Deep Sixer

I like that 87-49 fourth quarter stat. Holding teams to about a 12 point average...wow. True, with the exception of an injured Dallas team these have been the guys we were supposed to beat, but closing out games in a cold-blooded fashion like we've been doing is something that every great team does, and something that our team wouldn't learn to do if we were tanking.

Nothing is close to guaranteed in the draft. As has been said, if we make the playoffs as a 7/8 seed we become a much more attractive free agent destination, then maybe we won't have to outbid everyone for players and wont't get tied down by cap-killing monster deals.

Loved Evans and Youngs defense against the biggest 4 in the league. The bench is starting to take shape and I love the personality this team is starting to show. I apologize Reggie, I DON!T WANT TO SEE YOU TRADED. Cheeks!s yanking of Carney after a rushed 3 was beautiful, the lesson continues.Thought we wouldn!t see this much improvement defensively so fast; has Mo been talking to Larry.To play the way we are for a full season we are going to need a deep bench.

Since I haven't said this so far this year, I'll say it now. Good job, Sixers.

What I liked most about this game was that the Sixers all seem to have bought into the defensive philosophy of switching on picks. As a result, Dallas was left with few open 3's (or open jump shots of any sort) in the second half. In the Sixers' decisive 4th-quarter run, the Mavs were often left with contested long jump shots with time running out on the shot clock (and the Mavs had only 5 points in the quarter up until garbage time). And, were my eyes deceiving me or was Andre Miller giving Dirk all he could handle defending him in the post? (Dirk played a super-soft game, even for him.) Overall, it was the best defense I can remember the Sixers playing since maybe 02-03 (Larry Brown's last year as coach), and probably more reminiscent of an 00-01 game. The only negative was Iguodala's continue poor free throw shooting (an Evans-like 14-30 over the last five).

Call me crazy, but I think the Sixers are capable of making it all the way to the 6th seed if they maintain this core through the trade deadline and avoid major injuries. They match up extremely well with the Cavs and could win a first-round series against them. And believe it or not, I don't think the Sixers would get swept against either the Pistons (two close games so far) or the Celtics (two close games blown open in the 4th). I say this not just because of the recent win streak but because they've shown flashes all year (led in the 4th quarter in San Antonio, took the Magic and Jazz down to the wire, road wins in Cleveland and Houston). The only team that's really manhandled them is the Lakers. Evidence of that is that the Sixers' PPG differential is only -0.9, the 6th best in the East. So count me among those who want the Sixers to do as well as possible this year, with this group of players.

I love the combo of Thad and Reggie at the 4, and also Reggie used as the C when teams go small against the Sixers. He's a totally different player off the bench. Willie Green also had a nice outing tonight; knocked down most of his open jumpers. That's what we're looking for. Again, I thought Mo did a great job concentrating on throwing 2 and 3 guys at Dirk all night long. He also had the Sixers running no matter what, understanding that Dallas was both short-handed and playing its 2nd game in as many nights. Well done Sixers!!

I said this in the last blog, but I wanted to throw it out there again since many probably didn't see it. Mike Miller is clearly on the block, as Memphis is having a fire sale. Would you make the following trade:

Sixers Receive:

Mike Miller
Kyle Lowry

Memphis Receives:

Willie Green
Kevin Ollie
Jason Smith
2009 1st round pick

Financially, the deal works. Would you do it if you were the Sixers? Miller solves the outside shooting problem immediately. A starting 5 of Miller, Iggy, Miller, Thad, and Sam still with Reggie, Lou, and Carney as your first 3 off the bench. Plus, you get a free look at a potential PG of the future in Lowry. Memphis gets back $3.5M in salary relief at the end of the season (Ollie expires), a young 7'0 PF / C in Jason Smith, a scorer in Green, and a 2009 #1. Would you do it if you were Memphis?

Thoughts.

