Deep Sixer

O'Brien did a decent job with a dog team. Although, I don't think his style, is conducive towards longterm success in the NBA.

Do people remember that the Sixers were actually very close to evening that series 2-2 when Willie Green missed some foul shots that would have won the game with only a second or two left in regulation in game 4? They went on to lose in OT, and then game 5 back in Detroit.

Gosh it is me or does it seem like its taking an enternity for these games to come

The stench of Willie Green Lingers like a HOF fart in the wind.

I wish they played 162 games a year just like baseball. Can't get enough of this team, especially when they start galloping like wild horses on the break.

K love stock is falling right into our zone boys. I don't know if thats good or bad

Zeru, agree totally. Morty, its funny you said that; when Mo told Carney as long as you do the other things like defend and rebound you have a green light I thought of Obrien. If you even look like your giving effort on defense you can shoot as soon as you pass 1/2 court; see [A.Walker and P.Pierce]. Bird has his hands full trying to get the Pacers to defend. They are soft with a capital "S".I love Foster but Bird won!t let their only defender go.

In fairness to O’Brien, that team was uncoachable. I'll be in Greece this summer when C-Webbs contract comes off the books, that night there will be a celebration like no other. Can't believe that were still paying Mckie, at least Billy pick up old time sixer great Kenny Payne and give him a max contract.

Greek, K.Payne was an assistant for 1 of the tournament teams, I picked them to lose right away, forget which one though.

Greek, I would sure like to get a long [J.Jeffries like] combo forward that could guard [Prince,Turkaglu,L.James]. Still think E.S. will get a guy like this [E.Clark,Alexander,Randolph] in the draft and get our p.f. by trade. Watched Jamison defend Garnrtt HARD during commercials of Sixers game last night, if he has 5 years left he would be a nice addition.

Morty, You've stated that there's nothing personal in your consistent derision of Willie Green. That you bring up a couple of his missed foul shots from the '04-'05 season clearly brings that line to question. You champion an inconsistent rook like Jason Smith and unfinished products like Lou Williams and Rodney Carney, yet trash Willie Green ad infinitum, a player who is having his best year after enduring a serious knee injury. Try for some balance in your commentary; he's earned better.

I really liked Green when he was in his rookie year, before the knee injury. I believe in giving people a fair shot. After seeing him play all year, I don't like his shot or his quickness at getting to the basket. While I know professional players have the best treatment available, different people respond differently to treatment. I think with this type of injury (I've had it) most people lose half a step- if for no other reason, hesitation. I'm not discounting that there are some who come back to almost the same level of ability.

In his defense, Morty's not the only one trashing him. I've got my own reservations about his ability to penetrate as well as his shot selection, not to mention his shooting accuracy. He's a volume shooter that makes very little contact on the shot. I see more potential in the young guys, while I believe Willie's hit a ceiling. I hope he proves me wrong, and lord knows he has more than enough PT.

I posted this before, but I was at the Indiana game on MLK day - and I counted and Green took 4 shots before he even passed the ball once - not had an assist - just passed the ball. He made none of those 4 shots. He is a gunner, and while I enjoy your posts, Jumpin, I disagree with you on this one. Green does not offer more than Carney or Williams right now. He should be used in a limited role in the playoffs. I do like him, and I think he plays hard - and he can get hot and stick a few once in a while, but right now I think I would rather see Lou or Rodney.

When Willie and Rodney, the last 2 seasons were fighting for the starters job it seemed Willie always got the nod. I have always wondered was it because he was better or because he is not the type of player that can come off the bench for quick spurts. My concern is with L.Will. handling the ball off the bench spot up shooter typeslike Carney would seem to be a better fit. Have L.Will. and Willie spent much time on the court together this year, I don!t remember.Brand looked good offensively last night but didn!t seem to have his hops back yet. He reminded me of Iggy with how he was directing the young guys while out on the court with them.

the Sixers were never good against Jim O Brien. A bad shooting night from the Pacers will be the way to victory tonight for the Sixers.

And I loved all the good things JOB did, like play Dalembert and Green for an average of ten minutes a game, while Kenny Thomas was shooting midrange jumpers and Mark Jackson missing all of A.I.'s passes in the lane.

And lets not forget that the ball was in AI's hands for about 42 minutes a game!

