Deep Sixer

thanks, Marc, Bang up job. good teams win games that they should win. i think the Sixers sweep ATL. the 5th or 7th seed is in their hands. if this team is as good as we all think they are, then they should win both. they didnt practice Weds because they didnt need to. this team plays harder than everyone. i know ATL is hot, but we are better, its crunch time.

Im honestly a bit worried about ATL. On paper we should win, but we've thrown in some crappy games against them this year. Hear's hoping the boys come out fired up.

Suede, from last thread, i hear you about Ed wanting a PF already in the league...i was just sort of thinking that we could do both since DJ is looking like a second rounder. wishful thinking perhaps...i wouldn't mind padgett as a backup C in the second round either, if we dont draft a PF. actually think he'd be a good counterbalance to sam - potentially help in the halfcourt on offense in the middle of games and let sam be the defensive stopper to start and finish them. Maybe its just me, but i feel like sam does better with about 30 or so min - seems to loose focus when out there for too long...

KM:

I haven;t seen White, so I am bit ignorant there, but if the guy i sonly considered 2nd round material, the odds are greatly against him ever being a starting quality NBA player. If not Love, I am not convinced that the longterm answer to our PF need is out there this off season, although I could still be convinced about Josh Smith.

If not, then a place holder that is still an upgrade, like a Lamar Odom type, would not be the worst thing in the world. I don't want to make a long term monetary commitment unless it's as close to a sure thing as possible. If it was possible to dump Green's salary in exchange for Odom I would do that, no problem.

If we swapped A.Miller and Bibby we would be looking up at Atl. in the standings; Atlanta challenges in the east with A.Miller!s leadership.Morty, White is a player but it comes down to, as my brother S.F.W. always tells me, the predraft measurements. Picture Evans with good post moves.If he is 6!8" or up he moves into the 1st round. K.M., I did a minutes checkup when DATRUE4LIFE mentioned getting Turiaf and Villanuava and with 96 minutes between the 4 and 5 positions its tough to add 2 players that will want minutes.With Sam [30 min.],Reggie [20 min.], Jason [20 min.], that leaves about 26 minutes for the player brought in, plus the fact Mo likes to go small with Thad at the 4 once in a while. Chemistry is what!s driving this team; that!s why I would prefer a young p.f. to a veteren that will expect major minutes. I brought up Foster and K.Brown because for 20 minutes a night they would supply inside physical play and "fit " in. I think we have a third Dre quality star in Thad so a role playing 4 [like Mcdyess is now for Detroit] is the way to go. Just my opinion.

Suede:

I hear you, but unless Smith makes some big strides, I still think we need a talent upgrade at that position. Got to be careful about overvaluing what we have like Chicago.

Actually Morty, Chicago!s mistake was wanting to make a big acquisition [B.Wallace] and overpaying. Smith gives effort every night but is not a physical player, if effort was an issue I!d be concerned. I like what I have seen and wish he was getting 5 more minutes a night now. Our situation is similar to Chicago!s before the Wallace signing. I was watching the Cleveland game thinking how good J.Smith would look in a Sixers uniform now giving what he gave us after the A.I. trade, that is the kind of addition I would like to see.

Suede, no problem with that approach but you do need a star to win in this league. So, if available and he is the right kind of person, got to go for him.
The more I discussed Jameson with Tuna, the more I liked it. He would fit, probably accept a 32-35 minute role for a couple years, score 20 for us and with our current roster provide the 1/2 court presence. With Lou Will & Carney growing on the perimeter might just become a well rounded team.
I really like the sound of that. I will miss my role as a make believe GM because with him I think we get very close.

