Deep Sixer

Oh yeah? Well I have a trade: How 'bout we trade Dean for a roll of duct tape ;-) Just kidding Dean. It's all love.

I actually do have a trade that I've thought about that would net us Gasol without giving up Sammy. It does, however, mean we would have to give up Miller. It goes like this:

Sixers get:
JR Smith
Pau Gasol
Why do the deal: Sixers get low post offense plus some outside shooting to go along with Smith's expiring contract if it does not seem to be a good fit. Could acquire Calderon this summer.
Why not do the deal: This would add approximately $6m in salary per year thru 2010/11 season. You lose a very good player/leader. Lou will be the closest thing to a point guard on this team for the remainder of this season. JR Smith has played some point in Denver, so has Iguodala.

Nuggets get:
Andre Miller
Kevin Ollie
Why do the deal: Nuggets get the player the Karl has dreamed of, plus Ollie's expiring contract. Rid of Nene's contract.
Why not: Losing two bigs. Nene has started to contribute and K-Mart's injury history might leave Denver short bigs with Najera leaving as well.

Memphis gets:
Nene
Eduardo Najera
Rodney Carney
Sixers' protected 1st round pick 2008. Unporotected in 2009.
Denver's 1st round pick 2008
Why do the deal:Two 1st round picks. Najera's expiring contract. Gain about $11m in additional cap space for 2008/09 to acquire FAs this summer. Gain another $6m for two more years after that. Carney could still bloom into something productive
Why not do the deal: Losing 17/8 per night. Would go over 15 player limit.

Ok guys let me have it...

Oh yeah? Well I have a trade: How 'bout we trade Dean for a roll of duct tape ;-) Just kidding Dean. It's all love.

I actually do have a trade that I've thought about that would net us Gasol without giving up Sammy. It does, however, mean we would have to give up Miller. It goes like this:

Sixers get:
JR Smith
Pau Gasol
Why do the deal: Sixers get low post offense plus some outside shooting to go along with Smith's expiring contract if it does not seem to be a good fit. Could acquire Calderon this summer.
Why not do the deal: This would add approximately $6m in salary per year thru 2010/11 season. You lose a very good player/leader. Lou will be the closest thing to a point guard on this team for the remainder of this season. JR Smith has played some point in Denver, so has Iguodala.

Nuggets get:
Andre Miller
Kevin Ollie
Why do the deal: Nuggets get the player the Karl has dreamed of, plus Ollie's expiring contract. Rid of Nene's contract.
Why not: Losing two bigs. Nene has started to contribute and K-Mart's injury history might leave Denver short bigs with Najera leaving as well.

Memphis gets:
Nene
Eduardo Najera
Rodney Carney
Sixers' protected 1st round pick 2008. Unporotected in 2009.
Denver's 1st round pick 2008
Why do the deal:Two 1st round picks. Najera's expiring contract. Gain about $11m in additional cap space for 2008/09 to acquire FAs this summer. Gain another $6m for two more years after that. Carney could still bloom into something productive
Why not do the deal: Losing 17/8 per night. Would go over 15 player limit.

Ok guys, let me have it...

Geezus, The best scenario for the 76ers is to look at themselves first this season and realize that they are not playing good basketball at all. Everybody talks and talks and talks about how the team lacks talent, The team lacks cohesion(if not evident by the frustration of Andre), and the obvious fundamentals of team basketball. Their set plays have looked atrocious, the defense has been abysmal, and let me not get started on the Sixers' inability to pass the ball outside of the passes coming from Andre Miller's hands. Lets be frank, the Sixers have been able to compete and win some games this season mainly due to heart and athleticism.

Now I cant tell what the Sixers should do, but I can tell what I would like them to do. First off, as much as I am not a fan of removing coaches halfway through a season, Maurice Cheeks should be removed from being head coach,

When it comes to trades, then two names come to mind. Andre Miller and Samuel Dalembert. I would first try to move Andre Miller, Kevin Ollie and a first rounder for Luke Ridnour and Chris Wilcox. And if that is successful then I would try to move Samuel Dalembert and Rodney Carney for Paul Gasol and a second rounder. And if neither happens, then a Dalembert, Ollie, and two first rounders to the Rockets for Tracy McGrady might actually raise a few eyebrows down there in Houston.

Geezus, The best scenario for the 76ers is to look at themselves first this season and realize that they are not playing good basketball at all. Everybody talks and talks and talks about how the team lacks talent, The team lacks cohesion(if not evident by the frustration of Andre), and the obvious fundamentals of team basketball. Their set plays have looked atrocious, the defense has been abysmal, and let me not get started on the Sixers' inability to pass the ball outside of the passes coming from Andre Miller's hands. Lets be frank, the Sixers have been able to compete and win some games this season mainly due to heart and athleticism.