You know what, I like this team. There are a lot of holes and not much for bargaining chips, but I'm proud to be a sixer fan. Look at the teams that tanked last year: Milwaukee, Memphis, Seattle, Boston(in three years). Then look at the teams that regularly visit the top 5 in the lottery. Is that what you guys who advocate tanking really want? To be one of those teams? I'd take these sixer's over those teams any day. Let's go for the playoffs baby!

Sort of new here but I like the trade Statman pickup a pf in free agency and draft the best player available and you have 10 good players to start next year with

I also enjoy watcing the Sixers play and, wish we cold cancel the all star break so the sixers do not have a chance to cool down

I think you keep miller another1/2 year and use his expiring contract to pick up what you feel you wil need for 2009-2010

Lets hope sixers good play continues through to March 10th when they face a pretty brutal schedule

Dean -- I love the Memphis trade from the Sixers' standpoint but don't see how Memphis could do it without getting any of the Sixers' top 7 guys. Then again, they traded Gasol without getting any of the Lakers' top 9 guys, so who knows. The only drawback from the Sixers' standpoint would be that it would leave the Sixers thin up front (a Thad sprained ankle away from major minutes for the dreaded Evans-Booth combo, combined range 3 feet).

Tonight I am proud to be a sixers fan. This young team seems to finally have turned the corner. This game is further proof that this team should be in the playoffs the playoff seeds 6,7, and 8 are wide open and the way the sixers are playing I don't see why they can't make the playoffs and do some damage. Dean I love the trade with memphis if the sixers can keep Jason Smith and throw in Herbert Hill and/or Slav R. A player to look at in the free market is Emeka Okafor he is everything we need in a PowerForward and would be a perfect addition to this team. Also I would keep Andre Miller until his contract expires tonight he proved why he is so important to this team.

Marc,

Interesting fourth quarter stat. Would love to know the differential on bench scoring during this streak.

It seems like whenever I look at the box scores lately the +/- is huge for the Sixers bench, with Williams, Carney, and Evans often in double figures.

Since +/- in the box scores is calculated on a per minute basis, was wondering what the absolute magnitude of the difference was.

Andre Miller is tearing it up right now. Is he officially off the trade table now or if you are Stefanski and you get a great deal next week, do you still move him?

I'm still thinking that a great deal would be a large expiring contract, a young prospect and a 2008 no. 1 pick?

Thoughts?

This is the first time I have ever seen a philadelphia team do the right thing when it comes to trading a player, not to say that Miller will not be traded later.

Dean,

Didn't you mention before (apologies if it wasn't you) not giving up on a player so early (Jason Smith)? When we finally have to pay him, I don't think he'd cost so much. Give the kid some time. Great insurance against an injury to Reggie or Sammy. When we get Elton Brand, then we can let Jason go.

Also, I know you'd been advocating trading Andre Miller for some time, but also want to keep Cheeks. Don't you think, if the Sixers do trade Miller and get worse, it'd give ES what he needs to let go of Mo? I'm curious, how are you digesting the Sixers doing well?

Anyway, I'm starting to come around on him. What's with all the Reggie and Thad crap on this post today? It was the Sammy and Reggie combo that was out there the most in the 2nd half and just anchored the defense (WAKE UP PEOPLE! PEPSI MAX!). Dallas was playing big, and Mo tried to go small, but it wasn't doing anything and he realized it quick - great, great move. Mo Cheeks, the Chessmaster, who would've thunk it?

Other notes:

Carney blew, hated to see that regression, don't be such a little girl like Mark Cuban.

Thad can't play defense, very worrying.

Jason Smith gave us a glimpse of his scoring abilities with that little Barkley-like hop-jump shot (drooled a little).

Iggy plays too much like he's a go-to guy but he's SO not.

We are simply DISPATCHING teams right now.

Another veteran would help this team a lot, but he's gotta fit in with this team, i.e., no headcases (like Josh Smith?)