I'm sorry guys but what are you talking about with Odom, Smith, et al. Marc's post was about the Bibby family and this weekends home and home. Why is everyone so worried about the draft and trades when we don't know for sure what we need until after we see the playoffs. Yeah, guys....that's right....this years playoffs and a great young sixer's team. I, for one, am concerned about Friday's game and like the sixer's, hopefully, am not looking past that one game, let alone worrying about the draft and free agancy. I know I'm not one of the regulars here but can't we just enjoy what we have going and speculate for next year when it's time. Thanks for listening....GO SIXER'S

Morty

I agree with you... We have to be VERY careful about who we give our money to. Chicago definately outmanuevered themselves by signing Wallace and by drafting tyrus THomas over Lamarcus Algridge. We dont have many options this year so I'd love us to get Odom without giving up any of our 'valuable' talent. It would buy us a year to get who we want. Not some busted veteran coming off an injury.

Suede

I agree with you about this too. King should have resigned Smith until he found a viable replacement at that spot. Smith would have definately made us a better team at this point.

reggie evans with post moves is White to a T. If i had to guess, I'd say he's about reggie's height and, not quite as heavy but with the potential to be a clone with some time in the weight room....if i had to guess. Morty - true not many second rounders go huge, and he prob doesn't have the flash game to be a "superstar" that at any rate - thinking more along the lines of just a workaday producer...as suede's last sentence of the 7:09post. and there is some precedent, like a Boozer. My thought was just that we may be able to get a bargain on white as a 2nd rounder, and still have a shot to try again next year if he doesnt work out for whatever reason.

At any rate, suede, i was thinking of that too re: the minutes after i said that. Probably only room for one more big guy. Curious, do you see Jason as backup C?

We're concerned about friday's game too - we also commented on it as part of our posts. just continuing some ongoing speculation. i dont think anyone's set anything in stone, its just nice to consider possibilities.

This site - which is the one I check periodically - has White towards the end of the 1st round. It has us taking Thabeet, which I think would be a hughe mistake. It would be like having 2 Sammy Ds and I couldn't take that. I would only take him if they could move Sam for a scoring PF and then get a Thabeet at a much discounted price. Otherwise, DJ White is the guy. If they did a moce for an Odom or Brand type and then got Thabeet - I wouldn't mind that - but to keep Sammy and then get Thabeet over White, I think would be a mistake. I think he is more NBA ready then a lot of the guys in this draft.

The thing about this draft and a lot of recent drafts is that a lot of value is being placed on these athlete types, who aren't good fundamentally and rely on their athleticism too much. Those guys are good as bench guys who can develop a decent jump shot while taking advantage of their speed, etc. and work into a starting role. Essentially, they are eternal role players unless they develop some skills and learn to play smarter and under control (like Iguoadala has). However, many of them are lottery picks but they will never develop into really good players (Rudy Gay, Deng, Lowry, Tyrus Thomas, Noah, Brandan Wright, Childress). Most of them play one year in college because they have to and they are not developed, and by the time they do - they leave in FA or get resigned for ridiculous $$ because the GM is scared that he wasted his pick and time/money developing the guy for 3 years for another team (i.e. Sammy D - BKing). They then become untradeable.

This is why I like DJ White a lot. He is NBA ready and will be able to step right in and help on both ends of the court. If he goes 2nd round , it will be a huge shock to me. Teams like San Antonio and Detroit will not this guy get by them. This is why they have won 4 of the last 5 titles. The fact that his stock is falling is good as we continue to win. I also like Kevin Love, but he probably won't be there when we pick.

Here is the link.

http://www.nbadraft.net/index.asp?content=mock2008

Hugh - very well said. DJ white has game, straight up - athleticism doesn't always translate but skills, well... I was actually surprised to see him ranked 2nd where i was looking - I'll check your link out.

In other news, bulls just knocked off LeBron & co. Nice. The door is still slightly open for us to really step up...

DJ White is only 6'7.5 with shoes, how is he going to guard D howard. Hasheem Thabeet is 7'3 265 and can run the floor is athletic like D howard. I have to go with Hasheem Thabeet on this one. THe sixers have to find someone to guard D howard, bynanum and other bigs Sammy D have trouble guarding.

If we win the first game against the hawks, I believe we clinch POs. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Hey Marc -

Are you still doing a podcast?

