FanPost

A Model for the Future

Hey everybody,

I've been visiting this blog for a while now and really appreciate the balance of fandom and subjective analysis this site promotes. I'm a huge 76ers fan so I thought I'd get off my butt, make an account, and write a post about a model for the 76ers future that I haven't seen anyone make yet. Obviously, like any comparison, there are many pitfalls or misaligning pieces, but I think it could be an illuminating one nonetheless..

The one I'm thinking about is the Lakers team that featured Andrew Bynum at center, Pau Gasol at power forward, and Lamar Odom as the first big man off the bench.

We would have Embiid and Noel starting as our twin towers, with Saric coming off the bench at power forward but also as one the primary ball handlers. If Noel and Embiid are fully healthy, they can sweep the boards and actually present more of a rim protection strength, since Gasol, while a smart defender, isn't necessarily a prolific shot-blocker. Embiid could put up similar stats to Bynum, pre-injury, with a healthy balance of rebounds, blocks, and points generated off of a variety of low-post moves. He could even showcase a more refined offensive game if he further develops his jumper.

It was mentioned that in the first summer league game that Noel had a better aptitude for passing than most had assumed, which brings to mind Gasol. Obviously, Noel has a ton of work to get to where Gasol is now (or was in his prime), but it's exciting that the possibility is there. The NBA has becoming increasingly spaced, most with the addition of a stretch 4, but I believe that Noel has the lateral quickness and smarts to track big man out to the 3-point line while also recovering for weak side defense. Perhaps I am being optimistic, but I have no other choice as a 76ers fan.

The Saric/Odom comparison interests me the most. Like most of these comparisons, it requires a realization of potential from the prospect, and for Saric I think that means primarily him working on his shot and becoming a three point threat. He he could an excellent point forward, handling the ball when MCW hits the bench, and creating offense for the second team off the bench. Additionally, he can play with either Noel or Embiid (pushing Noel to the center position) against smaller opposing line-ups or when the other team has a stretch four that Noel can't guard. I can see him running some pick and rolls with either big man and causing havoc on the other team, blowing past their big man with no one to protect the rim or hoisting lobs to our athletic twin towers.

Anyways, let me know what you think. It's not perfect, but it could be one way to view how Brett Brown could use al lthe 76ers asserts, and an exciting possibility in the least.

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