Mark Cuban is totally nuts and was sitting in the front row last night behind Dallas's bench. It's not out of the realm of possibility that he blows the Sixers out of the water with an offer that somehow includes Devin Harris, Devean George, and the expiring contract of Eddie Jones. The Sixers might have to throw something else in the deal like a draft pick of a Jason Smith / Rodney Carney type.

Wasn't me Sixerzguy re: giving up on players too early. I was the one banging the drum after Carney's awesome summer league to move him and a late #1 pick to Memphis for Lowry. To me, young guys with potential can be used in a variety of ways, including as bargaining chips in big-time trades.

In terms of the Sixers doing well, I think it's awesome!! No matter what I say on this board about how I would run the team, I'm a fan first and foremost. I was down there last night, and you waited for Dallas to get back in the game, but it didn't happen because of the Sixers' D. I'd like to see the Sixers move Miller for the long-term success of the team, but if they don't and they do well, I'm all for that just as well. Go Sixers!!

Just don!t know if an N.B.A. team can play this way for 48 minutes and a whole season. Need a 10 man rotation. Westbrook of U.C.L.A. would be a perfect point to lead the pressure defense.Is this what E.S. is looking for and can teams adjust and take advantage, not sure about Mo and how he adjusts.

Dean, the trade sounds decent. I'd be weary of trading away Jason Smith so early, but the prospects of a frontcourt presence like Miller might be worth it. What kind of Cap hit would Miller Present if done (I dodn't check the salary as of yet.)

Excellent game tonight, one of those games that may grab the city's attention and lead them to see that the Sixers may actually have something here. I'm fully behind a playoff push this season.

Oh, by the way, KEEP MOE!

Good thing the sixers didn't sign that loser shaggy williams. No way that team could have gone on a 4 game win streak with an ugly ham & egger like him. I've never seen an uglier player in my life…on the court and in the mirror!

Dean- Not so sure about the Memphis trade only because I really like J. Smith. Plus throwing in a 1st round pick! If Memphis is really having a fire sale they might be happy with just the pick and maybe Shav (another expiring contract).

Mike Miller has 3 years left on his deal at $8.5 per season. By giving up W. Green, you take on an add'l $5M in cap space after this season (due to the fact that Ollie would not be re-signed). Miller is definitely the outside threat that everyone (including myself) has been clamoring for. Then, if you trade Andre Miller in the off-season, you're still $15M under the cap which would allow a run at Brand or Josh Smith. If you don't trade Andre Miller, you try to address the low-post issue through the draft or a trade.

I'd rather keep the cap space. Mike Miller, while an excellent shooter, is yet another SF. So we'd essentially trade cap space and a big man for a guy at a position we already have a logjam. I'd rather find our shooter in a PG or SG. Also, does he play D?
/Morty

I'd definitely think about it, but I also agree with Morty, seems like we would be creating a logjam at the wing position. dow e know for certain that Thad can play PF and Iggy can play SG? Also, if Thad plays PF, does he go to the bench when/if we sign Brand or another low post threat?

Iguodala doesn't seem to have the handle to consistently get to the tin off the dribble, but he looks solid with his fadeaways and mid range jump shots off the dribble. He creates enough space and gets a high release, and I'd like to see him work that talent a little more.

Dean, I'm hesitant to give up Smith so early. He's got a lot of potential. I don't know that Memphis would do it. Taking Green's contract would probably give them pause.

The more I think about it, I wouldn't do it! I like Smith a lot and it would eat up a big chunk of the cap space Ed wants so much.

Never been a fan of Mike Miller, and we certainly don't need another 3 man. Kyle Lowery will be a marginal NBA player at best.