I can go on..I can go on all day.

Marc Jackson and Kenny Thomas were studs.

Sorry, I meant duds.

Suede, anyone who wasn't a fan when we drafted Payne and Welp is just a pup. I disagree about having to go out and get someone to cover those sf's, if Thad is our 3 then he is that such guy.

Out of the 3 guys that you mentioned, E.Clark,Alexander,Randolph. Which one besides Randolpj cound play the 4? Didn't see much of clark or alexander

Clark is built similar to Julian Wright and is a very good offensive rebounder. He could be a hybrid 4 at 6!9" when we want to run. Alexander is a freaky athlete who at 6!8" could probably play next to Thad because they both should be above average on the boards. The league is changing with teams using two small forwards alot [Orlando] and less bulky but athletic 4!s like Bosh and Josh Smith. Thad at the 3 and a long athlete off the bench that can run the floor and defend[6!9" or bigger] would help us defend when we face these types of players. I agree with Hugh about bringing in a prototypical low post 4, but with a draft pick and trade, I would like to add both and move Carney to the back up 2, what a defensive team we could have. Its a shame the draft is before free agency, its tough to draft a player not knowing who your going to be able to sign. If you knew you could sign Jamison then you could draft a big that defends [R.Lopez] or a big young backup point [Weaver]. E.S. has to get it right this summer.

first off o'brian is a stiff sixers didn't defend when he was here why would indiana. second willie green is at best a bench player,too small to defend a 2guard and as of late can't hit a jumper. third and final lou has been great not turning the ball over carney has been hittin his shots as well as smith and that will only help us in the playoffs,with the 2 andre's we are a contender watch out 4 our sixers baby. DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Marc Jackson and Kenny Thomas stink

Greek, DRAFTEXPRESS has good articles on Alexander and Clark if you hit on their names.

the thing I dont understand about the two sixers losses to Indy is that JOB's defensive scheme(which I think they still use) can be exploited so easily.

Jumpin':

First of all, I've never trashed Green's character. I don't know him, and all reports are that he is a hard working nice young man.

I certainly have trashed his game, and there's nothing unfair about that. Reasonable people, like yourself, are free to disagree.

As for the difference between Green and young players like Smith, Williams and Carney, it's simple: they are on the upswing and we are still unsure where their respective ceilings are. Give them another year or two of disappointing play and I will trash their games as well. I think we know by now what Green's ceiling is, we are seeing it this year. It says something to me that in his best year by far in the NBA, Green is at best mediocre.

If we agree that Green is not a starting caliber SG in the NBA (do we agree?) then there is probably not playing time off the bench for all three of Lou, Carney and Green. Now, of those three Lou is already a better player than Green and Carney has, in my own personal opinion, much greater potential, and has been outplaying Green in the past month and 1/2.

Greek-

Ummm...not sure where you got your information on K. Love's "draft stock" from - apparently Ben Howland said yesterday that a couple of NBA scouts have assured him that Love will go somewhere between 5 and 10. They could be blowing smoke, and of course he'll probably take a hit because he's not "athletic" enough (read: doesn't look as good posting up chairs and traffic cones as Yi did last year), but I can't see him dropping to us at 16-20.

Other memories from our last playoff series: Korver being exposed as a starting SF in the NBA, Dalembert riding 5 big games on the glass to a lifetime of wealth (sorry, hugh), AI's last stand, C-Web stunk. Like Marc mentioned, the Sixers were competitive in that series, and almost had it tied at 2 games apiece. Not a bad effort considering the talent level that team had and the opponent.

Josh, if Milwaukee, Charlotte and Chicago pass on him they are nuts, although Hibbard would allow Noah to go to his more natural 4 spot. Okafor seems to play the 5 alot, wonder about his ability to cover the 4!s in the league.

Those two pacer games the sixer lost came before febuary 4. That when the sixers started "jellin".

If we beat Washington, do we have a tie breaker over them?

Morty, whoever wins that game, wins the tiebreaker because Wash., with the win would have a better conference record. Saw it in one of the papers.

Morty, what I meant to say is the second tiebreaker is conference record so if Wash. wins and we are 2-2 then conference record decides it.

