure, you can run all you want in the regular season, but you’re never going to win a championship doing it.

Off the bench, Willie Green has been really surprising. I’ve never been a big fan of his because he’s a 6’2” shooting guard, who shoots a low percentage, doesn’t play great “D” and makes terrible decisions…or at least that was Willie Green last year. I actually made a bet over the summer that he was going to be cut. Well, I’m the first one to admit that I was totally wrong and I only hope he can keep it up. He’s getting consistent minutes off the bench and has really shown his value. He’s a microwave-type scorer, somebody who can come cold off the bench and can heat it up quickly. He’s never had a conscience, which has worked against him the past. This year its working to his advantage. He’s shooting extremely well and I have no problems with his play off the bench. Kareem Rush, Royal Ivey and the rest of the gluttony of guards on the bench haven’t got enough time to merit a statement of their worth. But I would like to say that Ivey should get more playing time. He’s a lock down defender and showed last year that he can actually hit an open three. He just needs minutes.

One bench player that has caught my eye is Marreese Speights. I was ecstatic when they drafted him and he has disappointed in the limited run he has gotten off the bench. He has great touch from 16 to 18 feet, is a big body and will be a force when he learns to play in the NBA. I actually think that he can be a very good rookie this year (he has the highest PER in the rookie class as of right now) and later on in the season he will become a nice contributor, especially against shorter teams, against whom I’d like to see him take the majority of Sammy D’s minutes.

The real problems with this team are Andre Igoudala, Sammy D and Lou Williams. Iggy just does not fit. He’s an excellent open court player. But he’s a below average shooter – and I predict that, even with a lot of practice, he’s not going to get much better – just look at his form and the trajectory of his shot, there’s a total lack of rotation on the ball. He was touted as good ball handler coming out of college, but that has never panned out. He’s turning the ball over left and right. Granted, I’m not and really have never been a big fan of his. He never should have got the amount of money he did this summer and two years from now the Sixers could be kicking themselves for giving him such a max contract. He’s never going to be a number 1 and is proving to be a below average number 2. He’s best suited to be an excellent number 3, which could work out later in the season when Thaddeus cements himself into his role as the second best player on the team. But I just don’t think that Iggy works on this team. His skill set just doesn’t fit what the Sixers so desperately need. The position is SHOOTING guard – somebody who can shoot out of the double teams that Brand receives. This is especially true if Andre Miller is your point guard, because we all know he’s a terrible shooter from distance (save his two late game threes in the past week). I’d trade him for Rip Hamilton in a heartbeat, but Joe Dumars is not an idiot, and he’d never do that. But I do agree that we could trade him for a Mike Miller type, who has size and can shoot the lights out (50% FG and 40% 3PFG). We’d give a little up on the defensive end, but I actually think that Iggy is an overrated defender. He gets in the passing game and a lot of steals, but after watching Allen Iverson for many years we all know that the number of steals one gets is not a good barometer of defensive prowess.. Contrary to popular belief, Igoudala is not a lock down defender. He too often gets burned by his opponents and never really can clamp down on opposing superstar. Just because he has the body of a good defender doesn’t mean that he is.

As far as Lou Williams, he needs to calm down a bit and start playing within himself. I don’t think he should start on this team and I don’t think that he’s ever going to be a starter on this team as its currently constructed. He’s a shoot first, 6’1” combo guard who is making terrible basketball decisions. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen him come down the court on a three on two and NOT STOP the foul line and distribute the ball or take what the defensive is giving him. Instead, you see him either take a terrible floater in the lane, or turn it over. Even a white jew from the suburbs who played competitive basketball over ten years ago know that is not the right way to play. I’m okay with him thinking shot first because that’s his game. He’s lightning quick and has the potential to be an above average shooter. But needs to know when to shoot and when to give it up. I can live with some bad shots, but not a bad shot fifty percent of the time. With Lou Williams, Willie Green and Marreese Speights off the bench the Sixers have the potential to have a great eight man rotation.

Sammy D is not playing great. However, I think that he needs to stay on this team. While he doesn’t have great hands, he’s a very good rebounder and an excellent weak side shot blocker. Defensively, against the bigger teams in the league we are going to need him. Plus, because Elton is a great on the ball defender (most of his blocked shots come one on one), Sammy and Elton can be a very effective defensive combination. A lot of it is going to have to come with learning how each other play. Plus, if Sammy concentrates only on defense and rebounding he will become a much better player and the Sixers will become a much better team. I’m sick and tired of him shooting jumpers and fadeaways. While he says he is given the green light to make those shots, which do go in sometimes (even though its excruciating to watch), Mo needs to instruct him never to shoot unless its within 5 feet of the hoop. The only offensive shots he should ever get are put back dunks and lobs from Andre Miller, the best “lob guy” in the game. As stated above, against smaller teams, Sammy should see less playing time and Speights should see more – or the Sixers can put Brand at center, run Thaddeus at the four, Iggy at the three (his more natural position) and either Lou Will or Willie Green at the two with Miller at the point.

All in all, I think that the Sixers should either stay put, or try and trade Iggy for a lights out shooting guard with some size. Trading Andre Miller is not the answer, unless you can get Chauncy Billups or the equivalent thereof. Most of all, the Sixers are not, and will never be like the Celtics. The Celtics have three future hall of famers and they were all superstars in their own right at one time in their careers. The Sixers have one player who was an arguable superstar (for one year – 2004) in Brand. They are more of a five man team, with interchangeable parts in the spirit of the 2004 Pistons. Stay put Eddie, and don’t make any trades (unless its getting rid of Igoudala).

Yao Brady by David Jung

A Silly List from David Bung

One month in. This is what I've seen:

MOST SURPRISING PLAYERS:
Danny Granger -- He's developed into a legitimate scorer averaging 24 ppg.

Marc Gasol -- Grizzlies -- He's getting 12 and 7. Who woulda thunk it? If he loses some weight, in a couple years he could develop into a more physical Pau. Wow. That would be nice.

O.J. Mayo -- He came to play. He fills it up -- 21.4 ppg -- and he's shooting better and scoring more of late.

