Sixers 2017 Offseason

[schooldoc]

If you're right, Squire, the Sixers will be the hottest non-Eagles sports ticket in town since the Phillies in about 2009-2010.

[Dirk41]

I like the JJ deal, but, jeez, NBA contracts are absurd.

[LegoDoom]

The Sixers had money to spend and it was the only way to get him here. He'll take less money next year to go chase a title.

[Dirk41]

I know his knees are suspect, but Amir Johnson would be a nice pickup on a similar deal

[bigegypt0417]

that's the rumor

[Squire]

And now confirmed Sixers sign F Amir Johnson to a one year $11 million deal

[bigegypt0417]

there's the veteran leadership. what a nice off season

[xogfog]

So;

Embid
Saric
Covington
Fultz
Simmons
Okafor
Holmes
Johnson
Redick
Anderson
TLC
Stauskas
McConnell
Bayless
Korkmaz

That's 15 players, a full roster, and you can only dress 12, some talented guys are gonna sit.

[allentown]

some talented guys are gonna sit

At least short-term injuries are a constant in any NBA season. They'll all get a chance to suit up at some time.

[Dirk41]

Wouldn't be shocked if Okafor and Anderson are gone before the season begins.

[phillychuck]

They won't give either one away, but they'll need to impress to earn minutes outside of garbage time (barring injuries).

Last year's most common lineup:

TJ
Stauskas/Henderson
Cov
Dario
Holmes

The only likely returning starter is Cov:

Fultz/Bayless/TJ
Redick/Stauskas/Furkan
Cov/TLC/Anderson
Simmons/Dario(Dario should get plenty of minutes)/Johnson
Embiid/Holmes/Okafor

It's in many ways a brand new team. If they play well together, based on talent and fit, they should win close to 50 games. Even with rookie growing pains, injuries, and adjustments defensively they should win 40 or so and make the playoffs.

[phillychuck]

Light Redick reading:

Inside Redick’s obsessive quest to make every shot

J.J. Redick's steady improvement credited to off-season regimen

Redick’s Impact Not Just On Offense | LA Clippers

[Austinfan]

Jah's not going anywhere unless someome makes "an offer they can't refuse."
Reason is given Embiid's injury history, he's the only true sized center on the roster.
Holmes is 6'10 240, Johnson 6'9 250.
So if Embiid goes down, who do you match up against the bigger centers around the league?

Last season when Embiid went down, both Noel and Holmes were pushed around by physical centers.
That's why BB used Jah against those guys to start games, absorb minutes, punishment and fouls, then bring Noel/Holmes off the bench with fresh legs.
So Jah will stay as an insurance policy.
They drafted the big Euro center as a stash, they want him to fill out and work on his game, but probably see him as center depth down the road for just this role.

[LegoDoom]

An offer they can't refuse? Rumors are that the Sixers were trying to trade Okafor as part of a sign-and-trade for Amir Johnson.

Okafor has very little value around the league, which is the only reason he can't been traded yet.

And I wouldn't classify Okafor as a physical center. He's terrible on defense.

[Dirk41]

I think they have that issue ( not enough true centers on the roster) with Jah. You would likely get a more defensively productive lineup by putting Johnson or even Dario at C. Jah is a true professional and has been a seemingly good teammate, but he is pretty bad. If they can clear a spot for Jeff Withey, he'd fit well. Probably going to get paid, though.

[Austinfan]

Jah is actually slightly above average man to man against other centers, it's when he has to move and adjust, he's lost. Like defending the PnR.
That's why his value is as an option to match up against big centers.
If Embiid is healthy, Jah probably doesn't even dress, but if Embiid is out, he provides an option to BB in terms of certain matchups.

[allentown]

Okafor has little value around the league in part because teams expect the Sixers to either just release him or trade him for cheap after this coming season, when his rookie contract expires. His style of play doesn't suit how Brown wants the team to play, but that doesn't mean he can't be a plus center for another team with a different approach. With 3 primo pick centers, teams thought the Sixers were ripe for the picking

[LegoDoom]

Exactly how do you view the current center position in the NBA? The modern NBA center is one that can shoot and move. A center that is only good in the low post offensively has very little value. While I don't think he's above average defensively, even assuming he is, then what other centers does he matchup well with in your scenario? And on that very short list, is any of them on a team you'd need to beat in a playoff series?

[LegoDoom]

The Sixers didn't have a problem giving up Noel for next to nothing and he was an efficient offensive player and a plus defensive player. Okafor's style of play doesn't suit well with the modern NBA.

[Austinfan]

We're talking the THIRD CENTER HERE FOLKS.
Some people get so caught up in the Jah thing, they forget this is simply an issue in roster building.
You have 15 slots, it's normal for a team to carry a couple players to protect against contingencies.
Whether it's Jah or another "true center," given Embiid's health issues, you'd want one big center for insurance purposes.