Deep Sixer

Erick Dampier is no Elton Brand, but he's a savvy veteran with some offensive skills and good hands - look what he's done paired up with Jason Kidd, another smart veteran.

With Iggy and his extremely high basketball smarts for a young guy, this is totally possible in the future - just give him some higher basketball IQ, more offensively talented frontcourt guys, and they would just kill out there. More assists per game for Iggy, better shooting percentages, I really hope Ed doesn't let us down here.

If we get Elton Brand, we'd be an elite team, him and Iggy together would just raise each others' games to another level. The more I watch Pau Gasol with the Lakers, the more I think he could've been that guy, too.

We know Iggy is not a franchise-max player but even for those players who are dont play as hard as him every night. Not to mention that he's always healthy; you can look at his body and look at the work he's put in..he's not always injured throughout the season like some his more talented swingman countparts. McGrady comes to mind as someone clearly more talented than Iggy but seemingly resting on his talent alone to carry him. Iggy's put in the work to make himself a better player and it shows night in and night out.

Iggy is a Scottie Pippen clone, if I ever saw one. Except he has no one like Jordan to play next to. (And AI was no Jordan - it took AI to leave for us to see what AI Jr could do)

Every game - he gives you a couple of things - either scroing, boards, and/or assists. AND he always plays tough defense and hustles.

And he should be what? A senior in college?

Iguodala is not a max-contract guy - since he does not score 20-30 on a daily basis - but he is the closest thing to a guy we can build around. He is still so young that his future is so very bright. Hopefully, that will be here.

If we get rid of AIG, someone we drafted high, put a tremendous amount of work in to, how will the other players feel? Like they are on a merry-go-round (?). Only an idiot would get rid of AIG and while I don't know ES, I don't think he is that big of an idiot. By the way, lets give some props to who put this team together: Billy King, now sitting in a NBATV Studio. I could go on about that. This guy (Billy King) masterminds (okay, I'm using that word a little looser than it should be) the three tiered plan to get rid of Iverson and Webber, orchestrate the draft, and then go to the real work in free agency of 09.....and Ed Snider gets rid of him? How about loyalty for you. I know this is a business, but there was no reason to get rid of BK at that moment, and if you were going to get rid of him, why let him draft (althought it turned out to be a decent draft). So, with that in mind, AIG, your probability numbers that the Sixers will do the right thing, aren't as high as they should be.

That being said, KEEP Mo Cheeks. He is awesome, I enjoy watching the Sixers every night. We all need to get out and attend more games, give our team some more confidence at home. Sixers will be #7 seed. If we can sneek up to #6 and face Orlando, we might have a shot at seeing the 2nd round.

Its certainly been fun (albeit sometimes frustrating) to watch. Keep it up Sixers!!!!

I've made my feelings on Iguodala known. He's the cornerstone of this franchise and needs to be re-signed. He's a leader, respected by his teammates, and happens to be the best player on the team hands down. He's worth at least what they offered him last year, if not more.

I'm with you also Sixerzguy...Elton Brand needs to be here - he should be the team's primary focus in the offseason. Unfortunately, due to the lack of activity at the trade deadline, the Sixers will not have enough $$ to get Elton in free agency. In terms of a sign and trade, the Sixers also don't have enough parts to entice the Clippers in a deal. A 3-way deal is pretty unlikely due to all the moving variables that need to match up perfectly. No Josh Smith either - same reason. As I stated before, Sam Dalembert is not getting Josh Smith no matter how much Billy Knight liked him 3 years ago. He's a offensively-challenged C with a brutal contract in terms of both $$ and length. Plus, the Hawks have no need for Andre Miller anymore since they acquired Mike Bibby at the trade deadline.

So, here's to hoping that Ed can take his head out of his ass and make a deal to bring in the PG of the future, a low-post threat, and a legit outside threat at the 3 spot. Whatever's not addressed through free agency or a trade can hopefully be addressed in the draft, though my confidence is about zero in this GM right about now.

AIG-

Ed Snider would have kept BK. He was overruled by Peter Luuko, who convinced the Comcast brass that King needed to go and Stefanski was the guy. Comcast, being the bottom-line scumbags that they are and not giving a damn about the success of the team other than for filling their wallets, saw the empty seats / decreased revenues and let Luuko make the move. It had nothing to do with BK's progress in the 3-year plan. If you're not convinced, ask yourself what professional sports team IN HISTORY has allowed a guy that has never played and been basically a glorified scout for a whole 7 years in the league run the entire operation based on his knowledge of the game. Please...they gave the reigns to Stefanski to drive revenues because of his business background and his being a Philly guy. If you've ever listened to him, he constantly reminds you of it in every interview. "Come to the games...the Philly guy is running the show now." That's not to say that he doesn't know basketball, but a guy with his qualifications to run the entire basketball operation? Please - it's a total joke. I'm no huge backer of BK (and think he did an ok job at best when here), but he got screwed big-time in this deal.

As stated in an earlier blog, Iggy is a 10-12 million dollar NBA player. He'll be getting more than that for next year. No problems with his production. Just seems like he is what he is. Don't want to lose him. He should be a piece of the puzzle but we need a main man for Iggy to work with.

I've said it before and I'm gonna say it again...Sixers fans are very ungrateful. There should be no complaints of Iguodala or anyone else on the team (maybe except Dalembert). All Sixers fans should be happy as all hell...Remember it wasnt even a full year since they traded Iverson and now the team is in the playoff mix..so what if the East is wack, I dont care if they beat my moms and her sister...a win is a win...again, this team WAS NOT PICKED TO DO ANYTHING THIS SEASON...and all you people can do is nitpick....PATHETIC...I live in NYC and trust me....those Knicks fans would love to have a team like Philly. I was at the Knicks home game and couldnt even brag about the butt whipping Sixers were giving because the Knicks fans around were raving about how the Sixers play....and for the record, most outside of Philly that watch Lou Williams think he can be pg of the future....but I guess Philly fans no better.....PATHETIC....

Iggy = clarence whitherspoon, not great, but not bad either! Why haven't the sixers pick up any players off waivers?

Dbrad- get down off that high horse of yours and SHUT UP! I'm tired of hearing you talk about how Philly fans are pathetic. What's pathetic is your acceptance of mediocrity!
"now the team is in the playoff mix..so what if the East is wack, I dont care if they beat my moms and her sister...a win is a win."
You might be OK with just making the playoffs but I WANT A CHAMPIONSHIP! I don't want a second place team, that just means you are the first loser! This team is clearly not winning a championship this year. So pointing out that Sammy is horrible and that Green isn't really a starting SG but would look great off the bench isn't exactly out of line.

And nobody was complaining about Iggy's talent. Many of us just don't think he is worth #1 player money. He is a good player just not "The Man"!

Elton Brand is damage goods. Too many operations.
I would like to see Antwan Jamison on this team. This is a young team. Why would Elton Brand want to player here? plus he would be to slow for Sixers run and gun style.

First of all, i was just watching the nuggets and there was the piece about how they all do community service, and im sorry, but the line "and allen iverson enjoyed teaching basketball fundamentals at a camp this summer..."?!? i definitely had a little chuckle. I love AI, but basketball fundamentals? What are you talkin' bout, practice?