MOST FREAKISHLY ATHLETIC not named LeBron or Dwight Howard or even
Tyson Chandler even:
Trevor Ariza -- Lakers-- I get to see this guy play a lot. He's so much fun to watch. Great defender. Great hands. Crazy quickness. Crazy hops. Pippen # 2! (in the making)

WHITE PLAYER THAT COULD BE COMPARED TO A BLACK PLAYER:
Rudy Fernandez -- Trailblazers -- dude is a sick athlete. He can dunk. Oh, and bonus points -- he shoots the 3-ball.

BLACK PLAYER THAT COULD BE COMPARED TO A WHITE PLAYER:
Um... uh...

WHITEST PLAYER EVER:
Steve Novak -- Clippers -- that guy has the whitest name ever!

MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER besides Greg Oden:
Jermaine O'Neal -- Raptors -- He's averaging a decent 12 and 8, but I thought he'd get 15-18 pts a night. Raptors could use it -- Bargnani hath not been an impressive scorer.

COMEBACK PLAYER of the month:
Dwayne Wade -- He looks like an MVP to me.

UNSUNG PLAYERS THAT IMPRESS ME THUS FAR:
Andrew Bogut -- Bucks -- It's nice to see him contributing --averaging a solid double-double.

Andris Biedrins -- Warriors -- 16 ppg, 12.6 rpg, and 1.6 bpg -- but, his numbers are slipping of late...

Jeff Green -- Thunder -- getting 15 and 8 AND he's shooting 47% from
3! That's better than Michael Redd, Raja Bell and Kyle Korver! I
know, it's early.

Aaron Gray -- Bulls -- I know he hardly plays, but you gotta love his size. And I know he's slow, but he's got good hands and he fills up the middle super nicely (did I mention he's got great size?). Hopefully as the season progresses, he'll get more than 14 mins a
night.

Chris Duhon -- Knicks -- He's 8th in the league in assists w/ 7.3 (more than Andre Miller or Rondo) and scores 11 ppg -- not bad. He's a big reason the Knicks are competing right now.

DY Responds: A. Miller for Lowry and M. Miller?

If you're suggesting switching out Miller for Lou or Willie to run the point, I must disagree. I like Lou and i'd rather have him running point than Willie, but he's not ready and you know this. And Willie's not quick enough. Are either known for their passing game? Are you mad? Yes, this team needs to run again and they need legitimate, reliable perimeter shooting. Mike Miller would be fantastic! Iggy is obviously not a shooter and NEVER will be. We are super young and athletic -- let's not trap ourselves in a half-court offense -- it doesn't play to our strengths. It's obvious this should be a running team, but we need a speedy, savvy, penetrating PG. I agree that Andre Miller is not the answer. I like KYLE LOWRY (yes, i'm serious) from Grizzlies -- they have a glut of guards. RUN, RUN, RUN! PUSH THE PACE! Lowry and Mike Miller would fill out this team nicely... and that's not asking too much.

Fixing the Sixers....

Just when you thought the Sixers' growing pains were over, they go and drop a game to Orlando then lay a total egg in Boston. I watched the Orlando game and watching Andre Miller hoist a three from 40 feet out with 3 seconds on the clock was just maddening. I must say that I don't think that what we're seeing is simply growing pains. The roster is simply missing certain pieces and will eventually be in need of a minor renovation.

I know that it sounds like I'm just being a typical negadelphian, trashing on a team with hot young talent and a splashy new free agent that has simply not yet gelled. But watching this team--not the results, but the play of the team--it's pretty clear that, in the least, it's in need of a legitimate 3-point shooter whose name isn't Kareem Rush or Willie Green. With a player like Brand who gets double teamed in the high post so much having good shooters is essential. The fact that the 80 million dollar man Iguodala looks like Darius Miles out on the perimeter bricking open 3 after open 3 is cause for concern. Iguodala is not a shooter, never was, may never be. But his game is looking woefully lacking after four years of looking like an uber-stud.

My main feeling is that there's too much duplication on the Sixers roster and some key elements missing. For one, I'm in agreement with my main man Licky Boom that the team has clearly veered away from what made it successful last year: an aggressive fast-break style of basketball.
The team has sadly become a halfcourt team wherein, at best, Andre Miller feeds it to Brand for a 15-footer and, at worst, Brand gets doubled and kicks it out to Iguodala for a high-arching brick-of-a-3 complete with a scissor kick. But there's more than style to the problems; though I do agree that a change in style would solve a lot.

The other issue seems to be personnel. Either we don't have the right mix of players or Mo Cheeks isn't using the players we have correctly. For example, let's look at our vaunted starting line-up. Dalembert and Brand both try to scoop rebounds, block shots, and play 10-feet from the basket. Brand is much more skilled and mobile; but they do seem to be getting mixed up in each other's business. Then you've got Young and Iguodala, neither of whom can shoot particularly well, both of whom would like to take it to the rack, and both of whom are about the same size with similar games (though, yes, Young is oozing with potential and Iggy should be the team's defensive stopper). Finally, there's Andre Miller, who I'm down on lately. He is a solid point who can definitely feed the post and make good decisions. But, he's just not making good choices lately. He shoots way too much. He's a slower, more steady PG than you want on a running team--I think he'd fit Indiana's style better--and, along with everyone else, he likes shooting from 15-feet-and-in. In light of no one being able to shoot from far and Brand being an excellent post player that demands double teams, Mo has moved to using Willie Green and Kareem Rush as the teams three-point-specialists, when really Rush should be playing only a bit part and Green is better served as being a change-of-pace 1 or 2. Lou Williams and Marreese Speights, two guys with great promise, largely duplicate what's already there. Speights is a great back-up 4 and Williams is a decent ball-hog-ish 1/2 with the ability to drive to the hole.

Watching a team like Orlando with Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis raining 3s made me wonder at the brilliance of the Magic GM... he actually put together some pieces that work together. Ed Stefanski has given us some great players... and I think this team as is still has great potential. But I don't think the future of this team should include Andre Miller at the PG. Lou or Willie Green, though I'm not the biggest fan of either, would be better for the pace that the team wants to go in and if we could swap Andre for maybe another Miller named Mike, we'd have a much better-looking offense.

