Finally, Unabashed Optimism About Our Philadelphia 76ers
by Michael Levin on Feb 2, 2012 5:30 AM PST
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Since this blog came into existence, the Sixers have gone from decent to mediocre to terrible to mediocre again. The 2012 Lockout-shortened version of this team, no different on its surface from last year's squad, seemed destined to follow in its footsteps. Despite a young club with a number of very appealing high-upside players, optimism wasn't running rampant around these parts for any chunk of time.
"Dark have been my dreams of late." Now, at long last, that has come to an end.
This team is terrific any way you slice it. They're a well-coached group of overachievers that, with Marreese Speights in Graceland, really buys into Doug Collins' system and the way he does things. He's gotten them to the point where not having a superstar scorer works to their advantage. That's virtually unheard of. They're playing at a legendary level of team defense, and the excuse that their schedule has been soft no longer applies. Twist it and turn it however you'd like, these Sixers are 100% for real.
It's not that the win over the Bulls vaults them to legitimacy. They were already legitimate beforehand, just without that marquee win to hang their hat on. You don't beat teams by 20+ points in the NBA with regularity and still get considered a middling club. They've been right there all along. Two in a row against two of the best players in the league in Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose just makes it that much clearer.
What this means moving forward is that Sixers fans can, on the one hand, start thinking about a playoff run going into May, and on the other, talk to people that have similarly started to care about the Sixers again. The obligatory "since Iverson left" applies because the city just hasn't cared about the Sixers without him. It's no longer relevance that's back in Philadelphia. It's dreams of contention. And they're not that far off.
These Sixers are capable of beating any team in the league. And not like, oh here's a lucky win because the other team was napping. There aren't anymore trap games. There aren't anymore surprises. They're tied for first place in the Eastern Conference in the loss column (along with Chicago, Miami, Indiana, and Atlanta - wow) and lead the NBA in home wins with 12. One third of the way through the season, they're not punking anybody.
As the team now stands, they still can't be considered one of the few teams capable of winning a championship. They're just not there yet. And that's OK! Because erstwhile dreams of tanking for draft picks and expiring contracts are no longer within the realm of possibility and neither are they desirable. The past ten years taught us that winning to stay mediocre netted no big free agents nor a loyal fanbase. But what's past is prologue, and Collins has gotten them way past mediocre. While the city of Philadelphia may never be a desirable NBA locale, the team is certainly appealing enough, with a fun bunch of guys that share the basketball and win games. The likelihood that a prized free agent would come to town is now significantly greater than that of winning the lottery and landing a franchise player though the draft. As unlikely as it may be, this team muscled their way past the plateau and rode their coach to the gates of the Promised Land.
The days of Suckfest are behind us. We are now in a Buyer's era. The better the Sixers play, the more some unnamed world class center would consider putting on a Sixers jersey and not just for when he plays dress-up. It's a new age, friends. Embrace those former deserters who've been unseen since 2001 and relish the newfound excitement for a Sixers team that couldn't be any more likable. They might not be there yet, but they're close - and now, finally, winning games doesn't mean prolonged mediocrity and hollow successes. Let's enjoy this team the way we're supposed to, the way our 12-year-old selves knew how.
Bring on Miami.
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The Mayans were right
The apocalypse is upon us.
It ain't rock, it ain't roll, if we don't disagree
OUR 12 YEAR OLD SELVES
enjoying this team. there’s no substitue for winning. that’s why we are fans at any age.
by gslod on Feb 2, 2012 6:11 AM PST reply actions 5 recs
That line almost made me tear up. You guys do just phenomenal writing on this site, across the broad.
by highwaterhello on Feb 2, 2012 7:43 AM PST up reply actions
yea, ironically i was exactly 12 when we went to the finals and played LA. definitely a classic line that hit home.
ok, now re-read in Doug Collins' voice...
by J.Michael Woodson on Feb 2, 2012 9:43 AM PST up reply actions
*Thanks
too early to be awake…
Its all about the []_[]
#FirePaulHolmgren
by philiafan14364 on Feb 2, 2012 6:18 AM PST up reply actions
so...
is the bandwagon at max capacity yet? or are people still jumping on?