And Marc, this was a timely post. I just couldn't understand all the anti-Andre mess. At times i do get sick of his paying more attention to the refs than the game, but you cant argue with the man's game. Even the jump shot and handle have been better of late. Last night, it even looked like he thaddeus were getting comfortable playing together on defense. that could be a nasty combo for years to come....

And although BK deserves credit for making a few good drafts, he was woeful at managing a salary cap and far to cozy with "his" players. it was about time that someone was convinced he had to go.

igoudala had one good game and all of a sudden he's the cornerstone. the 6ers would not have had a chance if a. miller hadn't been on the floor giving the same effort he gives every night. he is a piece to a puzzle not a keystone. he takes off too many nights on the offensive end. when his j is working he looks fine, but when its not he tends to be less aggressive driving to the basket.

Thank you Joe Doc!

DBrad, In the Knicks current state, they would take anything above and beyond the mess they are in. We are looking for improvement that will make us a competitor for a title not just keep us in competition for the last playoff spot/lottery pick year after year.

Stop with the loser talk. That should be left for the overpriced knicks not the sixers!

Dean, the pointguard of the future is here already. And he probably is the best player on this team.

Suede, can't argue with that at this time.

Hopefully, this is our last year of crying for a lottery pick position. From this point forward if Ed does it right we should be a playoff team moving towards an eastern conference title.

But S.F.W., that means our draft parties are gonna suck.

Well. We'll just have to be creative and drink more. Signing off!

DBrad,
I live in NYC also, though Philly born and raised; I'll second the idea that Knicks fans have it really bad right now and would trade franchises (not to mention owners/GM/coaches) in a heartbeat. That said, I've been following these comments for a while and yeah, sometimes someone will take it too far. I agree some people need to be easier on the team. But these people know what's up. There's a reason only people outside Philly think Lou Will is the future PG...and it has everything to do with the fact that they don't watch him on a daily basis. And those that do know he will never be the PG of a championship team, which is what we want, and frankly deserve.

Is our only goal to be better than the Knicks? If so, when's the parade?

kevin,

Antawn Jamison? Really? What has he done? Elton Brand is 28, Jamison is 31. Who's more likely to break down within the next 5 years? Who has better post moves, so that when they get older, they're still effective? Who's a better defender? Who's shown an ability to dominate in the playoffs? Hint: not Antawn Jamison

Sixerguy, totally agree, hope he plays some by years end to get a read on his health. He would be the ideal piece for this team.

Takes nights off offensively? Iggy averages 20 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, and 2 spg while regularly guarding the other team's top offensive player. Inconsistent at times - absolutely. Taking nights off? NO.

In terms of AMiller...I think he's done a phenomenal job after the first 15 games this year; admittedly, much better than I thought he could ever play. That said though, he'll be 33 when his contract expires, and someone is going to throw some LARGE $$ at him if he keeps it up. Are you willing to invest that kind of dough in a mid 30s PG that already has problems on the defensive end? He's done well and is currently the glue for this team. No doubt about that. But, from age 33-38, are you going to pay him $10M + per season?

If it were me, I'd say no. And, to make the optimal use of his remaining time here, I'd draft, trade for, sign our targeted PG of the future so that he could sit and watch Miller at his craft for a full season. That's why I was so in favor of getting Lowry here at the deadline. Yes, I like Kyle Lowry a lot, but it was also to take advantage of an environment that had both Mo Cheeks and Andre Miller in a tutorial role at the same time. Doesn't get much better than that.

I agree 1000 % Marc good blog!!!

Antwan Jamison is playing, Brand is not. Plus Brand just don't have the leggs to keep up with this young team. What good if Sixers pay Brand and He turns out to be another Chris Webber? Do you want another Chris Webber? Who cares about post moves, scoring, if your not on the court!
Antwan Jamison 20 pt and 10 rebound a night, Kevin Garnett is not even averaging 20pt and 10 rebounds and night. Plus the Washington wizzard is a playoff team, name another good player, Caron maybe.

Dean, I would think 4 yrs for 28 mill. may get it done for Miller, if he wants a lot more, I agree, I wouldn!t do it. He reminds me of a Mark Jackson type that could be a factor into his late 30!s.

Listen, I'm all for hitting the free agent market, making bold moves, etc. I do not want to spend large $$ on Antawn Jamison. Nice player, but no thanks.

Dean,

I agree with alot that you have stated...From Ed to Iggy's worth to Cheek's creating an environment for growth to Dre Miller being the glue that i'm just going to say "yeah what Dean said" Good post

Kevin, Jamison is a nice player, but he!s more of a jumpshooter than post player. Brand is just a better fit and prior to this injury he hasn!t missed a lot of games. He is 3 years younger and a better defensive player.

I'm not that sure about jamison either... I mean he isnt a bum...and he's a good rebounder...but I dont like the idea of my powerforward SOOOOOOO comfortable taking jumpshots all the time...He doesnt spend much time in the post...Thats what this partcular team needs...A mauler in the post and Jamison is TOO finesse for how our team is built...He's not a bum...but I dont know if he is the answer for us at the 4

I agree Suede

Zeru, if we had a low post center, I think a Thad and Jamison frontcourt could be a good cumbo, they both rebound well, but it wouldn!t work now.

Marc, Recent Holt Cigar Club guest Samuel Clemens said there are 3 kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics. I agree with him, especially as it pertains to basketball. Iguodala's stat line and your argument by vague and erring authority (NBA personnel people) don't blind me to his being greedy ("no" to 5 for 57), presumptive (has never made an All-Star team) and persistently and clearly whiny on the court (a leader, Dean?). Yeah, he can hoop it 21st Century style but, frankly, some of it is unvarnished slop, amateurish. Raise him in printed praise as you like, Iggy's got a ways to go before he's earned what you've granted, my opinion. Sixers can't afford to lose him? Depending on alternative arrangement, as Clemens has written, that's a bit of a "stretcher."

By the way, despite our difference of opinion on the current topic, I appreciate your making this blog possible. Thanks.

We have enough linky dudes on our team...We need somebody that can move some cats out of the way...Give somebody like a dwight howard something to think about when he decides he wants to throw some elbows

Eye open, some good points; I think it was a fair offer and close to his value[12 mill.?].He is compared alot to Pippen, a perfect 2nd banana; I just hope we can get a top level talent to go with him.

I feel you Suede...But centers with a low post game is rare nowadays..Reason why Andrew Bynum is so coveted. I agree 100% tho if we could find one like back in the 80's that could defend the paint score in the post and alter or block shots...We'd be ok...Right now what we have is a poor man's Mutumbo. Unfortunately for the rest of the league...Most teams dont even have that..So we need to compensate with a rough and rugged PF like carlos boozer 'disclaimer example not realistic expectation' that can cause some turmoil underneath the basket with a bad attitude. Yeah...thats what I want for Christmas next season...But its gotta be in training camp earlier

That PF better not be Kristic

Would Kobe, Dwayne Wade and Lebron love to have Iguodala as their "Pippen"? Sure.

"It’s amazing when talking to NBA personnel people how highly regarded Iguodala is"
They also always say Iggy would be a fine SECOND or THIRD option on a playoff team.

Marc always defends Iggy. But is he an All-Star? Is he the guy that's going to take you to the finals as your No.1 option? Is he the one you want to take the game on the line shot?Is he worth $75 mil over five years?