Of course, we could all hold our collective breath and wait for Thaddeus Young to heat up again, Sam Dalembert to start blocking shots like a madman, Elton Brand to hit his stride, Andre Miller '08 to become Andre Miller '07, and Andre Iguodala to live up to his huge contract. It could happen. It does take time for teams to gel. But 7-9 is 7-9. For a team with expectations, last place in a division that includes the Knicks and the Nets shouldn't invite complacency. In the least the starting line-up needs to be shaken up. Perhaps Young should come off the bench and Green should start. Or Dalembert should sit in favor of a leaner, meaner 5 comprised of Miller, Green/Williams, Iggy, Young, and Brand. Or maybe it should be Green, Iguodala, Young, Speights, and Brand. Or maybe just maybe we need to make a deal.

Lou Williams dumps it into Elton Brand who dishes to Thaddeus Young who makes the extra pass to.... Mike Miller for a big 3. Sounds nice, doesn't it?

Spitzer on Sixers

The Sixers need to follow the Celtics model from last year in order to win it all.

In the current NBA you can't dominate conventionally through some draft picks and some FA's - teams overspend for free agents and there's only a finite amount of money teams have to spend. For the next 5 years or so also, I don't really see a team in either league that will dominate consistently like the bulls in the 90's or lakers from 99-2001. Spurs are getting old, mavs are old too, celtics aren't as good as they were last year, pistons are past their primes, and the young stars of the early part of this decade - kobe, vince, t mac, iverson, nowitzki, kg, duncan, arenas - will never be the same again (which is good that we have a young, in-tact nucleus of iggy, thad, lou will, speights).

Basically the sixers need to let miller go after this year, replace him with lou (and try and have him be a slasher/dtstributor like rondo) and use the freed up cap space as some financial flexibility in making a trade for a ray allen-esque player (michael redd??).

All of a sudden you're looking at a team of lou will, michael redd, iguodala, brand, dalembert (to continue my celtics parable - a kendrick perkins clone), with thad (similar to james posey but better), rush, ivey, jason smith, and reggie evans on the bench.

That team next year will be so far and away the best team in the east - better than boston next year, better than detroit (assuming iverson jets), better than orlando, toronto, and the cavs.

Make it happen stefanski

Make it Work on the Court...

After an amazing summer capped off by the signing of Elton Brand, the Sixers took the court last week and proceeded to yuck-it-up, falling to 2-5 before beating the Raptors two nights ago to end a three-game losing streak and finally win their 3rd contest.

The problems on the court are varied and though we can blame them on "growing pains," as Philly fans we fear for the worst. Does this team have the right chemistry? Did the addition of Brand amount to pouring cold water on last year's uptempo style? Is Andre Iguodala--a jack-of-all-trades, but clearly not a no. 1 offensive option--really worth his huge new contract? Do we need to take a step back before we take a step forward?

Here's what we Sixers fiends have been seeing on the court:

• Not enough cutting when Brand has the ball. Not a lot of movement in general without the ball. This has been the Sixers problem since they became relevant again when they drafted Allen Iverson, and I have not had the pleasure of seeing a Sixers team that was characterized by good ball movement and off-the-ball cuts since the 2001 Finals year.
• A lack of shooters. Look, we all liked the addition of Kareem Rush and Donyell Marshall is an okay older player, but these guys cannot be relied on to be the team's shooters. They simply should not be playing heavy minutes at all. As is, it looks like Rush will get some minutes when the team wants to go small and surround the court with shooters, that's fine. But one of the main rotation guys has gotta step it up in the shooting department. Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams in particular need to improve their shot lest they become one-dimensional offensive players.
  
• Thaddeus Young may already be the Sixers best player. That's overstating it a bit, but just a bit. The guy is leading the team in scoring and he's 20 years old. He's so under control and can really do it all on both ends of court: way beyond his years. And while we're praising young guys: Marreese Speights, despite his ridiculously spelled name, looks like the real deal. Definitely a good backup to Brand.

In sum, the Sixers are going through some troubles and they need to figure out a style of play. They also need to realize who fits what role on the team. Lou Williams needs to become a point guard, not Allen Iverson Junior. Samuel Dalembert (though looking improved) and Elton Brand need to learn how to play together. Mo Cheeks needs to realize what's the best lineup to put out there.

Clearly, there's ample talent on this team and it needs to gel, but we also have to realize that all the pieces may not be in place yet. I wrote a while back that an Andre Miller for Chauncey Billups swap would put this team over the top. Guess what? Denver essentially made that swap. They traded Miller for Iverson and Iverson for Billups. They're not going to be world beaters because I don't think they have the supporting cast to do it, but I think a shooting point guard could eventually be what this team needs. But, then again, it's too early right now to throw anybody under the bus, right?

Eddie Blogonator

The Sixers are Fantastic

August 21, 2008 6:36 PM

I mean, you know, I like the team and all. Exciting times.

But what I'm really talking about is the fact that Ed Stefanski and the PR staff just hosted a conference call for bloggers. Took just about 25 minutes and nothing was off-limits.

I think it offers the team a connection to the passionate blogging public that is not available any other way.

And they handled the whole thing with a smile. I didn't feel for one second that in the minds of PR man Michael Preston, or Stefanski himself, they were talking to the JV.

It was just a GM and some bloggers having a conversation. That would not have happened two years ago. The Sixers deserve some kudos for being web-savvy.

The talk itself had a number of interesting ideas.

One thing I was curious about was the role of Thaddeus Young, one of my favorite young NBA players. The Sixers became a good team last year pretty much when they started playing Young long minutes, and he mainly got those minutes at power forward. At that position, as opposed to the small forward, it doesn't matter as much that he's not a lights out shooter and has a mediocre handle. Also his speed as a slasher really hurts a lot of other fours.

