Glen Big Baby Davis was taken by Seattle at No. 35, which will be traded to the Celtics.
Still out there for the Sixers are Josh McRoberts from Duke, Pitt's Aaron Gray....others?
I'm NOT in favor of losing games, that's just my opinion. You can make the argument both ways, I just think good rarely comes from bad.
It looks like Charlotte is going to trade the No. 8 pick (Brandan Wright) for Golden State's Jason Richardson.
The Sixers do go with a foreign player, taking Petteri Koponen, a 6-4 point guard from Finland. It appears Koponen will stay overseas. He is 19 years old.
Arron Afflalo went to the Pistons at 27 and Tiago Splitter, a 6-11 forward from Brazil, went to the Spurs.
Thaddeus Young on a conference call says he thinks he impressed the Sixers with his good work ethic and that he was surprised that he was taken "this high" but that he's good enough to be the 12th player taken. He said he's looking forward to coming to Philly and is excited the team got Jason Smith with the second pick.
I'm not a fan of telling a team to tank games. I think you do that, you have a hard time getting back that winning mentality. Plus, it doesn't always work out for the best. But that's just my opinion. And i'd think that way for any organization, whether I was covering them or not.
At 25 Utah took Morris Almond, a 6-6 shooting guard from Rice, and the Rockets took Aaron Brooks, 6-foot point guard from Oregon.
Obviously, not many seem happy with the SIxers draft. Is it because they didn't trade up from No. 12 or just who they took at No. 12.
Was waiting to see if anything came about on Young being traded, but nothing happening. Until they have the press conference, we have to assume he's here.
I saw Afflalo in person at the Regionals in San Jose, and he really impressed me. A real leader, tough as nails and a very good defender. He is listed as 6-5, 215. Very strong upper body.
They could go with a foreign player, and always keep him overseas to "groom him".
I'd say the odds on favorite for the Sixers pick at No. 30 is Afflalo, especially since Rudy Fernandez just went to the Suns. Other point guards out there include Gabe Pruitt (USC), Aaron Brooks of Oregon and Taurean Green of Florida. If not a point guard, I'll stick with Glen "Big Baby" Davis of LSU.
Realistically, what can the Sixers do to make fans happy about this draft?
Philly.com poll shows 538 people say they don't like the Sixers first pick, and 131 say they do.
Down here among fans, the second pick of getting Smith is much more popular than the first pick of Young.
The Knicks just took Wilson Chandler of DePaul. Who do you want the Sixers to grab at 30, or does it matter.
Charlotte takes Jared Dudley, from Boston College with the 22 pick. This kid is a monster, with a very powerful inside game.
Smith averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds this season at Col. St. Not a power-type player, but a guy who can run the floor and has good hands. I like the pick. Arron Afflalo or Glen Davis at 30?
Sixers drafted Daequan Cook of Ohio State at 21, then trade him to Miami for Jason Smith, who was taken at 20. Reaction by the 200 or so remaining fans was very, very positive. Whether they know anything about Smith or are just happy the Sixers made a trade, who knows? Smith is a 7-foot, 233 pounder power forward from Colorado St.
Well, Jason Smith just went to the Heat, so he won't be a Sixer. Point guard from Spain, Rudy Fernandez?
Young is a very good kid, by all accouonts. Had a 4.3 GPA in high school at Mitchell High in Memphis.
Many thought the Sixers might address the point guard position in this draft. Well, they won't get Javaris Crittenton. The former teammate of Thaddeus Young at Georgia Tech went to the Lakers at the 19th pick.
I wonder what the mood was in the Sixers draft room when Sean Williams was taken. They loved his athleticism and his rugged inside game is something the team needs desperately. I had a strong feeling for him at No. 21.
Well, who do you go with at 21 if you're the Sixers?
Marco Belinelli, a 6-6 shooting guard from Italy, was taken by the Warriors. That's one guy if the Sixers took, i think it would empty the stands.
Poll question of first page of Philly.com asks: Do you like the Sixers pick? So far, 212 say no to 47 saying yes.
Sean Williams, whom the Sixers had in twice for workouts and who was thrown off the Boston College team, was scooped up by the Nets at 17.