Thumbs down.

dean, why don't we trade a big guy with potential for another small forward who doesn't play d. and while we're at it lets add another small forward in the draft.

and the first round pick? i hope you meant utah's otherwise i'd think your a 10 year old or not serious

Unless we are in love with Mike Miller (anyone?) this trade is a no go for me. There seems to a be a consensus that we need a PG and PF, Mike Miller is neither. Plus, our cap space would shrink dramatically. If my math is correct, 10 mil in cap space minus the 3.5 of Ollie (we are paying 3.5 mil to Ollie??!!!) and then taking on an additional 5 mil in Miller wipes us out. Of course, math never was my strong suit so someone may want to double check that.
/Morty

nutz:

I don't think he's ten years old, just someone I really want to sell a bridge to.
/Morty

By the way, I want to come back in my next life as Kevin Ollie. 3.5 mil? Wow...
/Morty
Morty and Moishe Recommend...

The Sixers are no longer sellers. Instead of looking for a place to dump Miller, the young Sixers' relentless hustle has forced ES to become a buyer at the trade deadline. Ironically, what they need is a shooter. How about Giricek to Utah and a no. 1 pick for Kyle Korver? Oh, and I like the Memphis trade floating on the board, but can we also trade "Dean" to the Memphis blog?

OK double checked my own math, and the trade basically would take us back to where we were before the Korver deal.
Eh...
/morty

phillywilly:

If you trade dean to the Memphis board, no free agents posters will come here for the NEXT TEN YEARS. It's board suicide to treat dean like that. So don't even dream.
/Morty

I'm sure most of you guys saw the interview with Ed Stefanski yesterday. Where he said he didn't realize how good Andre Miller really is and how he is the glue of the team. Do you think he really won't deal Miller or do you think he just trying to drive up the price? I think he's trying to drive up the price, maybe trying to get 2 first round picks from the team that wants him. He knows any team that wants him is a contender so the pick will be mid to late 20's so individually they won't be as valuable.

Side note:
I still think a 3 team deal with Cleveland and another team like Golden St. would work. Something like:

Cle gets:
Miller (Phi)
Booth

G.S. gets:
Gooden (Cle)
Green (Phi)

Phi gets:
Newble (Cle)
Wright (GS)
O'Bryant
1st round picks from both

Cleveland gets their PG.
G.S. gets better while only giving up back-ups that don't even get 10 min/gm.
Philly gets 2 expiring contracts (Newble,O'Bryant), a young PF in Wright, a 7-footer in O'Bryant if they decide to keep him, and two first round picks.

Just an idea.

Go sixers, playing really good.. They have impressed me over this past week. Hopefully they keep it up and can get some people at the games.

Nutz - The 1st round pick would either be the Sixers' in 2009 or the Utah pick just acquired, but that probably won't cut it. I'd say the Sixers pick in 2009, which won't be a lottery pick anyway if you get Mike Miller on this team. Don't forget, you still have $6M in cap space AFTER the deal before trading Andre Miller (if that happens). If you trade Miller, you'd have $15M under the cap still, which would allow you to make a major run at Brand or Josh Smith. PG would be addressed through the draft (and Lou would be given the shot in the meantime). SG would obviously be taken care of at this point since Iggy would be the full-time 2 and Miller would be the full-time 3.

For those who say that there would be a logjam at the 3 position, I disagree. You basically have 6 1/2 players taking minutes at the 2, 3, 4, and 5 positions (Iggy, Miller, Thad, Free Agent PF, Reggie, Sam, Lou at SG for 10-15 mpg). That's 192 minutes a night dispersed among 6.5 players. To me, there doesn't seem to be a logjam at all, especially since there will be nights when Reggie plays only 15 or so, Sam gets in foul trouble, Lou plays mostly PG, etc.

Morty - After looking at your website, it's pretty clear that math, and for that matter, nothing else is your strongsuit.

Although I don't think I would do the deal, it does not take all of our cap space. We have to add the $4.8m we would have paid Green and Smith, then subtract that from what we would pay Miller. So the net would be $4.2 from our cap space.

NO MORE DRAFT PICKS!