But now the team has Elton Brand, who is clearly the starting, and ending, power forward. Stefanski himself says that a big part of the reason Brand came to the team was because they had done some winning late last year. But if you bench Thaddeus, or move him to another position, is Brand still joining an exciting young team? So, what is Thaddeus's role now?

"That will shake itself out in preseason," says Stefanski. "Elton Brand is out starting power forward, and I expect that if you asked him Maurice Cheeks would tell you that he envisions Thad at the three, if he had to guess right now. Thad has been working very hard this summer on his handle, and there is no question his handle has gotten better. But only in the preseason can we see how that translates to games. Also, he can play four at times when Elton Brand is getting a break. And don't forget that, especially in the East, sometimes Elton will be able to play some at center."

Some other highlights:

• Stefanski said the Sixers would not have signed Theo Ratliff if Jason Smith had not been injured, and that injury could also mean some NBA playing time for promising rookie big man Marreese Speights.
• Stefanski confirmed that Andre Miller does not have an agent at the moment. Miller had been represented by Lon Babby. When he has an agent, they will talk about an extension.
• He does not anticipate any more deals, although when Willie Green came up, Stefanski said that the team didn't plan to trade him, and he'd get an opportunity to play. Which struck me as notably not the same as saying we think he's a big part of our future. That all makes sense, too. Any GM would prefer those touches go to Louis Williams, Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young and the like.
• Stefanski thinks the Sixers can still run, even with Elton Brand. He points out that Samuel Dalembert is a very fast big man, and if Brand is the trailer on the fast break, that's not the end of the world.
• On the topic of players heading overseas in bigging numbers, Stefanski more or less read from the NBA hymnal: "I know the NBA is the greatest league in the world," he says. "The best players in the world want to take a shot at the NBA." True. Except for Josh Childress, Carlos Delfino, Carlos Arroyo, Earl Boykins, Juan Carlos Navarro, Primoz Brezec, Nenad Krstic, Bostjan Nachbar, Loren Woods etc.
  
• Asked why the Sixers never made an offer to Josh Smith, after courting him, Stefanski said the Sixers love Smith, but suspected the Hawks would match any offer they made. They had also never been certain who might enter unrestricted free agency, and were thrilled when Elton Brand entered the market. Asked later if he thought the Hawks got Smith at a bargain rate, Stefanski said he thought the Hawks were very pleased to have been able to match an offer to Smith, instead of negotiating themselves.
  

Miller-for-Billups?

This past week Andre Iguodala reportedly agreed to sign a lucrative 6-year deal with the Sixers. That leaves the team with a very solid line-up that is decidedly lacking in shooters. Brand and Dalembert should be great in the middle, especially with Speights and Evans backing them up. The now-out-for-the-season Jason Smith might also be replaced in this year's line-up with serviceable back-up center Theo Ratliff.

Swingmen look very good with the oversized Iguodala at the 2, the lightning-fast and highly efficient Thaddeus Young manning the 2/3, and Willie Green playing back-up or part-time starter. Kareem Rush adds a light element of shooting.

The point/combo-guard situation looks just as stable with Andre Miller anchoring the point as a steady leader. Lou Williams can play the 1 and 2 and hopefully will improve to the point that he can play the 1 more often. Royal Ivey is a solid defender who will be a solid upgrade over the useless Kevin Ollie.

On the defensive end, Dalembert and Brand should provide ample interior D with the help of Evans. Iguodala is a stellar defender and Miller is OK. A defensive line-up of Dalembert, Brand, Iguodala, Williams/Ivey, and Miller should be able to score, stop the opponent, and draw steals.

The only missing element? An exciting shooter. Iggy is a slasher, Brand is a post-scorer and mid-range shooter, Dalembert has no offensive game, Miller is a mid-range guy, Green can shoot at times, Williams is another slasher, Speights is another mid-range guy and so is Young.... The deep threat, other than Rush and Green, is missing. That's why I'm proposing we trade Andre Miller for Chauncey Billups.

Billups would give us the 3-point threat, defensive toughness, and elite leadership we need. The Pistons might do the deal because Andre Miller's contract expires at the end of this season, thus potentially giving Detroit a lot of money to play with. A team of Billups, Iguodala, Young, Brand, and Dalembert could compete for a championship. The presently composed team will improve and hopefully will compete for a championship too; but there are too many slasher and mid-range guys on offense and not enough shooters. Even with trading Carney, the team has a lot of talent that brings the similar skills to the table between Iguodala, Green, Williams, Rush, Young, and Ivey. If Ed Stefanski is reading this, he'll heed my words and try to deal Miller (and possibly a pick or a guy like Green or Evans) to a Pistons team that is looking to reshape itself for that final piece of the puzzle.

BREAKING NEWS: Sixers Injury Report

76ers Place Hip-Hop on Injured Reserve: Popular Mascot to Begin Rehabilitation Effective Immediately

Young Fans encouraged to Send Cards and Get Well Wishes for a Speedy Recovery

The Philadelphia 76ers today placed their mascot Hip-Hop on the injured reserve list after the popular and entertaining mascot suffered an injury to his knee while attempting one of his sky-walking dunks for a group of children.

Effective immediately, Hip-Hop is beginning an extensive rehabilitation program.
"We expect Hip-Hop to make a full recovery," said Senior Vice President of Business Operations Lara Price. "We know how badly he wants to return and we know how much his fans are looking forward to him getting back on the court to perform the dunks that made him famous."

Hip-Hop, a 10-year veteran, has only missed one game since joining the club after attending college at John "Hop" Kins University. The only time he was forced to miss action was due to birth of his first bunny, during Game Five of the 2001 NBA Finals.

Hip-Hop is determined to return to form in time for the start of the regular season. The Sixers have created a dedicated space at SIXERS.COM where fans can monitor his progress every "hop" of the way.

Young fans are encouraged to send "Get Well" cards which can be mailed to:
Hip-Hop's Health WatchC/o Philadelphia 76ersThe Wachovia Center 3601 S. Broad StreetPhiladelphia, PA, 19148

Sixers starting to come together ....