Is Corey Brewer also a similar game to Iguodala? Was this a three-man draft?
Steve Francis and Channing Fry have been traded by the Knicks to the Trail Blazers for Zack Randolph.
The Pistons went with point guard Rodney Stuckey from E. Washington, while the Wizards took Nick Young from Southern Cal.
About 75 percent of the fans have left the Wachovia Center, and the ones remaining don't seem real happy.
It's getting louder and louder down here at the Wachovia Center that the Sixers might not be done, meaning Young might not be the guy the keep. Of the players taken before him, who would you like, realistically? Noah, Brewer, Yi, Brandan Wright?
Julian Wright from Kansas went to the Hornets at 13 and Al Thornton, from Florida State, went to the Clippers at 14. Many thought Thornton, who played four years and is 23, would be a Sixer. I saw Wright play during the tournament this season in San Jose, and, although you can see there is a ton of talent, I didn't like the fact that he wasn't overly aggressive in taking control of the game. Three Eastern teams, Detroit, Washington and New Jersey are next.
He is said to be a terrific offensive rebounder who has long arms and is very tough. Isn't afraid to post up and is a good defender on the perimeter. Sure does sound like Iguodala.
Comments (60)
Brewer if they could get him. He has next Pippen written all over him.
Posted by Bob | June 28, 2007 9:10 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 21:10
I'll take Brewer as well. Then Noah, and after Noah I'll Wright. Too much uncertainty with Yi. Will he be able to adapt to our culture? How will do against far better talent then what he is used to playing against? So many other things.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 9:15 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 21:15
So much for the sixers draft party. Oh Bob, if they get too unruly, just grab the laptop and get out of there. I think security might need to walk Billy King to his car at the end of the evening.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 9:19 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 21:19
Great move by the Nets. I really thought Sean Williams might be ther when they picked at 21.
And yes Bob, Brewer has a similar game to Andre's.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 9:23 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 21:23
I think Brewer is a better defender than Iguodala, and his offensive game has room to grow. I also don't think there is anything wrong with having another Iguodala...last time I checked there were two wing spots.
I think the Sixcers really like Smith from Colorado State, but how about another shooter at 21...Morris Almond from Rice?
Posted by Bob | June 28, 2007 9:34 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 21:34
I'm not sure Bob. If King is indeed trading the number 12 pick he might be trading the 21 pick as well. Who is he drafting for? what are their needs?
I'll under the assumption that he's drafting to keep the pick. Let me consult my draft board.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 9:36 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 21:36
Sitting in a plane on runway at Philly Int'l following the draft on my laptop...does it disturb anyone else that the sixers seem to be building a team like the Atlanta Hawks? A bunch of 6-7 guys...Igoudala, Korver, Carney...now Young. Geez.
Posted by Tom | June 28, 2007 9:44 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 21:44
Yup, there goes my pick. Right to Pat Riley and Miami.
In my view they still need to go big. A power forward or a center.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 9:44 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 21:44
I'll just wait and see who they take. Trying to figure out what Billy King is doing, is making my brain hurt.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 9:49 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 21:49
Stting on a crowded, overheated plane for two hours on the runway is making my brain hurt...(in part because I smacked myself in the forehead after reading about the Young pick)
Posted by Tom | June 28, 2007 9:50 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 21:50
Ok well , they did get a big man. God I hope he isn't Shawn Bradley.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 9:52 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 21:52
Billy King blew another draft.....what a joke this franchise is. Thaddeus frickin YOung? JOsh Smith Stiff? He better get Rudy Fernandez if avail so he has ONE player out of 3.
Posted by ken murph | June 28, 2007 9:54 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 21:54
If they are trading Young later on, then I'd take Affalo.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 9:56 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 21:56
I like Affalo alot. Good mid rage game, makes his foul shots, and a good defender. What is he? 6'5 215?
Oh and it's Jason Smith.. not Josh.
I don't know about you but I've never seen rudy fernandez play at all. I can't really comment
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 10:03 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:03
I've been reading the blog. What is the buzz about the sixers trading the Young pick? Noone followed up!