Gotcha. Thanks. So that shapes up as THE GAME, doesn't it?

george,

Good point. I'm not worried about this game at all, they're like Orlando without Dwight Howard. I see it as an opportunity to practice their perimeter defense.

If we DO get beat, then I'm worried...

Watch out for Toronto, I think they have a real easy schedule to finish. Morty, was it a backward shot at L.Brown when Mo said the young players needed to play in the games to improve and practice wasn!t going to just be the answer. Paraphrasing from yesterdays DAILY NEWS.

Looking at the possibilities of getting the 4th seed from the Cavaliers:

We should be able to beat the Pacers tonight as I'm sure a lot of you feel. The key would be to beat the Washington Wizards (would have the season series 3-1 with a win) and the Cleveland Cavaliers as well (would have the season series 2-1 with a win). Charlotte I figure we could beat as well. Seeing as Cleveland is three games ahead of us, it's unfortunate that they have a gimme game at Miami. Hopefully the Bulls can play spoiler and losing against us and Detroit the final two games of the season would give us an identical record with them with us having the tiebreaker.

With Washington, as long as we beat them and win the remaining games, they can't touch us either even if they do come out with identical records to us. The fourth seed is a bit of a long shot I know but I can't help being optimistic.

Rock on Sixers.

Suede,

Have you seen Ryan Anderson play from Cal? I haven't, but in looking at his numbers, he's a 20 and 10 guy and shot 41 percent from 3 for a guy who is 6'10''. That's not bad. If Stefanski wants a scorer and shooter at the 4 spot, maybe this guy could develop into something in a couple of years.

If this year's pick isn't traded, I think it will be for someone with some size (Robin Lopez, Hibbert, Thompson) or a shooter (Budinger, Rush).

Any other guys out there that intrigue you guys?

Thanks a lot, Morty.

Slammin' Sammy D is playing better - but I don't know if I will ever like him. There is something about the way he falls asleep at times and just does some no-brain things on the court that drive me nuts.

I went through the potential FAs last night for this upcoming season and a few guys caught my eye - not big deals, but guys who could make decent additions. Desagna Diop and Sasha Vujacic. Just throwing them out there - backup center and good, young, big 3-point shooting guard. I don't know what their respective teams think of them in terms of a contract, but they could be 2 decent additions.

Datrue4life, Saw him about 4 times, very perimeter oriented, didn!t post up much; A.Croschere comparison on draft site was good. Calathes wowed them at Portsmouth on first day and measured over 6!10". Not all N.B.A. calibur players there but the chance to ,2 years from now, possibly have a 6!10" combo guard to play alongside L.Will. that can hit the 3 should definitly be worthy of a 2nd round pick. Datrue4life, we lose our 2nd rounder, protected through #35 but Seattle has 4 and Portland 3, I think you asked about that the other day.

Suede:

I didn't take that as a shot at Brown. I think Mo was just stating his long held belief, maybe that was exacerbated by Brown. But that article is yet more evidence that ES has brought a different atmosphere and different ideas to the team than BK.

Hugh, its funny you mention Diop, read he lives in Cherry Hill for last 5 years, he must like the area.

I think Diop would be a fantastic back up C. But would he be available at a back up C price?

Well, yeah - that is the question - I think he would be. Dallas may want him back, but he is someone to consider. I also like Vujacic - I have only seen him 5 - 10 times, but he looks like he can stroke it from 3 and he is 6'7''. He looks like he can play a little of the 1, 2 and 3.

That could be a problem if we have Willie[4 mill.], Reggie[5 mill.] and say Diop[ app. 4 mill.] as 15 minute guys off the bench.If Reggie was 6!10" he would solve a lot of issues for this team but then he would still be in Seattle. Wonder where E.S. and Mo see J.Smith next year. With a low post 4 he could be a good backup 5 with his shotblocking ability. He reminds me of Geiger the way he jumps out to double the ball.

suede:

Don't damn Smith with faint praise!! Geiger is the kiss of death, that thief, are we still paying his contract?

The numbers you cite are all the more reason to somehow get rid of Green's salary. Evans is also over paid but I like what he brings to the table. We also will have Booth's salary on our books next year as well. Vuaicic is intriguing, although if Carney's rise is the real deal, we might already have that player on the roster. PF is still our most pressing need. Brand looked good from what I saw last night, although I agree with you that his hops were not impressive.

