Will the Sixers Pass on Evan Turner?
by Tanner Steidel on Jun 1, 2010 9:19 AM PDT
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PrintPer David Aldridge:
a source says that less than a week before the June 24 Draft, the Sixers have tentatively scheduled a workout in Philly that will feature Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins and Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors, the top two big man prospects in the Draft.
The question that came to my head right when I read this is "What is the need for these workouts so close to the draft if the Sixers are sold on taking Turner?" It could be all smoke and mirrors nonsense that happens during the pre-draft process but we've heard whispers before that it might not be Turner the Sixers use with their selection, this just making the whispers a slight mumble.
This is just the thing I fear the most come draft day. They bring in two guys that are not projected to be selected by the team, tear it up in a workout, and cause the team to have further discussions about possibly changing who they would pick. This is a better situation for this to occur compared to instead of being sold on Paul George, working out Solomon Alabi and Stanley Robinson. Favors and Cousins could become all-stars and forces to be reckoned with on the inside.
More evidence that it could be Favors, not Turner:
Chris (Doug's son and the associate head coach at Duke) is a big Derrick Favors fan. And Doug is going to hire Michael Curry as an assistant, and Michael is a big Favors fan.
Saying that someone is a "big fan" of a player doesn't really say much into who they like best as a selection. I'm a big Favors fan myself, but I'd take Turner or Wall over him in a heartbeat. Hell, I'm the biggest Paul George fan on the planet but it doesn't mean I'd take him with the Sixers selection. If the source said Collins (the younger one) and Curry were higher on Favors than any other player, then yes, I would put some stock into that.
I'm completely, 100% sold on taking Turner right now, assuming the Wizards select John Wall with their pick. Would I be overly disappointed if Derrick Favors was our hope for Rookie of the Year next season? In one word: notparticularly.
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Nice little thang Tanner, I think they’re just doing their “due diligence” and not much to worry about. If DiLeo does go with Favors, it would only be because he is so impressed with him that he’s sure he’ll maximize his potential. So I’d be okay with it. I still want Turner, and hope TDL thinks the same.
The problem is
Everyone is saying that Turner is too much like what Iguodala brings to the table.
Therefore it would be wiser for the Sixers to pick a much-needed Big Man instead of another Guard.
I can’t say that I disagree with some of this logic, but on the other hand, you absolutely do not want to look back on this draft 5 years from now and say, “Damn, that Evan Turner really did become the next Brandon Roy, and that guy Cousins/Favors that the 76ers picked sure did bust pretty badly, huh?”
I think that the bust factor on Cousins and Favors is alot higher than that of Turner.
i don’t like drafting based on worries that one might be a bust/missing out on a sure thing – making decisions out of fear is never a good idea
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jun 1, 2010 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions
I also don’t like drafting at #2 based on need or fit. The player you get at #2 should become you franchise player and the roster made to fit the player. I’m just unsure if any of these players will attain that level, but they all will be good. Turner has probably the best shot of being that superstar the team can build around.
I wrote this at Brian’s site:
The workout I’d want to see is Turner being guarded by Iguodala or Jrue in a 5 on 5 setting. My only question about Turner is whether he can be dominant at the pro level. The Sixers have two excellent wing defenders- it would be great to see how Turner handles them.
I said it before, I want Turner a lot, but I wouldn’t care so much if we take Favors. I just dont want Cousins. And I think this is more of a “lets see how good these guys are, just in case Wash takes Turner” ind of deal. You never know what kind of trade offers and inside mumbo jumbo is going on this time of year.
Pilgrim: Be gone pest, and give me the Bird
Yakko: We'd love to but the FOX censors wouldn't allow it
First “mumbo jumbo” of the site. Kudos to you JpH!
by Michael Levin on Jun 1, 2010 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jun 1, 2010 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions
that was on Ridiculous upside. don’t test my mumbo-jumboing zebra
by Michael Levin on Jun 1, 2010 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree with you JPH…anyone but Cousins…but if for some reason Wash drafted Turner, the Sixers would have to take John Wall or risk being lumped in with every other team that passed up a sure fire all star to get someone who could potentially be awesome.
I agree with the author of this post, I want Turner, but in the absence of him, Favors is not a bad consolation prize.
Go Go Gadget Gagne
What if Broad Street Didn't Fight Back? History HAS been made. 5-7-10
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
I think it would be criminally negligent for the Sixers not to work out the 3rd and 4th best prospects in the draft.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
I would say Chris Kramer from Purdue…he usually guarded the opponent’s best player and maybe I am a tad biased as a Purdue fan but Kramer truly is one of the best defenders I have ever seen.
Go Go Gadget Gagne
What if Broad Street Didn't Fight Back? History HAS been made. 5-7-10
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
Don’t know, but West Virginia has a few prospects that might get drafted and Turner didn’t do much against them (I have no idea who was guarding him).
i think wvu plays a 1-3-1 zone
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jun 1, 2010 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
wvu does play a lot of zone.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
by Derek Bodner on Jun 1, 2010 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions
It never hurts to take a closer look at a potential pick. even if the initial intent was to pick Turner, they still have to look at other possible players.
Anyone who thinks that Turner is the best player available at the 2 spot, has no more evidence to suggest he will be any more successful than Favors. All you have is guesswork.
The Sixers are not starting from scratch. There is talent on the team and it makes sense to look for someone who’s skill set is different from who we have on the roster.
The Sixers were a bad defensive team last season, and were unable to score against a set defense. They were unable to force turnovers and run because their offense was so bad, the other team was getting breakaways.
All of these are symptoms of the Sixers weakness in their front court. Center and Power Forward are where we are weakest. Thad Young is not a power forward. Elton Brand is not a starting power forward for a good team in the NBA. This means we go into next season hoping Speights or Smith develops into one. Maybe they both will, but it’s scuh a critical position and it’s the hardest one to fill in the NBA, Boston and LA are still on top, because no other team can match their front lines.
Dalembert’s contract is coming up and he will need to be replaced or resigned. Brand is being payed way too much to be a backup forward, but that appears to be his skill level. I don’t perceive either one of them as a key part of a championship roster, so it is important for the Sixers to find a replacement for them.