Posted by bill | June 28, 2007 10:05 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:05
I can see how they might want a big body like Davis's, to act as a compliment to Smith.
I'd say that we have to wait to see if they do indeed trade Young, and where he goes and for whom.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 10:07 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:07
Bunch of 6-7 guys. Remind you of a certain D1 team you are familiar with? Hopefully they are not done. Could go down as one of the worst draft days since 1986 (Moses trade, Roy Hinson, etc.), even though that looked good at the time.
Posted by Beer Guy | June 28, 2007 10:07 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:07
I just heard a plane fly over my house here in Allentown, Tom is that you?
All in all, this trade is moving quickly. If the sixers do move Young, I do hope an established ball player comes back in return. Then again, what do I know.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 10:14 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:14
LOL. We are a Joke of a franchise. I'm laughing but feel like crying.
Posted by Anonymous | June 28, 2007 10:15 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:15
I know this is an unpopular opinion with most of the writers who cover the Sixers, but isn't it obvious tonight that the Sixers set themselves back years by finishing the season as strongly as they did. I am not suggesting tanking games as obviously as the Celtics did, but we are talking three less wins and the Sixers are in the top two spots in this draft.
As for 30 and 38, how about some combo of Big Baby, Fazekas and Arizona's Williams, who is apparently 6'7 and has point guard skills?
Posted by Bob | June 28, 2007 10:15 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:15
How much more does King have to eff up before he is shown the door?
Posted by Lar | June 28, 2007 10:18 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:18
I think it's a combination of both. People that I spoke with seemed to be very amped up for a trade into the top 8, but yet it appears that hasn't happened.
And ofcourse they took a guy that not many people know about. They know he's a freshman, which in their mind means we will have to wait for him to develop into a player. Given that, I think they wanted a "big name" to come out of this draft and so far, it hasn't happened
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 10:19 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:19
Why does Billy King still have a job with the Sixers? He's the equivalent of Ed Wade to the Phillies.
Posted by Bill | June 28, 2007 10:27 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:27
All us Sixers Fans better find a new team to cheer on. The Sixers brass obviously doesn't have a plan or the moxie to to fix this mess.
Posted by ChillyWilly | June 28, 2007 10:27 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:27
Will the Sixers be able to fit 3 first round draft picks under the cap? Or does that point to them taking someone overseas with the 30th pick? I really thought Tiago Splitter would be the one. Not anymore.
Posted by Eric | June 28, 2007 10:28 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:28
How can you have three 1st round picks and come out with this little?
Posted by Anonymous | June 28, 2007 10:31 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:31
As far as tanking games is concerned, I don't think many pro ball players have it in them to to go out every night and say "Gee how can I lose this game for us." It's not in their personality. Atleast in my opinion it isn't in their personality. I'm sure some take the night off from time to time, but tank it on purpose? I don't think so. But then again, look at the Celts
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 10:33 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:33
I'm not saying purposely tank games, but there were a number of occasions late in the season where the Sixers overcame double-digit second-half deficits to win games, where they could have just ran Lou Williams, Carney, Bobby Jones, etc out there and took the L. That's not necessarily tanking.
My point is this...the goal is to win titles. That does not happen in the NBA when you consistently pick in the teens and twenties. You had a chance to be very fortunate in that your worst season was coinciding with a top-heavy draft of outright studs. Three games in March are the difference between Young and Durant.
Posted by Bob | June 28, 2007 10:36 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:36
It was bittersweet seeing the sixers win meaningless game after meaningless game at the end of the year. But look at what the Celtics did; tanked to move up on the draft. Then they go and trade the pick. Pick #30.. let's see.....
trade..
Posted by bill | June 28, 2007 10:37 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:37
For staying put, I love the picks. Young has a ton of star potential to develop and I think he can contribute right away. Smith is a very unique PF, and brings much needed depth...could challenge to start right away as well.
Not sure what more they could have done without moving up.