PHI "We Know Drama"
by DaaaBirdsDaBirds on Feb 2, 2012 6:47 AM PST reply actions
good read
if dwight howard and his handlers cant see what could be the best defensive team since Detroit 04 and how he could balance the floor for this squad? forget em…
Howard wants to play in a big market with media opportunities and with another star. Why would he want to come to Philly? It doesn’t meet his list of "wants."
by DCgreenlantern on Feb 2, 2012 7:36 AM PST up reply actions
Obviously he is a monster on the court,
But honestly he seems like a complete head case at this point, and immature to boot. Have you seen that horribly awkward press conference where the reporter makes an off comment about his pink shirt? Howard takes it to an unnecessary homophobic level where its very clear the reporter isn’t hitting on him at all, and he comes off as an unfunny, classless a**hole.
And all the antics he’s been pulling towards his teammates since the lock has been shameful. Much worse than what Melo did imo.
by highwaterhello on Feb 2, 2012 7:56 AM PST up reply actions
meh. It was almost 2 years ago now, and he didn’t come out and actually say anything other than being speechless. He could have not known how to respond to it. Regardless, I think it was a mistake, but not that big of a deal.
Now, how he’s handled this year, that I do have issue with. But it seems stars have universally failed in this regard lately, so it hardly puts him in unique territory.
Derek Bodner
SBN Philly || LibertyBallers || DraftExpress || NBAPlaybook.com
derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
Follow @derekbodner
Last time I checked...
Philly is a big market with media opportunities and the potential to really have a city ready to embrace him with open arms.
Yes we don’t have a “star”, but all Dwight wants for Christmas is a title and surrounding him with Iggy (a should be all-star), Jrue (should make the all-star team next year), and Evan (a growing star) what’s not to like out of that squad. That’s a team with 4/5 all-stars on it and if we do in fact amnesty Brand we can afford to sign him for big money. I think EB might even take a significant paycut to come back and win a title with us.
Starting line-up in Fall 2012:
PG: Jrue
SG: Evan
F: Iggy
F: Brand/Whomever
C: Howard
If that line-up doesn’t make you write 2013 NBA Champions all over it I don’t know what does. Especially if we keep some/most of our Night Shift.
i’ve been surprised/saddened by the howard antics but on the court he fits our need…hell, he would exceed it embarassingly.
my hope is that otis smith is so petty/vindictive he makes howard wait a year to prove a point/because he knows he’s getting fired anyway. then we can court him like we did Brand. we just dont have the sexy trade pieces that teams like the clippers, lakers, NY or even Nj does.
Philly is the 5th largest TV market, and he should take a look at the MLB, NFL, and NHL jerseys sales. He’d be surprised by how many Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers are on the top 10 ten lists.
Yes, but he is looking for the side-benefits – the dollars made off the court from the deals and shows. Whether its correct or not, he has NYC (including brooklyn) and LA as his choices. We all know what that means – he wants the big stage.
by DCgreenlantern on Feb 2, 2012 12:55 PM PST up reply actions
I am still pessimistic that they could win one now. I think they get over powered in a long series against a team like the Heat.
Some guy at PSU Hershey Med Center just discovered a virus that eats cancer. Where were the CNN trucks for that? THON will probably break $10 mil this year. Put that on "Outside the Lines".
And you don't know that they would
Be honest with yourself, do you really think that in a 7 games series, this team will be able to hold James, Wade and Bosh in check enough to win? They may win two or three against them but I do not see them winning a series
Some guy at PSU Hershey Med Center just discovered a virus that eats cancer. Where were the CNN trucks for that? THON will probably break $10 mil this year. Put that on "Outside the Lines".
Yeah your right. Every other team should just quit then. Why even play the rest of the season? We should probably just tank for a draft pick to be honest.