Favors is a perfect fit, because he can play both PF and Center, which means he can compliment the skill set of the current players. He will give the Sixers what they need the most a commanding presence in the middle. He has better post moves at 18 than any big man on our roster.
Tuner means a trade down the road of either him or Iguodala. Everytime you compare Turner to Brandon Roy, your talking about the player closest to Iguodlala’s skill set, and Andre is better than Brandon. Two iguodala’s on the floor isn’t the worst thing, but it’s not as good as someone who can bang inside and force other teams to take outside shots.
I don’t think the Sixers should be worried about the Lakers or Celtics. Those teams will be past their peak before the Sixers are ready to contend. They need to take the player that is most likely to becoming a franchise player, and then build from there. You only should talk about fit when you are drafting this high if you are convinced that the prospects have equivalent ceilings.
i guarantee that whoever wins the championship in the next few seasons will have a great front line. And if the Sixers want to compete for a championship, they’ll need one to match them.
As far as ceilings are concerned, there’s really no way to know it there? There is intrinsic risk in selecting any player at the #2 spot. Put it this way, I trust my gut and knew that Kobe should have gone much higher than he did.
If you look at the mock drafts the first big man is Derrick Favors, that should tell you something about how others view his ceiling..
In all honesty, you are in no position to guarantee anything. There are so many holes in the sixers roster that you worry about one thing at a time. You draft the best player available. Building a championship team takes time, patience, and smart decision making. Where the sixers are positioned now, going after fit is a big mistake.
"I admire his competitiveness. As much as I admire it, I thought that he was trying too hard."- Eddie Jordan
by jefu on Jun 1, 2010 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’s never a mistake to address the teams biggest weaknesses. When you watch the team play and see other teams taking advantage of the same weakness over and over again, and no one on your roster and no scheme can stop it, YOU GO FIND A PLAYER or PLAYERS who can!
Whether it is by trade or the draft you need to have players on your team that can do the job well enough so that the rest of the team can win. In theory you can break each game down by position, and see which of your players get the better of their opposites, and which ones do not, you at least know who can get it done and who isn’t good enough.
I am worrying about one thing at a time, our lack of a decent big man. It is the biggest key to being a successful franchise. That’s why I think Favors is the guy. I don’t want to trade Iguodala, who usually is better than his opponent, and I don’t want them to trade Thad or not consider him as an oversized 3 rather than an undersized 4.
Be honest. Which area’s of the Sixers play last season was insufficient, i.e. the cause of their losses? Was it the guard play? The wing players? Or the bigs that didn’t do their job well enough? Squeaky wheeel gets the grease!
If you do that every season your team will get better, better players = a better team. All by selecting for need, but making sure the player can really pay the position.
Nothing wrong with Elton Brand as a player, but too small to be the player the Sixers need as a go to scorer in the half-court. Therefore, a bad trade. All because he doesn’t fit the Sixers needs. No one would have a problem with his contract if the Sixers were in the finals!
I see now. You debate by writing entire essays where you fail to actually establish a point. I know for a fact (by reading your other posts) that you know nothing about Favors besides highlight reels. So the fact that you think he’s the guy means nothing.
But that’s ok, I’ll bring this argument down to your level:
you want a guy who fits into the roster and can “do the job well enough so that the rest of the team can win.” So please explain why Turner wouldn’t be capable of this role? As I said, there are many holes on this roster. It will take time and patience to find the right pieces.
You don’t know what you’re talking about, but you think you do. That’s ok. I’m sure you’ll rebuttal with another two pages of writing about nothing in particular.
"I admire his competitiveness. As much as I admire it, I thought that he was trying too hard."- Eddie Jordan
by jefu on Jun 2, 2010 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
another thing: I’m beyond perplexed as to why you think a half-court go to scorer has to be a big man?
You don’t randomly pick all stars out of a hat. They also aren’t as abundant as you think they might be. If a struggling team is lucky enough to get a high draft placement, you pick the best player available.
"I admire his competitiveness. As much as I admire it, I thought that he was trying too hard."- Eddie Jordan
If you can’t understand simple logic or understand basketball I can’t help you. When has a team won without a dominant low-post scorer? That’s why you need one – it’s necessary for a team trying to win a title.
No you don’’t pick stars randomly out of a hat, You pick the best player in the draft that fits your needs.
I’ve given you all the reasons why we need a big man, your response is that we have other problems. I agree, but think the lack of a good front court is the root cause for all of those other problems. That’s because I know what it takes to win in the NBA- the group of players that you assemble into a roster have to accomplish specific things. When the team outrebounds their opponents by 4 per game, then you can worry about other things. When you get outrebounded by a half a board every game and rank below average, that’s the area you concentrate on.
You telling people that you can’t help them is certainly a nice change of pace, albeit startlingly inaccurate.
Evan Turner is generally seen as the better player. Whether you can agree on that is beside the point, but let’s just say for a second that you do agree that he is better. When teams sacrifice a talent disparity just because it fills a need, they are opening themselves up to drafting a bust. The Sixers are not close to being a championship contender. We’re not just one piece away. So what we have to do is draft the guy with the most talent who could help us become that contender. We can’t get cute and take a guy that isn’t as good because he fills a hole — that’s how bad franchises stay bad. You take the best player available, assemble talent, then plug the holes once you’re close.
I keep telling myself I’m not gonna respond to you but you are perennially unable to see other sides of an argument and it astounds me more and more each time.
by Michael Levin on Jun 3, 2010 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions
but it’s ok if you can’t see the other side to an argument, as long as you can make up facts to support yours.
"I admire his competitiveness. As much as I admire it, I thought that he was trying too hard."- Eddie Jordan
by jefu on Jun 3, 2010 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
have you ever seen the chicago bulls of the jordan era win a chip??? if you can name a low post offensive threat on that team you must live in some alternate timeline.
by killacaravagio on Jun 3, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
That is the only team to win without a big man. Unless Evan Turner is Michael Jordan, forget it. Also, there was no dominant big man on any team to challenge the Bulls during their run.