Very dangerous game tonight, as the Pacers seem determined to loose to Boston in the first round.

They are 7-3 in their last 10 so they are playing well now, and re-energized by JO.

The Pacers haven't seen the Sixers since they learned how to win, so I wouldn't put too much weight on past performances.

I couldn't stand Jim O'Brien as a coach, and was so happy when we shipped him off. There's no way he comes up with a plan to deal with the Sixers high-pressure defense, or relentless offense. As long as the Sixers play their game, they should win.

This weekend is an early-round playoff challenge for the Sixers. They need these wins against Indiana and Washington.

I am not worried about the Pistons in the playoffs. But I think I would rather the Sixers faced Cleveland in the first round. It may actually be better to face Orlando, since that way the Sixers could avoid Boston until the end. I just don't like the way the Sixers match up with the Magic.

Hugh, watching Laker game last night and the annoucer said P.Jackson used to call Vacucic his 11a.m. shooter. He never missed in the morning practices. But that sure has changed. Wonder what he will get per year and how does bringing in an outsider affect Carney!s confidence.

Morty, I thought Geigers defense was a big part of that team[ prior to the knee issues], I meant it as a compliment. Sam actually jumped out a couple of times recently, its o.k. as long as he gets back.

SUEDE,
Vujacic is fortunate to still be in the league, honestly. I have watched so many Lakers games (believe me not by my choice) and this guy his first 3 years was the laughing stock of the team. This year he has found his stroke, but his defense and turnovers are awful. If the Lakers were not patient with him, and he was with a different franchise, that team would have given him a one way ticket back to Serbia.
Jason-Los Angeles

Jason, thanks for the insight.

Good call - I was just throwing it out there, because we need some 3- shooting on this team. I am not sure if Carney will be able to continue to hit the 3 with consistency.

Quick side note - I remember Anthony Parker being a really good shooter in practice when he was here. I know he is over 30 now, but he sure turned into a nice shooter in the league. I always used to ask my brother why he never got a chance - when I would watch him warm up - he wouldn't miss. Sometimes these guys take a little time to develop the other parts of their game. Vujacic may be a bust as a FA signing - I haven't watched enough of him to tell - just thought he might have some intrigue based on this year.

Hugh, on draft express you should read the profile on M.Speights from Florida. Saw him a few times but he couldn!t get minutes because of Noah and Horford last year. He has a similar game to D.J. but is a legit 6!10". Could be a nice fit here if he is around when we pick.

You all make me SICK! O'Brien did a good job here and was fired bec. BIlly King didnt like him...period. Smo Cheeks is a bad coach! He doesnt even coach the team. Andre Miller and Ed Stefanski do. Miller doenst even run the plays Smo Cheeks calls. Stefanski has/had to tell him to push the ball more over and over. Wake up and stop reliving the 83 Championship team every year. Smo Cheek is a a bad coach. We wouldnt even have this prob. if O'Brien would have left. FYI his style is that of the current Sixers. A hybrid 4 and push the ball...know something about basketball before you start speaking.

Suede,

I saw that he was coming out - I don't know a whole lot about him, but from the scout's analysis, he seems to have a lot of potential and he seems to have the athleticism needed at the NBA level. I don't like to judge guys I have not seen play though - I did see Florida (a few minutes here a few there) a little, but I don't remember him.

I only like White a lot, because I saw him play 3 or 4 times this year, and each time, he impressed me. I like his post game - I can see the problem with his size and all of that - maybe he will fall into the 2nd round, although I doubt it. I am also a fan of Joe Alexander at our slot, although I don't like the fact that he isn't signing an agent. It is smart for him, but it sucks for us - it is hard to risk a mid first round pick on a guy who might go back to school. I think Alexander can play on the block and on the perimeter. He is sort of like Jason Smith - but a little more agile and with a little better of a jump shot. I do think we need to go big though - no guards or SFs. I would like someone who can help right away, and I think White/Alexander can do that - I don't know - maybe Speights can too.

