FanPost

By Trading Thaddeus, We Get Henry Sims...

Trading Thaddeus Young frees the Kraken that is Henry Sims!

When I first heard that the Sixers may only get Alexy Shved, Luc Mbah a Moute and a mid to last first round pick, I didn’t like it. I wrote a fanpost over a month ago hoping that the Wolves might want Thaddeus and wishing that we could get Dion Waiters or Zach Lavine, two players the LB community has mixed feelings about. I never spent a moment thinking we’d get Wiggins. But I also didn’t particularly want Anthony Better, either.

Then the rumors swirled that we’d get Bennett. Well, I happened to have gone to Vegas to watch the Summer League, and was lucky enough to get in the gym to see Sixers v. Cavs. Bennett stole the show. Like everyone else, I considered him a tremendous bust. I have multiple fantasy squads and a perennial League Pass purchaser. I personally witnessed him (and Alexy Shved, for that matter) stink up the joint, all season long. In the second half, he demonstrated more skill than he did in the first half, but he still looked out of shape, sluggish and constantly winded.

I heard the off season reports that claimed he suffered from sleep apnea, and that he was cured. Sounded like spin to me, until Vegas. Against the Sixers he was not only active, but bullish. I don’t care if its Summer League, a charity pro-am game, or a pick up game in the park, some players display abilities that others don’t have. Bennett did that. There was a reason he was chosen first, and he showed what could be for at least one day. Poor teams have to find diamonds in the rough, and this dude was as rough as anyone, ever, but also has as much or more upside as any. And if he we trade Thad, Bennett plays a position of need—a thick, rebounder and scorer to play next to Nerlens Noel.

So, I convinced myself that getting Bennett is a good thing, regardless whether we get a 1st round pick with him or not. Especially if Hinkie wants him, since Hinkie has gotten rid of players I believe are mediocre to decent and brought on players who have exceptional talent but with obvious flaws. Even if his chances of being a star player are small, acquiring Bennett seemed to represent another piece of a discernible rebuilding philosophy.

Only now, I have more mental gymnastics to do to accept the notion that we might trade Thaddeus "glue guy" Young for a late first, Shved and Mbah a Moute. I have no beef with those fans who follow the team through the media and game statistics. But for those of us who watch almost every minute of every game, its hard to imagine watching Noel at center without Thaddeus or Bennett next to him. Brandon Davies should not be on the roster. He is this generation’s Ben Coleman or Bob Thornton. Plus, Jerami Grant could never survive his rookie year as a starting power forward in the NBA. As an opening day starter, Grant might perform as miserably as Bennett did last year. No need to put that type of pressure on him.

The Sixers need a back up point guard, and Alexy Shved has a little somethin-somethin’. But very little. I’ve wasted a bench spot on him twice, waiting to see his length, speed and ballhandling propel him into a serviceable, perhaps starting caliber player. Womp, womp. Dude’s been terrible, and its painful to watch. Shved is the point guard version of Byron Mullens. They look fantastic running up and down the floor, rising up smoothly for an open three pointer, leaving that gooseneck extended, and watching the rock almost go in. You just know they’re about to get hot and reel off three or four beans in a row. But it never happens.

Someone in the comment sections thinks we can get a 2nd round pick for Luc Mbah a Moute, as a defensive specialist. I hope so, but I kind of doubt it. Maybe defense is his calling card. But I don’t seem him as someone a playoff team would target.

The first round pick? Well, if its Miami’s instead of Cleveland’s, then that’s a good think I guess. Cleveland should be picking from 25-30 for the next couple years, while there’s a chance Miami may not make the playoffs as soon as this year. Still, I lived on South Beach for six years, and we’re talking from October to May. The place sells itself. The Heat will not be down for long. If we’re targeting a top talent like Karl Towns maybe we can use the Heat pick to move up in the draft if need be? Pure speculation.

So, if Hinkie pulls this deal, how can I get behind it? Henry Sims, that’s how!

The assets we receive in the trade are meager. However, sometimes you can add by subtraction. Trading Thaddeus opens up the starting lineup to one of the more slept on acquisitions of last year, Henry Sims. At 6’10, 248, Sims gave us everything we hoped we’d get from Arnett Moultrie. He defended his space, grabbed over 7 rebounds a game, hit 75% of his free throws, and added double digit points. He gave us games of (20, 10, 3, 2, 3), (16, 13), (18, 15, 2, 2, 0), (24, 9, 2), and several other very good games. He doesn’t block shots, but he hustles and plays with the grit of a traditional Georgetown center. Sims simply does not get enough love.

With Thaddeus Young at the four and Noel at the five, the Sixers have a bad rebounding and defensive combination. With Sims at the five, and Noel at the four, the Sixers immediately have a formidable defensive front. They lose some on offense, but not much. Noel should be able to more efficiently score against power forwards, than centers. Sims averaged 15 points a game in April.

Not only does the move free up minutes in the starting lineup for Sims, it opens up minutes for Jarvis Varnado in the second unit. Varnado’s shot blocking should not be wasted on this team. Moreover, Jerami Grant slides in very appropriately behind Noel, as their similar playing styles give the Sixers consistency at the four, if not experience.

So, if it were to go down like this, I’ll be eagerly awaiting 7pm on most nights to see the Sixers roll out MCW, either McRae or McDaniels, Hollis Thompson, Nerlens Noel, and Henry Sims. I don’t think they’ll be as bad as they were in the second half, for defensive reasons alone. Each position should improve in that regard from last year, if MCW, Thompson and Sims develop as they should, while McDaniels and Noel bring what they’re supposed to. Offensively, I’m expecting Thompson and MCW to improve their scoring efficiency. Not necessarily by leaps and bounds, of course.

Shved, Wroten, McRae/McDaniels, Grant and Varnado off the bench should not be an embarrassment. There’s a chance Shved and Wroten could work well together. Grant and Varnado bring a great deal of athleticism and rim protection.

Ultimately, I’d like McRae and McDaniels to push their way onto the floor as starters, hopefully by All-Star week, giving us MCW, McRae, McDaniels, Noel, and Sims as the second half starting unit. Shved, Wroten, Thompson, Grant and Varnado become the second unit.

22-60, this year. Then add Joel Embiid and Karl Towns in 2015!

#stillonboard



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