If Turner is the #2 pick in the draft, and Favors is the #3, you’re not sacrificing much to fill a specific hole. Every one of the writers posts that say the Sixers will select Turner also say that they need a center, or that Iguodala will end up being traded as a result. Are you all schizophrenic?
Unless you think Evan Turner is a franchise player and Favors is not, you draft the big man. Because we need a center.
there was no dominant big man on any team to challenge the Bulls during their run.
yea hakeem olajuwon was terrible wasn’t he…
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jun 3, 2010 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions
What dominant post scorer did the Pistons have (either late 80’s or 2000’s)?
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn. Olajuwon was done by the time Jordan had a decent team. Had Hakeem been younger, Chicago wouldn’t have won all those titles. But Olajuwon had Barkley and Pippen with him at the end and it wasn’t enough.
Jordan won championships from ‘91-’93, Hakeem won ‘94-’95, Jordan won ‘96-’98. Hakeem and Michael are the same age. Nothing you say ever makes sense.
by Michael Levin on Jun 4, 2010 8:37 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
umm jordan never won a chip with out pippen on the team. so you cant put pippen on the team with hakeem if hes playing mike.
Neither Bill nor Rick was a dominant post player the pistons played very very good team defense. they didn’t really have any one out side of their two guards that you could have called dominant.
by killacaravagio on Jun 4, 2010 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions
Hey don’t forget John Salley!
It’s far easier to cite teams who were successful with a big man or two. The Showtime Lakers, The Cetics with Parrish, McHale and Maxwell. Bill Russel, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’neil. Hakeem Olajuwon, Moses Malone.
All these player have multiple championship rings.
A good big man is hard to get and it makes winning a championship a greater possibility. Many great teams never made it to the finals because they didn’t have big enough players. Utah was to small, Boozer couldn’t handle Gasol or Bynum.
once again, you’re making overstatements – “Many great teams never made it to the finals because they didn’t have big enough players,” and supporting it with one poor, skewed example. And yet, I’m not surprised.
"I admire his competitiveness. As much as I admire it, I thought that he was trying too hard."- Eddie Jordan
i think favors is ok but your argument makes me see him as more of a potential bust than as a possible star.
i have no clue if turn will be like mj people didnt think mj would have been mj.
My problem with this isnt turner over favors its you basing all of this off of next to no information. you probably were one of the people who would take olowakandi as a number one or would have taken darko at the 2 spot. and yeah in retro spect you will say no but this is the same logic your using now.
by killacaravagio on Jun 3, 2010 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I think Evan Turner is a franchise player and Favors is not. I have never written that drafting Turner means trading Iguodala.
Other than putting words in my mouth, what else have you been up to lately?
by Michael Levin on Jun 3, 2010 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Trust me, you’re the last person I need help from. Multiple teams have won without dominant low-post scorers. Beyond this, Favors could be a dominant low-post scorer, but right now his offense is not developed…it may never fully develop. With Favors you are taking more of a chance. Of course, highlight reels might tell you otherwise, thus why you remain delusional.
I just can’t get over why you think the sixers are in the process of competing for a title. We are no where close to competing, let alone gettng to the second round. Yet, according to you, we’re one low-post threat away from winning it all! Thanks for the laugh.
"I admire his competitiveness. As much as I admire it, I thought that he was trying too hard."- Eddie Jordan
Anyone who thinks that Turner is the best player available at the 2 spot, has no more evidence to suggest he will be any more successful than Favors. All you have is guesswork.
I don’t know where you came from.
by Michael Levin on Jun 1, 2010 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
So you think you know who’s going to a success or a failure huh? Show me your crystal ball then!
No one knows otherwise there’d never be a mistake made in draft selections! There is no way to know that Turner won’t be a bust, and that is a fact.
There are hundreds of ways to know that Turner won’t be a bust.
Proof of that is the fact that teams don’t sit there, throw all 60 names into a hat, randomly select one, and take that name to David Stern.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
by Derek Bodner on Jun 1, 2010 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Can you prove to me now that he will be a better player than Hersey Hawkins or Clarence Whetherspoon? (sp) Or, maybe Shawn Bradley?
Teams do everything they can to pick the best player, listen to the concensus of all the experts, use their extensive experience to evaluate the ones they can, and still make mistakes, first round picks that don’t last 2 seasons in the NBA.
Derrick Coleman was the first pick in a draft. Not a bust, but not a success either.
Having faith that these people really know what they’re doing in projecting players is not logical considering their track record, who wants Kwame Brown?
You must be right. Evan Turner has done nothing to show that he is worthy of NBA employment.
Its all just random luck… or in MJ’s case it was the shoes :)
by tk76 on Jun 2, 2010 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I am positive you are not making a point.
by Michael Levin on Jun 1, 2010 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
People are rec-ing like CRAZY i love it.
by Michael Levin on Jun 2, 2010 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
you replied to your own comment? that is so rec’d (and raven)
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jun 2, 2010 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jun 2, 2010 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Chad Ford said this today in his chat:
I’ve heard Turner. I’ve heard Favors and I’ve heard Cousins to the Sixers. They need a center more than they need another wing player. However, Turner would be very hard to pass upon. The thing to keep in mind is that I think Doug Collins will have a bigger say on this pick than the local media is letting on and I hear Collins would really like the Sixers to take another big. To me the best case scenario for Sixers is sending 2 to Minnesota for 4 and 16. They’ll get either Cousins or Favors at 4 and pick up another nice asset in the mid first round.
If this were to happen which I don’t think it will the best case scenario would probably be Favors and Henry or is there somebody else you would rather have at 16?
there is this one guy i might want who could be available at 16…….
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jun 1, 2010 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions
no need for a question mark nicky noodle
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jun 1, 2010 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Henry, Avery Bradley or James Anderson. James Anderson is pure 2 and more of a scorer than Henry. Henry is more of a 3 and AI9 is already there as the 3 for us. However A, I do agree that this will not happen and B, last time James Anderson was mentioned on here a lot of people were not a fan of him. But he is a pure scorer and according to nbadraft.net he is predicted to go at 20 to the spurs. In regards to Avery Bradley he is predicted to go to Indiana at 14. I do not know much about him but I think he is more well rounded and can score but also is decent at defense which Anderson is not. But it is the NBA and only a few teams actually play defense now.
