Sixers Thread 08-09: Our attendance sucks

[TyKixx]

I was just thinking about a worst case scenario for the 6ers. Lets say Philly is in the lottery, but pick outside the top 10 again thus missing out on those top couple propects that everyone wants. Now lets also say Igoudala does indeed leave. What do you guys think about drafting Tyler Smith in this scenario? I am somehwat biased towards Smith seeing as he started his career at Iowa and I am a Hawkeye fan, but I think he is comparable to a Jeff Green/Andre Igoudala type. They were all talented athletes who's strengths were probably their intangibles, basketball IQ, and passing. That is very rare to see from young players who have the talent to get by at that stage of their careers without a strong understanding of the game. Not too mention talented young swingmen like them are often not always such willing and capable passers. Tennesse also plays the style of ball Philly should be playing or at least simlar too. An uptempo offense and pressuring defense. I just think if Philly lost Iggy and missed out on that first wave of talent in the draft he'd be a good fit. Any thoughts?

[ThomasTomasz]

Larry Brown, the 76ers' executive vice president, told Philadelphia magazine in an interview that he has no interest in replacing coach Maurice Cheeks, who is in the final year of a three-year contract.

"I could never stab Mo in the back like that," Brown is quoted as saying in the magazine's February issue. Brown did say he wants to coach again.

Cheeks, who served as an assistant to Brown with the Sixers before being hired in 2001 as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, was surprised when Brown's comments were relayed to him before last night's game with the Detroit Pistons at the Wachovia Center.

"I don't know what you want me to say," Cheeks said. "I respect Larry Brown to the fullest."

Cheeks said he talked to Brown every day.

"All I can tell you is I respect him and try to use his knowledge as much as I can," Cheeks said.

Though there still might be some who believe Brown will replace Cheeks, one NBA source said, "I think there is no chance that he will be their next coach."

Brown was hired last January by the Sixers. He last appeared on an NBA bench for one season with the New York Knicks, who went 23-59 in 2005-06.

"He's a very knowledgeable guy, a Hall of Fame guy," Cheeks said. ". . . I might as well utilize and realize the importance of him and the knowledge that he has."

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/...heeks_job.html

[Y2KES26]

Originally Posted by TyKixx

am I the only one who wouldn't really care if Igoudala leaves?

IMO he is totally overrated. Nowhere near worth the money he wants. He should be no more than a 3rd scoring option on any (good) team. Him having to be the #1 scorer has really hurt his defense. I don't know if its lack of focus or just fustration but his defense has really dropped off this year. and that was his strong point coming out of college. He should have taken the money he was offered before the season. The way he's playing his value has dropped. And one more thing. If he wants to be paid like a superstar than he needs to start acting like a team leader. Instead of bitching and complaining all the time, be a leader and back your teammates. Try to lead by example. I think he could be a very, very good player. He just needs to get his head straight.

[TyKixx]

I didn't know Cheeks was in the final year of his contract. I hope the Sixers don't keep him. Bring in Terry Porter! This guy is going to be a good NBA Head Coach and needs more than 1 injury plagued season in Milwaukee to prove that.

[ThomasTomasz]

The Philadelphia 76ers have lost 11 of their last 13 games. With a young team, Ed Stefanski is preaching patience. That means even as opposing teams call about deals, Stefanski insists he won't make a trade just to shake things up.

"We made it known there is no fire sale here," the Sixers' president and general manager said Friday night before an 89-81 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. "We like our young core of kids, and they will get better as they get older."

Though Andre Miller has been the subject of trade speculation, all signs point to the Sixers' not dealing him by the Feb. 21 deadline unless they are bowled over by an offer.

Source: Philly.com

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors;_...d9YKWJ8rK8vLYF

[TyKixx]

Hopefully this is just a ploy to get the most value for Miller as possible because I can't think of any reason to keep him. I have nothing against Miller, he just has more value to this team if he his traded.

[LivinginNegadelphia]

Thad Young is a future star in this league. I was hesitant to say this before and appear like the Celtics' fans who were calling Gerald Green the next McGrady, but I definitely see Thad turning into a terrific pro.

Since he's been inserted into the starting lineup/playing big minutes, he has been producing. Tonight he put up 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 fouls, and 0 turnovers. Granted it was against the Heat, but he also put up solid games against the Magic, Hawks, Wizards, and Bucks.

And this is a guy who wants to get better. Recently (yesterday or Tuesday), Cheeks made practice optional and Thad was one of five/six players to show up.