Yes the Heat are a better team, but not a significantly better team. In a 7 game series I would favor them 60/40 with a healthy Hawes. If the Sixers have home-court, then it becomes 50-50. That qualifies as a contender.
Take off the rose colored glasses
Let the season play out before claiming they are a contender. See how they are playing when they enter the playoffs. People tend to put too much emphasis on the wins and too much emphasis on the loses. The team is not as good as they look in their wins and they are not as bad as they look in their losses. They are somewhere in between which will be determined throughout the season.
Could they reach the championship and win? Possibly, but the to say they are a sure fire contender now seems silly.
Some guy at PSU Hershey Med Center just discovered a virus that eats cancer. Where were the CNN trucks for that? THON will probably break $10 mil this year. Put that on "Outside the Lines".
Of course I’d rather wait until the end of the season to label them a contender or not. I will have a larger sample size and more information to make an informed decision. That’s not the issue though. People want to know right now, at this moment in time, using the information we have available, are the Sixers a contender.
They have now moved into 3rd in schedule-adjusted efficiency differential according to nbastuffer.com, behind Atlanta and Chicago, with a mark of 6.37. Efficiency diff. is proven to be the best predictor of future success and a typical mark of a championship team is 5 or above. That puts the Sixers squarely in that neighborhood and getting Spence back only improves that.
So the numbers are telling us, at this moment in time, the Sixers are a legitimate contender. Of course things can change by the end of the season, but that’s not the issue. We want to know right now what we are witnessing. As more games are played and more information is gathered, the picture will become clearer.
I agree that at this moment, they appear to be a contender and as you said things do change over the course of a season. I just don’t like getting all worked up about a team when they have only played 22 games with 44 more to go. They have certainly surprised me this season and I am happy about that.
Of course I would love it if they do make the championship and even win it. I would be elated. I just hope people do not get so worked up that if they fail to reach that mark, they in turn label this season as a disappointment.
Some guy at PSU Hershey Med Center just discovered a virus that eats cancer. Where were the CNN trucks for that? THON will probably break $10 mil this year. Put that on "Outside the Lines".
Don’t worry I’m not betting my mortgage on the Sixers to win the title. Barring some massive 2nd half collapse, I’ve pretty much already labeled this season as a success. And that’s the beauty of it. No one gave the Sixers a shot at the beginning of the season and they are proving us wrong every step of the way. I’m enjoying it for what it is, winning basketball for a team that has sorely needed it. I’m not thinking about Howard or whoever. I’m just enjoying this season that still isn’t over yet. We don’t know what’s going to happen and it’s great.
Well said
“It’s not that the win over the Bulls vaults them to legitimacy. They were already legitimate beforehand, just without that marquee win to hang their hat on. You don’t beat teams by 20+ points in the NBA with regularity and still get considered a middling club. "
"I asked for Shaq. They gave me Shackleford."
http://whereisbenrivera.posterous.com/
I think I’d rather listen to a mental patient talk about quantum physics then hear Ike Reese talk about Iguodala.
“He had 19 pts, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. It’s not like he had 35 or something.”
God he’s awful. Why is he on the radio. Sorry had to get that off my chest.
He’s gotten them to the point where not having a superstar scorer works to their advantage. That’s virtually unheard of.
No it’s not. The Celtics won about 15 titles following that model exactly.
Since when is multiple Hall of Famers considered not having a superstar?
Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.
That is all.
by EREX21 on Feb 2, 2012 10:13 AM PST up reply actions 3 recs
Can you read?
superstar scorer
They routinely won titles with 5 or 6 guys averaging double-digits and their leading scorer was never top 10 in the league. Bird averaged in the low 20s and that was highly unusual for Celtics basketball at the time.
That doesn’t mean they didn’t have superstar scorers, it means they had multiple superstar scorers and thus, not one of them averaged what they typically would have if they were on a team by themselves.
Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.
That is all.
