Sixers Blueprint for Success 2.0
by Jordan Sams on Feb 25, 2010 2:04 AM PST
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PrintAround this time last year I unveiled the Sixers Blueprint for Success. After a quick re-read it's a good thing I wasn't the Sixers GM. Ed Stefanski and I probably would've made the same mistakes, except I would've cut Eddie Jordan's 4-chalk session short and said, "the job is yours if you beat me in NBA 2k9," and he would have.
Since I'm not an NBA GM I'm going to pretend last year never happened and unveil the Sixers Blueprint for Success 2.0 (a condensed version). I'm a year older, and a year wiser. I've learned from my hypothetical mistakes (which never happened) and I'm ready to put this franchise back on a path for greatness, or goodness, or something better than this-ness.
Remainder of the Season
- Retain Eddie Jordan as head coach: The Sixers aren't making the playoffs this year, so there's no point in firing a guy who might help them earn a couple extra lotto balls. And as John pointed out, Comcast would then be paying three head coaches.
- Start the same starting lineup: Jrue, Lou, Andre, Brand, and Sam is beneficial on so many levels. It develops the young guys, develops continuity for the future, and gives the Sixers the best chance to win.
- Play Speights, Carney and Meeks more: They all might suck, but we need to see if they're whether or not they're worth including in future plans.
- Don't re-sign Allen Iverson: Sad to see him go, but he has no place on this roster. I hope he plays at least one more game for the Sixers so we can give him a proper farewell.
- Don't re-sign Fransisco Elson: Duh!
- Offer Rodney Carney to veteran's minimum: I like Carney a lot so I'd be willing to slightly overpay, but if he wants anything more than about 1 mill per year, let him walk.
- Offer Amir Johnson (unrestricted) a 2 year deal worth 5 million: Signing Amir would be an inexpensive, low-risk move. He's still only 22 (same age as Speights), and he's shown more defensive ability than Marreese at this point. If anything he'd provide more size and defensive potential off a bench who can't defend or rebound to save their lives.
- Offer Anthony Morrow (restricted) a 2 year deal worth 7 million: Morrow's gives the team exactly what they need -- a lights out shooter not named Jason Kapono. His defensive is difficult to evaluate because he plays for the Warriors, but worst case, he's a good enough shooter where the Sixers can hide any defensive deficiencies he might posses. He'd start at shooting guard and eliminate Willie Green from the equation completely.
- Offer Sergio Rodriguez (restricted) a 2 year deal worth 5 million: Because the Sixers need a real back up point guard.
- Offer the league minimum to Morris Almond: Another young, inexpensive option. Dude can shoot, and play shooting guard -- very similar to Anthony Morrow in those regards.
Draft
With the 9th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Phiadelphia 76ers select ... Solomon Alabi.
David Thorpe on Alabi:
Summary: Feb. 4 Update, by David Thorpe: I've known about Solomon since he was first discovered by some NBA scouts when he was a young teenager in Africa. When I put together a post development DVD using high school players, he was one of my demonstrators. He was 15 then, and looked to be an NBA prospect because of his unique characteristics. He is a high-energy, bright and charismatic person in the best sense. That, in a 7-foot-1 body with a huge wingspan, makes him very draft-worthy.
When NBA executives track his improvement over the years, they can't help but come to the conclusion that he will continue to get much better over time. He makes over 80 percent of his free throws. He can score around the basket with either hand. He can face up and make 15-foot jumpers. He uses great technique to front post players and he's fearless inside the paint, despite being outweighed by almost every player he faces, though not by as much as he used to be. Not to mention that Alabi has only played basketball for six years or so.That he's a good shotblocker is no surprise, given his physical gifts. Doing so while anchoring an excellent defensive unit without fouling (only averages 2.2 a game) is certainly impressive.
All of these skills were not evident even two years ago, which is why it's fair to assume he'll continue on the same development path. His best talent though, is his spirit. He is a selfless worker, and a tireless one, reminding me in those areas of Joakim Noah, who is now one of the premier help defenders in the NBA. Unfortunately, he does not have all of Noah's talents.
Alabi is not a likely low-post scorer in the NBA because of his inability to pass out of the post, a very difficult skill to master. Nor is he someone who will take his man off the dribble from the pinch post. But at worst, he projects as a shotblocking and energy-bringing center off the bench who impacts games whether he scores or not. At best, he's a top defensive center that can play late in games because of his free-throw shooting.
Since I'm building this team around defense, I'm drafting Sammy D's eventual replacement in Alabi. I could've gone Donatas Motiejunas or Greg Monroe here, but neither fit my plans for this roster.