Xavier is only a 2. He cannot play the 3.
by Michael Levin on Jun 1, 2010 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions
why, exactly?
I think 3 might be his best position defensively.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
His best asset aside from his shot is his strength. Moving him down low against bigger defenders takes that advantage away. I also think his length plays better in the passing lanes than as a rebounder.
Probably was too harsh on the “he cannot play the 3,” and would change it to “he’s better suited as a 2.” Especially since I’m one of the bigger advocates of only a minimal difference between the 2 and 3 in the NBA. So, in conclusion, don’t smoke crack.
by Michael Levin on Jun 1, 2010 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions
His position isn’t going to determine who the other team defends him with.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
It is if they go with a 3-guard lineup with guys like (not a realistic example) Steph Curry and Monta Ellis in the backcourt.
by Michael Levin on Jun 2, 2010 5:39 AM PDT up reply actions
I agree that the 3 might be his best position on both ends of the floor…..I think on the defensive side in particular, he might be much more consistent with a SG next to him with quicker feet or better lateral movement on the perimeter.
My dilemma is what to do in this situation if both George and Henry are gone at 16?
Should Luke Babbitt be ranked that high? In that situation, I would consider Bradley the solid pick. I would consider Whiteside the big boom/bust factor if he is still on the board. I would consider Babbitt the x factor who could be better than all those guys or could be unworthy of a pick that high. No to James Anderson….really admire his play, but very unexcited by his lack of upside.
To me, this is one of the more intriguing scenarios developing – I think we are covering our bases in case we end up doing #4 and 16 for #2. I think we should extract more (the #23 or at least a 2nd rounder) since Minny has shown such desperation for Turner. Then its Cousins (cause Favors will go #3), #16 (Heyward is another possibilty after George, Henry and Anderson IMO – I read they worked him out at one point when the Spurs rumor was going around – but still strange for a team with the #2 dontcha think). I would love Babbit if he fell to #16 but that doesnt seem to be happening.
With #23, they could get another asset like Seraphin, Whiteside, Terrico White or in the 2nd Rd (#45 I believe), they could get a Jerome Jordan, Derrick Caracter or Mikhail Torrence.
I dont think Turner for Cousins/George is the thing to do though……
The Sixers will only do that if they see no difference between Cousins and Favors. At the 4 pick they’ll be guaranteed one of them, but maybe not the one they want.
If I was Collins I would insist on a big man, but I have no idea how he sees them or who he considers to be the best fit.
Why does it matter who they want? It’s all a crapshoot anyway.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
by Derek Bodner on Jun 1, 2010 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
All of this is basically irrelevant anyway, since Turner is the BPA at #2, and this team needs such a massive infusion of talent that any player who can really play is going to be able to help in the long run. IF they can really play. You take the player you believe is most likely to be a player, at any position. A team that is close to contention can worry about filling holes. If they had the #1 pick, they would take John Wall, Jrue or no Jrue. Because he is the most talent that can be infused into the roster.
Can you legitimately tell me that even Iguodala is so amazing that if LeBron James were available to play SF at #2, you don’t draft LeBron? Or Kobe? You get the most talented player who is most likely to perform at the highest level (Turner at, say, 60% chance of fulfilling his upside v., say, Favors at 15% chance of fulfilling his upside and Cousins at 60% of being the next Kwame Brown), and you worry about your roster later.
This is what happens when teams suck. If you are the Lakers, and you have four really fantastic players already, and Andrew Bynum is sitting there when you pick, and you really need a good center because you think Gasol would be more effective at PF (yes, I know Gasol came after Bynum, I’m just trying to make a point), then you have the luxury of picking for need.
The Sixers most emphatically don’t.
And while we're at it...
Everyone who doesn’t think we need a SG…
Are you really ready for another season of WILLIE GREEN trundling out there every day, because somehow he managed to find naked blackmail pictures of yet another coach? Are you about to tell me that SG is not a humungous hole? SG is a position with a backup and no starter. And no, Iguodala is not the SG. He is the SF. Thad is not the SF. He is a stretch PF off the bench. Lou is not the starting SG. He is an instant-offense combo guard off the bench. There is no starting SG. Except for Willie Green, naked coach photographer. Fear with great fear. And draft Turner. BPA and fills a hole :D
were u my intro to accounting professor? :)
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jun 1, 2010 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions
now i don’t feel as bad for having a crush on him – huh?
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jun 1, 2010 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah i am all about Willie getting off of the court
by killacaravagio on Jun 1, 2010 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Really!!
I mean I cant take another year of Willie Green taking minutes away from somebody we need to develop. Once in every 10 games he gets a little hot. And Ive heard the explanation he is a professional defender but… I havent seen that has anyone else??
i wanted him gone like 4 seasons he probably wouldnt be as bad if he wasnt used so much
by killacaravagio on Jun 2, 2010 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Do you think replacing Andre with Kobe would get the Sixer back into the playoffs? Always replace your weakest player if you want to see the greatest increase in wins! Replacing your best player only helps at the margin.
And do not bring up Willie Green in your argument. Willie is a back-up 2 guard not a starter. The 2nd pick in the draft should be better than a back-up NBA player.
Willie Green and Allen Iverson combined to play 2351 minutes last season. That is an average of nearly 30 minutes per game over an 82 game season. You’re not replacing an arbitrary distinction like “starter”. You’re replacing the time spent on the court by other players. Turner would be replacing the minutes played by AI and Green (and probably some from Carney, Kapono, and whoever else played on the wing).
Iverson is gone, and Willie will be gone when his contract is up. I think we will see more of Meeks along with Willie as a back-up. Willie shouldn’t see more than 24 min, a game, another problem with not playing Iguodala as a 2.