Superstars yes. Superstar scorers no. Red Auerbach only wanted selfless all around good players. Players that played good defense, rebounded, took care of the ball, and shot efficiently. One of his many good quotes:
“I don’t believe in statistics. There are too many factors that can’t be measured. You can’t measure a ballplayer’s heart, his ability to perform in the clutch, his willingness to sacrifice his offense or to play strong defense.
See, if you play strong defense and concentrate and work hard, it’s got to affect your offense. But a lot of players on a lot of teams, all they point at is offense. Like in baseball they say, "I hit .300 so I should get so much money."
I’ve always eliminated the statistic of how many points a guy scores. Where did he score them? Did he score them during garbage time? Did he score them when the game was on the line? Did he score them against good opponents? There are so many factors."
I was just thinking the same thing.
1965 Celtics
John Havlicek- Hall of Fame
Tom Heinsohn- Hall of Fame
K.C. Jones- Hall of Fame
Sam Jones- Hall of Fame
Willie Naulls- 4 Time Allstar
Bill Russell- Hall of Fame (arguably one of the greatest players ever)
Tom Sanders- Hall of Fame
2012 Sixers
Elton Brand- Allstar with the Clippers
Andre Iguodala- Should be an Allstar
Francisco Elson- Dutch National Team (arguably looks identical to Frozone)
Lou Williams- Grammy Nomination
@MacNaismith on twitter
by Naismithball on Feb 2, 2012 11:18 AM PST up reply actions 4 recs
Started to like your post until I saw where you were going with it. Dude who gives a flying f about free agents next year, we don’t need them. Focus on this year and this year only. This team can win a championship now..
They have now moved into 3rd in schedule-adjusted efficiency differential according to nbastuffer.com, behind Atlanta and Chicago, with a mark of 6.37. Efficiency diff. is proven to be the best predictor of future success and a typical mark of a championship team is 5 or above. That puts the Sixers squarely in that neighborhood and getting Spence back only improves that.
At the end of the season, will they be the favorite to win it? No. Will they be one of the favorites aka a contender? Yes.
Disagree with you there man.
Wouldn’t take just any free agent, but with a certain free agent center (Black Spencer Hawes) we’d be up there as one of the best defenses of all time and he wouldn’t mind our team first offense.
Forget about it. It’s about as relevant as used toilet paper right now. Contrary to popular belief, every advanced stat is telling us that this team can be very competitive for a ’ship this season without Dwight or anybody else.
I can’t forget it, we’d be the Russel Celtics reinvented. I’m not saying we’ll get him, but there’s not a title team from the last 10 years that would have turned him down.
The time to talk about Dwight is in May or June. Nobody should care right now, we have winning basketball to watch.
Man I am watching. And it makes me wanna talk about all sorts of possibilities: Playoff Runs, Heat Matchups, our incredible D, Dwight possibilities, etc. For me excitement about the team is excitement about all of it.
I agree with all of that, I just don’t think people should get too hung up on Howard as in getting him will be the only way this team becomes a contender. The Sixers are proving us wrong every step of the way. If Howard comes, great, if he doesn’t screw him. I’m not terribly interested in him right now to be honest.
Ha, really? Couldn’t tell… I love this team. I love the team ball they play. I love how they keep demolishing everyone’s expectations. I just can’t and don’t really care to avoid thinking of the possibilities.
It’s been a lot more fun this season watching the team play- like they finally are putting it all together, each player playing closer to his potential, each team-mate working together with the others. It looks like we really have a team worth following for what they can do this season.
The only real test left is can they beat that freak show in Miami. I think with our Centers we can and if they are back and healthy on Friday and we win that game, we’ll pass that test too.
This tougher part of the schedule is coming at the right time for the team. They have the confidence in themselves and their strategy, they’re as ready as they’re going to be to fact their opponents. Even the injuries have helped them to learn how to overcome and adapt. Outrebounding Chicago when your without your two best Centers is a real accomplishment.
What a great season for the fans and the players! Is Philadelphia the envy of the basketball world? Where else would you rather be?
Howard should come here
As long as it doesn’t create a massive disruption of our team, Howard should come here. We have by the far the best situation for him in many ways.