If we trade Andre Miller for draft picks like all of you experts are calling for, we'll be looking for a PG for years to come or developing a young PG all of whom shoot first and don't know how to run a pro team.

Unless you want to be a bubble team for years, we need a mix of young guys and established NBA players, NOT MORE DRAFT PICKS!

Keep Andre Miller unless bowled over; keep Mo Cheeks for 3 more years; add the best quality player you can get regardless of position that is less than 30 years old; be a 6-8 seed playoff team 2009; add another piece end of 2009, compete for an Eastern Championship in 2010.

No more draft picks! Thats just stupid! You don't have to use every pick they can used in a trade for the player you want! Besides, I've been saying for some time now, they should go after Jose Calderon in the off season. He would be a great PG for this team.

Basically, you're trading away Wille, Jason Smith, and 2009 #1 for Mike Miller and Kyle Lowry. The cap situation reverts to what it was before the Korver trade. Is the 2009 #1 pick going to be a difference maker? Probably not a lottery pick. From this board, it doesn't seem like a lot of people really care if Willie is here or not (to me, I think he adds some value, but you have to give something to get something). So, assuming Lowry turns into an equal player as that mid-late first rd. 2009 pick, would you trade Jason Smith and $4M of cap space for a deadeye shooter / scorer like Mike Miller?

If it were me, I'd probably pull the trigger on that.

Again, I will say, and what I thought last year when he arrived, Andre Miller was the best thing to happen to the 6ers in a long time. If is was home, I would be attending games, and letting the 6ers know I care, Win or Lose!! I applaud the 6ers grit!!
Great job Mo & staff, and I am looking forward to seeing us in the playoffs when I finally get the opportunity to see 6ers play.
GO 6ERS!!!!!!!!!!!

AGREED John and Joe Doc.

Granted Diggler was injured, but Thad and Reggie did a great job making his life on the perimeter hell. Loved watching it. And that rebound by Evans on Howard was lovely. I think Evans has finally realized his value on this team. Energy, defense, throwing his weight around on opposing stud players. He's a goon. But he's our goon.

About Dala...why are people so hung up on having a "star"? We had one. He wouldn't share. And as we all know sharing = caring. Give me a team full of Dala's as opposed to a star player and I'll be happy. The guy is 24 and still getting better. 24! He's hit some game winners in the last year and a half and come up with numerous huge plays. Quit it with the Iguodala isn't a go to guy nonsense already.

I'm with you, John. Of course, MY endorsement probably weakens your argument.

Good job BK. Your team looks good!

Im going to say something sacreligious here, but its the truth - willie green has been more consistent on offense lately. My impression is there's no longer as much pressure on him to score with guys like thaddeus starting to put up decent points, so the shots hes been taking havent been as outlandishly hard as we're used to seeing. And he's at least putting in an effort on D - trying to take charges, etc. If he keeps it up we may find he's worth something on the market...or if he really keeps it up we may want to keep him around. Maybe just a function of playing a few bad/worn out teams in a row, but i've got my eyes open, anyway.

I think somebody raised this point yesterday - if we see a deal made before the deadline, im thinking its most likely going to be an attempt to clear out some of the mid to low level dead space (ie, guys other than miller that we dont see as long term contributors). The reason i bring up Willie is, if we're serious about going after a prime shooting gaurd, he's a prime candidate to go - unless you see lou as a long term point guard, in which case we may need to keep Willie as a backup. If we're targeting bigs, maybe its people like Shavlik or Herb or even JSmith...Not that you'd get much back, but more of just a move to dump dead weight. Point is, the next move (or lack thereof) will tell us a lot about what the real focus in the offseason is.

Theo - I agree wholeheartedly. You know what makes Iggy on the cusp of being an all-star in this league. He gets his teammates involved. I go to pretty much every game, and it's the same story night in and night out. He doesn't need the ball constantly; he realizes the best thing for this team is if Andre Miller gets off to a good start, Sam gets off to a good start, Willie hits some early shots, etc.