I agree with dweebowitz. We should take the best talent available. If we had the 20th pick or, really, a second round pick then I would agree to take a player based on need. If you can debate whether Turner, Cousins, or Favors are the best player at 2nd pick then you would have to look at these factors: 1( What do we have a said position? 2( Are we able to trade a current player to fill in need? 3( What area do we want to improve in? Also the main problems with the team are shooting (arc and free throw), rebounding and scoring. I believe that we have better defenders than what we saw this year. Defense is more determination or desire than ability.
Tinger
I don’t think you understand the concept of best player available. It means not looking at what you have on your roster or trading a current player to fill a need. In fact, that’s the exact opposite philosophy.
by Michael Levin on Jun 1, 2010 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Just take the player and run huh? Besides, I was saying that, if the 3 guys are on the same level, you take the player that would best satify the three factors.
Tinger
Yes. You just said:
We should take the best talent available.
by Michael Levin on Jun 2, 2010 5:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Right. But if Favors, Turner, and Cousins are considered to have equal talent and you cannot clearly see which is the best player, then you move on to taking the player that best fits those factors.
Tinger
There is no equal talent among players as different as those three. If the person making the decision about who to pick can’t decide between those three, then you fire that person. If it’s the difference is minimal enough, you trade down 2 spots and get the guy that falls as well as other assets in the trade.
by Michael Levin on Jun 2, 2010 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I think its smart to express interest in other players, even if you are definitely going in one direction. it’s not showing your hand, something the eagles and phillies have done recently to mixed success.
this keeps the power on the phillies side of the table in regards to trade talks or contract negotiations. the sixers will still select Turner, but smoke and mirrors never hurts.
Chase Utley is so good that on one pitch he stole second, third and the shortstop's hat.
TAKE FAVORS
I think the SIXERS should take the big man over the shooting guard if someone wants to take on Brands contract and give up two first round picks they should do it. The Sixers need a big man that will rebound and block shots plus run the floor, FAVORS does all the above.
I think in THAT instance RANDOMLY should be capitalized
by Michael Levin on Jun 2, 2010 5:41 AM PDT up reply actions
I like Turner over Wall
He’s a lot more mature, much more built, and will be a durable leader for our team
1. Wall has shown to be very mature over the past few months
2. Turner isn’t the strongest guy on the court so that isn’t any sort of advantage
3. And since Turner recently broke his back, I don’t know how that makes him more durable than Wall
And none of the reasons you gave were particularly basketball-related. In addition, you don’t have to worry about liking one more than the other because Wall isn’t falling to us.
by Michael Levin on Jun 2, 2010 5:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Look at this crazy article on Si.com - Wall is best player in draft, but Turner is better fit for Wizards
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/frank_hughes/06/02/wall.turner/index.html?eref=sihp
Second of all, This hughes guy suggests we put Wall next to Iggy at the 2.
“That would leave Wall to go to Philadelphia, where he would fit in seamlessly next to shooting guard Andre Iguodala, giving new Sixers coach Doug Collins both incredible size and speed in his backcourt.”
Seamlessly?? Who shoots from the perimeter?? Turkoglu (how do we get him BTW)
Wizards fan here
Why is there talk about Derrick Favors going #2 from Chad Ford. You have Speights and T. Young at the 4. It boggles my mind!! Would Speights be a backup 5? I think Turner would fit well and Favors would fit well with the Nets.
1) Young’s a natural 3
2) Speights hasn’t shown enough defensively to warrant not taking the BPA
3) Brand is a shell of his former self.
4) Dalembert is only under contract one more year
5) This all leads to the Sixers not having a big man they’re confident will be in their long term future.
All this means the Sixers should go with BPA. Now, I don’t agree that Favors is the BPA, so I disagree with taking him there, but nothing on our current roster would influence my decision.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
All of your reasons are why I want Favors, even if he is only the third or 4th best player in the draft, I’d rather have him than Turner. They really need a big man!
If the ones the Sixers drafted or traded for before, develop into decent front-court players, we will have a great trading piece. LA and Boston are proving that you can never have enough good big men!
Until the NBA changes the rules, it seems to favor inside players. This is an important opportunity for the Sixers to get a player who can be dominant at his position, and if you know that Favors will never be top 5 Center or PF and you know that Turner will be a top 5 2-guard then I’d go for Turner.
I just like the way Favors looks when he plays. I think it will translate well in the NBA.
Imagine if we get Turner and he starts next to Jrue, Andre. Elton and Dalamebert and we play .420 ball. (we still get beat inside on every play and can’t rebound) In the meantime, NJ gets Favors and with he and Lopez they average 40 pts. and 20 boards a game and they play better than .500 ball. End up 2nd in the Atlantic behind Boston. I wouldn’t be happy if we passed up on Favors then!
There’s no way Favors and Lopez are going to combine for 40 and 20. At least not next season. After next season, the Sixers just may address that need in the front court.
What if next year in the late lottery (which is where a .420 winning percentage would likely put the Sixers) the best players available are big men? You already have Favors and Speights starting in your frontcourt in your scenario. The weak link on the team now seems to be scoring guards. do you reach again to pick for need rather than picking the best player? That would be two seasons in a row that you unneedlessly make your team a little worse that it could have been.
Scoring and defense from the wing is also a need for the Sixers. You’re emphasizing one need over another for some random reason. The Sixers are a bad team (or if you believe that it’s completely the fault of the coach, mediocre at best). They are not one piece away from being a championship contender. There’s no need to fill holes. Let’s try getting some talent first then we can start worrying about plugging holes.
Aren’t you disregarding the Sixers draft choices still with the team? We already drafted 2 guards with Lou and Jrue. We also picked Andre and Thad. While we did pick 2 bigs in Speights and Smith, we still had more problems inside than anywhere else on the floor. If you’ve been a fan of the Sixers recently, when they were successful they were running, and they were as good as their opponents rebounding. Last season they got beat on the boards almost every game. It’s not a random issue, it’s the most outstanding one. If Favors is the best big in the draft and regarded as a top 3 pick, how much are you really sacrificing in talent, to get a player that fills the biggest need? Drafting for need makes it less likely that you will be forced to trade a player later.