I loved Iggy his first two years. But what's very disappointing is that even though he all the tools to be a lockdown defender, he's been just average over the past season and a half. Miller isn't the only reason why the 6ers perimeter defense is horrible.

Seriously, closely watch Iggy on D. He doesn't have the intensity he had his first two years. He drifts. He'll come up with a great block. And then he loses interest.

One of the reasons why Kobe is the best or at least top three is he will lock down on defense. He takes it as a personal challenge when someone scores on him.

$60 mil over five years for Iggy. Sure, OK. Maybe even $65 over five.

But if he wants more, he has to start defending like he's capable of, and being THE leader of this team. You don't pay a nice second option $15 mil per.

Eye Open and everyone that looks at Andre Iggy as a second tuna...Take these points into consideration...

First of all his attitude and demeanor...He has spent his entire career being dominated by Allen Iverson on and off the court...Whatever leadership tidbits he has now he has gotten from watching Iverson..from taking advice and teachings from authority figures to being spoon fed offensive touches in games and practices. The truth is we have no idea what Igodala is because this is our first gimpse of him THIS YEAR...And he has grown by leaps and bounds in such a short period of time...We know how Immature allen iverson is and we see some of it has rubbed on Iggy but just like the offensive stagnant game Iggy used to have its beginning to rub off...For the amount of time he has spent with iverson i'm surprised he has recovered this quickly...Stackhouse never recovered tim thomas never really found himself and larry hughes is still recovering..So lets keep the ceiling high and allow him to define hisself

I sure hope not @ The Greek

Are we really that well off that we can frivolously dismiss our best player like anybody we can or will bring in can play just as well or better?

WITH UPSIDE?

Trackboy1,

I have to disagree with your take on Iggy's defense. When the guy is third on your team in rpg (after Sammy and Reg), tops in spg (almost double the next guy), and second in bpg, he's doing a pretty damn good job day in and day out on defense. Think and do some research on the guy's stats and the team's stats before throwing your nonsense out there.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Iggy is 9th in the league for his position in rpg, third in the league at his position for spg, and tenth in the league for his position in bpg. That's pretty hard for you to make your argument with those stats. Only LeBron James and Rudy Gay are in the top ten in all of those categories for their position. If you want to go one step further, they are the only 3 in the top ten for those 3 stats (listed above) plus ppg at their position.

C.G., as we saw with A.I., steals, and as we are seeing with Sam,blocks, numbers don!t tell the story when it comes to defense. Gay is not a good defensive player.I think Iggy is a good defender but he is learning how hard it is to be asked to score at one end and cover the other teams leading scorer at the other. If he wants to get the big money, he is going to have to show at least a consistant effort to do both!!

I can't think of any Sixers fan who doesn't like 'Dala, but the economics of the NBA require us to factor in options that have nothing to do with his game. Every dollar that goes to 'Dala is one less for a potential free agent (or another Sixer's player).

We can look at the history of Keith Van Horn, when he was playing in New Jersey, he was playing with Sam Cassell and KVH was considered and all star. Cassell left NJ and KVH became a overpaid white guy sitting on the bench of a playoff team. Miller more than anything is the key to this Sixers' team and 'Dala increase in production.

I like 'Dala as a Player and a human being, but I don't think we should overpay for him. If somebody is willing to throw a 13-15 million contract at him, the Sixers shouldn't match. I wouldn't hold anything against the Sixers for letting him walk for that much money, and I won't hold anything against Miller for taking that much money.

Will Mo leave a pair of play-off tix at the door for Iverson?

C'mon folks. You don't even have to research the stats. Just watch a Sixer game.

Iguodala gets more attention in the halfcourt from an opponent than any other player on the Sixers. When teams prepare for their Sixers, Iguodala is the first guy they talk about. He's 24 years old and still getting better.

You want overrated?

Look in the direction of Denver where they have a collective teams of guys (sans Marcus Camby) who play one end of the floor.

Marc, straight question

how much do you think Iguodala will ASK and how much do you think Sixers will OFFER, considering he turned down 57 mill for 5 yrs?

clearly it has to be a higher price

60 x 5 yrs? 62? 65?

more ?????

Which would be, according to you, a FAIR, reasonable amount?

BTW I am a Iguodala fan but I don't think he deserves max money. I would say no more than 65 mill for 5 yrs

I agree with the guy who said Philly fans complain too much. I grew up with Dr.J, and Dawkins coming close but not winning it all. It wasn't until Moses that we finally won. We loved them anyway and there was no salary cap. Iggy is not Dr.J but NBA econimics says he should be paid like M. Redd, Wally Szczerbiak, Jason Richardson and the list goes on. Iggy is not greedy as alot of you think, it's called fair market value. Do you think Theo Ratliff should get paid more than Iggy?

Marc, agree with you.

Key is Andre Iguodala plays hard every game, and plays every game. He plays tough defense. He rebounds. He drives and takes a pounding. He gets steals. He steps up when his team needs him.

If you want to know about Iguodala, ask Andre Miller about him. You can tell that here is A LOT of mutual respect between the two...that is a great place to star in building a contender!

Andre will get between $65-70mm for 5 years and he should...he'll be the same guy after getting the contract as before.

Mo, Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala...good men with talent...I like that foundation!

65 mil over 5 years is the max I would go. The Sixers, and some of their fans, need to get away from the BK style of cap (dis) management. Even though Dre's salary will not count fully against the "soft cap" it does against the "hard cap" of the luxury tax, a luxury tax the team will never pay. So every dollar spent on Dre costs us in paying our future true number 1 star.

Does anyone here truly project Dre as a perennial all-star #1 scoring option, take the team on his back to a championship type player? I side with those who call his ceiling a Pippen type.

BTW, something to remember about the cap for this summer:
"28. I just saw that a team signed a player for more money than it has under the cap. It was another team's free agent, so the Larry Bird exception wasn't used. What gives?

If one of the other exceptions wasn't used, it may just be the way the deal was reported. Only the first season's salary must fit under the cap, but signings are often reported using the total salary for the entire contract. For example, if a team is $10 million under the cap, they can sign a player to, say, a five-year contract for $10 million, $10.5 million, $11 million, $11.5 million and $12 million, respectively, for the five seasons. The deal then gets reported as five years for $55 million. But the first year salary is what counts, and it fits perfectly."

IF the NBA can pay a guy like Shaq 3 100 million dollar contracts think about how much more the NBA makes off of its players. Alot of these fans statements reek of jealousy and resentment. God didnt bless you with athletics so get over it...The NBA is a multibillion dollar business why should you care about the very small percentage of that the players actually get. As fans salary shouldnt even be a concern as much as getting the players you want on your team. Isnt like its coming directly out of your pocket so why should you care? To the average working Joe nobody is worth what they are being paid in sports, so why concern yourselves? Nobody seems concerned about what the league gets vs what the players as a whole receive..And that is in all sports...As proposturous as this sounds Micheal Jordan is still grossly underpaid when you compare what he has generated vs the percentage of what he has brought home...Thats the reality of it..You want to be mad at somebody? Be mad at comcast whinning about no sellouts

Hey Rick- Do you ever catch any of the Italian League games with Bennetton Treviso etc.? How's the quality of play? Good job following our Sixers from abroad! A true fan? yes!

Whether the Sixers win or not.....who cares!!! They don't have AI anymore and its gonna be a long time until we're a great team again!!
Go Phillies!!