Royal Ivey and Kareem Rush joined the team this week. Lou Williams was signed to a long deal yesterday. Now all we need to do is sign Andre Iguodala and we have the makings of a very formidable team with decent depth.

Here's the run-down:

PGs Andre Miller, Lou Williams, Royal Ivey
SGs Andre Iguodala, Willie Green, Kareem Rush
SFs Thaddeus Young
PFs Elton Brand, Marreese Speights, Reggie Evans
Cs Sam Dalembert, Jason Smith

That's a twelve man squad right there with very good guard depth an excellent depth at power forward. The 3-position needs to be shored up with another shooter and we need a nice, back-up center but I'm already very excited about this squad!

Predicted Future Moves:
Moving Reggie Evans, Willie Green, and/or Andre Miller for a swingman and a PG to replace Miller. That said, I think Miller can man this team for the next 3 years if the Sixers want him to do that.

Ed Stefanski has successfully added good power forwards (Brand and Speights) to our roster!!!! I can't remember when the last time was that we had a stud PF and a good prospect PF. Moses Malone days? Definitely, we're talking pre-Iverson here.....

AN OPEN LETTER TO SAM DALEMBERT (by L. Boom)

Dear Slammin,

We've got an important season coming up. As you may have heard, we've signed a power forward by the name of Elton Brand. He's good at playing the game of basketball - so good in fact, that assuming we can resign Andre Iguadala, our Sixers team has a chance to win the east and compete for an NBA title. Sammy, listen to me, when someone passes you the ball this year, pause for a second and repeat thefollowing: "I am not Mark Price." I know you sometimes think that you are Mark Price...or Reggie Miller, or Jerry West or some other sharpshooting two guard trapped inside the body of a seven foot Haitian man, but you most certainly are not. What you are is an athletic center who can rebound and block shots. And that's all we need you to do this year - play D. I've talked with Stefanski and he agrees. In fact, he's willing to give you a salary bonus every time you score under 10 points. Sam, it's simple - you need to come to terms with the fact that you're a crappy role player. Most importantly, you need to stop shooting. Stop shooting stop shooting stop stop shooting shooting stop shooting STOP SHOOOOOOOOOTING THE BALL!!! And please shave your mohawk prior to training camp.

Your Friend,

The city of Philadelphia

Kareem Rush, I like the Signing

Posted on Tue, Jul. 29, 2008

Sixers pick up free agent Rush

By Kate Fagan

Inquirer Staff Writer

The 76ers have reached an agreement with Kareem Rush, a source close to the free-agent guard confirmed yesterday.

The 6-foot-6 shooting guard is in Philadelphia and will sign with the Sixers today, the source said.

Specific terms of the deal were not revealed, but one source said it was a minimum-level contract, which, for a player like Rush, who is credited with six years of service in the NBA, would be $998,398.

Sixers officials would not comment on Rush.

Rush will become the 10th player under contract for this season. He made $770,610 last season with the Indiana Pacers.

The 27-year-old guard averaged 8.3 points and 2.4 rebounds last season. He shot 38.9 percent from the three-point line. Last season, the Sixers were the NBA's worst in that category, shooting 31.7 percent.

Rush played the 2006-07 season with Lietuvos Rytas of Vilnius, Lithuania, after he was waived by the Seattle SuperSonics. He also has played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Bobcats. In 314 NBA games, he has averaged 6.8 points and 1.8 rebounds while hitting 36.0 percent of his three-point shots.

Rush spent four games with Seattle before being waived in 2006. According to the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, a player is credited with a year of service if he spends one day on the team's active or inactive list during the regular season.

The impending addition of Rush comes a day after the free-agent signing of guard Royal Ivey.

Now the question for the 76ers is: Can they re-sign two of their own? Both guard/forward Andre Iguodala (19.9 points per game) and guard Lou Williams (11.5 ppg.) are restricted free agents.

A source close to Iguodala said the Sixers and Iguodala's agent were "in a dialogue to reach a deal."

General manager Ed Stefanski has said the Sixers were still working on deals for Iguodala and Williams.

Rush was the Toronto Raptors' first-round pick (20th overall) out of Missouri in the 2002 NBA draft. Toronto immediately traded his rights to the Los Angeles Lakers, where Rush played for 21/2 seasons, averaging 6.4 points a game in 2003-04.

The Lakers traded Rush to Charlotte 14 games into the 2004-05 season. He played 34 games with the Bobcats, but his season ended after he suffered a strained ligament in his left knee. He averaged 11.5 points a game before his injury.

Charlotte waived Rush 47 games into the next season. After his short stay with the Sonics in 2006, he headed overseas to Lithuania.

Ivey on board. Stefanski officially announced the signing of Ivey. The 76ers signed him to a multiyear, minimum-salary contract that is believed to include a significant amount of guaranteed money. The minimum salary for a player with four years in the NBA is $854,957. The Sixers did not disclose the terms.

Last season, Ivey made $770,610 with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 6-4 guard out of Texas was Atlanta's second-round pick (37th overall) in the 2004 NBA draft. Ivey played his first three seasons with the Hawks. Last season with the Bucks, he averaged 5.6 points per game.

"We feel that his versatility, ability to handle the point-guard duties, and defensive strength will bolster our depth and provide us with additional options in our backcourt," Stefanski said in a news release.

Signing Ivey comes on the heels of Stefanski's first summer move, the blockbuster free-agent signing of two-time all-star power forward Elton Brand.

Ivey's agent, Keith Glass, said his client had offers from three other teams but chose the Sixers because he felt they presented the best on-court opportunity.

Welcome to the World Shai Micah Rubin!!!!

Born on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 7:20pm. Shai Micah Rubin weighed 7lbs. 4 0z.

His favorite Sixers are Marreese Speights and Doug Collins.

Kevin Ollie, eat your heart out!

Posted on Fri, Jul. 25, 2008

Sixers adding Bucks' Ivey

By Kate Fagan

Inquirer Staff Writer

The recent talk surrounding the 76ers has involved the futures of guards Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams, who are restricted free agents.