Interesting forward matchup tonight, Orlando!s two 6!10" forwards give us fits; lets see how we do against two 6!9" players. Willie has to play the 6!6" J.Johnson, hope he can score with him early. Law has been getting some run off the bench lately, time for L.Will. to take him to school.

DJ White is going to be a good NBA player - Thabeet is a project - young teams can't keep adding projects (please see Minnesota, Atlanta, Seattle). White is comparable to an ELton Brand - not very tall, but a long wing span and get play with his back to the basket - get out and run - and knock down an open 10 - 15 footer. Thabeet will give you 4 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks - we already have a guy who can do that.

I can't believe you guys are analyzing the draft already! LOL. However, with that being said, I would love to have KLove. I can't believe they project him to go at 13. What a steal. He just makes things happen. Forget the close-minded comparisons to Larry Bird - he's a Charles Barkley type...but taller. Rumbling, stumbling, posting up, rebounding, scoring. He would be adored in Philly.

No one wants to see this team secure the 5 seed more than me but if by some amazing event we fell out altogether, a little part of me wouldn't mind if it helped get KLove.

tozmanian,

Just for you...

Usually, it’s not too hard to visualize a strategy the Sixers should use against a certain opponent, but with the Hawks, it was tough.

The Hawks’ most obvious advantage is that they’re BIG. Take a look at how the Sixers compare with them up front:

Sammy Dalembert
Reggie Evans
Thad Young
Jason Smith
Calvin Booth

Josh Smith
Al Horford
Josh Childress
Zaza
Marvin Williams

So obviously, the Sixers are gonna have a hard time winning the rebounding battle. I think the best they can do here is to try and keep the Hawks' offensive rebounds to a minimum. The key battle here will be Reggie Evans vs. Josh Childress (a very underrated contributor). Childress is a very good offensive rebounder, better than Josh Smith, and we need Reggie to neutralize him. Thad can take Josh, so Mo should start him for this one.

Say what? Thad on Josh Smith? Yup, I'm serious about that matchup. Josh is big and strong, but he doesn’t really use that strength, and he shoots a low FG% no matter who’s guarding him – all Thad has to do is stay in front of him and use his athleticism to try and win the rebounding battle. Josh is a good shot-blocker, and I think the guy who’d be the best at getting his shots off against him and getting him into foul trouble is Thad.

The Sixers have the guard advantage, and they definitely need to use this. One, go for lots of steals. I don’t know how good the Hawks are at taking care of the ball, but another important battle to win is the turnover battle, because of the aforementioned edge the Hawks have in rebounding.

The following is true for almost every game, but it's especially key for this one - Lou and Rodney need to play a lot of minutes because of their shooting, and they need to make a good amount of their shots, especially their threes. Our athletic guards can also do one other thing – shut down Bibby and Johnson. I’ve looked at a couple of recent Hawks box scores, and one thing that’s happened when they’ve won is Bibby and/or Johnson having a good game.

The casual fan doesn't care about the draft until the day of the draft. The die hard fan trys to think like the GM, always thinking ahead. Want to know why were talking about the draft casual fans? It's because we thirst for knowledge, and when the draft is completed you come to blogs such as this and seek our knowledge.

Snarf snarf

Like I said I haven't seen DJ White, so I won't comment on his game. But I do think we need a player on the level of the 2 Andres, Thad, and Sammy at the PF spot if we are going to step up to the next level. I don't think a platoon of hardworking, but less than ideally skilled players will cut it, those guys will make a great bench. That's why, unless we can acquire Love, I would prefer to go the young veteran route.

Chicago's problem was not that they made a big splash acquisition, it's that they made the wrong one. Wallace was approaching his declining years. That's the risk we take with Brand or Jamison. And that's why I would be content with a placeholder like Odom, especially if we can dump Green on the Lakers in exchange.

Of course I would love to get a long term solution like Kevin Love this summer (or Josh Smith?), but it has to be the right fit, so if we have to wait, I'm OK with that.