Trades
Thaddeus Young (1 year, 2.9 million) for Rudy Fernandez (1 year, 1.2 million): It doesn't work under the cap as of right now, so don't try it in Trade Machine, but once Camby and Juwan Howard come off the books this summer, bingo!
Coaching
Once the roster is set, fire Eddie Jordan and hire Monty Williams.
From Yahoo Sports!:
The 38-year-old Williams was interviewed for the Wolves job last summer that went to Rambis. He is in his fifth season with the Blazers after spending one year in San Antonio as an intern. Williams is credited in Portland for the development of Travis Outlaw(notes) and Nicolas Batum(notes). Williams bounced around in his NBA career after being a first-round pick of the Knicks in 1994.
Williams is not a re-tread. He'd become the youngest head coach in the NBA. He was a solid defender during his playing days. In his five years with the Blazers, the team's defensive rating has improved each year. He's been a part of two model franchises (Portland and San Antonio). There's no guarantee he'd work out, but I'd rather take a chance on Williams than some re-tread like Avery Johnson or Lawrence Frank.
Recap
If everything goes according to plan we're looking at this roster:
PG - Jrue, Lou
SG - Rudy, Green, Meeks
SF - Iguodala, Carroll
PF - Brand, Speights, Smith
C - Dalembert, Alabi
Coach - Monty Williams
Projected Salary: 63 million
***
We're looking at a new coach, a definitive plan (build a defensive-first team around Jrue, Rudy, Andre and Alabi), Dalembert and Green's expiring contracts, no luxury tax, and a possible eight seed. They're still lacking a backup point guard and a backup small forward, but I can only do so much in one off-season!
Tell me what you think.
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Comments
I certainly like this plan better than the one from last year.
I’d take Rudy in a heartbeat. He’d fill the gaping hole at SG nicely. The question is would the Blazers even want Thad? I guess if Rudy really wants to leave then they could do worse than a young guy with potential.
I don’t see Carroll having a role that’s any different than the one Kapono currently has but I guess it’s just a salary move.
It’d be excellent if you could get something out of Willie and/or Sammy’s expiring contracts. They’re nice chips that I wouldn’t want to waste… unless you plan on re-signing Dalembert to a smaller contract. I’m sure you wouldn’t want Alabi starting in 2012-13 considering how much of a project he appears to be.
I know I may catch flak for this but if you’re going defensive in the draft why not Cole Aldrich? He’s never going to be a star but neither is Alabi. Cole has similar upside to Alabi except that he’s much closer to NBA ready. He’s also younger by about half a year. Draft Express has him going 6th but nbadraft.net has him going 14th. I’d much rather have him than another project.
don’t want aldrich, i don’t think he has much potential to improve. Much rather draft a player with more upside than a player that doesn’t have a lot of room for improvement.
unless you plan on re-signing Dalembert to a smaller contract. I’m sure you wouldn’t want Alabi starting in 2012-13 considering how much of a project he appears to be.
I’d re-sign Sam for a couple years. Might as well until we can get rid of Brand.
by Jordan Sams on Feb 25, 2010 10:34 AM PST up reply actions
i would greatly despise drafting alabi – dude is barely a first round pick now and taking him at 9 would be a huge stretch – plus he gets abused in the post by stronger (and shorter) players consistently (whether on offense or defense) – if sixers are gonna take a guy with limited offensive game i’d rather they take larry sanders
monty williams – never heard of him but will look him up – i like the idea of giving someone new a shot as opposed to re-treads
Monty was a Sixer in 02-03, I think around the same time as Efthimios Rentzias, Kenny Satterfield, and Tyrone Tea-time Hill
by Michael Levin on Feb 25, 2010 7:11 AM PST up reply actions
i’d go with art long on that team – anyone with the name art is probably a respectable being
by Tanner Steidel on Feb 25, 2010 7:22 AM PST up reply actions
I admire your optimism jordan – but that pesky luxury tax is the most important off season problem
by jemagee on Feb 25, 2010 7:03 AM PST reply actions
Wouldn’t getting rid of Carroll avoid it?
by Jordan Sams on Feb 25, 2010 10:33 AM PST up reply actions
Nice post, here are some points of argument:
- I agree with Tanner that drafting Alabi at 9 would be a HUGE reach. Developmentally, he’s in the same place Dalembert was after his first year in the league (age equivalent) and we drafted Sam at pick 26. And despite all of our problems with Sam, we got lucky with him at 26. Sure Alabi is taller, but he’s just as risky as Sam was, and we took him 17 picks later.
- I love Morris Almond more than you’ll ever know.
- Giving Carney another contract would be a waste of time.
- Does Kapono for Carroll really make them avoid the luxury tax? If so then I guess I’m okay with it, but if it just lessens it a bit, I feel like Kapono’s expiring contract would be better served on our bench.
