As we wait for the Cavs-Wolves trade this weekend, to see if we get in on the action, and with what return, just as we have perfected waiting this past year, to make moves at the deadline, and for the draft, for free agency, for summer league, for the schedule, for training camp, etc, etc, I thought it time to refocus on the ultimate goal - the conquest of the NBA. Certainly this is the team's long term focus! And while it may still seem very far away, every journey begins with a single step. Furthermore, we must embrace the journey - this is the essence of the Sixers fan in the Hinkie - Brown era. So for simplicity let's break it down into three steps - the Atlantic, the Eastern Conference, and the Champinship, and today we start with the Atlantic.
The Favorite
Right now the favorite is the Toronto Raptors, a returning playoff team, bringing back their core. If ever there was a team that exemplifies what the Sixers used to be, and are no longer, it is the Raptors. This team will likely make the playoffs this season, but they are not now a contender nor are they likely to be one anytime soon. Lowry is a solid PG, a bit injury prone due to his style, very good when healthy but not elite. Ross is now the projected starter at the SG spot, young and with some potential, but nothing special. DeRozan at the SF is their best player, but again below the elite. Think Jrue and Andre when thinking of Lowry and DeRozan. Very differently stylistically, but that is the level of talent. Throw in Amir Johnson, and Valanciunas, and a bench with Patterson, Lou Williams, and Landry Fields, and tell me that group will ever be a threat to win the title. Decent little team, but nothing really scary there. And that is the favorite in the Atlantic.
The Russian Connection
The Nets have thrown money around like madmen these past couple years, and have nothing to show for it. Pierce is gone. Others are gone as well. Still, they throw out a squad with some names and some talent, enough to maybe challenge Toronto if age and injuries don't bring it all crashing down once and for all. William at PG is an injury plagued shell of his former self. Johnson still has game, and is probably the best SG in the division. Kirilenko may inherit Pierce's spot at the SF spot, adding to the antique forward spot to go along with Garnett at PF. Lopez tries again to resurrect his career after another season lost to injury. Plummer, Teletovic, and Jarrett Jack give them a solid bench, though this could be the slowest team in the entire league. Are you terrified yet?
The Phil and Carmelo Show
This is going to be great for the NY Media, and without a doubt Anthony at the SF spot is the highest profile star in the division. The rest of the projected starters - Calderon at PG, an upgrade at running the offense but a liability on D, Shumpert at SG, the exact opposite, Stoudemire at SF, a fading star in the final year of his terrible deal, and Sammy D at center. Probably their bench will see a lot of minutes, with JR Smith, Hardaway Jr., and Early all looking to score of the bench, and mesh into a coherent system under the new coach and management. Longer term, this team will be a threat to the Sixers, more so than either the Nets or the Raptors, but they have a long way to go, and are being thrown together in a more patchwork fashion than the Sixers to accommodate their commitment to Carmelo, which will limit their strategic flexibility.
The Hated Rival
Saved the Celtics for last - they are the team most like we are now, only with Rondo coming off injury that haven't finished the tear down phase yet. Still they are assembling tons of picks and going young, following the same general long term strategy as us. Rondo at PG if he can return to form gives them a leader, at least until he is moved. Bradley was overpaid to play the SG this offseason. Jeff Green is the SF, Brandon Bass the PF, and Ty Zeller the center. Olynyk, Sullinger and Marcus Smart likely round out the rotation, and while Smart may well be a player and the heir to Rondo, one of these days, the others so far attest to a less positive result out of recent drafts than the Sixers can boast. Again long term they will be a bit of a threat, but right now, to me, they are more likely to finish last in the division than first.
The Sixers
ROY MCW at the PG, likely Wroten at SG, Thompson at SF, either Young or Bennett at SF, and Noel at Center. McDaniels, Sims, and McRae off the bench, with Embiid waiting in the wings. Are we really that far away from taking over the Altantic? Who is the biggest obstacle? Why can't we compete, with a focus on D, and take over the Division, as soon as Embiid comes back. Who will be better than us then?