Yesterday that talk was put on hold - for at least a day - as the Sixers reached an agreement with free-agent guard Royal Ivey.

The 6-foot-4 player from the University of Texas was Atlanta's second-round pick, the 37th overall, in 2004. He played three seasons with the Hawks before playing last season - his most productive - with the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 5.6 points, 2.1 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 19.2 minutes.

He and the 76ers agreed on a multiyear, minimum-salary contract believed to include significant guaranteed money. The minimum salary for a player with four years in the NBA is $854,957.

Last season, Ivey made $770,610.

His agent, Keith Glass, said he had met with the Sixers during last week's NBA Summer League competition in Las Vegas. The two parties, Glass said, spent three or four days in negotiations.

Ivey had offers from three other NBA teams, but settled on the 76ers because he felt they presented the best opportunity for success, Glass said.

"He's been promised nothing," Glass said. "He likes that. Everything is fair and even, and he'll earn it on the court."

Ivey is known for his defense, and will most likely see time behind Williams. He played 75 games last season, starting 20.

Ivey is a career 33.1-percent three-point shooter, but averaged 40.0 percent from beyond the arc in 2005-06.

"He's known as a lockdown defender because he can guard two spots," Glass said. "He's tough, and he's starting to knock down threes, too."

Glass said Ivey would have remained in Milwaukee if not for coaching and management changes.

Playing both guard positions, Ivey was a four-year starter at Texas, going to four NCAA tournaments and one Final Four. He finished his college career with 1,036 points, which ranks 24th on the Longhorns' all-time list.

What is Happening to the NBA?

Josh Childress just signed a three-year deal to leave the Atlanta Hawks for, get this, Olympiakos of Greece. Yes, the Euroleague is a decent one and, yes, Childress is no Kobe Bryant. But, the steady stream of players leaving the NBA for Europe gives me pause.

Consider the following:

• A handful of second-tier foreign talents moved back to Europe this summer--or decided to stay. Tiago Splitter, long valued by the Spurs, decided to stay in the EU. Carlos Delfino, Primoz Brezec, and Juan Carlos Navarro decided to leave the NBA and go to the Euroleague.
• Brandon Jennings, supposedly the top high school guard prospect in the country, is going to Rome instead of Arizona.
• Now, Josh Childress, a solid swingman on an up-and-coming but dysfunctionally managed team, is leaving Atlanta for Athens.

There are disparate reasons for these signings: the strength of the euro, the mismanagement of the Hawks organization, Jennings' low SAT scores, the restrictive nature of the NBA's restricted-contract rules. The NBA should not be worried about Delfino, Navarro, Brezec, and Splitter opting for Europe: they're Europeans and they're not top talents.

The NBA SHOULD be concerned about Jennings and Childress because both went to Europe to circumvent NBA rules. Jennings decided to go to Rome instead of spending a rather useless (from his perspective) one-year at Arizona. The NBA tried to force high school talents to play for free in college. This talent said, "No, thanks" and is playing for big bucks in Italy. It's unclear whether he'll get the minutes or exposure that he would get in the NCAA, but he'll get paid.

Childress could have signed a one-year deal with Atlanta and then become an unrestricted FA. Instead, he signed a three-year deal with Olympiakos, which has opt-outs in each year. Basically, this gives him a lot of leverage with the Hawks for whenever he chooses to come back to the NBA. Europe is beautiful and I don't blame Childress for taking the money to go there. But, where's the thrill and excitement for playing against the top-competition in the world that only the NBA provides? He could be competing with LeBron, instead he'll be up against NBA retreads and a few European stars, playing less games, and getting very little exposure. Anthony Parker managed to get to the Raptors after a trip to Europe (he was drafted by the Sixers and played for the Magic). But, Childress doesn't have to prove himself like Parker did. Childress is basically just leaving a bad situation in Atlanta and taking the money. This is not about love of the game, this is about quality of life and the freedom to choose your employer.

Maybe the NBA should be worried....

Cabbagehead out of Canada

Posted on Thu, Jul. 17, 2008

Dalembert parts ways with Canadian team

It was unclear whether the Sixer left the squad or was dismissed by coach Leo Rautins.

By Kate Fagan

Inquirer Staff Writer

LAS VEGAS - Samuel Dalembert is no longer on the Canadian national basketball team.

It is unclear whether Canadian coach Leo Rautins gave the 76ers' starting center marching orders or whether Dalembert left on his own. But after Canada beat Korea in Athens, Greece, yesterday without Dalembert, Rautins told the media: "He's not on the team. I'll leave it at that."

Rautins, who could not be reached for comment, went on to say, "Everyone who is here wants to be here and wants to be on this team."

The Sports Network of Canada reported that Dalembert had a confrontation with a Canadian team official.

Dalembert, a 27-year-old native of Haiti who attended high school in Montreal, joined the Canadian national team last August, ostensibly to help Canada earn an Olympic berth.

The center averaged 10.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game last season for the Sixers.

The Canadian team is at an Olympic qualifying tournament in Athens. Canada advanced to play Croatia in the quarterfinals. The top three teams will play in Beijing.

After an 86-70 loss to Slovenia on Tuesday, Rautins criticized Dalembert's effort in the postgame news conference, saying: "He never got on track offensively or defensively. I didn't see him leave the floor to challenge people defensively, and on the offensive end he struggled not only with his shooting but with the decision-making behind the shots."

Dalembert finished that game 1 for 8 from the floor with four rebounds.

The 6-foot-11 center's agent, Marc Cornstein, could not be reached for comment. He told Canada's National Post that he had not spoken to his client, who was still in Greece.

"I think it's unbelievably disappointing and wrong to even hint at all to his [lack] of commitment to the national team," Cornstein told the newspaper.

"If Sammy isn't there or isn't committed to Team Canada or the country as a whole, what would his reason for being there have been?"

The Canadian national team is scheduled to play the U.S. national team in the 2008 State Farm USA Basketball Challenge on July 25 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Iguodala selected. Yesterday, USA Basketball named the Sixers' Andre Iguodala to the USA basketball men's select team that will help prepare the senior national team for the Olympics. Iguodala is one of 10 players chosen for the team, which also includes Kevin Durant, O.J. Mayo and Derrick Rose.