Now I cant tell what the Sixers should do, but I can tell what I would like them to do. First off, as much as I am not a fan of removing coaches halfway through a season, Maurice Cheeks should be removed from being head coach,

When it comes to trades, then two names come to mind. Andre Miller and Samuel Dalembert. I would first try to move Andre Miller, Kevin Ollie and a first rounder for Luke Ridnour and Chris Wilcox. And if that is successful then I would try to move Samuel Dalembert and Rodney Carney for Paul Gasol and a second rounder. And if neither happens, then a Dalembert, Ollie, and two first rounders to the Rockets for Tracy McGrady might actually raise a few eyebrows down there in Houston.

Very inventive Craig, but I don't like the idea of giving up three players and a draft pick while MAYBE only retaining Gasol. Calderone would not be a lock to sign either. Too many risks in this trade. We lose out on this trade big time while the other teams get better. I really like Smith though, but is more of the same of what we already have here.

I don't even like Gasol. My trade:

Mike Miller and Memphis's second round pick for the 2009 1st round pick, Carney and Green. Keep Andre Miller and start Thad (yeah we are still on the Thad gravy train). Live with Iggy in the post till next season. Let him post up smaller players with the athletic Thad, a savy A. Miller, a great shooter in Mike and offensive rebounding by Sam and you have a temp. fix for this year with good pieces to build around for next year.

Miller
Miller
Iguadala
Young
Dalembert

Not too shabby to me,not in the east anyway.

Giving away draft picks? Really? Is Billy King whoodoing Stefanski? Cause that's what we've done as an organization for the last 10 years. Ship off draft picks or recent lotto picks for the likes of Tyrone Hill and Toni Kokuc.

You know, if the Sixers were one piece away from contending in the East, then I'd say let's go get Gasol. But as of right now the Sixers are 2 starters, possibly 3 (depending on what happens with Miller), from fielding a solid team. Gasol is aging and always seems to be tending to one ankle injury or another.

As for Dalembert's D, he's NOT a good one on one defender. Which is ok, cause how many times does he really have to play Dwight Howard this year? What he's always been good at is cleaning mistakes off the ball. Until this latest stretch. At best he's the Skeet Ulrich of Theo Ratliffs.

And let's not forget, this year's projected crop looks just as solid as last years, sans the star power of Durant. This pick is so valuable that even a pick 4-7 would be a nice fit. Who wouldn't want Chase Budinger/OJ Mayo coming in here and manning the 2 spot for the next 10 years?

Giving away draft picks? Really? Is Billy King whoodoing Stefanski? Cause that's what we've done as an organization for the last 10 years. Ship off draft picks or recent lotto picks for the likes of Tyrone Hill and Toni Kokuc.

You know, if the Sixers were one piece away from contending in the East, then I'd say let's go get Gasol. But as of right now the Sixers are 2 starters, possibly 3 (depending on what happens with Miller), from fielding a solid team. Gasol is aging and always seems to be tending to one ankle injury or another.

As for Dalembert's D, he's NOT a good one on one defender. Which is ok, cause how many times does he really have to play Dwight Howard this year? What he's always been good at is cleaning mistakes off the ball. Until this latest stretch. At best he's the Skeet Ulrich of Theo Ratliffs.

And let's not forget, this year's projected crop looks just as solid as last years, sans the star power of Durant. This pick is so valuable that even a pick 4-7 would be a nice fit. Who wouldn't want Chase Budinger/OJ Mayo coming in here and manning the 2 spot for the next 10 years?

Hahaaa!! Well would you look at that, Dean finally got some props for his persistence. Anyway, BB that 2009 pick better be protected because we would still be bad next year with that wack team...

You have to find a way to get Pau without giving up Sammy.

Dalembert's flash lacks fundamentals, statistics be damned (hands of stone, brain cramps, no post moves). Iguoturnover should be moved while he has good value (athletic, inconsistent, overrated - not unlike McNabb). Lou is lightning quick but single-minded, is a defensive liability. Andre M. is a good offensive point guard but a matador on defense, at least at this stage. Reggie Evans: heart & crooked aim, a 15 min. man. Willie G. is a scapegoat on this blog for the lousy results of a poorly coached team. Has his flaws but is not as substandard a player as he's made out to be; can be a contibutor in a system that makes sense, in a winning organization. Thad & Jason: promise shown; jury still out (despite the hyperventilators over Thad's recent showings). Kevin Ollie: a pro & good teammate, highly respectable. C'mon, Eddie, pull the trigger again. Time's a wastin'. This IS a motley crew. Korver move was a good beginning.