I’m not disregarding anything. I know what the Sixers have on the roster and I think it needs major improvements. You named 2 players who deserve to be starters over 3 positions. Thad and Lou can live off of 25 mpg. That leaves a gaping 30 minutes per game to be filled by Jodie Meeks, Willie Green, Jason Kapono, and Rodney Carney. Even more than 30 if you play Thad some at the 4. That looks like a pretty huge need area to me. Not to mention the fact that the team lacks a “go-to scorer” which Evan Turner has the potential to be and has shown the capabilities to be at the college level.
The Sixers have a need in the frontcourt. It’s not their only need. They’re not going to become a winning team next season by drafting Favors. They’re not going to become a winning team next season by drafting Turner. Why not, then, draft the player who 95% of the draft experts consider the 2nd best player in the draft?
ok lets try this. who do we have that can run the 2 spot… regardless of what you think the coach has said that dres a 3 and thads a 4. who is going to play the two if we draft another 4/5 player?
by killacaravagio on Jun 2, 2010 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions
That doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is what RickoT thinks is a good idea based off of faulty logic.
"I admire his competitiveness. As much as I admire it, I thought that he was trying too hard."- Eddie Jordan
Another thing about drafting Favors is that it would force Collins to play Andre as a 2 guard, and Thad as a 3.
1’s Lou and Jrue
2’s Andre, Willie and Jodi
3’s Thad Rodney and Jason
4’s Elton. Marreese
5’s Sam and Jason
We only have 4 bigs, including Brand. Unless you think Brand will return to his former 20 and 10 days and suddenly become a great defender, I think the Sixers will have problems competing in the front court.
I agree that some of our backups aren’t good enough and that some of the players I have as starters may really only be backup players in the NBA.
But my roster does have size, meaning they will be as tall or taller than the other team, particularly if you add Favors into the mix.
If Collins insists on playing Thad as a 4, he’ll find out very quickly that he can’t play the position well.
If you draft Turner, you give us the same front-court as we had last season. That’s a receipe for disaster.
once again the coach said hes not playing dre at the two or thad at the 3 so that leaves willie green, jodie, and lou to man most of the minutes at the 2 position. regardless of what you think collins is set to play dre at the 3. So your proposed draft choice would under mind the plan collis set in motion when speaking to the press and to Dre.
by killacaravagio on Jun 3, 2010 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions
I know that’s what Collins said. I also disagree with Doug and think it’s a big mistake. The question Doug has to answer is will the Sixers be better adding another 2 guard and going with last season’s Front Court, and pray that they develop. Or, draft Favors and play Andre as a 2 guard and Thad as a 3.
If you really think hoping into next season with this Front Line is a good idea, you had better be prepared to be disappointed.
Favors is a project. He isn’t going to help the Sixers win next season any more than having our current frontcourt will. Why are you so concerned about next season anyway?
You only say Favors is a project because he is 18, yes Turner is so much more mature being 3 years older!
He can clearly score and rebound in the low post, what isn’t clear is how effective he can be against NBA talent doing that. But the statement: “He isn’t going to help the Sixers win any more than having our frontcourt will” is a total fabrication, based on your assumptions.
If he is the best big in the draft, the presumption should be that he is ready to contribute now. Shaq didn’t sit his first year in the NBA, and neither did Dwight Howard. Darryle Dawkins and Moses Malone both came right out of high-school and started.
No one’s saying he’s a finished product, but there is no doubt he can play!
When will you acknowledge the fact that you’ve only seen highlight videos of him? He’s a project because he has virtually no offensive game yet. Turner is a well-rounded basketball player, coming off a Player of the Year season. That’s why he’s not a project.
Derrick Favors is not as good as Shaq, Dwight, Dawkins or Moses. What’s happening here?
by Michael Levin on Jun 4, 2010 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
You only say Favors is a project because he is 18
I only say Favors is a prospect because he hasn’t developed an offensive game yet.
If he is the best big in the draft, the presumption should be that he is ready to contribute now.
That’s a huge presumption. Thabeet was the #2 overall pick last year. Was he able to contribute right away? No, because he was a prospect that had yet to develop his offensive game in college. And Thabeet actually averaged more points per game than Favors did in his last season in college.
Favors is considered the best big man in the draft because of his potential. It’s not based on where he is right now. If it was based on current talent, he’d be drafted behind Cousins, Aldrich, Monroe, Ed Davis, Ekpe Udoh, and pretty much every other big man except Whiteside and Orton.
by yosoysean on Jun 4, 2010 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
you can disagree all you want but you have no evidence to prove that that work. every coach asked about the situation says that dre is a 3 so phil jackson wrong collins mitchell and anyone else was wrong> and you with your youtube highlight info are correct? come man seriously
by killacaravagio on Jun 3, 2010 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Phil Jackson plays Kobe Bryant as a 2, and Andre Iguodala is the same size as Kobe.
Phil Jackson plays 6’10" Lamar Odom or 6"8" Ron Artest as a small forward, of course he’d like to see Andre match up with them instead of Kobe!
Eddie Jordan thought Andre was a 3 as well.
IMO, when you have a tweener- a player who can play two positions, you play him at the one where he has an advantage. Andre is big for a guard, small for a forward, Why make his situation any harder? Why not use his height and size advantage?
Plenty of other posters have pointed out that Andre had great numbers as a 2 guard. And every publication lists him as a G/F.
so based off of you size theory. Ben Wallace is a 2 or a 3, Barkley was a 1 or a two. do you even take skill sets and comfort level into the equation. ron artest has always been a 3.. lamar odam was a 3 all the way back in his golden state warrior days. he played a little 4 for the heat but his natural position has alway been small forward.
do you watch basketball. Personally i dont care where you put andre but thad is not you answer at the 3 we need better defense from the small forward position. if you have weak defensive 3’s on your team you give up penetration and get the center and power forward out of defensive position.
watch the sixers before trading george lynch then immediately after.
by killacaravagio on Jun 4, 2010 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Stick with Turner
Don’t screw this up. This is not a big man league anymore. Everybody is between 6-6 and 7-0, so unless a big guy is like Shack or Howard, you won’t get a franchise effect.