Iguodala averaged 19.9 points per game last season for the Sixers. He is a restricted free agent, which means the Sixers have the right to match any offer he receives.

Ed Stefanski, the Sixers' general manager, said yesterday that the team met with Iguodala's agent, Rob Pelinka, on Tuesday in Las Vegas, where the Sixers are competing in the NBA Summer League.

Stefanski said the two sides would keep talking and added that the team aimed to bring back Iguodala along with guard Lou Williams, also a restricted free agent.

As for Dalembert, Stefanski said he had not spoken with him.

"He was very excited about playing this summer and playing for Canada," Stefanski said. "Until I know all the facts, I can't say too much. Sam is great to be around, he's very coachable, he's a fun kid. We're very happy with him."

Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks was also in the dark, saying he had not spoken to Dalembert and had no knowledge of the situation.

Sixers Dodge a Bullet

With Elton Brand locked up, the Sixers now must turn to the signings of Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams. Earlier in the week, while Thaddeus Young and M. Speights tore up the summer league, Sixers fans worried that Iggy might receive a huge deal from the Clippers that would either force the Sixers to have a worse salary cap situation than they should or force the Sixers to lose last year's team leader.

Last year's playoff run may have exposed some of Lou and Iggy's flaws: Iggy needs to improve his offensive game and Lou needs to work on his PG skills. But, one can focus too much on the flaws of young players; Iguodala in particular is one of the league's best rising stars and Lou Williams at worst will be a Barbosa/Monta Ellis-type.

Now that the Clippers have traded nothing for Marcus Camby--and, in essence, added a second center and a second injury-prone star (Baron Davis being the other) to their roster--Sixer fans can rest easy. Barring an incredibly unlikely sign-and-trade deal, which would bag us a player in return, both Lou and Andre will be Sixers next year.

A team that looked lost at the beginning of last year, now appears set for a strong playoff run. The starting line-up is very solid: Dalembert, Brand, Young, Iguodala, and Miller. And the bench, though needing improvement is also fairly strong with: Willie Green, Reggie Evans, Lou Williams, Marreese Speights, and Jason Smith playing back-up roles. The team now needs some of what it traded away to get Brand: shooting and swingmen. It also may need a back-up center, though Smith could play that role. If it were up to me, I would fill out the roster with a couple of swingmen/shooters and a point guard.

Bullets:

• Summer league play has begun and a few of this year's draftees are looking very good, particularly Jerryd Bayless, OJ Mayo, Michael Beasley, and DJ Augustin. The Sixers' Speights and Young are also doing very well, though second-round pick from a couple years ago Edin Bavcic looks like a bust.
• I think that the Grizzlies re-build project may be further along than people give them credit for. They traded Pau Gasol to the Lakers in order to dump salary and re-build given that with Gasol they had not won a playoff series (nor, I believe, a playoff game!). What they got in return has been mocked, but right now they look like they could become a very exciting team. At point they have Mike Conley, Javaris Crittendon and Kyle Lowry; one of those last two will be traded but Conley at least is a stud. OJ Mayo will be a great swingman. Up front, there's Darrell Arthur, Marc Gasol, and Darko Milicic. Those guys may not strike fear in anyone, but there is good potential in that group. Then there's Rudy Gay and Hakim Warrick. Sure, this team will lose a lot of games, but between Conley, Mayo, and Gay they have a solid core to build one, and if M. Gasol, Arthur, or one of the other young guys becomes good, they will be ahead of schedule in rebuilding.
• I really don't like what the Clippers, Nuggets, and Warriors have done this summer. The Nuggets, wisely I guess, shed Marcus Camby, their only defensive player, in order to keep a team that features the bloated payroll of Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, and Nene. The team's salary situation is a disaster, and until they can rid themselves of the aforementioned three, they won't be good for a while. The Clippers essentially traded Elton Brand and Corey Maggette for Marcus Camby and Baron Davis. They did get a great point guard and a great defensive player to replace a top-5 power forward and a very solid swingman, so overall they didn't do badly, but I just don't like how their pieces fit together. They should roll out a line-up of Davis, Mobley, Thornton, Kaman, and Camby. That team could play good D, and could be solid, but it is injury-prone and could have trouble scoring. Even with Brand, I don't think this team would have competed in the West... at least now the Clips are committed to mediocrity rather than complete ineptitude. Finally, the Warriors are the last of the 3 West teams that will be fighting for 9th place in the Western Conference. The Warriors and Nuggets followed the Grizzlies lead and have decided to back off of the Western playoff race for now and instead look to build stronger contenders for tomorrow. The Warriors lost Baron Davis, their heart and soul, and last summer traded Jason Richardson and in return got Brandon Wright, drafted Anthony Randolph, and signed Corey Maggette and Roni Turiaf. This team, like the Clips and Heat, is a weird mess of old and young with some positions unfilled and others logjammed. Monta Ellis should be exciting at the point, Andris Biedrins, Wright, and Randolph could easily become an extremely formidable frontcourt, and Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington can add surliness to the mix. The starting line-up in GSW looks like it will be: Ellis, Jackson, Maggette, Wright/Randolph/Turiaf/Harrington, and Biedrins next year. That should be solid; but, again, I don't think those pieces fit together well.
  

Ed Stefanski Rules

Ed Stefanski is brilliant. Billy King may have drafted many of the players that today are a big part of the Sixers' resurgence. But there's no way we get Elton Brand with BK in charge. At least there's no way we get Elton Brand and keep Andre Miller.