We have no superstar…so he is not just our main superstar, he’s our only one. He’d be the best player, and iggy 2nd, and nobody would ever question that. He goes to a team with Rose or Williams, people will call him the sidekick.
We are still a top team despite not having a superstar. Howard can be certain that Philly can win. They would have the best center in basketball added to their already stifling defense.
Philly is a fun town. Seriously, Howard would make millions in endorsements here, have a contending team built around him, great nightlife…Philly is the right choice for him.
Does this make Ed Stafanski = Ed Wade? It seemed like a complete turd but acquired the majority of these pieces.
@xEgan on Twitter
Is this not the best?
– from the Bulls blog.
@xEgan on Twitter
by xEgan on Feb 2, 2012 8:46 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
Loved that
We may have nailed our two draft picks and have two big guys who can be good rotation players.
just picked up tickets to the 6ers Clips game next Friday. 20 for the front row of the mezzanine…good times
"Start playing with some jam in here"
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Feb 2, 2012 9:10 AM PST reply actions
Same here. What section?
Just talkin about practice
Follow me on Twitter - @Teachin2daChoir
by The Mad Hopper on Feb 2, 2012 12:38 PM PST up reply actions
don’t be ridiculous. there is just about 0.0001% chance Dwight comes to Philly. Why would he. Just embrace Spence. He’s done a great job when healthy and is plenty young.
And the bandwagon thickens….gross
What? How do you embrace someone that hasn’t played in 9-10 games? 23 with back problems is not a good place to be.
@xEgan on Twitter
as a part of the bandwagon, I must ask what’s wrong with being on the bandwagon?
"Start playing with some jam in here"
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Feb 2, 2012 9:31 AM PST up reply actions
Nothing. New fans have to start somewhere.
Some guy at PSU Hershey Med Center just discovered a virus that eats cancer. Where were the CNN trucks for that? THON will probably break $10 mil this year. Put that on "Outside the Lines".
I’m curious because as much as the 6ers are playing better, there’s external factors that have lead me to watching the 6ers on a nightly basis
1) It’s a privilege to listen to our guys in the booth.
2) Affordability
3) Ownership that cares what its fans think. Want a song from back in the day played at games? Sure. Want cheap tickets for a month? Sure. Dollar dog nights what seems like every 5 home games? sure
I like this team because they’re a very talented team, but also because it’s the first time I can remember when ownership is in touch with its fans
"Start playing with some jam in here"
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Feb 2, 2012 9:37 AM PST up reply actions
I like this team because they’re a very talented team, but also because it’s the first time I can remember when ownership is in touch with its fans
Exactly. And fans who have followed the team for awhile (which includes me) have to realize that this is a good thing. More fans following the team means more ticket revenue and other forms of revenue which can help justify spending more money on the team. The new ownership seems to be a breath of fresh air.
Sure, some fans will always come and go as the team record fluctuates but times like this are when the team and find some new fans that get hooked.
Some guy at PSU Hershey Med Center just discovered a virus that eats cancer. Where were the CNN trucks for that? THON will probably break $10 mil this year. Put that on "Outside the Lines".
All Aboard!!
Plenty of room. It’s been lonely for a while now.
I thought Brand was a bum all of this time. And then he starts making that mid-range jumper
"Start playing with some jam in here"
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Feb 2, 2012 9:50 AM PST up reply actions
A few of them
Most of them see his low PPG and start screaming about how overpaid he is. Remember, defense means nothing to the casual NBA fan
Just talkin about practice
Follow me on Twitter - @Teachin2daChoir
by The Mad Hopper on Feb 2, 2012 12:40 PM PST up reply actions
I dunno my experience with bandwagoners (just started paying attention this year) is a positive attitude towards Iggy. They aren’t looking at ppg of individual players but are just seeing the team collectively play great under coach Collins.
It’s the quote “diehards” that still hold a grude toward Iggy. The dumb talking heads on WIP that saw his low ppg the last several years and didn’t have the mental capacity to realize what he does for a basketball team and that he was the one of the few bright spots on bad/mediocre teams. A scapegoat if you will.