Zeru:

In your above comment, please change "NBA" to "MLB." It would make much more sense in that case, thank you.

Zeru- I'm NOT jealous of what the players make. I'm concerned that if we give Andre much more than the previous offer there will not be enough $$$ left over to add talent. (see Dalembert contract for reference purposes.)

Stef has to be careful with this salary cap thing. It can CRUSH a team for years (Kenny Thomas) if not handled prudently (Chris Webber.)

How much $$$ is NOT the issue here. But who gets it for how long is.

Jimmy:

I'm not sure your logic will add up for Zeru. He seems to live in a world where the Sixers had 9.3 mil worth of expiring contracts to trade to Memphis for Gasol, but ES stupidly did not pull the trigger.

By the way, Jimmy, shouldn't you be putting more time into helping Mo's decision making process, and less time posting on a blog?

Its not so much the actual salary that bothers you..Its the crazy low salary cap teams are forced to work under. So next time one of you spazzes out on how much Dalembert makes go do some research..You will find out all the centers in his skill set (Chandler, Camby) make about the same amount. Who cares? Tell david dictator stern to raise his salary cap. He sure didnt have much to say when that ref was fixing games. I've watched basketball long enough to know he wasnt the only one. Its funny how everything is fine now that he isnt changing basketballs and handing out season long suspensions..He's in his cave now keeping low. 80's players fought twice as much. Besides that...really who cares? If one of yall were professional athletes I'd want you to get all the money you could..Why not? If they are going to overcharge you to go to a game or order league pass the players should at least get whatever the market provides

George, that's a loser's attitude.
Zeru, I don't believe the people on this blog are jealous of what Iggy's market value could be. Sure, there is something as fair market value, but we need to be careful to stay managing our cap so that the entire team benefits, not just AIG. I really do think he's gonna be a 4-5 time all star in the course of his career.

His play last year was sub-all star level, but so far this year, he's really close. As his confidence has improved, his play has been much more aggressive. He's recognizing his role as leader, and he's improving on his play- forget about last year, he's improved on his play over the past few months! I think ES is wise to wait, and I say what I said a few months ago: If he plays like he did against Phoenix much more frequently, pay him what he's worth. But.. if he plays like he did against Golden State, stay below the max.

And PLEASE.. KNICK fans shut up. You don't know nothing about the Sixers, save reading the stats. You're the ones belly-aching about your retarded team and its management.

There is no reason to insult me Morty...The sixers have a little more than 10 mill under the cap...even with Iggy and Lou williams counting against it more than they actually make. Like I said...Ed dropped the ball..I'm moving on now..

I still think we need to package Dalembert up with someone like Carney or Green to upgrade(or both). Green's becoming a better scorer, so I think he has some value. I would take Josh Smith and any of Atlanta's slop for those guys(from a talent perspective- don't know if salaries would match).

What would it take to get Turiaf? Truly don't know if he's any better than Reggie Evans, what do you think? Haven't seen much of his offensive game other than occasional dunks. Does he really have an inside game? I don't ever see him growing into a Josh Smith at this point- and he's 25.

Morty If you read again I said all sports...You know Morty sometimes I get the sense from you that you are more interested in being contrary than making our own points or establishing your opinion..You like a bitter house wife mad for no reason

Point taken Zing, I hope you are right

Zeru- I don't agree with you on Morty (he seems even-handed to me) but I loved your "bitter housewife mad for no reason" analogy. That's great stuff!

Zeru:

Sorry if you took that personal, it's just hard for me to let pass bad information. And believe me, I've been insulted much worse here. The Sixers will be 10 mil under the cap next season, not this current one. Kwame Brown has an expiring contract of 9.3 mil, the Sixers could have only gotten to 6.5mil in expiring contracts without including Dre. Therefore, given what Memphis wanted for Gasol (expiring contracts) we could not compete with the Lakers. It was not a missed opportunity, merely bad timing for us.

We're all Sixers fans here, I just want us to be fully informed. Please correct me when I am in factual error.

Wow. And then as I am writng a logcial explanation, you go and insult me personally for real. This is the internet, man. Chill out...

Forget the number 1 scoring option angle. In today's NBA you need more than a #1, this is not baseball. How much has Kobe won without Shaq, how many championships does LeBron have or Dirk or Garnett or AI or MJ until Pip stepped up. ES should look at Detroit and San Antonio as the models to emulate. Versitile players with multiple skill sets surrounded by unselfish players that understand their rolls. So far we have four such guys on the Sixers; Iggy and Thad both have multiple skill sets and Miller and Evans fully understands his roll. You can make a case for Lou but I'm not convinced. Agent Zero is a #1 scoring option would you rather have him?

Aww calm down Morty...I didnt take nothing personal its just me talking smack just like you do ..We still cool. We have Kevin Ollie and a host of players that dont get any burn with the addition of our capspace exception...The point is... for the third time...is Ed wasnt creative enough to put something together knowing that we were in better position than any other team to give cap relief..If you want to fight that fact its falling on deaf ears

Philly fans aren't has knowledgeable has we them, we have to know the difference between passionate and dumb. The Sixers are playing there hearts out, and everyday I read this Blogs.
I see more negative than positives coming from the fans. I dislike bandwagoneers.
Stick behind your team, so when they become champs, then you can say I was with them from the beginning.
GOOOOOOOO SIXXXXXXERSSSSS

wee need to become more postive for our teams.it's just Sports

Though, as i said above, Igoudala is a better player than a lot of philly people give him credit for, I did also mean to make clear (as i have before) that we need to be very careful with the cap. And Ed seems to understand this, based on everything he has said. His intention seems to build a team for the long haul by managing the cap properly from year to year so there is always a bit of room for improvement. A lot like how Detriot build their acclaimed core of players.

This is why, as i've said before, i think the drama of dala's contract will be the main story line over the summer(at least the one i'll be watching). I would be really surprised if ed decides to break the bank and award a billy king-esque contract, and i also kind of expect dala to stick to his guns. It has all the makings of an impasse... Not saying he'll walk this summer, which as others have pointed out is highly unlikely and perhaps even impossible given other team's cap situations. But if we're still talking about this next summer...

And Dalembert - If i were ed, i would do my best to move him this summer. I softened on him a bit of the last month or so, but the more i think about it, and the more i still see him out of position, knocking rebounds away from team mates, not catching good passes and turning the ball over, etc(by the way, how much you want to bet igoudala's turnovers go down by at least one per game if he has someone how can actually catch the ball under the net - not even necessarily score, just catch it and maybe kick it back out)... The bottom line is i'd trade his "athleticism" and shot blocking for a guy who just knows how to play the game. To me, it keeps coming back to the fact that his sloppy play winds up hurting the team far more than his contributions help them.

and second dre's 11:38 comment.

Zeru, amigo, we have no cap space exception at the moment. Zero. Nada. Come this summer, we will be in an excellent position to do all the things you want. But not yet, and them's the facts.

Zeru,

You CANNOT put Sammy in with Tyson Chandler and Marcus Camby, that is a real stretch, THAT caused me to spaz out, goodness... I'd trade Sammy for either of those guys faster than you can insult somebody. From the other side, no way Denver or the Hornets exchange with us. You're forgetting how much Sammy's lacking in the basketball IQ department.