Posted by Doug | June 28, 2007 10:37 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:37
Just an aside to my last post about tanking it on purpose. I think that losing takes it's toll on your mentally. Players who aren't mentally tough or have any heart, just keep on going with the flow
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 10:38 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:38
LOVE THIS PICK AS WELL!!! I haven't loved BK's picks, but he's doing well tonight!
Posted by Doug | June 28, 2007 10:39 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:39
Hey, with No. 30, the Sixers finally got the the defenseman the Flyers need.
Posted by Bob V | June 28, 2007 10:39 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:39
I don't want to turn this into a tanking blog, but before you throw the Celtics out there, look at how the Sonics and Blazers finished out the season, and it worked for them.
As for this latest pick, if you can't afford to pay three first-round picks, why acquire the third one in the Iverson deal? Or why not trade 30 for an early second-round pick and a future second?
Posted by Bob | June 28, 2007 10:41 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:41
Bob, running guys out there like Louis Williams is tantamount to tanking games. How would Cheeks explain that after the game. "Well, we wanted to give Lou some time out there, he's done a great job in practice and he deserved." Not very believeable at all. The goal is to win games, no matter what.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 10:45 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:45
I think a couple of Sixers employees are now posting.
Posted by Anonymous | June 28, 2007 10:48 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:48
HORRRRRRRENDOUSSSSSSSSS DRAFT !!!!!
WHAT DO SIXERS SCOUTS DO ALL YEAR?
WHAT DOES BILLY KING DO ON DRAFT DAY/NIGHT, look for women and drink cocktails?
Great line above about the hockey player King drafted.....hey, Snider loves hockey and Finns, right? Do they even play ball in Finland? What a joke......ESPN says the kid is like a high school guard !!! HA ! And he can't penetrate????? I'm DYING LAUGHING AT KING AND ?HIS COURT of jokers......good luck Jim OBrien in Indiana and Delonte West in Seattle !!!!
Posted by dmarshall | June 28, 2007 10:50 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:50
Doug, do you really like this draft, or are you being sarcastic? I like the big man, but I don't see the need for Young. The sixers need a Big Man to rebound and score from the post. I wanted to trade up to get Horford..... but I "think" that you can start Sammy next to Jason Smith, IF Smith can guard the C straight up... letting Sammy roam a little and block some shots. Time will tell I guess, but I'm not very excited at this point.
Posted by Bill | June 28, 2007 10:51 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:51
Damon - I'm not starting Lou Williams and the other guys...I'm just giving them significant second-half minutes in games where we are down 15 in the second half in the final month of a lost season. More than half of the teams in the NBA tanked games this year, whether it was the Celts, Sonics, Blazers down the stretch, or the Mavs, Pistons, etc. once they secured their playoff spots. You mean to tell me that if the Sixers finished 14-12 instead of 17-9, that Iggy, Korver, and the rest of the young guys would suffer next year from the culture of losing? I doubt it.
This is my last post on the tanking. I'm turning the page to this year.
Posted by Anonymous | June 28, 2007 10:53 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:53
You're right, they did get the defenseman that the Flyers needed.
Okay I'm totaly dumfounded. I have no idea what to say at all.
Looks like Billy King is going to have some "splainin" to do. Other than that, I'm totally without speech.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 10:54 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:54
Moving on...
We took a Finnish point guard, and ESPN's foreign expert who loves all things foreign, has more negative things to say about him than positive.
Then, Fazekas and Big Baby go back-to-back five picks later.
If the Charlotte trade goes down with them getting Richardson, it becomes less likely they re-sign Gerald Wallace. I know Billy King has been high on him before...any chance of a sign-and-trade? He could play some as an undersized power forward.
Posted by Bob | June 28, 2007 10:58 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:58
EFF.... Glenn Davis, a Celtic, there goes the pick I wanted. Now what do they do at 38?
I take it back, I'm worse than just "not excited", now I'm disapointed. I had such high hopes for this draft. I wish I could get these 4 hours of my life back.
I hope Young turns into a flat out scorer, and the big man is a double double. Maybe King knows something everyone else doesn't?!
Posted by Bill | June 28, 2007 10:59 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 22:59
Anybody want to take a shot on the younger Gasol?
Posted by Bob | June 28, 2007 11:00 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:00
Is King tanking the draft?
