Philadelphia - A Team in Transition

[StOfTheStep]

PHILADELPHIA – Many a pundit believed that this coming season would be one of flux for the Philadelphia 76ers. Following yet another disappointing year of subpar basketball, to the tune of 30-52, the Philly phaithful was then forced to watch their resulting second overall pick be swindled by Dallas as they scooped up Justin Anderson out of the University of Virginia. Out of sheer frustration, the Sixers forfeited their 36th pick due to a no show. This could be seen as the lowest point in the franchise history. Not only did they blow a certain opportunity to turn their team around, but there was no reason at all not to attempt to make a playoff push as they did not even have their own draft pick the following year.

Therefore, we have come to this, a year needing action as the core is not getting any younger. We have already seen a few moves by the GM in question while the head honcho has already brought about much of the same as (still deceased) head coach, Don Nelson, was summoned yet again from the grave. He had this to say regarding his reaction upon his reinstatement:

Ughhhhh... brainsssssss!

An artist rendering of returning 76ers coach, Don Nelson, upon his request due to his sensitivity to bright lights.

Needless to say the longtime CSL coach head coach believes that the management needs a lobotomy due to their brilliant vision for their thriving business.

To assert Nelson’s point, the front office has recently conducted a questionable move that seems to contradict their self proclaimed mission statement of building around their young core. In the waning hours of the night, the 76ers struck a deal with the Chicago Bulls involving recent 7th overall pick Willie Caulie-Stein in exchange for shooting guard Avery Bradley. Bradley, at 26 years of age, is a high caliber defensive guard with some shooting upside. It was obvious that the Sixers (and Jabari Parker, for that matter) were needing some help shooting the ball from the perimeter, but one can’t help but ask why would you deal a young, equally defensive minded center with even more purported upside. Furthermore, why shooting guard? Didn’t they already have enough depth at that position with incumbents, Young and Petteway? This is a strange move out of left field as they have seemed to deal off a position they had minimal depth at for one that they had a seemingly bounty of talent.

Whether we like it or not, Avery Bradley has his sights on Philadelphia, bringing along his defensive upside with him. At least he seems to have some direction…

So here we are, as free agency approaches and some holes (along with some new ones…) still require attention. It’s unjust to make a fair assessment on how the Sixers stand in the coming season, especially after a few dubious decisions. Maybe they have a bigger picture in mind? Maybe then we’ll finally “trust the process”.

[Dennis]

Parker - WCS has been your core. It hurts so much that you traded away 50% of them.. They just would have been the perfect fit. On top Im now afraid Petteway and Young dont get enough time to develop/show what they can do. Bradley is good in what he does, but he's the same like: Mario Chalmers, CJ McCollum, Joseph Young (once developed), Dawson, Adams, Marble, Lee, Brewer, McRae, Sefolosha, Knight, Petteway. KJ McDaniels, Lavert (once developed).. Just to name a few guys, that do nearly the same. Some are better scorer and worse shooter or the other way round, but they can do what Bradley does.. Defend. And his shooting just isnt relevant as he just doesnt shoot much.
I really hope your team can recover from that setback. You are a cool guy and I wish you are successful, but Ive to say that Im less afraid of Philly now. From the top of my head I can only name a very few players that do the same like WCS.. Sanders, McGee, Dieng, Drummond and Biyombo. Also, there is only Davis with steal potentials above 60 as a big man.

However, it seems you have a plan and you follow it. I like that. Will be interesting to see if it pans out. I would bet a lot on another lottery season though. Would you have traded Noel for a PG you easily would have been on Phoenix level.

[Rizzo]

Like I said in the trade chatter, I love matching up elite scorers with big men who just want to defend. It gives your best options more shots which will turn into more points. Nerlens Noel is still a good player to have on the roster but I think losing WCS is going to hurt in the long run.

[StOfTheStep]

Parker - WCS has been your core. It hurts so much that you traded away 50% of them.. They just would have been the perfect fit. On top Im now afraid Petteway and Young dont get enough time to develop/show what they can do. Bradley is good in what he does, but he's the same like: Mario Chalmers, CJ McCollum, Joseph Young (once developed), Dawson, Adams, Marble, Lee, Brewer, McRae, Sefolosha, Knight, Petteway. KJ McDaniels, Lavert (once developed).. Just to name a few guys, that do nearly the same. Some are better scorer and worse shooter or the other way round, but they can do what Bradley does.. Defend. And his shooting just isnt relevant as he just doesnt shoot much.
I really hope your team can recover from that setback. You are a cool guy and I wish you are successful, but Ive to say that Im less afraid of Philly now. From the top of my head I can only name a very few players that do the same like WCS.. Sanders, McGee, Dieng, Drummond and Biyombo. Also, there is only Davis with steal potentials above 60 as a big man.

However, it seems you have a plan and you follow it. I like that. Will be interesting to see if it pans out. I would bet a lot on another lottery season now. Would you have traded Noel for a PG you easily would have been on Phoenix level.

WCS was a luxury at this point with Noel being a quality C. In order to eventually be competitive, I had to make some move with the redundancy at my deeper positions. Generally, I don't like trading undeveloped youth, as you don't truly know what your giving up. Though, there is as much of a chance of a prospect not panning out as much as if he does. Unfortunately, I don't have as much experience as some of you guys do with understanding how development works in this game, so I went for the more proven commodity at this point, which is what my team needs now to transition. I agree that Noel will probably not be on the same level as WCS defensively, but I'm not a big fan of extremes. With Parker being all offense and WCS being all defense, it leaves no room for injury or replacement. If Parker unfortunately went down (knock on wood), it would be tough finding any scoring anywhere else. I'm more of a fan of a more balanced team, I drafted Parker that year because I believed that he was the best available and scoring talent doesn't seem to come up that much.

Only time will tell if I made a bad move, but as of right now I'm happy with it and I have some more ideas before the year starts. So hopefully something pans out. Thanks for the insight!

[StOfTheStep]

Like I said in the trade chatter, I love matching up elite scorers with big men who just want to defend. It gives your best options more shots which will turn into more points. Nerlens Noel is still a good player to have on the roster but I think losing WCS is going to hurt in the long run.

This is definitely a viable strategy and probably more tried and true. But as I said in my last response, I prefer a more blended team, as I feel it's harder to gameplan against as far where the scoring is coming from. It is tempting to take advantage of Parker all the time and there are off games... Plus being a Philadelphia fan, I am used to disappointment and injury, so I like depth and redundancy in my roster.

Thanks for the response!

[emplep7]

You have the talent at most positions, you just need an upgrade at PG and I think you're on your way to a potential playoff season.

[NanashiWake]

For sure disagree with most and feel this was a very even trade for both parties, and I also will say I think you'll win more games with Bradley then you will with WCS this upcoming season, so I'd say it was a bit of a step forward if anything. As long as everything remains in tact I'd say Philly will be competing for a playoff seed this season.

[blackice]

Very well thought out article. The loss of WCS isn't as bad as it could have been with Noel on board. The team has a nice defensive base with Bradley / Noel. Payne was was picked 30th overall a few years back is looking like a major steal. Team needs a PG with better range and playmaking skill since Parker (the star of the team) isn't a playmaking wing really. More of a Melo type.

I like the patience the PHI GM has shown, hopefully it pays off.