Yeah, there are those too
I try to disregard anything that comes from WIP. I guess it’s a mixed bag. Those who hate Iguodala are just misinformed.
Just talkin about practice
Follow me on Twitter - @Teachin2daChoir
by The Mad Hopper on Feb 2, 2012 2:48 PM PST up reply actions
as a 76er fan of over 15 years, i have to say that truly this is the first time i’ve had a feeling like this about our team since the ’01 run. i literally eat, piss, and sleep sixers basketball. feels like i am reliving my childhood
ok, now re-read in Doug Collins' voice...
by J.Michael Woodson on Feb 2, 2012 9:41 AM PST reply actions
couldn't have said it any better
so pumped for the whole city to get behind this team again.
Literally??
You should go to the doctors
Flaming yawn
nothing they can do for me they say
ok, now re-read in Doug Collins' voice...
by J.Michael Woodson on Feb 2, 2012 3:46 PM PST up reply actions
Things I know:
1. The Sixers are legit.
2. I’m still a little worried about the Celtics. Knicks not so much.
3. Dwight Howard isn’t coming here, and to get him would involve losing to much of what makes this team what it is.
4. If they can continue to develop this year and next year, they will hopefully have some money to spend when EB comes off the books.
Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.
That is all.
Just don't get all this Dwight Fright...
We all know it’s still very unlikely that he comes to Philly, but he would do nothing but vastly improve the team. Imagine our D if we were as strong in the post as we are on the wing! Imagine all the extra possessions with the best rebounder in the league! Imagine all the extra fast breaks if we blocked shots as well as we deflected passes!
Imagine if you won the lottery. I think I would have a house a Philly and one in Florida because I don’t really like the cold. Maybe one in LA because I kind of like California too. Wouldn’t it be so cool?
It would be cool.
I’d brave the cold and stay in Philly through the winter so I could watch Dwight dominate for us though…
Nah, not while there’s League Pass :D
I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, there will be no trade for Monta!
Masthead?
Maybe we spread this optimism to the masthead. Enough “Basketball Sense.” Those cynical days are behind us.
'Things are more like today than they have ever been before." Gerald R. Ford
Site rule
You’re not allowed to say “Don’t be hasty” unless it is followed immediately by either “Hobbits” or “Master Meriadoc”.
Now you know.
by Michael Levin on Feb 2, 2012 12:46 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t get the reference.
M.Bison said it…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0j0lO7uQBo
That's like your opinion, man.
It’s pretty much a prerequisite for this site to be able to reference and quote Lord of the Rings in all situations.
by Michael Levin on Feb 2, 2012 2:33 PM PST up reply actions
Guess I get the banhammer then.
I’ve never watched the Lord of the Rings…
That's like your opinion, man.
What is wrong with you?
You never watched LOTR, you love fat chicks, you hated Star Wars, and you hate Disney movies. I mean, c’mon!!!
Just talkin about practice
Follow me on Twitter - @Teachin2daChoir
by The Mad Hopper on Feb 2, 2012 2:44 PM PST up reply actions
Correction.
You never watched LOTR, you lovefatchicks, you hated Star Wars, and you hate Disney.movies
That's like your opinion, man.
Well
everyone hates Walt Disney, I can’t fault you for that. But the movies and theme parks are fun.
Just talkin about practice
Follow me on Twitter - @Teachin2daChoir
by The Mad Hopper on Feb 2, 2012 3:04 PM PST up reply actions
bought great seats for my birthday in the 17th. hope i get to be treated by sixers or the dream team. or both!