Posted by Anonymous | June 28, 2007 11:02 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:02
No more Finnish d-man...we just added another 2nd rounder...again not sure why King traded for that third first-rounder in the AI deal if they had no monet to use it.
Starting to wonder if there is a master plan in place here?
Posted by Bob | June 28, 2007 11:03 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:03
Hey Bob What's the mood of the fans at the Wachovia Center?
Posted by Anonymous | June 28, 2007 11:03 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:03
I actually read some very positive things about Fesenko over the past week.
Posted by Bob | June 28, 2007 11:08 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:08
Bob- I agree why get the 3rd First round pick if you had no intention of using it (or more appropriately don't have the money to use it). Well.. I like the "Flier" on the "Big" at this spot. Looks like King went with upside in this draft, and I don't expect this to be a playoff team. Maybe they're hoping to get Hibbert next year!
Posted by Bill | June 28, 2007 11:09 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:09
I think Young is their pick. I'm thinking they have announced the trade by now, much like alot of other teams have.
Young is on ESPN radio now. He sounds like a nice enough kid, but gee whiz what in the name of God were these people thinking. They reached for this kid, big time
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 11:11 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:11
Let's go back a few hours. If this were Thornton, Smith, Fess, would we be happier?
Posted by Bob | June 28, 2007 11:13 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:13
Bob- I don't think I'd be happier if it were Thorton, Smith, Fess. They had 3 picks in the first round, and some pieces they could have moved. I REALLY expected them to move up. Like I said, I wanted Horford. Would you be happier if it want Thorton, Smith, Fess?
Posted by Bill | June 28, 2007 11:18 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:18
It seems that Seattle and Portland had the best night of anyone.
Portland gets Stevie Francis, who contrary to popular opinion, can still play. The get their center for the next decade in Oden. And help to fortify their bench by getting Channing Frye.
Seattle gets two of the top five guys in the draft.
It's amazing what a competent GM can do for a team.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 11:21 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:21
couldnt they have drafted someone like Davis or McRoberts at 30 and traded him for something useful if they couldnt afford a 3rd 1st rounder ?
what a let down this draft was!
Posted by Anonymous | June 28, 2007 11:23 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:23
Bill - I was hoping for Thornton after reading all the mocks in the days leading up to the draft, but I liked Young coming out of HS, so I would probably still be disappointed, I guess. Thornton could contribute right away (maybe Young can, too, but I doubt it), so I think this draft selection pushes us back a year.
I thought Miller, 12 and 21 could have gotten us up to 3 and maybe one of Atlanta's extra forwards.
Posted by Bob | June 28, 2007 11:27 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:27
Well. I'm out. Hopefully this draft is better than it seems right now.
Posted by Bill | June 28, 2007 11:27 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:27
No I wouldn't be happy if they went with Thorton instead of Young.
What Billy King should have done was stop clinging blindly to Andre Miller or any other player he has on the god awful roster.
In my view it seems once the man gets something in his head , it's hard to get it out of there. He needs to start thinking multi-directionally or outside of the box.
Just crazy. If it would have taken Andre Miller to get up into the top five, then he should have done it. Or Iggy or anyone else on that team.
I don't think the man realizes that there is no tomorrow for this team, or his job which he may have lost behind this draft.
Posted by Damon | June 28, 2007 11:29 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:29
Bob- I tend to agree with you. I think this draft pushed us out a year. Maybe the "master plan" was to get a lottery pick next year while the 2007 draft "seasons".
Posted by Bill | June 28, 2007 11:32 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:32
Damon - returning to "tanking" for a minute...what if they "tanked" in another way and dealt Miller at the deadline? He obviously was the main reason for the late-season "turnaround".
Posted by Bob | June 28, 2007 11:32 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:32
Aaron Gray another guy that would have been better to take a chance on than the two Foreign selections at 30 and 38.
UGH!
Posted by Anonymous | June 28, 2007 11:39 PM
Posted on June 28, 2007 23:39
I still can't believe it
Posted by Damon | June 29, 2007 12:30 AM
Posted on June 29, 2007 00:30