[Negrodamus]

I feel Thaddeus will put up great numbers once hes aggressive and goes to the basket and draw fouls... he gets like 3 attempts at the line a game.. get that up to 8 and you have a lot more points.. hes a very versitile player, he should be working from all over the court.. and Louis needs to have teh shackles taken off.. hes too good too athletic too much of a playmaker to come off the bench.. if we can get Josh Smith to match up with Dalembert and have Louis at PG with Iggy at SG and JS or Thaddeus at SF and the same at PF and dalembert at C... forget about it..

Then in the draft i want to get DeAndre Jordan (trade up) or Hasheem Thabeet in the first and we have a future all star center in the wings along with our extremely young core of big time playmakers...

[J-Pass]

Despite winning, I felt they should've played Thad longer.

I don't see them trading Andre Miller (because there have been no rumblings) even though mostly everyone thinks it would be the smart decision to make.. however if we did trade Andre.. I'm curious what you guys would think we would get in return for him?

Goto REALGM, make up some deals. I'm going to come up with a few shortly.

[J-Pass]

Maybe..

Orlando trades:
2008 1st Round Pick
J.J. Redick, G
Keyon Dooling, G (expiring)
Carlos Arroyo, G (expiring)

Philadelphia trades:
Andre Miller, G

This would also allow us to cut some of the shit players on our team that never see the court, provide us with cap space at the end of the season to resign Iggy and potentially pursue another quality player in FA.

It also gives the Magic a good starting PG to go along with Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu.

[LivinginNegadelphia]

Originally Posted by J-Pass

Maybe..

Orlando trades:
2008 1st Round Pick
J.J. Redick, G
Keyon Dooling, G (expiring)
Carlos Arroyo, G (expiring)

Philadelphia trades:
Andre Miller, G

This would also allow us to cut some of the shit players on our team that never see the court, provide us with cap space at the end of the season to resign Iggy and potentially pursue another quality player in FA.

I've heard a variation of this trade being thrown around. To be honest, I'm at the point where I think we ought to keep Andre Miller until the 2009 trade deadline. He's going to have so much value at that point and we'll be able to shed some salary. I really don't think it is in the best interest for the Sixers to trade Miller just for expiring contracts. Through whispers, it's been rumored that Ed wants to get a least one future piece in any deal.

That Magic deal gives nothing but cap space. Right now, I don't see anyone being available that is worth the cap room we'd gain. Possibly Arenas, but that would only be if we got Jordan or Beasley in the draft--which are both long-shots. I used to think Josh Smith is a fit, but with the emergence of Thad, I'd rather go with a prototypical power forward and not somebody with a small forward's skillset.

I like Okafor, but I question whether we'd be getting enough offense on the court (especially in the frontcourt). Perhaps, we could draft Mayo or Gordon to make up for this, but I really don't know.

Ultimately, I think the Sixers wait on Andre Miller until at least April's draft. We really need to decide who/what position to address. Once that is done, then I could see a deal being made.

[TyKixx]

I loved the Thaddeus Young selection on draft night and his play is justifying it. I actually am starting to think the Sixers should start shopping Igoudala. He is going to leave so we mine aswell get some sort of value for him.

[TyKixx]

Don't look now, but I believe with the win tonight Philly is 1/2 game out of the final playoff spot. If they play anywhere close to how they played in the 2nd half last year they'll probably run away with a playoff spot as bad as Chicago, NJ ect. are.

[LivinginNegadelphia]

Originally Posted by TyKixx

I loved the Thaddeus Young selection on draft night and his play is justifying it. I actually am starting to think the Sixers should start shopping Igoudala. He is going to leave so we mine aswell get some sort of value for him.

I wanted the Sixers to get both GT guys in Thad and Crittenton on draft day. Hell, it might still be possible as Memphis has a point guard bonanza in Lowry, Conley, and Critt.

Why do you say Iguodala is going to leave? He'd be stupid to leave. Nobody is going to give him the dollars that we can. I wouldn't mind exploring a deal, but I'd have to be blown away.

And it is crazy that we are close to a playoff spot. The East has been so bad for the longest time and it continues to get worse.

[TyKixx]

Originally Posted by LivinginNegadelphia

I wanted the Sixers to get both GT guys in Thad and Crittenton on draft day. Hell, it might still be possible as Memphis has a point guard bonanza in Lowry, Conley, and Critt.

Why do you say Iguodala is going to leave? He'd be stupid to leave. Nobody is going to give him the dollars that we can. I wouldn't mind exploring a deal, but I'd have to be blown away.

And it is crazy that we are close to a playoff spot. The East has been so bad for the longest time and it continues to get worse.