Also, I like the way Evans has played this year, but he was signed by King, and being that he is so limited, I think the Sixers may look to move him in the off-season. Guys like Evans are supposed to be bench guys on teams like Dallas and San Antonio - not the starter on the 6ers. I doubt that we will be able to unload his contract though - he is locked up until 2011. If we draft an Alexander/Speights/White - we might be able to move Evans to the bench and we won't have to spend a ton on any of them. That would be a good rotation of Sam, Smith, Alexander and Evans - not sure of what Hill can do yet. Adding a shooter through FA and this team can be a lot better next year. I think Smith has shown that he can be a backup Center - he is a decent shot blocker - he just has to bulk up a bit and condition himself for an NBA season.

As for now, I am happy with the play of this team - I really didn't think they had much this season. Miller really stepped it up and Iguodola has come a long way this year. I think you would be amazed if you watched a game from November and his most recent game at how much he has improved his jumper and his ability to get to the rim and draw fouls. I remember late last year, he would drive and try to make an acrobatic shot over a big guy by flipping it from his waist or over his head - he now takes it right at them and draws the foul or dunks hard. Lou Williams continues to impress me and I think he is really getting overlooked by Mo. He needs more minutes - I would like to see Carney and Lou split Green's minutes in the playoffs. If either slips - insert Green. As everyone else has been saying - Smith needs more minutes in the playoffs. This is an invaluable opportunity for him to develop. We can't expect to go too deep in the playoffs - especially if we draw Orlando or Detroit, so lets see the young guys a little more in the post season.

Wow - that ended up being a long post - I have been known to ramble.

datruth4life,
I like Darrell Arthur from Kansas and I'm intrigued by Serge Ibaka as big men. I also like Darren Collson and Lester Hudson as potential future PG.
-B Frank

Sickfan - part of the problem in philly was that AI usually had the ball for about 18 seconds before finally dishing it out because Kenny Thomas wasn't shooting well, or some other stupid stat.

Hey remember when he never played Dalembert?? What a GREAT idea. MJax and Rodney Rogers were the ULTIMATE combination and nobody could penetrate the paint.

JOB would still be here if he wasn't so stubborn. Instead of making the players conform to a system which they weren't capable of handling, why not make adjustments since he realized he had no pieces to make it work? Nobody needed to front the post on every play.

Suede, JJeffires has yet to cover anyone this year and his O is offensive at best. The combo forward that we neede we have, in Thad. He is only 19 and the D is growing. By next year he will already be better than JJ on the defensive end. Jamison may be the only major PF out there who may be within range that I really like. I wouldn't be sad to see us save the cap resources for later and concentrate on the upcoming draft.
Barton

Hugh, don!t worry about losing the pick. Before the draft they have to pull out or they can be drafted. Barton, if he made 3 mill. I would take him in a heartbeat as a situational defender. Agree about his offense though. It!s nice to have a 6!11' perimeter defender. Thad is going to hopefully get most of his minutes from the 3 and Iggy from the 2. It would be nice through the draft to add a 3/4 long defender that could play along with those 2. Talk about being able to lock a team down. E.S. and Mo seem to like players that can play more than 1 position, Jamison would fit the bill.

B. Frank., Hudson!s bio sounds like A.Toney, small school and major stats. The predraft workouts will give everybody a chance probably to see him for the first time.

It amazes me how guys wake up when in the spotlight. Arthur looked really good in that championship game but was almost invisible in a couple other Kansas games I watched. Don't know if that was due to the Kansas system or not. Really have to look into these guys like BK did last year. Both picks will have long careers in the NBA. JSmith may just be a role player but he is at worst a rotation guy in the NBA and Thad should be the real deal throughout his career.
Pleasure to have these important playoff seeding games down the stretch. Who would have thought..............

Suede,

The second round pick that the 76ers owe Utah was top 45 protected this year BEFORE they made the trade to give them Fesenko for Herbert Hill. The 76ers traded a higher drafted Fesenko player (no. 38) for a lower drafted player (no. 55) and received future draft considerations from Utah for this year.

Now, if that means that our top 45 protected pick became top 35 protected for trading a player that we picked at 38 for one that was selected at 55, then BK is a moron.

Are you absolutely sure that this pick is now only top 35 protected? That doesn't make any sense. If you could double check and let us know, that would be great.