This Eagles Team has a suspicious unknown nature that usually is the characteristic of a loser. I hope I'm wrong! E A G L E S EAGLES!
by Lombardi and Broad on Jun 2, 2010 7:43 AM PDT reply actions
my head hurts after reading this.
"I admire his competitiveness. As much as I admire it, I thought that he was trying too hard."- Eddie Jordan
Sorry! I'm just saying there is no need to focus rebuilding a team from the center position any more.
Think about the Lakers – Kobe! Heat D. Wade! Cavs – LeBron! Sticking with Turner, the best player available at the 2nd pick is the way.
This Eagles Team has a suspicious unknown nature that usually is the characteristic of a loser. I hope I'm wrong! E A G L E S EAGLES!
by Lombardi and Broad on Jun 4, 2010 8:01 AM PDT up reply actions
Sure forget about Bynum and Gasol and Odom. Shaq with LeBron. Dwight Howard got to the conference finals. The Celtics have Garnet and Perkins and Davis and Wallace.
That’s just absurd!
Shaq was not good this year. Perkins, Davis, and Wallace are average at best.
by Michael Levin on Jun 4, 2010 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions
fyi
emailed the Sixers PR department, and they said they could not confirm the workout, and typically don’t until 24-48 hours before, but he didn’t deny it either. take it for what it’s worth.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
Here’s one way to look at the situation…
If it isn’t clear who is the BPA, then go for the best trade scenarios available because whether the pick is Turner or one of the two bigs, I highly doubt the sixers are going to be sub .500 this season. Collins will kill himself to get that team above .500. And with a little common sense it shouldn’t be hard to do. I think drafting one of the two bigs would give us the better trade scenarios over the next couple years….especially if we get 1 or 2 more bargaining chips by trading down. Turner deserves to be the 2nd overall pick…..but I think he is going to have bigger problems adjusting to the NBA and finding his niche than either of the two bigs. He won’t be able to play the way he did in college…putting his head down and dribbling through 5 players…..
Meanwhile either of the bigs would both put up nice numbers and also increase AI9 and Jrue’s trade values by complementing them better than Turner. Throw in the 16 th(which should be a lottery worthy talent in this draft), and an additional bargaining chip….and you got yourself the ability to pull off some sweet trades in a year or two after the 2010 FA dust settles.
if you watched turners game he really didnt put his head down much. he was running point this year and sometimes he had to spark the offense. i think his game translates alot easier than favors/cousins. favors is way to raw to think he has the ability to play as of now in the nba and unless he puts on some weight he wont be the factor we think. and cousins is used to being physically dominant. when your stronger and taller it tends to hide alot of your other deficiencies. neither favors or cousins can com in and be an immediate factor and both are high risk high return players. to me picking one of them is like betting on rolling a 11 yeah it [pays good if you hit but there’s a huge chance it wont.
by killacaravagio on Jun 2, 2010 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah. Head down is about the last way I’d describe Turner’s dribble.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
OK – now I agree with you on Favors – he’s 2 years away. But Cousins is already 292 and will still be bigger/stronger than a lot of NBA Centers (Dwight Howard is only 610 250). Its his HEAD that I worry about not his body/strength.
Again, to me, the decision is do you take Cousins and George for Turner? Maybe if they take back Elton Brand….
big country was huge and not strong, oliver miller, stanley roberts, i can name heavy centers and power forwards all day. heavy doesnt equal strong. and honestly if some one wants turner bad enough to trade all of that should we really let him go.
by killacaravagio on Jun 2, 2010 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Favors has better post moves than any big man on the Sixers roster. In Boston or La, he’d be a back-up. Here he’ll be a starter before too long with Collins. 6’10" 245lbs. is plenty big for a power forward.
IMO, the big determining factor will be Collins, and what kind of team he wants to go into next season with. If I was him, I’d be worried about the Sixers ability to rebound and score in the half-court. As soon as he sees what Brand, Dalembert, Speights and Smith did, he’ll see this is the area that needs the most improvement.
Has Collins met with anyone else other than Iguodala? I know he’s been doing games, but I would think he might want to talk with some of the other players. What kind of a player did Andre tell them they needed?
If youtube highlight clips meant as much to the rest of the world as they do to you…..my god that would be a terrifying place to live.
by Michael Levin on Jun 2, 2010 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
i think this youtube clip is pretty important and awesome
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jun 2, 2010 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions
He definitely doesn’t have his head down, but I actually do wonder whether his head-up-back-bent-low-to-the-ground dribbling style isn’t long term hard on his back.
so"head down" was the wrong phrase. The point is that he basically just dribbled around till he got into the lane without any type of real half court offense. In the nba he will be spending too much of the shot clock dribbling and teams would pack in the lane. He was essentially just given the ball in college with free reign and told to create offense. He’s not going to have that much freedom in the nba. I think it’s going to be an adjustment for him.
its going to be an adjustment for anyone. there is no player in the draft that wont be making an adjustment. but I really dont remember him holding the ball and dribbling around people. And hes one of the players i have been looking at the past few years.
by killacaravagio on Jun 2, 2010 9:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Of course it’s an adjustment for anyone. I’m saying that he is in store for a bigger adjustment than the two bigs because he might not be able to dominate the ball the way he did in college. He was the Mr. do everything. The coach’s half court offensive system for the most part was to just give Turner the ball and let him do it all himself….mostly off the dribble.
The opposite situation exists for those two bigs. They are likely to both have more quality scoring opportunities as rookies in the NBA than either of them enjoyed in College. They will have drive and kick guys like Iggy and Jrue setting them up with cupcake finishing opportunities in the paint that Dalembert couldn’t convert because he can’t walk and chew gum at the same time. Favors and Cousins will both be somewhere between good and excellent on the break as well….and the Sixers will clearly be running this season. And with their bodies, they will both surely do a solid job on the glass on day one. The biggest issue for them will be learning the tricks of the trade on the defensive end. Jrue and AI9 are going to hinder Turner’s offensive opportunities somewhat or vice-versa. Meanwhile there really is no big man on the Sixers roster in the way of Cousins and Favors. Either one should lead us in minutes played, scoring, and possibly rebounding in year one amongst our big men.