What is a Greek snarf?

Snarf = Anyone who feels the need to advertise themself as a "die hard fan"

I am also a big Kevin Love fan - I just don't think he will be there when we pick - given our recent success. If you don't want to talk draft - go on the San Antonio blog. We are looking forward to the draft as it will be an integral part of the rebuilding process for this team.

We NEED to get the 5th playoff seed if we want to advance past the first round. Chicago took Cleveland down led by Larry Hughes last night. It's obvious that LeBron is hurt, and Washington, Toronto, and our boys should all be smelling blood. I think that either the Sixers or the Wizards have a *very* good chance of pulling the upset with a weakened LeBron. We really don't stand too much of a chance versus Detroit or especially Orlando.

Upsetting Cleveland would make Philly the number 1 team on the rise for free agents. I hope Mo and the players realize what is at stake in these final 7 games.

Hugh:

For what it's worth, NBAdraft.net has Love only going 3-5 spaces above where we will be, so it would not be out of the question to be able to trade up those 3-5 spots. Assuming that prediction is at all accurate.

would anyone accept a trade where we got a draft pick from 5-8 but had to take back an additional player with a bigger salary that would take a few years to take off the books?

Re: "If you don't want to talk draft - go on the San Antonio blog."

Relax, Hugh.

LOL - I was just giving you a hard time. I am actually a draft junkie for some reason - always enjoyed it.

If Love does fall to our pick - I think we have to take him - as much as I like White - primarily because he is younger and a little more polished offensively. I do think White will be just as good, if not better - I just think Love is a really good fit - especailly with how we like to get out and run - he is a great outlet passer as well as a good jump shooter. I would be happy with either guy.

TormentedInBeantown, listen dude us die hards could use a secretary leading up for the draft. I don't want you to feel left out.

Morty

I first saw the snarf on the south park trilogy called imagionation land. But the Snarf came from thundercats the cartoon which i have never seen, but after watching those south parks episodes and I can't get that snarfin phrase out of my mind. Tell you uncle Marty that I said hello!

For the draftniks

Our possible targets with the 16-17 pick.

Anthony Randolph, super athelte dare I say a 76'ers syle of athlete

Arthur- check out his tremendous spin moves this weekend. Big man with a low post game, which is something that we lack

Jason Thompson- see anthony randoplh

Wayne ellington sg

thabeet, 7'3 is too big to ginore

Augustin and collison, 2 tremendous college pg's whose games will easily trasfer over well to the pro's.

nbadraftnet is excellent

so is http://www.draftexpress.com/index.php

How about DeVon Hardin? I know everyone is looking for a PF, but isn't that better addressed through free agency this season? Assuming Calvin Booth isn't here next season, Dalembert needs a backup at center or else we are going to be treated to a year full of Mo small ball. What if he gets injured? Does Thad or JSmith or Evans move in?

Anyway, about Hardin - he did an amazing defensive job on Beasley in Cal's one game against them. At 6'11" 250 he's a virtual Dalembert clone, but looks stronger and has plenty of time to fill out (only 21 years old). 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 23 minutes a game and 9.3 points on 56% shooting. Doesn't foul much, but plays tough man D. Has an offensive game that keeps getting better. Maturity, intelligence and dedication are not issues either - he stayed the full four years to get his degree even with an offer from an NBA team last season. Supposedly the Pistons offered to pick him end of the first round if he declared last year, and that's coming off a broken foot.

I think we should either draft a SG/SF type who we know can hit the long ball or add depth at C or PG (with C being more pressing). We did a great job scouting Thad and JSmith, but I don't think another rookie PF in the late first round is going to help anything out.

I'm with most folks. I think we should focus on this year and see how far this young team can go. Having said this, if we pick anywhere from 16-20, what do people think of Mario Chalmers?