To recap here are Ed's masterful moves to date:

• Joins the Sixers as GM in December. Decides to spend time evaluating the product rather than making wholesale changes immediately.
• Trades Kyle Korver to Utah for a first-round pick (this would turn out to be crucial). BK would never have traded Korver, who was an on-again, off-again starter. This trade, innocuous at the time, set up the Sixers future in three big ways. First, it created cap space for a future acquisition. Second, it gave us a draft pick to use on a future acquisition. Third, it created playing time at the 2 and 3 spots so that Thaddeus Young (in particular) and Louis Williams could get more PT. This trade ALONE helped the Sixers get into the playoffs and provided the tools to snag Elton Brand.
• Stefanski saw that the team was gelling around Mo Cheeks and gave him a one-year contract extension. Philadelphians may feel that Cheeks deserves more years (and he does), but Stefanski wisely did not commit a million years to the coach before seeing more consistent results.
• Stefanski woos Josh Smith, BUT REFRAINS FROM OFFERING HIM A CONTRACT since the Hawks could match his deal. He waits to create more cap space to either snag Elton Brand or give Smith a bigger contract. Other options do not seem to appeal to Ed. When Elton considers the Golden State Warriors offer (and this is some speculation on my part), Ed swooped in and met with Brand somewhat secretly when he visited DC to speak with his agent David Falk. Stefanski realized he didn't have the money to match the Clips deal quite yet, but he felt Brand out and figured that he'd join Philly with some more cap room. So ...
• Ed trades Rodney Carney, Calvin Booth, and the first-round pick he got from Utah (Korver trade!) to Minnesota for a conditional second-round pick. This pick gives Ed the cap room to ...
• Sign Elton Brand! The press conference will be today at 5pm!!!!!!

Stefanski has now PROVEN that he is not just a good GM, but a great one. He got Elton Brand for a good value, without giving up an important piece in Andre Miller. When Andre Miller's deal expires next year he can do a number of things: 1) he can trade Miller mid-season for another piece, or 2) he can sign another good player for a decent sum and then sign Andre Miller, or 3) he can sign another player and let Miller go.

All of the prognosticators thought the Sixers HAD TO trade Andre Miller to free up space to get a guy like Brand. Instead, Ed traded Korver, Carney, and Booth. Now he also has plenty of options for the future! The man is brilliant!

For more on Ed see: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-33-29/Ed-Stefanski-
and-the-Philadelphia-Cure-to-Conference-Imbalance.html

Licky Boom Reports Breaking News

Posted on Tue, Jul. 8, 2008

AP Source: 76ers send Carney, top pick to ’Wolves

By Dan Gelston

ASSOCIATED PRESS

PHILADELPHIA - The 76ers are close to trading forward Rodney Carney and a future No. 1 pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a deal that clears salary cap space for Philadelphia to make a stronger push for free agents, a person in the NBA told The Associated Press today.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been completed and the NBA trade moratorium is not lifted until tomorrow.

The 76ers will throw in reserve forward Calvin Booth, but are working out the particulars of what they will get back from Minnesota.

A proposed trade between the teams was first reported by Yahoo.com.

The deal clears the way for the Sixers to potentially offer a nearly $14 million starting salary and a long-term deal to free agents like forwards Elton Brand or Josh Smith. The emerging Sixers now have another $2 million in salary cap space to add to the $11 million in space available that they hope will land them the post player they badly need to become contenders in the Eastern Conference.

The Sixers had Smith in town for a visit last week but did not give the restricted free agent an offer sheet. As he's a restricted free agent, the Hawks can match any offer made to the 6-foot-9, 235-pound Smith.

Brand would clearly be the Sixers best option. Brand opted out last week of his contract with the Clippers, but Los Angeles is expected to make a strong push to re-sign him. Brand had said he plans to stay with the Clippers despite his decision, even if he must accept a contract below the NBA maximum for free agents.

Smith or Brand could make the Sixers instant contenders in the Eastern Conference. They were one of the surprise teams in the league last season, going 40-42 and stretching Detroit to six games in the first round of the playoffs. One thing they lacked was an athletic, consistent scorer at power forward.

Smith would be a good fit for the up-tempo Sixers and would be a huge upgrade over last year's power forward, Reggie Evans. He's one of the premier shot blockers in the league and could team with starting center Samuel Dalembert and small forward Thaddeus Young to form one of the top frontcourts in the Eastern Conference.

The deal allows the rebuilding Timberwolves, who have long been one of the worst cap managers in the league, to continue putting themselves in a position to be a major player on the free agent markets in 2009 and 2010.

Carney has one year remaining on his contract with a team option for 2009-10, while Booth will come off the books at the end of the upcoming season, unless a buyout agreement is reached before that.

The work started last season, when they traded Blount and Ricky Davis to Miami for Antoine Walker, Michael Doleac and Wayne Simien, allowing them to rid themselves of Blount's bloated contract.

On draft night in June, the Timberwolves were able to unload the Marko Jaric's hefty deal, shipping him to Memphis with O.J. Mayo, Walker and Greg Buckner for Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Jason Collins and Brian Cardinal. All three of the Grizzlies in that deal have contracts that will expire no later than 2010.

That freedom will allow the team to pursue a big-name free agent or two to supplement a rising young core group of Al Jefferson, Randy Foye, Corey Brewer and Rashad McCants.

As a secondary prize on the court in the Philly deal, Carney will give them an athletic swingman who averaged 5.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in his second season out of Memphis. Booth, if he stays, will give the team a little more depth at center behind Jefferson and Collins.

Free Agent Rumblings

I'm a little worried about the Sixers' strategy with Josh Smith. I think that the likelihood that the Hawks match Smith's deal is over 50%, even though they have a lot of players that could fill in for him.

Smith really is a great player. An amazing defender, a great athlete, young, and very talented. Supposedly he has some attitude/motivation problems, but hopefully the other Sixers can knock that out of him.

At this point, it looks like we either get Smith or we have to pursue a totally different strategy. Elton Brand is not gonna be a Sixer. Josh Childress or Nenad Krstic may become Sixers but they don't really amount to homerun pick-ups.

Corey Maggette intrigues me. He's a great player with a great body, very athletic, who never put it all together in L.A. due to a poor team and a poor role. That said, I don't know where he fits on a team that is planning on keeping Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young. Maggette would be a decent signing, but he just doesn't fit well on the team.

Perhaps if the Sixers can't get Smith, they should wait for Andre Miller to go off the books and try again next year ... ?