I’m not saying that Turner isn’t the BPA. I’m saying that
1) he might not be that much better than the other two considering the changes he will have to make to his game in the NBA vs. College
and
2) the two bigs will find themselves in a much better situation to thrive early in their careers in Philly than Turner will.
and
3) when the 3 headed monster of Jrue, AI9, and one of the two bigs flourishes together…..that will make our team more attractive for both trades and free agents….especially with the extra assets acquired from trading down. So even if they pass on the BPA, it is possible that it will be best for the team in terms of building a contender sometime before I am on social security.
If we insist on hiring a coach who treats every regular season contest like do or die and typically increases a team’s win percentage….then we won’t be in the lottery next season….maybe not again for several seasons…..then why not go after the best fit for now instead of thinking for 3 to 5 years from now? And then trade or sign our way into contention?
i see the bigs having a huge problem coming in. there’s a reason big guys get injured in their first few years. almost every play will be stronger than them and dont look at weight as an indicator all weight indicates is weight. You go from playing with kids to grown men. Its like the first time you were aloud to play with the big kids on the court.
Personally i say you sign the best player, preferably a wing unless there is a cant lose big man, which no one in this draft is close to being. if you prove to be solid or pretty good for a few years with the team of turner dre and jrue you will attract a big man in freeagency or trade one of your other assets for a big man that wants out. Very few teams go to the chip with a post player they drafted.
by killacaravagio on Jun 3, 2010 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions
LeBron James was oversized when he came into the league and he did fine. Cousins and Favors are definitely big guys for their age. They certainly won’t be able to push players around in the pro’s like they did in College, but neither one of them looks uncoordinated.
My guess is that they’ll be able to hold their own against NBA talent, but won’t be at their peak for a few years. That doesn’t matter. What matters is are they better and do they have equal or better upside compared with what we have now?
did lebron play power forward. hes an over sized wing player. hes stronger than anyone at his position but if he played in the post he would have the same problem
by killacaravagio on Jun 3, 2010 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions
LeBron James was oversized when he came into the league and he did fine.
what
by Michael Levin on Jun 3, 2010 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions
he was talkin about him being over sized … you know… down there
by killacaravagio on Jun 5, 2010 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I havent heard that he has. He should.
To me, one “unknown” he should investigate in these meetings is whether it was Jordans Princeton Offense that rendered Brand and Speights unable to score in the paint or their skills (or lack/erosion thereof). I think I know why Sammy (bad hands, no hoops IQ) and JSmith (no ups, stopped shooting Js, too much lifting) didnt score. At least Sammy rebounded.
Its pretty optimistic to hope that Speights can learn defense, pass out of double teams and still score 20ppg. Can Coach Collins find a way to make Elton a productive 4?
This should have an impact on whether you take a Minny offer of 4/16 for Brand and 2
i think right now elton can give you 15 and 6 and solid d as a starter (he never played with a rebounding center and sams snatching a few away) speights should be put in a position where if hes one dimensional it wont hurt the team.
by killacaravagio on Jun 2, 2010 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions
If Speights stays one dimensional, that position will be 2nd quarter mop up guy.
I agree with you on Brand. I do think his best attribute at this point is his defense. I also think that he can be equally effective starting or off the bench in terms of wins/losses. But I don’t think he should average more than 25 min/night. In stretches on the schedule where they play back to backs or 3 out of 4, then Brand seems to lose too much of that scrappy effectiveness by the second or third game when he’s on the court for 35 minutes.
i think you run brand for 30 mins a night and start him til you see its not working. if he can be the defender we need him to be then we can at least have that part of the game will be solid.
by killacaravagio on Jun 3, 2010 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah….for the first game in a 3 out of 4, but what about the third game? He probably wont deserve more than 18 min in the third contest. I’ve seen too many times with him.His hustle plays on defense is what makes him most valuable to this team. And he has legs that are too old for 30+ min night of top notch hustling defense. If he can become a 1st or 2nd best offensive option, then fine he is contributing enough to stay on the floor. But I think it’s pretty obvious by now that he at best is the 4th best offensive option on this team…..and probably worse.
He’s a very solid, and sometimes excellent role player or occasionally gets a hot hand with his short jumpers….nothing more.
i don think we can take last year as an indicatetor of anything but this team had a bad year with a bad coach. brand had one more year to get his legs under him and the team should feel unified after getting rid of eddie so i think they will play better as a whole.
by killacaravagio on Jun 5, 2010 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions
weren’t you on speights balls until like last week?
by killacaravagio on Jun 3, 2010 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m big on Speights potential, but he hasn’t become a starter. Eddie Jordan may be an idiot, but I have to believe that he would play anyone who would help him win. Until he starts putting up numbers, you can’t assume he will develop into your starting PF.
so your trading your current project pf for a new project power forward?
by killacaravagio on Jun 4, 2010 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions
No. We need more than one Power Forward and one Center. The plan is currently to replace Brand and possibly Dalembert, and continue to evaluate Smith and Speights. Favors is projected to be both a Center and Forward so we can try him in multiple line-ups.
If Smith and Speights don’t pan out then you trade them, but I want to see them with a coach like Collins who has the ability to teach before I give up on them.
I don’t think people understand how close some of the lesser teams are to competing. Most NBA teams are one or two great players away from being there. Most of them are lacking a good big man, like Favors is projected to become.
if we go with your height theory we will be short in the post with favors and speights
by killacaravagio on Jun 5, 2010 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions
my god ...
i may be overreacting a bit but I just saw Favors’ predraft interview for the first time … absolutely brutal.
i know that interviews don’t mean a whole lot and he’s only 19, but how can a guy give such inarticulate and dull answers? can you see this guy as the face of a franchise down the road?
chalk another point up for turner imo..
Actually the Malone he reminded me of in the interview was more of a humble version of Karl Malone. I don’t have a big problem with his interview. He seemed like a no nonsense guy to me with relatively honest answers. He also seemed less phased by everything than some of the other players who kept talking about how they want to be the best. He also seemed more mature than most of them. I’ll take mature over exciting if I’m about to pay someone that much guaranteed money.
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