Then, in the middle of the 3rd qtr, Iguodala starts asserting himself. While he still has some bad turnovers and clearly needs to become more consistent at the line, he's 24 years old!! He's got the maturity of an 8 yr veteran. I love him as the leader of this team.

"why are people so hung up on having a "star"? We had one. He wouldn't share. "

Theo, like or not, that star got us to the Finals.

Not hating on Iguodala. Have been a huge fan since his first season under O'Brien.

But this roster still needs another baller if it wants to get to the next level.

The Sixers have finally forged an identity, and it wouldn’t have happened if ES hadn’t traded away Korver. I really, really wish Mo had figured out how to use Korver better, but the team right now is much better than the team that had Korver on it. I don’t know if ES figured this out, that Mo would be a better fit for a team of really athletic young guys led by a veteran point guard, or if he just stumbled into it through sheer dumb luck. But to me, what’s happened to Mo and the team is more important than the cap space the Korver trade gave us (not that I wanna give it up or anything nuts like that).

With that in mind, let me propose the following trade: we get Ron Artest.

I don’t know if anyone else is seeing it, but opponents just look like they don’t wanna go against us. When we’ve been beating down teams recently, the other teams’ dejected body language seems to be saying, “Basketball isn’t supposed to be this hard…” So let’s make it harder. Let’s make teams hate playing us more, while at the same time, gearing up for a Boston or Detroit matchup. Let’s get Ron-Ron for Carney, Ollie, that Utah 1st-rounder and Calvin Booth. With Artest’s combustability, there’s definitely a risk involved, and he can opt out of his contract. But at the very worst, we just rent him for this year, for a small price, to see if we can take down the big guys here in the East.

Wouldn’t the trio of Reggie/Artest/Iggy just completely shut down opponents? Do you think the Big 3 in Boston would wanna face our trio (Reggie-Garnett, Artest-Pierce, Iggy-Ray Allen)?

btw, Dean - its an interesting proposal, but as others have pointed out it may jam us up in the wings again. Interesting, though, i wouldn't say that i hate it.

Can we please put a ban on any trade proposals that involve a team 10 games below .500 or worse? For real. Why would anyone want the "star" on 13-37 team??? You probably wanted Jerry Stackhouse back after he scored 29 ppg for a 32-50 Detroit team (24 FGAs per game!) Guys like that don't elevate their team, just their own numbers.

To poster statman:"Call me crazy, but I think the Sixers are capable of making it all the way to the 6th seed if they maintain this core through the trade deadline and avoid major injuries."

I didn't call you crazy but you are not thinking logically if you believe the Sixers are capable of being a sixth seed and upsetting the Cavaliers."Fools Golds" is what that's called.

Did you look at the Sixers schedule for the month of March? Brutal!
They showed flashes last year also and still didn't make the playoffs.Andre Miller is playing great ball but his track record isn't to great when it comes to the playoffs.

The Sixers will be pressed to match last year's record.If they do luck up and slip into the eight spot,they are going to get smacked back to reality by the Celtics.

Sixerzguy -

That's a intersting idea. The thing about Artest it that he gets you 18 or 19 / game also. So, you'd start Miller, Iggy, Artest, Thad, Sam...with Reggie, Lou, and Willie as the first 3 off the bench.

I'll tell you what, I don't think Sac would do the deal as you proposed because they're not getting enough back. However, if you sweetened the pot a bit, would you be willing do do this deal?

Sixers Receive:

Ron Artest
Beno Udrich

King Receive:

2009 1st Round Pick (Sixers own)
Utah 1st Round Pick
Jason Smith
Kevin Ollie
Rodney Carney

Artest is a good player, but I would not take him. He again asked for time off because he was TIRED. Who isn't tired right now? But, hey, at least he asked, right?