"is Ed wasnt creative enough to put something together knowing that we were in better position than any other team to give cap relief"

I think for proper balance, you need to add the phrase "...by my arbitraty deadline". Kind of like that article in the Onion that ran at the start of this past football season "Eagles fans give McNabb 2 weeks to win the Superbowl, or else".

If the summer ends and ed has made no moves, by all means post about how he missed the boat, dropped the ball, or whatever metaphor you want. Until then, it just kind of sounds silly.

Between the contracts of Lou and Dre, what to do with Sammy, the draft, free agency and the trade market, this should be an exciting summer.

As far as Sammy, he was really growing on me this year, seeming to become, finally, consistent. But in the second half of this year he has reverted big-time. These past two games he has barely been back quality. Like KM, I would also prefer consistency.

The Greek, earlier you bad mouthed Krstic as a replacement, was that because of his play or his injury? I haven't seen him play all that much, but his profile is as a classic Euro big man. And he's young as well. What are the numbers not showing? Defense? Or is it his injury you are scared of?

Sixerzguy:

New Orleans just STOLE Chandler, didn't they?

Dean,

Just curious, why are you so negative about Stefanski? He just got here; it seems premature to make any judgments about him until at least the beginning of next season.

More generally, I think the qualities one looks for in a GM are they be bright, knowledgable about basketball and have good judgment. I personally am happy that the Sixers did not get another ex-NBA player as GM. They tend to have only one or two of the three requisites for the job.

Care about the cap and more importantly large contracts because it will bite you, and hard, years later. Miami won the championship, but with the same exact team they're having one hell of a lousy season. I'm sure the memory of a championship a few years ago keeps them warm at night, right?

In any event, Iguodala is a great player, but not an All-Star. Giving a player max money who doesn't deserve it isn't sound business sense. I mean, this is a contract year for him, and while he's playing well, he's not playing lights-out Kobe/Agent 0-esque. We want to sign some impact, game changing players, right? In other words, are we trying to be like the New York Knicks or the San Antonio Spurs?

As for Billy King - I give him credit for being an excellent evaluator of college talent. He's drafted well and Thad Young has impressed, even though pundits were down on BK for drafting him so high. Buuuut... he also signed those players to contracts that limited the Sixers' maneuverability for many, many years. We're just getting out from under the weight of a slew of bad contracts, why take on a new one?

I was going to try to read all these comments, but I kept running into people saying we should be ashamed of ourselves for failing to appreciate such an excellent player as Andre Iguodala, so I skipped to the end in disgust. They must not watch the games.

Anyone with a lick of basketball sense who has been watching Iguodala consistently, with any measure of objectivity, sees a shorter, clumsier, faster, dumber Scottie Pippen with an anxiety problem and a propensity for forcing ugly-as-sin offense. Andre Iguodala's place on this earth is definitely not to create baskets. He stumbles diagonally backwards, travelling, while muscling up a double clutch reverse jump hook more often than he beats someone off the dribble. He launches a catapult 23-foot fadeway with a hand in his face more often than he knocks down an open 3. To put it shortly, he looks hideous out there.

If you don't know already, you'll find out sooner or later that Iguodala as the focal point for an offense guarantees laughable, dysfunctional halfcourt action. Put him on the Suns in place of Grant Hill, and he's helping them contend for a championship. Put him with Andre Miller (and Willie Green, for that matter) and you're begging for him to turn the ball over 4 times a game while trying to beat his man and the sagging help defender all day. All of the rhetoric about his basketball instincts and passing was baseless and brain-dead from Day 1. Putting aside some incremental improvements, he is still the same player as he was when he entered the league: an awful shooter and uncoordinated klutz whose best offensive skill is finishing on the break.

Iguodala can play excellent defense on a 2 or 3, and he is a good rebounder. That's all that separates him from Larry Hughes. In fact, I'd venture to say that Hughes has a better jump shot, and is better off the dribble. The Sixers should be grateful that Iguodala turned them down on their offer. They should be ecstatic if some basement dweller gives him 14 million a year. Look what paying Hughes top dollar did for the Cavs.

Billy King went out of his way to stock this team with athletic small forwards. It's foolish to say that we have no good players behind Andre. Thaddeus Young, in particular, seems to be a highly coordinated, instinctive player at small forward, not to mention an elite athlete, who looks to have the knack for scoring efficiently and for causing mismatches for defenders. He often scores on drop steps, cuts to the basket and so on, and it's only his rookie year. He looks like he handles a basketball with some touch. As a prospect, he puts Iguodala to shame. Carney duplicates Iguodala, practically. He's not all that much worse in the halfcourt offense, and guys like them shouldn't be handling the ball much, anyway. Maybe he'll learn to shoot. Andre didn't, can't, and never will.

Let's spend our money on winning basketball players. Iguodala will eventually find his way to 6-10 million bucks a year as a stopper on a contender. He could very well be the poor man's Pippen. I'd rather have him off the Sixers altogether, though. We've got a better guy playing behind him, and we need to spend that money elsewhere.

"Losers always whine about giving their best. Winners go home and f**k the prom queen."

-Sean Connery, "The Rock"

Sure, it's not Shakespeare, but it's darn relevant.

Why are we constantly being chastised for "not supporting" this mediocre, sub-500 team enough by the Ed Sniders, Marc Narduccis and Dbrads of the world?

Win more games than you lose, make your way onto an All-Star roster or first, second or third All-NBA team and then we can talk about this.

Marc,
Great piece.

Fans seem to dwell on things that Iguodala is NOT. That has been a 4 year trend in Philly. Well, that list has shrunk down to NOT an ALL STAR.

Does anyone in their right mind really think he WILL NOT be an All Star in years ahead? Thats crazy. And those are the years that his next contract pays him for, not the past. Value is determined based on how a players FUTURE is projected.

I disagree with you Marc on one aspect. The Sixers need Iguodala MORE than he needs the Sixers. And he has the flexibility to just accept the tender offer and play out a 5th year to become Unrestricted thereafter. I highly doubt there are a handful of players in the entire NBA that possess his versatility. Who are you going to replace him with? You cannot.

He's a 24 year old versatile stud with a work ethic unparalleled, an Olympic level athlete with a great feel for the game.

Sometimes it seems that Philadelphians' are taught in school a Course called, "The Grass IS Greener everywhere else".

Its hard not to agree with the often documented description of Philly as the City with an Inferiority Complex. Seems Philly applies same to its Sports teams well, expecting inevitable failure.

Its sad. Never did I think that "CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE" was meant as such an Ironic Contradiction. Maybe a Century ago it had meaning. Now, people just laugh at the phrase as a bad joke, gallows humor.

And you wonder why pro athletes have more preferred destinations? The attendance merely supports all the above.

The reason why some of us don't "support" Iggy is at times he has a prima donna attitude that doesn't always translate into good floor play. And to act like we can't afford to lose him puts him in the same category as the other "AI" who moved on and found his nitch with Denver. As far as I'm concerned, he can go too cause I'm sick of these grown-ass babies whining about their big bucks when they could care less about us fans.

CJR - "Carney duplicates Iguodala, practically." You are a true idiot.

And then to hear Phila. sportsfans whine about players not CARING about the fans? Lets add "The City of Self Pity" into the mix. How idiotic is it to presume what a players owes its fans; more, its the Iguodala types that most fans ought fully embrace, forget stats, how about his durability and effort, Is this not a Blue-Collar town?

