Although LouWill is a scorer, he's made it quite clear that he doesn't play Doug Collins type of basketball. |
Despite the slump that the Sixers are currently getting over, the team hasn't looked this good since Allen Iverson's departure. This, however, does not change the fact that the Sixers haven't filled the void he left as the sure firer scorer that could be counted on in any situation. With all of the talent on this team, their scoring is most certainly there...for about 40 minutes. Overall, they rank 19th in 4th quarter scoring. Since the Sixers rank 17th in overall scoring, this seems reasonable. With 21 different games ending with 10+ point differentials, that number can get very distorted, though.
A much more relevant statistic, is that 13 of their 17 losses have come with being a 5 point game before the half way point of the 4th quarter. This is due to --as mentioned above -- the lack of a true late game scorer and defensively skilled big man.
Before I start to speculate as to the possible candidates to fill the vacant roles, I'm going to lay down the ground rules the Sixers need to follow if they don't wish to place a detriment on them selves. Any trade the Sixers make should be beneficial for years to come, as this team is not yet ready for an all or nothing playoff run, and the following players should not be traded, as their value for the Sixers will not be matched by the offers they're given: Jrue Holiday (he has the capability of being a franchise player, and I believe he can coexist with Turner and Iguodala), Andre Iguodala, Craig Brackins (just kidding...but, seriously. when will they "RELEASE THE BRACKINS!"), and Thaddeus Young.
But, they are getting close to making such a playoff push.
Despite his slow career start, coach Collins is adamant that Turner is ready to prove why he was taken with the second overall pick |
Outside of their own roster, the Sixers can still find many suitors. Although predicting a deal is too speculative for my taste, there are some available scorers that are currently being shopped. Guards like Kevin Martin, O.J. Mayo --despite popular opinion, when given the chance, the kid can score (see Memphis Grizzlies playoff run, 2011)--, and Eric Gordon can all solve the Sixers late game shooting woes. They all offer contractual problems that could scare away the Sixers, though. For Martin, the 11 million he's due throughout this season and the 12 million + he's due next season is a tad much for the Sixers to commit without solving their big man problem first. As for Gordon and Mayo, their contracts expire after this season, and unless the Sixers would guarantee either of their resignings before executing a trade, than there's a huge risk that they give up assets for nothing. In this sport, though, there are always surprises at the deadline, so don't be shocked if the Sixers make a deal for a player you never considered.
My surprise pick? Paul George. This would only happen in a multi-team deal, as they need a superstar more so than the Sixers (despite what you think, Danny Granger is not an All-Star), which, speaking redundantly, the Sixers do not have. They do, however, want to bolster their big man rotation, which is a desire that the Sixers could satisfy. What I don't see is George and Turner playing on the same team. The only reason I would prefer George over Turner is that he is already a proven scorer, versus Turner who is just now finding his scoring ability. Turner is thought to be the better defender, but in my opinion, it's a lot closer than people think (despite Dwayne Wade sinking a game winning shot over himlast night). If the Sixers truly are all-in on Turner as they have suggested all week, than this deal cannot happen.
As for a bigman, the Sixers need a defensive minded one. Yes, Spencer Hawes improves the front court defense --though much less than his effect on the front court offense -- if he can get healthy, but that's completely based on his size -- not skill -- and he's shown over his young career that injuries will follow him regardless of the type of output he's producing. For me, watching Eddie Tim Duncan and Dirk go untouched by the Sixers defense in the 4th quarter after doing virtually nothing in the first 3 quarters was enough evidence that they needed an upgrade, but for those that live and die by the numbers, the Sixers have allowed a big man to surpass 20 points in 17 of their 41 total games, and allowed David Lee, Roy Hibbert, and Luis Scola to go for 19. Including those 3 and the 17 other instances, David Lee and Greg Monroe were the only two repeat offenders: which means the Sixers have allowed 18 different big men to score 19 or more points, when they've only faced off against 58 different starting big men: a ratio of nearly a third.
Chris Kaman may not be right for the Sixers, but he still looks like the killer from a terrible 90's horror movie. |
Obviously, Dwight Howard would fit nearly any team he signs with, but -- sorry, Philly -- he's not signing here. This city has great marketing potential, but he hasn't really seen it a midst the half full Wells Fargo center crowds he has played in front of. Trading for him would also require dealing away large pieces of the team that plays as a collective, which would completely rattle the chemistry.
A center I could see the Sixers dealing for is JaVale McGee (averaging over 2.5 blocks per game) of the Wizards. There hasn't been much said about he or the Wizards desiring a trade, but it just makes sense: He hates playing there, which has been made very clear by his comments all season (which have been downright hilarious). A player of his caliber -- and make no mistake, the dude's elite -- that wears his emotions on his sleeves can easily suffer statistically when he's not getting the play he deserves. That could be the reason his play has been a slight let down this season, or most likely, his multiple benchings for "show boating." I know what you're thinking, "Collins would never deal with a player that's so unprofessional! You're a buffoon (yeah, people still use that word...)!"
Yeah, JaVale. I'd complain too. |
Has he really done anything that bad though? Oh, no! He complains about a bad team that has only gotten worse in every season of his career! He feuds with team killers like Andray Blatche! Even so, under a coach like Doug Collins, who loves flashy dunks (see Iguodala, Andre), he wouldn't need --nor have reason-- to "act out."
The Wizards are a rebuilding team, and McGee, though young, will ask for a deal close to the maximum level, and he may even get it. And who knows, maybe playing for a contending team that fits his fast paced style of play will motivate the young giant, who already puts up double figure points and rebounds on a near nightly basis, so long as he get's the playing time. But hey, I might just be wishing here.
Regardless of what goes down for the Sixers in the next few days, they need to remember the recent moves they've made when trying to make "the next step." As I don't need to remind you, they traded for and took on the horrendous contract of Chris Webber, and signed Elton Brand to a contract that became one of the worst value deals in the league. This team already has most of the pieces required to compete for years to come, but they can be a top rated contender as long as management can complete the team (and I put more emphasis on this word than any in statement in this article) correctly...As if it were that easy.
So, in a challenge to Sixers president Rod Thorn I say, surprise everyone who doesn't think the Sixers are front runners for the top players mentioned in trade talks, and get a deal done.
-With love,
every eager Sixer die-hard.
Article found here: http://www.broadstreetmarching.com/2012/03/what-sixers-should-look-to-do-before.html