Remember what things used to be like??? Check out this Blog on the Bucks. Thank god we're on the upswing!

http://myespn.go.com/s/conversations/show/story/3341664

sick fan,

Jim O'Brien knows basketball. He's Roman Catholic HS (William "Speedy" Morris) and St. Joseph's University (Jack McKinney) trained, to basketball royalty wed (Dr. Jack Ramsey, father-in-law) and has spent his adult life in coaching on the college and pro level. A demanding guy with standards; doesn't suffer fools gladly. (With respect to that, I had jokingly mentioned a while back that he should drive a team in the Iditarod.) Has had a nice career as both player and coach. Sometimes handles press with open disdain, at least that occured in Philadelphia on occasion; doesn't seem to care much what others think as he seriously goes about his business. I respect him as a coach; hard to promote to as a personality, though I'd bet he's a good neighbor.

Your boldly contrarian view was interesting and provoked thought. I don't doubt that he and King walked uneasily with one another - different sorts, contrasting styles. I also don't doubt that Cheeks receives some guidance and direction from Lynam and Stefanski. I wonder how close, though, your emphatic statements regarding Inside Sixerville are to actuality, and also about the source of the information that was delivered with conviction. Your undisguised contempt for "the rabble" in Deep Sixer blogland reminds me of court professor O'Brien responding to questions from the media after a loss. Do you happen to be related by blood or friendship? If not, I certainly count you as one of his firmest fans.

Datrue4life, read the info on one of the draft sites, recently, hope I am wrong. Jumpin, I had a feeling his prickly personality had something to do with it , after all they made the playoffs.S.F.W., seems like interviews and background checks are a very close second to talent now adays, not a bad thing. I thought that E.S. was quoted as saying Thad blew them away when he interviewed with the Nets.

Datrue4life, just checked DRAFTEXPRESS [transactions page]. We give Utah our 2nd round pick this year and Miami gets our 2nd round pick next year [D.Cook trade]. I would rather have Fesenko and the pick to be honest with you.

Jumpin':

I don't know if sick fan deserved such a well put response, but nonetheless ... very well put.

On REALGM.COM Korver made most overpaid list of players for this year, Morty did Dean have a vote.

Suede, I love checking out draftexpress and Nbadraftnet but nothing can beat watching these guys with your own eyes(on tv)
Being the draft whore that I am, I tried to watch every first round prospect play this year. Alexander and Clark Didn't get thrown into any mocks until recently, which is why I didn't make a point on watching them. Hey, did you ever see Hickson play out of NC state? I havent but his profile looks intruiging.

Datruth
Anderson sounds like a player but don't we already have that same guy in Jason Smith?

Morty
Diop will be looking to break the back, or aat least get as much as he can. Now if we could dump wee willie green and replace his money with Diop then thats another story. How about our Boy Jason Smith!!!

Hugh
I once went to a game, got there early and watched Rick Brunson hit about 48 out of 50 corner shots. It was that day that I learned that pro's just don't miss in practice, unguarded. I mean Rick Freakin Brunson couldn't miss!

JUMPIN,
GOOD STUFF DUDE.
JASON-LOS ANGELES

Greek,

LOL - Rick Brunson, huh? You may be right. The 11am shooter comment just reminded me of Parker, because I remember going to a bunch of games and watching him shoot lights out before the game. He is a really good shooter now - so there must have been something to it.

I think we win by double digits tonight. I am a SJU grad and I hated O'Brien. I will NEVER forget the night Donyell Marshall hit 12 or 13 3s - I think all from the exact same spot and nobody was even getting a hand in his face.

Suede,

This is off of NBAdraft.net's board about outstanding trades for 2008 and 2009:

**Utah receives a conditional 2008 Philadelphia second-round pick (Top 45 protected in 2008, top 40 protected in 2009, and unprotected in 2010 ) (60th pick trade 060705).

**For 2008, Philadelphia receives future draft considerations from Utah (Kyrylo Fesenko trade 062807).

I don't mind giving up the 2nd round pick to get Jason Smith, though. Riley kind of had BK by the kahunas when he picked Smith one pick ahead of the Sixers.

Thanks, Morty & Jason. Appreciate your positive nods.

Suede, Generally, I don't like coaches being chummy with players. Do you? Everybody's got their personality and style of delivering it. O'Brien's unfawning way has found a fair degree of success.

Missed tonight's game. Sounds like it was a clunker.