Sixers 2017 Offseason

LegoDoom 2017-07-03 00:33:45 UTC #403

So, your contention is that the Sixers need to be presented an offer they can't refuse for a 3rd center that is making $5M per year? And it's because if Embiid is injured they'll need a well below replacement level player to pick up the slack?

I'm not too terribly worried if Okafor is on the team this year as they are actively looking to spend short term money anyway, but I certainly don't want him to play and would rather his minutes go to Holmes.

rkeden 2017-07-04 01:24:09 UTC #404

Lots of interesting plays and players on both sides. Game of runs, on both sides. Both Fultz and Tatum looked looked they are going to be stars in the league, though tonight Tatum won this battle of 1 vs. 3 on virtually any method of comparison. However, two other players stood out that I would not have anticipated-- Jaylen Brown can shoot, defend and be a real leader. It looks like the wasted choice I thought the Celtics made last year was, in fact, a wise choice. Who knew? For the Sixers, Jonah Bolden was incredible. Made highlight play after highlight play. Besides being 6-10, he can jump through the roof and has instinctual timing. He will be a real plus as a sub. I haven't seen the box score yet, but on both ends, Bolden was very impressive. Fun game to watch. Rough edges as we all knew it would be for 30 guys playing together for the first time, but certainly not a waste of time for Sixers phans.

Austinfan 2017-07-04 02:32:32 UTC #405

Bolden impressed me, he's long and athletic and can shoot.
TLC had a good game other than being cold from the "3", his defense has improved, he finishes well, runs the floor and looks like he's starting to fill out.
Larry Drew was pressing and it showed.
Miles shot the ball very well.

bigegypt0417 2017-07-05 13:03:09 UTC #406

Jonah Bolden may end up back in the Adriatic League but he is definitely looking like a future NBA player and the kind that BB loves.

If he had stayed at UCLA with Lonzo Ball he would have been a 1st rounder.

Philsmania 2017-07-05 16:10:29 UTC #407

Miles was a late-bloomer on Hawk Hill who pretty came out of nowhere his senior season when he developed a good shot.

bigegypt0417 2017-07-09 04:28:53 UTC #408

markelle fultz has a sprained ankle...so far.

Let's hope that's all that it is...

phillychuck 2017-07-09 07:17:47 UTC #409

High ankle sprain, no break. Longer recovery than a low sprain, though. He's almost certainly done for Vegas. See you in September...

phillychuck 2017-08-23 02:33:25 UTC #410

In significant news for the Sixers and the rest of the NBA, Kyrie Irving was traded tonight to the Celtics for Isiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and Brooklyn's 2018 pick (unprotected).

Big haul for Cleveland, probably a starting 5 upgrade for the Celtics, although they don't really play defense now.

Big shift in the structure of the East...

rkeden 2017-08-23 02:45:01 UTC #411

I believe that Thomas will be fighting health issues from now on and the stress and pressure of trying to please Cleveland may not be good for him. Kid is amazing though. Pushing 30 doesn't help.

The Nets pick could be amazing and seems like massive overkill. But, in the meantime, the Celts will be leaping forward. I love Tatum. Nice kid too. The East just became more fun.

Austinfan 2017-08-23 15:40:14 UTC #412

I think Celtics are going to take a step backward, Hayward helps, but Irving wants the ball and doesn't play defense.
Irving for Thomas is an upgrade, but losing Bradley and Crowder is going to hurt the defense, and Embiid (and any other full sized center/PF) will have a field day agains their front court.
They'll score, but what makes GS special is they also play great defense, I don't see that with this team.

Lawman 2017-08-23 16:24:49 UTC #413

Does this trade help or hurt the Sixers in terms of their making the playoffs this year? Or no effect whatsoever?

rkeden 2017-08-23 17:16:02 UTC #414

I would go with "no effect whatsoever". Both teams were ahead of the Sixers in terms of talent and experience and they just traded pieces of the puzzle back and forth. Anything can happen, especially to key players for whom there might be little depth, but this year The Sixers will be spending time developing skills and chemistry and then go onward and upward from there.

The one thing the Cavs accomplished that I never dreamed was possible is to potentially re-fill their roster with a star for the time after LeBron heads West. That #1 pick of the Nets could be a doozy for them.

Squire 2017-08-23 19:08:41 UTC #415

Just my take but I think this helps the Sixers in the long run. That Nets pick was a nice asset for the Celtics and now its gone and will be used by a most likely Lebron-less Cavaliers team. Sixers aren't title contenders next season in any event. Frankly, I think Ainge kinda overpaid here. And I think that Irving is going to struggle in the Boston media limelight alot.

rkeden 2017-08-23 20:28:44 UTC #416

You are correct, Squire. In the long run we are better off but not necessarily this season. Anything that weakens the 3 other teams in the East for the next decade
is good for us. They can't move that Nets pick far enough away for me.

I agree with AF's comment that defense is going to be a problem for the Celts. Not that IT was a shutdown guard. Taller, skilled guards just played over him. But that was a glaring hole before and Irving makes it even tougher to solve. I once thought that Okafur might be traded to the Celts to plug their hole at center but they will now need a rim-protector more than ever. That deal ain't happening!

phillychuck 2017-08-23 20:41:19 UTC #417

Remember, Nerlens wants to play in his hometown. He might take a 1-year show-me deal with the Celts.

If they can create the cap space...

rkeden 2017-08-23 21:31:00 UTC #418

Don't tell Danny. He would be a perfect fix for their problems. A mobile and tall defensive center who can run like a deer!

bkeich 2017-08-23 21:48:54 UTC #419

No effect. Teams 1 and 2 swapped places (even though Boston finished first last year I consider them #2, now they are probably #1, but as others have pointed out we will see). Other moves actually open up some "lane" for the Sixers in my opinion as some teams are dropping.

Purduke 2017-08-23 23:01:41 UTC #420

Nerlens is still holding out for a max contract, right? Wasn't his agent the only problem in the past?

zambonir 2017-08-24 00:56:13 UTC #421

FYI @dbodner and lots of other good folks have a new gig (and not just Sixers)

https://theathletic.com/philly/

phillychuck 2017-08-24 03:25:41 UTC #422

Sheil Kapadia is the main Eagles' guy doing this. Good to see him back in Philly. Probably worth the $5 per month (at the discount price). Only a couple bucks more than I was paying for Bodner alone. The Cleveland Athletic site is pretty interesting.