Do not give up any draft picks, Ed. Keep your picks.

And play the hand you were dealt for the rest of the season, unless someone makes a huge offer for Miller.

And jumpin'johnnygreen, please name what other teams that would start Willie Green. Actually, name the Big 5 teams Willie would start for.

FREE HERB HILL!

Wow, i've stumbled into wacky trade night. There are few people on the team who are untouchable, so its all well and good to talk about trade scenarios. But we certainly have no business giving away draft picks - that's what good teams do to get over the hump. We're not that, unfortunately.

I'd be all for any trade that brings in draft picks. If we could pull off a package that includes miller, dalembert and/or anyone else who gets us good 1st rounders, go for it.

The idea of going after calderon is something i would seriously consider if i were in the driver's seat too.

I'm gonna veer off-topic here for a sec...

For all you Kyle Korver fans out there, here's a fantastic piece on #26 (they're quite pleased with him in Utah, aren't they?):

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_7930043

I love how his high school's team name is "The Dutch". Also, I read up on his brothers a little - if we're gonna draft another Korver, it should be Kaleb (freshman at Creighton), not Klayton (senior at Drake). But let's not...

I just finished watching Korver and the Jazz against the Suns on TNT. He's continuing to struggle offensively, but after only 5 games with the new coaching staff, he looks much, much better than at any point during his time with the Sixers this season. He actually dribbled the ball sometimes, I didn't know he could do that, and he did it more than once! He was able to curl off picks a lot better, but it takes two to tango here, the Jazz were setting excellent picks for him. His passing was actually done in the flow of the offense, unlike here in Philly, where they would pass to him, and if someone was on him, he'd pass it right back, wasting valuable 24-second-clock time.

The Jazz wouldn't just stand around after passing Korver the ball, a teammate would make a great cut right afterwards, and it turns out he can make good passes to cutters. And the reason Korver was able to do all this? Excellent floor spacing. Most importantly, he was great on defense! He didn't get faster or anything, it just seemed like he was playing much, much smarter than he ever did here.

I don't have really strong opinions on who the Sixers should trade, or what they should trade for, but the coaching staff here is killing me, and this team, and something needs to be done about them. Korver becomes a better player after just 5 games with the Jazz. Dalembert becomes more fundamentally sound after playing with the Canadian national team. Iverson and George Karl, 'nuff said. If Andre Miller gets traded, we'll see more of the same.

In Marc's latest podcast, he jokes about how players get better after leaving the Sixers. How about not treating it as a joke? How about treating it as a something to be extremely embarrassed about? How about treating is as a problem that needs to be solved? "It's amazing how much better _____ has gotten since leaving Philly." is a sentence I never, ever want to hear again.

There is one reason and one reason only why the 76ers are doing so miserably this season -- the Curse of Celie.

Mo brought the curse on this team because he has refused to play Herbert Hill. And Hill told Mo the same thing that Celie (Whoopi Goldberg)in the Color Purple told Albert (Danny Glover):

"Until you do right by me, everything you think about gonna fail!"

Heerrrbbeerrtt HHHHiiiilllll, BAAABBBBYYYYYY!

The following is a bit on the speculative side, but I hope it makes for an interesting read anyway: I think Stefansky just made a very, very quiet move to try to get us a power forward (key word: try).

The Albuquerque Thunderbirds, the Sixers' NBDL team, just added F Cory Underwood to their roster. You can go to the D-League section of nba.com to read more about him. He's 28 years old, a 6-10, 240LB PF.

I did some internet digging on this guy, and ran across this piece about him:

http://www.netsdaily.com/blog/?p=257

Which team invited him to a workout with a foreign player? Which team invited him to an informal workout? You got it, the Nets, Mr. Stefansky's former employer. Kind of like Pat Gillick bringing over Jamie Moyer and others from Seattle, right?

And like PF Sean Williams of the Nets, he's had off-court issues, going from school to school when he was younger. Don't know if Stefansky was involved in the Nets taking Williams, but if he was, then isn't getting Underwood a somewhat similar move, taking a chance on a possibly talented guy with a somewhat checkered past? (key word: possibly)

On the other hand, there's probably a reason he's been a journeyman his whole life, and all of the above is just coincidence. But just in case he ends up getting significant playing time for the Sixers in the near future, you heard it here first!