Which fans do the players not appreciate? The ones that dont attend the games? Just a wacky attitude prevails in Philly. No other explanation available

When has Iguodala ever "whined" about money?? He never has - the Sixers made him an offer, and he turned it down. Doesn't he have the right to do so - isn't this America? Quite frankly, if the Sixers were smart, they would have given him the $13M / season he was looking for and tied him up long-term. But, BK was trying to squeeze every cent out of the deal because he had been burned so many times previously re-signing Sixer players to long-term deals.

What some on this board don't realize is that 2009 will see way more teams than 2008 with large amounts of cap space. If Iggy accepts the 1-yr tender this year, he'll have more than a couple of suitors in the 2009 offseason when he becomes unrestricted.

Dean,

Exactly. NEVER has he whined, if anything, he has shown mettle by playing the entire year with the confidence to ignore the entire topic of his personal Contract. He has been the model as to using it as motivation instead, which deserves praise, or at least, utmost respect. Yet he seems to only get that everywhere OUTSIDE Philly, not from within.

Strange and sad.

CJR - Carney duplicates Iguodala...you just lost any semblance of credibility with that loose discharge.

Dean, John,

Don't waste your time responding to cjr - personally, I thought it was funny how his points kept getting more and more ridiculous as his rant went on. I hope he gets hired as the GM of the Hawks or Clippers at the end of the year:

ES: "Rodney Carney for Josh Smith/Elton Brand? I don't know... Maybe if you throw in a 1st round draft pick or two, maybe then we'll have something to talk about."

Still, I gotta give him credit for this - that was the best-written horrible rant I've ever read!

You made me laugh sixerguy, thanks!

Dean - I kind of agree with you that BK was overreacting to his previous horrible deals by nickle-diming igoudala a bit - IF we can assume that he was asking 13m a season. My understanding is that we don't know what he was asking. But for the sake of argument, if that was his demand, it would have been a good move to just get it squared away. That does sort of go towards the point that BK needed to go if true, since he created a distorted dynamic when negotiating with players. After all who can blame andre for turning down fair market value when everyong else on the team had a sweetheart deal? but anyway, i digress...

If that was truly his demand, there should not be a ton of drama. One cannot blame him for wanting to be paid as a #1 since he was billed as such by the team at the close of last season and at the beginning of this season. But, now that we (hopefully) are trying to build a balanced team, will he be ok with a couple less million a year in order to win? or does he just want to get paid, or is he really just looking past this year to where he can go next? The answers to these questions will tell us a lot about how the future of the team will shape up...

KM - If I was Andre, I wouldn't take anything less than what the Sixers were offering him last year. If they offer him less, quite frankly, it's a total insult just based on how he has led the team this season. While he still complains too much to the refs and is inconsistent at times, he is still just a 4th year player who is 24 years old. I think he's shown great maturity over the last 1.5 years. The majority of younger players in this league would have followed AI's and CWebb's pathetic examples of professionalism. Iguodala did the exact opposite; he's developed and become a leader in really a no-win situation (which has somehow become a decent situation). I think for those reasons and his potential as an elite player in this league (unlike some, I think he is very close to this category already), he should be paid in the neighborhood of $13-$15M / season. If you think about the cap average over the next 5-6 years, it should be about $70M or so. What's 1/35th of the cap (an extra $2M) to make sure that (a) we retain a guy like Iggy and (b) he's felt appreciated and valued. That's just the way I would handle it.

Now, if Joe Banner / Andy Reid were handling it, they'd offer Iggy $4M per season and max out Corey Maggette at $17M per season, but that's another story for another day...

Here's hoping the Sixers with ES at the helm have as much success as Reid/ Banner have had over their tenure. With one addition of course.

I believe it is both crucial for the Sixers to retain Dre, I think he's a winner, but also that we need to control his cost as much as possible to retain flexibility to continue to improve. As KM mentions, it will be a test of not just management, but Dre as well. Is he willing to leave a few dollars on the table for the overall good of the team? Does he realize that he is not a franchise player? We still have multiple overvalued contracts (Evans, Green, Sammy) that aren't going away, and every mil we can save will make a difference.

Dean - I agreed with you. Im not sure why you're arguing against me.... As i said, I thought if he was asking 13 and they wouldn't give it to him, that would seem like he's getting nickel and dimed. That means Im ok with paying him 13m a year, it would have been a good gamble based on his upside. That would have been an acceptable deal in my mind. Im not sure that you really read things all the way through before posting.

Now that you're bringing up 15, i will say thats getting a little high for a guy that's very good and has the potential to be great, as opposed to a guy who is already great. Even so, we may have to wind up giving him something like that to keep him happy. Which is one of the reasons we have a new GM who can hopefully do a better job of managing situations like that.

Morty you have no facts and you still continue to ignore that Ed does have salary cap space he could have traded as a bargaining chip going into the offseason. Like i'm stating again and for the final time...Ed lacks creativity..If we have the most money going into the offseason and Webber's buyout comes off our books...Why wasnt our ten million dollar exception on the table as a option. Why wasnt there a deal in place for Memphis to retrieve that option..Say what you want to say Mort i'm starting to think you and Ed are butt buddies...From that idiot Kyle Korver trade to his lack of creativity in giving a team like Memphis exactly what they wanted in sort of future package just as teams shop their future first rounders..."THe Sixers trade their future 10 million dollar exception Kevin Ollie Shav Randolph Utah's first round pick and nowandlaters to Memphis for Pau Gasol..He dropped the ball..Move on...
Sixerfan..I guess Chris Paul has nothing to do with Chandlers emergence before that Chandler was a PURE bum

I still take Dalembert over chandler dispite the chris paul magic...Camby is old and fragile...i'd rather have Sam going into the future. And if you read what i said it refered to their skill set..three defensive centers that cant score and make about the same...Chandler has midget arms...I dont want that..

Not arguing with you KM. Sorry if it came off that way.

Also to address another point, I don't really like the comparisons to Scottie Pippen that some make on this board (and on talk radio). Scottie Pippen is one of the most overrated basketball players in league history. Not only did he play next to the best player of all-time, he played for one of the top 5 coaches in NBA history. What did he do once Jordan retired (the first time) and when he left Chicago for Houston and Portland? He never once in his career scored 15 ppg again after he left the Bulls. He ripped apart both the Rockets and Blazer organizations through his utter selfishness, and don't forget about his little "I won't go in the game" pouting session against the Knicks in the '95 playoffs when Phil ran the last shot for Kukoc. He also held out for half a season in a contract dispute in the Bulls 6th and final championship run.

In short, Pippen is a piece of garbage (he's managed to blow through $50M of NBA earnings and is worth less than $1M presently). Iguodala, on the other hand, is a stand-up guy who has made the most of a potentially horrendous situation. I disagree with those that say he's not a "#1 guy." I don't know if he's quite there yet, but he sure has the potential to become one. He's improved his jump shot by leaps and bounds, is a lock-down defender, and is one of the best finishers in the game when driving to the hoop. He may never be on the level of Kobe or LeBron, but the next tier isn't a bad option to have as the leader of a balanced team for years to come.

We definately need an Eagles blog...lol

Seriously, i cant understand why so many people are ready to condemn Ed already. Its like looking at a half finished painting and saying "what a load of crap". Just silly. Again, that article in the Onion about the Eagles comes to mind.