"I quit school in the 6th grade because of pneumonia. Not because I had it, but because I couldn't spell it."
by secondroundpick on Feb 2, 2012 12:03 PM PST reply actions
hate to burst the bubble
but for the young man who was celebrating his birthday the last time i went, he got the men’s athletic team to go wish him a happy birthday
he was not amused
"Start playing with some jam in here"
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Feb 2, 2012 12:15 PM PST up reply actions
a Sixers win is all that matters
"I quit school in the 6th grade because of pneumonia. Not because I had it, but because I couldn't spell it."
by secondroundpick on Feb 2, 2012 12:23 PM PST up reply actions
OH YEAHHHH
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
Follow @Sohil_Doshi
Sidenote:
I checked out Blog a Bull just a few minutes ago. I’m surprised at the comments made against Iguodala calling him a “douche” among other things. Aside from that around the back thingy, what else did he really do to come off that way?
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
Follow @Sohil_Doshi
He won
and D. Rose lost. That behind the back thing was a carry too, and you know D. Rose never carries when he drives the lane…
Just talkin about practice
Follow me on Twitter - @Teachin2daChoir
by The Mad Hopper on Feb 2, 2012 2:45 PM PST up reply actions
If we are going to talk about trading for a big...
Lets talk about someone more realistic: Anderson Varejao.
This has all been said before, but AV plays great defense, is as true of a center as you’ll find in league, goes bananas on RBs, and would come on the cheap.
Apparently Cleveland may blow it up at some point this year to gun for lottery picks( they are surprisingly not half terrible this year, compared to last,) so its very likely Varejao will be on the block. I think we could put together a nice little package for them including picks, and we wouldn’t have to sell the farm. Old school chevy is probably gone in this scenario thoough..
Interesting option but a few issues:
1. He will be 30 next year.
2. He makes close to 10M per year for another 3-4 years. Not a terrible salary given he gets you about 10/10, but it means that you are out of the running for big name FA’s even after Brand expires. This is a bigger issue now that FA’s might actually want to come to the Sixers.
3. he is more of a Reggie Evans than a Ben Wallace. meaning that he grabs rebounds and gives you energy but is not an intimidating defender who protects the rim. If you are going to shell out 9M for a rebounder who has little offensive game, I’d much prefer a intimidator than a hustler.
4. yet another big who can’t finish well in traffic. Sort of wastes the passing/driving ability of Jrue/Iggy/ET/Lou.
5. He is an annoying flopper. Sure he would be less annoying on your team, but only so much.
6. Defenses can ignore him outside of 5 feet. This works against the teams current offense that is predicated around “ball frindly” bigs who can stretch the floor in order to open up driving lanes.
by tk76 on Feb 2, 2012 2:29 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
#5 made me LOL
And I agree with the overall assessment.
Honestly, for the relative prices, I’d rather have the original Reggie Evans, if we feel we need extra rebounding help that badly. You have to figure he wouldn’t cost much, a small fraction of what SideShowBob would, and there’s always the possibility he’ll grab someone’s nutsack, which, you can’t deny the entertainment value…
I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, there will be no trade for Monta!
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/36450/sixers-contenders-time-to-decide
Has the philly hype machine gone a bit overboard?
I do like reading national media suggesting Dwight should consider philly.
Nice article from Abbott, per usual. Never makes a stand, stays objective so he can’t look like an idiot if the Sixers fall of the map. But yes, extremely enjoyable hearing national voices talk about these guys.
by Michael Levin on Feb 2, 2012 8:39 PM PST up reply actions
Iggy's Razzle Dazzle Was Fine
So what if AI9 was feeling justifiably frisky at the moment. Maybe I would have preferred to see something like that inside the 2-minute mark, but what the heck. He’s a class act, on and off the court, not like that last-second dunkin’ Dwayne “We Just Ate The Sixers for Breakfast” Wade who revealed himself as a complete jerk during last year’s playoffs. Hate the Heat. Let’s get ’em tonight, Philly!
Loved this article
and I am a proud bandwagoner. For so long the Sixers were not good enough to contend that being a fan just isn’t fun. Bandwagon fans want to have fun, die hard fans can still find joy in the misery. I am a die hard Eagles and Phillies fan and a bandwagon Flyers and Sixers fan. A person can only invest so much, so I am a proud bandwagoner – all the fun and none of the misery.
Cowboys suck.
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