IN REFERENCE TO THE SIXERS, MAURICE CHEEKS IS JUST NOT GETTING IT DONE..THE PLAYERS OBVIOUSLY DONT RESPECT ENOUGH OR ELSE THEY WOULD GIVE 100% EVERY GAME...HE HAD THOSE SAME ISSUES IN PORTLAND..THEY WERE VERY TALENTED, BUT THE PLAYERS DID NOT RESPECT MAURICE AS THEIR COACH..
IN REFERENCE TO ANY TRADES, HONESTLY, THERE IS NOT ONE SINGLE PLAYER OUT THERE THAT WILL MAKE THE SIXERS AUTOMATIC CONTENDERS...THE SIXERS ARE ALREADY BAD...GETTING RID OF DALEMBERT WILL MAKE THEM ATROCIOUS...WORSE THAN THE KNICKS AND AS BAD AS THE TIMBERWOLVES..I WOULD LET MAURICE GO, AND REPLACE HIM WITH A DEFENSE MINDED COACH..PERHAPS CHRIS FORD...SEE WHO DEVELOPS, AND AT THE END OF THE YEAR, MAKE THE NECCESSARY CHANGES AND DRAFTS.....

The only caveat to the trade that Marc didn't explain was that the #1 pick would be in the 2009 draft, not next year's (you need this pick to try and get a legit marksman, e.g. Eric Gordon / OJ Mayo in the draft). In my opinion, you can't lottery-protect the pick because it's the carrot you need to pry Gasol away from Memphis. Sam, Carney / Smith, and a protected #1 isn't enough. The prevailing opinion around the league is that the Sixers will be lottery bound for the next couple of years (which I disagree with), so Memphis would think it's acquiring an add'l top 10 pick.

If the Sixers were to make this move, you'd then have to move Andre Miller (and probably another piece to Denver for Najera's expiring contract, JR Smith, and Steven Hunter) in order to free up the cap space to go get Josh Smith (Brand would no longer be necessary since Gasol is the necessary low-post scoring threat). Smith is clearly the more athletic of the two FA PF options and has a lot more upside potential via age, athleticism, and shooting range. Again (for the umpteenth time), your team would look like (with ages):

F Iggy (23) / Young (19)
F Josh Smith (22) / Evans (27)
C Gasol (27) / Hunter (26)
G Gordon or Mayo (19) / Green (26) (or JR Smith 22)
G Lowry (21) / Lou (21) (or flip-flopped)

That lineup presents a young, talented team, but still clearly with enough veteran leadership to make strides almost immediately.

Marc - thanks for the post. It's much appreciated, and the recognition encourages more participation by fans that care about this team.

Well Dean, I admire your persistance. If they could truly do that deal, it would be a wise move. To modify it a tad, if the top guards in this years draft are gone, couldn't they go for a big guy like Hibbert? Move Gasol to PF, Thad at SF, Iggy to SG, and keep Miller at PG? Wait and see what Miller's value is next year (maybe recoup a 2009 draft pick?) then use the money on a PG when Andre's contract expires. The young, unproven backcourt is what scares me about your scenario, and I don't like Mayo.

For all of you experts waiting for the arrival of Len Bias,I meant Herbert Hill,he just had an MRI,and is out another 5-7 days.I doubt if he even sees the court this year.

Sixerzguy - thats a real interesting tidbit. Whether or not anything comes of that Underwood guy it's just good to know that Ed's using the DL.

I agree with RJ, I don't like Mayo either. He comes across as a "I'm the next LaBron" type that thinks he deserves star treatment, earn it OJ.
As for a coach, Jeff Van Gundy or Scott Skiles would be a good fit here, they're both defensive minded point gaurd oriented coaches who won't hesitate to make line-up changes when necessary. Mo will be the scapegoat for the second time as head coach but it is what it is.

any chance the sixers are talking trade with toronto? i'd like to see them trade andre miller to toronto for rasha nesterovic and joey graham? nesterovic makes $7.8 million/year and is a free agent at the end of the season. graham, 2 years @ $1.6 million. with the emergence of jamario moon, i doubt graham is needed much there. toronto also needs a point guard after losing tj ford. juan dixon just isn't getting it done. jc calderon is but he can walk after the season and might be better suited as a shooting guard. just look at his gaudy shooting percentages.

giving up nesterovic's expiring contract would be hard to swallow for brian collangelo but the raptors are already 11 million under the cap as is. i can't imagine them spending that much this off season. plus how in the world do you convince an nba superstar to play up north (even with the exchange rates so close)?

this deal makes sense, no?