Zeru:

Am I just egging you on if I ask what in the hell a "future" cap exception is? Or are you egging me on?

Moving on (and also ignoring Dean's trashing of Pippen - very proud of myself), Dre will have to become a much more consistent scorer to deserve 15mil and up going forward. Perhaps a fair compromise between the team and him, if it comes to it, is a three year deal at 33-36 mil. This way, the team gets the salary they want, but Dre gets his tender year bought out at a profit, and two more years to prove he is worth a max deal.

Zeru,

Knowing where to be on offense and defense, that is a skill. Not turning the ball over, that's a skill. Thank goodness you're not a scout for the Sixers, how low would the Sixers' team IQ be if you picked all our players, we'd set the record for turnovers in a season and points allowed per game, that'd be a hell of a special olympics squad, though.

Come on, in a tight playoff series, where you really gotta strategize, you really want Sammy's egg roll brain trying to process stuff?

You're right about one thing - rebounds and blocked shots have nothing to do with Chris Paul, unless Chris Paul is down there in the low post helping to block out guys.

But I'm with you about Mo getting consideration for COY, and getting on those depressingly negative Sixer fans.

Morty - Good suggestion. If dre really thinks he will pan out as a star, then he'd be real smart to take that 3 year deal - He'd be coming off of it in the prime of his career and (if he develops as he should) will absolutely command 15+ at that point. Of course, that may well put us in the position of having to let him go at that point, unless we manage the cap very well...

And while i still cringe aboug some of Mo's rotation choices (like, say, almost loosing that suns game by letting Dalembert play the last few minutes), I think the way these guys have come together is a serious tribute to him. There really is marked improvment in alot of the guys, and thats really saying something. Its not a given that guys will develop, they to be developed. Coach of the year may be going overboard at this point, but if they make a decent showing in the playoffs i may have to be with you on that point.

and by "decent showing in the playoffs", i mean make it and not get swept. lets face it, expectations are low.

It's called creativity Morty...Sophisicated termnology for movers and shakers that want to get things done..Not for people that want to sit around all day and complain about what they dont have..Just like some brilliant Gm came up with the idea of trading a future player they dont have yet..Why not future cap money..The idea is not that far fetched and i'm pretty sure it will happen before I die...This is a business and alot people lose sight of that. You have to be creative to get what you want or fall by the way side...I might be talking over your head so i'm sorry if you dont understand

You're talking over my head, but I will have some of whatever glaucoma medicine you've gotten your hands on.

I believe Iggy wanted a 5/6 year contract valued at $85 Mil which would have been more then the $13 Mil a year you feel he deserves. I'm sorry, just don't believe he is worth the amount no matter what.

This guy Morty is lost:

One simple example. Poll GMs throughout the NBA. Ask them who they would prefer if a choice, as first pick, between Carmello and Iguodala.

Now, if you have the wherewithall, you will learn that Iguodala is the preferred player on a standalone basis, in termds of positive impact to a teams future success.

Anthony gets a max ContraCT. You do the math. IF, that is, you can. Logic is a factor here.

Can't blame Ed for Memphis.

The whole league was shocked by that trade.

GM Insider- you are so right; but more, Iguodala is the type kid who would sacrifice $$ if it helps assure keeping, paying Lou properly.

Iguodala sits in the Driver's seat. its not like ES is unaware. Thankfully, Iguodala is the ultimate teammate, provided he is assured that the teammates he knows need remain are so kept.
Otherwise, he's a sure fire UFA in 09. Which, he is tempted to pursue with any slight hiccup.

Sixerguy, see that is the problem with short sighted people. First they dont recognize what they have. Then they want the one thing they do have to do things it either wasnt made to do...and go out and trade what they already have for something the same and most times worst "cough Ed cough". I just sit here and laugh at the guys that say yeah kyle korver was a luxury but wants to trade MIKE MILLER who makes alot more...Yeah thats about bright...Yeah lets trade Sam Dalembert for Tyson Chandler who does the same exact thing...I cant even address some of this stuff sometimes..Its like debating with seamonkeys...I dont know if you trying to make a solid point or some of you just like to be argumentative...Trading sam dalembert for tyson chandler is like trading manute bol for shawn bradley..what would really be the point...Go match wits and basketball i.q on your remedial level..One thing I do agree with you is alot of yall are overly negative and cheeks should get recogition..

You all are terrific.

I cannot wait to distribute all the negative misguided Iguodala posts as above this week throught Illinois, all the Chitown papers, and downstate in his hometown paopers thruout Springfield, his homeyown.

We love you Phila. fans, you negative, morons. Please dont stop, as you are told that you have a high BB IQ, which we elsewhere love.

There are not dumber Sportsfans anywhere in USA. You guys get the Gold Medal. Annually. Sad;ly, you deserve it too. Pathetic fans, clueless beyond belief.
Dont stop. We all love it.

As far as Dalembert goes it seems like yall only remember the bad games...Like every bad game he's had sets the standard for what he is...And conveiently forget when he was in a groove of good games grabbing rebounds blocking shots put backs turn around jumpers..Yall were complaining even then..Morbid Edgar Allen Poe fans...Same ones that saw Iggy drop 32 on the suns still trying to trade him..Morty for now on you are the mad house wife...NEVERMORE...

Marc,
Am glad you wrote this piece. At times, any fan has to wonder what the players think about the Phila. fans, but guess that never goes public until they are elsewhere. Too bad. Cuz it might awaken the mass of fans obsessed, as appears, in pessimism.

Guess no upside to the players. Am sure that shared confidences with you Marc, are just that, and I respect confidentiality. Cant help that you are trying hard to wake up these dormant, negative, fans. Time will tell. Marc

My daughter attends a school with two of Allen Iversons children, who are adorable. The Iverson's are our neighbors. They are REALLY happy here. Granted, its a special area that many are unfamiliar with.

Allen has been a tremendous neighbor, seems so happy here, relieved from stress of his past. Same goes with his wife, Tawanna, who is all smiles.

To the point- Allen adores Andre Iguodala, as a person, and player. At times, his smile seems wider after Andre succeeds regardless if Allen is self-unsatisfied. I asked him once, during one of our shared Dinner nights, about NBA things that roll around in his mind.

He laughed, paused and finally said, "If my little brother AI2, as my kids say he gets labeled, ever leaves Phila, I will do EVERYTHING in my power to play as his teammate as HIS second fiddle. Thats How good he is gonna be. Me and Kobe both are sure of that".

Let the kid go, Philly. Please

Zeru:

You weren't joking? Hooo boy...

Morty,
Are you on Stefanski's staff? If not, get outta Ed's jock. Or, get outta here. Any Sixers Fan that is pro low balling an Iguodala merely wants drama and controversy, not success.

Who the hell do you think you are? Some financially guru? That you are not. You havent a clue re Pro athletes player value analysis.

STFU

Go on and patronize me, all my holy ascetic humble neighbors, but I'm telling you it will eventually be common knowledge that Andre Iguodala is a bumbling failure as ballhandler and wing in a functional offense. This will happen only when he is expected to carry a load in a functional offense and fails, viz. Shawn Marion. As you all acknowledge, not much was expected of this team, and it's no shock that they've had their problems. Up until this point, the felicitous eternal-optimist fanbase still gives our "star" the benefit of having "upside." His deficiencies in carrying the load on offense are explained away in that they are temporary, as he is, of course, "improving" right before our eyes. In two years, he'll be 26, and he'll still be forever young in your kind hearts.