I forgot about Joe Alexander - I would give him some consideration at out pick if he is still there. We don't need any more athlete (Carney, Young) types. They can't all play at the same time. Alexander seems to have the versatility on the offensive end that we are looking for - although he does seem to have a problem staying out of foul trouble - that can be worked on. I think the PG has to come in next year's draft - or resign Miller for less $ after his deal is up or look to FA in the next off-season. It would be a waste to take a PG in this draft.

Bob:

Booth, unless he suffers a brain cramp, will be back because he has a "player option" for next year. Thanks, Billy!

That said, we should target a more serviceable backup C, one that can play 15 capable minutes a game. I liked what I saw of KM's choice, David Padget from Louisville. Should be a 2nd rounder. Good passer and can run the floor well.

Lets not forget about Herbert Hill. He looked fantastic in the summer league games.

Dawkins
Unless chalmers lights it up like reggie miller, I believe that our pick 16-17 would be way to high to pick him.

Just checked his stats and his shooting 476% from the 3 is pretty sexy. But I dont think that they will pick him over those 7 guys that I listed.

Ditto for Hardin, he will go near the end of the first, start of the second.

The Arthur kid could be the steal of the draft. Chad ford wrote this today, Darrell Arthur has been good when he has gotten touches, but he hasn't been dominant

I noticed the same thing, with all the talent on that roster there just arent too many shots to go around. If this kid wasn't on a super power such as kansas then his numbers would be through the roof. Hidden value boys, hidden value. Watch im closely this weekend, he could be our starting 4 next season.

Hugh

check out your boy joe alexander's profile on draft express. Great pic with him puttinghis elbow through the rim.

Abbiamo vinto ad atlanta 109-104... go sixers

Iggy/J.Johnson matchup like watching Jordan/Dumars tonight. Best p.f. on court tonight[Thad]. Post ups by Josh Smith [0].Playoff halfcourt atmosphere and Iggy and Dre showed they could make plays, friggin beautiful!!

Congrats to the Sixers.

What a wonderful accomplishment!

Bravissimo!

The newest trend of this team of ours is their ability to finish off teams that have really given them trouble in the recent past.
Orlando (once), Boston and Detroit simply owned the 6ers earlier in the season. Now when they come out on the floor they have to bring their A game or they will be posterized over and over again. We will no longer be able to sneak up on people in the playoffs because we were not hovering around .500 the entire season. No, they have played like a bunch of bball demons to get to this point and everyone in the league knows just how hot the 6ers are. they will be prepared for our boys. And I wouldn't have it any other way. This team can look any team in the eye and have no reason to fear. They may not win, but I do not expect them to step back even an inch. Whoever plays the PHILADELPHIA 76'ers will have their hands full and nothing this team does will surprise me one way or the other.
Barton

Other than at a clrar discount, the Sixers mgt' would have to be total fools to pursue Elton Brand. Even if healthy, at 29, w ZERO FINANANCIAL APPETIE REMAINING, he is the ultimate high risk/low reward. guy. ANY "Bizman", w a modicum of smarts/success, (brains,) knows same, and ES is a sharp cookie.

Are you all blind? That is the teams' Unique, collective asset; freak athletes who can ALSO produce the desire to learn how to defend, as well as execute the scoring at a FASTER pace than any team is accustomed to handle, for 48 mins any nite.

THAT is what the Warriors, Nuggets, and Suns missed; freak athletes who can, or will, play BOTH sides of the Ball.

Instead,the Sixers if shrewd, might invest in 2 additional, top shelf, asst Coaches to mentor the youngins'.Cuz, the players are here, now.

Its that simple folks.

Y'all in Philly dony wanna pay AI? Good.

There is NOBODY I eould want more as a Co-Partner in hoops battle than Andre.

Its quite that simple, course, he has heard that from a few others too. But if Philly is skanky enough to question his value, you are all idiots, amd guys like me love ya.

CP3

CP3,,
Nice try. But he, as my sources say,id Hollywood (Lakers) bound, either this summer, or as UFA.

Am sure you would be the runner-up, with all ducks aligned. We shall see who wins the horse-race; no stud wanna stay in Philly. Or even start there.lol