Toronto looked like it needed a point guard after playing them the other night? REALLLLLY? Make Caldaron a shooting guard? Madness.

Flat out the only Miller deal that makes sense for the Sixers is to the Heat for their pick unprotected.

As for OJ Mayo...he can be a lockdown defender and has great range on his jumper. He may have attitude, but anything's better than the sleepy look on Willie Green's gob. Let's get some confident guys in here.

Is he Lebron? No, of course not. But he's got heart and is a really great competitor. I'd have no problem with him here adding shooting, defense and some height to the backcourt.

Between Andre Miller and Willie Green,You have the least athletic,least defensive minded,and most boring backcourt in the NBA.I was so tired of hearing how Miller is such a leader in the locker room,well,if you listen to Lou Williams and Willlie Green,they said that he's the most quietest,and if you did'nt see him,you would'nt know he was there.To be a leader,you not only have to show it on the court,but you have to bark out orders and instructions,which means you have to open your mouth,which Miller seems to have a hard time doing.

I am done reading this blog or whatever it is called. Calling for Gasol is not rebuilding at all this is a guy who is OK for 3 quarters and disappears in the 4th. Yeah with him and Iggy you have 2 Robins and looking for a Batman!!!! This site STINKS!!!!!!!!!!

Grizz fan here. No way in the world we'd want Samuel Dalembert. If anything, I think if Gasol/Lowry was traded to Philly, it would make more sense to send us Memphis connected players Rodney Carney, Thaddeus Young & Louis Williams as well as Reggie Evans, Gordan Giricek, and a top three protected 2008 draft pick.

If you had Pau Gasol, you'd want Samuel Dalmebert to play next to him to protect him. Pau Gasol would be an All-Star in the Eastern Conference. The Grizzlies have money tied into Darko Milicic, so why invest into another big guy who'll prevent us from running Iavoroni's offense?

Marc,

It was written (on philly.com?) that Ed wanted Redd once; now it is being reported in the MIL papers that the Bucks are ready to hold a firesale and want a quick young slasher who plays D ...

So ... why not trade Igs [he wanted 17mill.??]/SD/Green/Evans/Booth for

Redd/Yi/Ivey/Ruffin/Voskuhl/#1

, resulting in, perhaps:

Miller/DJAugustin
Redd/Lou
Yi/Thad
Brand
Jason
___

Your thoughts?

The only 1st rounder I see the sixers willing to move is the one they got from Utah for Korver. We are not in the position to be trading 1st round picks unless an absolute STUD player is available.

I have always been in favor of trading Andre Miller now but please lets not insult his leadership and contributions to this team. Yes Andre Miller is a quiet guy but everything i've read about him from different sources and players said that he is a great stabilizing influence on the team and a true floor general. Although I think it makes sense to trade him now we shouldn't down play his good qualities.

And its very interesting proposal from Dean, but I think it would make alot more sense if the Sixers were a piece away from contention but sadly they are not and I don't think trading away draft picks is the smart thing to do for a team that is fully in the rebuilding mode now.

Lakers get:
--Andre Miller ($9 mill)
--Jason Smith (rookie contract)

Sixers get:
--Kwame Brown ($8 mill)
--Javaris Crittenton (rookie contract)

Why this works:
Lakers get a coveted veteran PG...get rid of Kwame Brown to open up minutes for Bynum, Odom and Turiaf...get a young big man in return with upside.

Sixers let Kwame Brown go, have $8 million come off the cap, combine that with Giricek and others we'd over $13-14 million a year to offer someone in free agency...get a young, immensely talented PG that can both score and pass for the future...allows us to pursue a caliber name like Elton Brand or Emeka Okafor.

We all apologize for upsetting you, Shawn... though you probably need to find some way to relax. It's friday, after all... I'd consider kicking back with a steak and a few beers if I were you. It'll reduce your stress a bit.

Why the hell would you give up a first round pick for Pau Gasol? He is weak defensively and at times lacks emotion and agressiveness. He is not the star I would want this team building around. Keep Sammy and his terrible contract unless youu can move him for a cheaper shot blocker and rebounder and an expiring contract. Keep the defense and get the offense through FA and the draft. Offensive players come a dime a dozen and Gasol isn't even one of the best. That sounds like a Billy King deal - bring in a guy that will likely begin to decline as soon as he steps foot in the Wachovia arena.

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Why Steriods are keeping me (and you) up at night:
http://reclinergm.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/why-steroids-are-keeping-me-and-you-up-at-night/