I read an article about a month ago that was about how no one could figure out why he turned down Philly's contract offer, and how he has begun lashing out at teammates, and bitching at officials, and just basically being very frustrated with I guess everything.

[J-Pass]

Originally Posted by LivinginNegadelphia

I've heard a variation of this trade being thrown around. To be honest, I'm at the point where I think we ought to keep Andre Miller until the 2009 trade deadline. He's going to have so much value at that point and we'll be able to shed some salary. I really don't think it is in the best interest for the Sixers to trade Miller just for expiring contracts. Through whispers, it's been rumored that Ed wants to get a least one future piece in any deal.

That Magic deal gives nothing but cap space. Right now, I don't see anyone being available that is worth the cap room we'd gain. Possibly Arenas, but that would only be if we got Jordan or Beasley in the draft--which are both long-shots. I used to think Josh Smith is a fit, but with the emergence of Thad, I'd rather go with a prototypical power forward and not somebody with a small forward's skillset.

I like Okafor, but I question whether we'd be getting enough offense on the court (especially in the frontcourt). Perhaps, we could draft Mayo or Gordon to make up for this, but I really don't know.

Ultimately, I think the Sixers wait on Andre Miller until at least April's draft. We really need to decide who/what position to address. Once that is done, then I could see a deal being made.

Well J.J Reddick is something, he's still learning in Orlando, but they really make it sound like in a few more years, he'll be something special. And even if he's not.. he's still a sharpshooter for us to have in the future.

And then there's the 1st

[J-Pass]

Originally Posted by TyKixx

I read an article about a month ago that was about how no one could figure out why he turned down Philly's contract offer, and how he has begun lashing out at teammates, and bitching at officials, and just basically being very frustrated with I guess everything.

Screw Iguodala. He's too fucking arrogant anymore. He really thinks he's like Kobe Bryant or something. He had 6 turnovers tonight.. I didn't want to make him player of the game and was going to make it Andre but we had an interview lined up with Iggy after the game so we just went with him.

[LivinginNegadelphia]

Originally Posted by J-Pass

Well J.J Reddick is something, he's still learning in Orlando, but they really make it sound like in a few more years, he'll be something special. And even if he's not.. he's still a sharpshooter for us to have in the future.

And then there's the 1st

You're a much bigger believer in Reddick than I am. I think he's a bench player who won't do much for a rebuilding team like the Sixers.

As for the first round pick, it's nice, but a pick in the twenties is pretty worthless in the NBA. Not saying you can't find a solid player, it's more difficult.

In my opinion, if we deal Miller, we HAVE to get a young power forward in return. I'm not asking for Al Jefferson, but it's a need we can't overlook when we trade our biggest chip. I'd be willing to take back a contract to get this accomplished.

[J-Pass]

Originally Posted by LivinginNegadelphia

You're a much bigger believer in Reddick than I am. I think he's a bench player who won't do much for a rebuilding team like the Sixers.

As for the first round pick, it's nice, but a pick in the twenties is pretty worthless in the NBA. Not saying you can't find a solid player, it's more difficult.

In my opinion, if we deal Miller, we HAVE to get a young power forward in return. I'm not asking for Al Jefferson, but it's a need we can't overlook when we trade our biggest chip. I'd be willing to take back a contract to get this accomplished.

Atlantas in the Playoff hunt.. maybe a deal to get us Shelden Williams? I doubt they'll deal Marvin and I don't want Josh Smith (Iggy #2).

Honestly.. of the teams with young players, not many are in the playoff picture that would be willing to deal any decent players in return. Miller's old and expiring, his value is not very high, just as it wasn't when we traded Iverson in the deal with him in it.

[LivinginNegadelphia]

Originally Posted by J-Pass

Atlantas in the Playoff hunt.. maybe a deal to get us Shelden Williams? I doubt they'll deal Marvin and I don't want Josh Smith (Iggy #2).

Honestly.. of the teams with young players, not many are in the playoff picture that would be willing to deal any decent players in return. Miller's old and expiring, his value is not very high, just as it wasn't when we traded Iverson in the deal with him in it.

That's exactly why he's valuable. Whomever trades for him in 2009, gets tremendous salary relief in addition to a solid veteran presence at point guard. He's turned a team that should have been in running for the 1st pick the last 2 years into one close to making the playoffs. Imagine what he could do in Portland, Atlanta, or Orlando.

I just wouldn't trade him for nothing. Let's get a Sheldon Williams, a Channing Frye, a Brandon Wright...