I said in a previous post today that I would hesitate trading Jason Smith, but I might do it to acquire Chris Wilcox who is throwing up double doubles right now. AND he's only 25. I'd send Ollie, Amundson, Shav (all expiring) Smith and possibly a 2009 pick. This would eat into our cap space, but we would have a formidable line up for a while and also address a major need with a very good player. We would still have about $5m-6m in space after the cap holds.

Tormented:

I wouldn't call it an absolute rule, but you're not far off. I think the rule applies when you want the "star" on a losing team to be the "star" and uplift your own losing team. That's not likely to work. But what LA did with Gasol, for example, is a pretty good move. Or even Iverson to Denver. Now, those moves still need to play out to judge their longterm value, but they have the right idea.

KM:

Willy has some value and is playing better recently, I agree. I really would like to see him come off the bench for 20 minutes max, instead of starting with 20 minutes minimum. His future role on this team, if we are successful is instant offense off the bench. So why not put him there right now, it's worked w/ Evans.
/Morty

Deano:

Your little jibe doesn't make much sense, but then again, neither does your comprehension of the NBA salary cap.
/Morty

Who would you start over Willie? Rodney Carney? He had one good game and one ok game THE ENTIRE SEASON. His jump shot is worse than Green's. Lou Williams can't start because you'd get killed defensively with him, Miller, and Thad on the floor to start each half.

At the end of the day, Willie Green, while a below average outside shooter, drives the ball to the hole, can post up a bit, plays some D, and shoots 80% from the line. Plus, he understands his role, which is to provide offense at the beginning of each half. For now (until we upgrade the position outside of the current roster), there really is no other option.

At this point, I'd love to fit sweet lou into that starting role, especially if they're not going to shift iggy over to the 2 and thad to the three.

Does any of this even matter if they have offensive and defensive lineups?

I thought the point of this year was to develop the young guys, and lose games for the draft? You have changed your tune on Evans off the bench, you would change your tune on this as well. By the way, still waiting for that apology...
/morty

Morty - wrt "the rule applies when you want the "star" on a losing team to be the "star" and uplift your own losing team"

Absolutely valid. Said "star" needs to be willing to accept a lesser role. Unfortunately that is rare in today's NBA. Doesn't work well for two teams w/ losing records. If you don't have a designated, accepted, respected star already on a winning team, its bound to be a chemistry-killer.

Im really not so concerned about whether green or carney starts, but i would like to see them get about equal time. I dont think starting Carney would be the worst thing (if the goal is still to rack up lottery balls - or that's not your thing anymore, dean?). This is the time when you try things, as far as im concerned. by next year(or maybe sooner), assuming we get an upgrade at two, we'll have to make a decision on whether to keep one or the other, so i'd like to see as much of both as possible.

Tormented:

Agreed. Ideally, you either want to get add a Gasol-type to your team that already has established roles, or you want a Garnett type where you have a legit star on a formerly winning team. Was it you who brought up Abdur-Rahim previously in regards to this point?
/morty

Not sure what team Dean is watching if he thinks Willie Green plays defense.

Carney actually does play defense, is the team's top athlete, and was a very solid outside shooter in college. He's all upside. Green is decent, but he's not going to get any better. I'll take strong defense and upside anyday. Carney doesn't need to start with Iggy at the 2 and Thad at the 4.

This team is so young, if the team does go after a 4 who can command a double-team, I'm thinking it needs to be a veteran. Maybe spend the draft pick on a point or center to groom instead of a 4. But this team could really use a veteran presence on the block.

KM:

I want to see the young guys get at least 20 minutes a night minimum. If they win they win, and thats good. But if they lose, well that's not bad either. I just hate to see Miller playing 44 minutes (although he is being showcased so I'll excuse), Green 26-30, and Carney only 9. I don't care if he's not playing as good as Green, we need to know if Carney can contribute to this team in the future given consistent minutes.
/Morty

Whoops, meant Thad at the 3.