However, I don't know what games you've been watching, if you think his problems are likely to go away with hard work and practice. Admiring his dedication is one thing, though I don't care to fetishize that aspect of basketball. Making up stories is another. My memories of the Sixers of recent years are wracked by cringe after cringe at Iguodala's ugly moves, bricks and turnovers as the offense has sputtered. The skill set he has displayed throughout his Sixers career has left me with an all-encompassing impression of disgust. To me, it looks like he spends most of his time flinging up prayers from three, bricking fadeaways off the dribble and dribbling jerkily into traffic.

As Sixer halfcourt weapons from over the years go, he is definitely better than some. Kenny Thomas comes to mind. Clarence Weatherspoon. Maybe Keith Van Horn and Toni Kukoc. Tim Thomas. Armon Gilliam. However, like most of the company he's in, his offensive arsenal is stilted, awkward and unnatural. He has crazy-legged fadeaways that clank wildly off the back rim, sickly-looking threes, (aimed, not shot) that often land with a thud, and dubious high-wire finger rolls and flings. He's got robotic, bizarre-looking spastic power drives to the basket. That, plus the free throws and putbacks and (admittedly common) fast break dunks, comes out to 15 or 20 points per game, depending on how often he gets the ball, and .420-.450ish FG%. I've seen all of that. What I have yet to see is decisive, consistent offense or star potential.

So, all my other assertions aside, consider this: How many of the other franchises in the top 16 in the NBA standings today would trade their primary wing player straight up for Iguodala? New Orleans, Toronto, Phoenix, and maybe even Golden State. Only Phoenix has a chance to possibly get anywhere with such poor scoring from the wing. How many would re-sign Iguodala for $12 million next year? Toronto or New Orleans, maybe. In fact, I think Andre should go to New Orleans, let West play first option and be their version of Shawn Marion. But if the Sixers want to become competitive, they'll need better players all around, and definitely a better scoring small forward.

Josh Howard and Manu Ginobili, much better offensive players, are complementary parts on elite teams who make 9.5 million a year. Hedo Turkoglu is blowing Iguodala away in efficiency and impact, and he makes 6.5 million. Stephen Jackson puts up similar numbers to Andre's, and he gets 6.5 million also. Tayshaun Prince, far more proven and accomplished, and yet the fourth option in a winning offense, makes 8.5 million. Most damning of all, Caron Butler, who is everything Iguodala is not, in terms of emergent stardom, makes the same 8.5 million. How could the Sixers possibly pay Iguodala more than any of these guys make? How could that make sense?

It surprises me not at all that there is a great smug consensus on a "point of fact" that is more like a spot of dung. Vast offensive improvement on the part of Andre Iguodala is mainly hypothetical and/or fictional, and betting on it to the tune of $13 million a year is Billy King-style teamicide. Agitating for this from the high ground, like you guys are apt to do, is stupider than dirt.

Ed never was a Logic guy!! Kiddin Ed.

Fans. Rest assured Iguodala is not goin ANYWHERE. If you fans dont comprehend the value Andre Iguodala brings to this franchise'future, then watch a few games, pleeeze.
Dang, its rather clear and obvious. Not to mention the fact that many, many, BIGS wanna play w him.

Ed never could shoot. But, working for Rod, even Ed had to learn the wisdom of personnel assemblage.

Ed will serve Philly well. But, keeping Iguodala is rather imperative. Think his teammates readily confirm that. Right Ed?

We love CJR.

Are CJR and Morty both on ES payroll? Are they equally nutzo?
Or, most likely, are they one and the same.
Cuz, they equally, slight edge to moron CJR, make not only no sense, but are findinding delusuin as a friend.

Who cares.

Howdy, partner. Yes, I reckon it suits me here. Been some lawlessness, some disorder, but nothing I can't see my way through. Reckon I'll be seeing you. Mind yourself well, now.

CJR I guess is on Kuptchak's payroll, or, correction, just a Laker die-hard. Just spit it out dude.

Pillar idon 't know if you know this but tere is a ton of logic behnd what im sayin and

If you dont see it ur just one of the stupid fans who dont appreciate the value and not mentioning futur value of this indeviduil to the franchisee. he is One of the most allstar players we have had in this decade.

But it its ok because I know that Andre is going to stay here becuz Ed is not stupid enough two let ethe sickest dunker in the league leave even if it cost alot to keep him. go AI9 the best star we have evin if some people are ungratefol.

Enuf idiots,
If I was Iguodala's Agent, I would relax and acceot tender offer to Unrestricted in 09. This kis is beyond special, given his work ethic and innate athleticism.
Case closed/

Nice Blog, Marc.

CJR,

We love ya dude.

Please repeat in English, OK?

GM Insider,

That is delightful. I'm going to make a habit of posting here often. I have a lot of very strong opinions about Andre Iguodala AND other players. Sneak preview: I am pro-Dalembert and pro-Williams.

However, I must note that I think my player comparisons for #9 are much more apt than yours of Carmelo Anthony. Let's discuss, man, let's keep this kettle brewin'!

Your friend,
CJR

Look forward to your "insights"

Pillar,

Try as I might, I just can't bring myself down to your level, I guess. To summarize: you smug idiots and your consensus stand on zero legs and/or facts. Say N-O to 5 mo' for Iggo.

CJR,
We try and speak English here. Understand?

Joey Vento?

CJR,

Thats good. We will never be on the same level. Am glad you grasp that.

Up, down, spin yourself around. Enjoy the ride, kid.

Fine by me. So, this'll go over your head, as you've just admitted, but what the hey. What does Kupchak have to do with anything? Why would the Lakers want Andre Iguodala? They already have Trevor Ariza, same kind of guy.

CJR,

We love ya, dude. Please revisit, often. thanks much.

CJR - gotta admit, you entertain me, also. Hope too see you soon. You give me good yuks. Props to ya

Pillar,
Quit plagarizing me, dude

lol. yeah, ok Boss. lol

Suede,

You made my point earlier by having to mention AI with steals and Sammy with blocks. You made my point by having to use 2 players in Dalembert and Iverson when Iggy is one guy doing it. Think about it, guards should be quick and able to steal the ball. Centers should be able to block the ball. It's become somewhat required of their positions. Iggy is a SF, supposed to be somewhere in between the 2 and he's in the LEAGUE'S top 10 of his position in spg, rpg, AND bpg.

And for the record, don't sleep on Gay, he's a little better then most think defensively.

Jimmy Lynam

no I don't follow Italian League that much, I am too busy with the Sixers, LOL

thanks for the compliments and sorry for the late response

Dean doesn't like the Pippen comparisions. Well, Pippen would have one another title with the Rockets if they had a point guard (they were stuck with South Jersey's own Matt Maloney, who was a fine player, but not a starting NBA point).
Out of everyone who ever played in the NBA, the powers that be agreed Pippen was in the Top 50...OF ALL TIME.
If Pippen is overrated, it's only in Dean's mind.

Look at the attendance. Folks do not care about Iggy racking up numbers on a mediocre team. Iggy is not a draw. He can't sell tickets. So by that criteria then yeah he's underappreciated.