- I like the MLE offers to Johnson, Morrow, and Rodriguez, but I think Morrow is going to want more than that. The other two may accept but at the same time it’s Philadelphia so they’ll probably balk at anything
- I’d give Monty a shot. I can dig it.
It’s definitely a plan, and a step in the right direction if only because we’re not adding to our shitty payroll, we’re just waiting for contracts to expire, but I still don’t see how basketball-wise this looks better for the future when we could theoretically contend. I know economically this will help clear space and avoid (does it?) Comcast’s dreaded luxury tax, but I’d like to try to at least add a player or two we could ideally build around, or pieces that will be invaluable eventually. Alabi isn’t that guy for me. I’d agree that I’d rather have Aldrich at 9, but if we’re trading Thad, I’d MUCH rather take Al-Farouq Aminu or Xavier Henry.
Alabi, for me, represents staying in the same exact place for the next 5 years because his upside is essentially Samuel Dalembert. And how many years of ugly Sam did we have to endure before he’s had a year like this (even thought statistically it’s not as good as 06-07/07-08, he’s more efficient on the court) that will most likely be an anomaly in his career riddled with poor outlet passes and 17 foot fadeaways? We drafted him in 2001. Does Alabi hang around until 2018 when he can finally contribute in a smart way? I don’t buy it. I’d do everything I could (including trading Iguodala) to trade up for Evan Turner or DeMarcus Cousins. Even though nbadraft.net has Whiteside going out right now, I think he’ll stay another year — but if not, WE MUST DRAFT HASSAN WHITESIDE.
Sorry for the ramble, I feel like Ricko — good post Jordan, and definitely providing some optimism for the next year.
where the hell did whiteside come from? from being the #87 recruit according to rivals last year to being potentially the number one draft pick (if he stays an extra year). gotta love quick development – also bein 7 feet 235 lbs doesn’t hurt
by Tanner Steidel on Feb 25, 2010 7:35 AM PST up reply actions
I believe they’d avoid the luxury tax with the Carroll move, but I also did all this at three in the morning so I might of added wrong or read something wrong. Feel free to correct me if I did.
Whiteside was my original pick at 9, but I remembered you saying he wasn’t coming out. He’s a no-brainer if he’s there.
I drafted Alabi after I read NBADraft.net and ESPN scouting reports. It seems like he’s basically the same as Sam, and that’s what I was looking for at 9. Who else would you rather have at 9 besides Whiteside? I assumed Aminu would be gone. I like Alabi better than Henry.
by Jordan Sams on Feb 25, 2010 10:31 AM PST up reply actions
In all likelihood Aminu will be gone. But I want them to grow a set and trade up in the draft to pick the guy they want, not the guy that falls to them. Or trade down for someone they have a feeling for and pick up another pick or lose a shitty contract. Like if they love James Anderson, trade down to 18, pick up another pick around 24, and take him and Ekpe Udoh. We’re not one piece away. Let’s start building with a huge centerpiece or two guys that can join the core.
by Michael Levin on Feb 25, 2010 10:50 AM PST up reply actions
But I want them to grow a set and trade up in the draft to pick the guy they want
You can’t trade up if no one is willing to trade down
by jemagee on Feb 25, 2010 10:51 AM PST up reply actions
Judging by the Alabi scouting report, he sounds like a clone of Dalembert. I don’t think I want to go through another 10 years of Dalembert.
He's back
Roy Hibbert
JJ Hickson
Javale McGee
Courtney Lee
Serge Ibaka
What do these five names have in common?
by jemagee on Feb 25, 2010 10:03 AM PST reply actions
All five drafted in the first round after Speights
Hibbert / Mcgee / Hickson went 17, 18, 19
Everyone points to ‘ty lawson’ but no one seems to point out that they could have done much better with speights.
If Hibbert was picked? I mean – we wouldn’t need sam
by jemagee on Feb 25, 2010 10:35 AM PST up reply actions
I like Ibaka the most out of that group, and actually wanted the Sixers to draft him the year before the draft.
Here’s the comparison between Speights, Hibbbert, McGee, Ibaka.
Speights is actually the best rebounder and scorer.
by Jordan Sams on Feb 25, 2010 10:42 AM PST up reply actions
But defensively he just blows and that’s what the sixers need from him really – defense.
by jemagee on Feb 25, 2010 10:44 AM PST up reply actions
True dat. I’d still like to see him play with Sam more.
by Jordan Sams on Feb 25, 2010 10:45 AM PST up reply actions
Ask yourself this
Who would you be more comfortable going forward the next five season right now
Speights as possible starting PF
Hibbert as possible starting C
by jemagee on Feb 25, 2010 10:50 AM PST up reply actions
It’s up in the air for me. Hibbert’s a stiff. It may click for Speights next season.
by Michael Levin on Feb 25, 2010 10:53 AM PST up reply actions
That’s tough. Hibbert is a worse rebounder than Speights and I’d hate to have a below average rebounder at C. Speights also has a ton more upside in my opinion.
I’d go Speights.
by Jordan Sams on Feb 25, 2010 10:55 AM PST up reply actions
Don’t underestimate the impending CBA / Lockout problems leading to more guys in this years draft then you might thing
by jemagee on Feb 25, 2010 11:00 AM PST up reply actions
That’s what I was thinking. He’d be nice if he fell to us.
by Jordan Sams on Feb 25, 2010 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
If you mean by nice – a guy they pay for 5 years who doesn’t earn his money – sure.
He’s soft – he’s soft in a weak ACC and didn’t come out when he was a sure fire lottery lock – that always worries me – yeah going to college is great – but if yu love basketball – you come out as soon as you can to play in the NBA.
by jemagee on Feb 25, 2010 11:09 AM PST up reply actions
Very unimpressed with Ed this year, I wouldn’t be surprised if he falls to 15 or so due to the injury and his surprising lack of productivity.
by Michael Levin on Feb 25, 2010 6:54 PM PST up reply actions
DX has the sixers taking someone else
interesting they have syraucse ‘stud’ goint 8
by jemagee on Feb 25, 2010 3:50 PM PST up reply actions
Hibberts a stiff?
Are you sure you aren’t confusing him with thabeet?
Everyones favorite stat ‘per’ has sam and hibbert actually equal this year.
REbounding?
The sixers are WORSE at rebounding (on both ends of the floor) as a team when speights is on the floor
The offense is slightly better the defense is A LOT WORSE
When hibbert is on the court, the pacers offense AND defense are better and their rebounding is equal
82games.com is a very valuble resource – on/off court numbers – learn to love them
Hibbert is better than speights right now
Hibbers improvement from year one to year two is light years ahead from any improvement that Speights had this year
by jemagee on Feb 25, 2010 10:59 AM PST reply actions
The sixers are WORSE at rebounding (on both ends of the floor) as a team when speights is on the floor
The offense is slightly better the defense is A LOT WORSE
When hibbert is on the court, the pacers offense AND defense are better and their rebounding is equal
But couldn’t this have more to do with who comes off the Pacers bench and who comes off the Sixers bench? Speights is usually playing center with Thad or Brand at PF. Of course the defense and rebounding are going to suffer if you’re replacing Sam and Brand with Speights and Thad. If Hibbert was Sam’s backup the defense and rebounding would also be worse when Hibbert was on the floor.
Speights has better rebounding % numbers.
by Jordan Sams on Feb 25, 2010 11:06 AM PST up reply actions
Speights has better rebounding % numbers.
Couldn’t that have more to do with the fact that Hibbert usually plays against starters and Speights plays against second teamers?
Yes – there’s tons of variety – but you want to isolate one number and say ‘speights is better’ – whereas his overall impact when he’s on the floor is atrocious – the sixers suck at almosstt everything defensive when he’s on the floor…regardless of who is at the other positions.
by jemagee on Feb 25, 2010 11:08 AM PST up reply actions
Fair enough. I still want to see another year or two of Speights before dumping him.
by Jordan Sams on Feb 25, 2010 11:14 AM PST up reply actions
Well it’s not like we could make the swap anyway
But I’ve seen enough and read enough to realize getting better defensively isn’t something Speights cares about
by jemagee on Feb 25, 2010 11:18 AM PST up reply actions
And this is why PER is useless by itself and people have to stop quoting it.
Speights has a 19 PER – but he’s a massive defensive liability
PER IGNORES DEFENSE and overweights offense
by jemagee on Feb 25, 2010 11:01 AM PST reply actions
SIXERS BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS 2.0
I LIKE WHAT I SAW, BUT I REALLY THINK THE SIXERS CAN UNLOAD BOTH BRAND & DALMBERT THIS SUMMER. THEY HAD THE CHANCE LAST SUMMER & DIDN’T. THE SIXERS PROVED THEY CAN MAKE THE PLAYOFFS WITHOUT BRAND. HE WAS GOOD PLAYER, BUT NOW IT’S TIME TO PART WAYS WITH AN OVER-PAID PLAYER. BUILD THE TEAM AROUND THADDEUS, JRUE & ANDRE. BUILD A YOUNG DEFENSIVE TEAM, THAT CAN RUN THE FLOOR!
by Maurice Thompson on Mar 1, 2010 11:50 AM PST reply actions
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