The Sixerfan1976 Draft Thread (Update Pg. 49)

[51X3RF4N]

So STChaser, are you saying you don't think Hawes is a legit 7 footer or you just don't think he can play tough low post Defense?

I agree we should look for a good defender. I think Aldrich would fit that well. So would Udoh. Udoh is 6'10 and pretty big, but his strength is awareness and shot-blocking. I think he'd fit well next to Hawes. Aldrich is the same. A big strong body with good shot blocking skills and a very high BBIQ.

I'd love either of them. But with Aldrich, you have a platoon at Center. Lineups would work with Speights/Aldrich starting and a defensive minded PF coming off the bench next to Hawes.

[Mojo7]

I would love to get Udoh, Seraphin or Jordan. I really think Seraphin might be the best fit of the 3 long-term. He's already built like a tank and can be an athletic bruiser at the 4-5. I do like Udoh though

[PhillyFan]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkuWCAvQe9M[/youtube]

Just saw this randomly on youtube, it's Ekpe Udoh's workout with the Hornets.

He seems to be shut down by Monty Williams all over the place ?

EDIT by TGP: Fixed the link to the video so that it plays on the board.

[ZarcMumoff]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkuWCAvQe9M[/youtube]

Just saw this randomly on youtube, it's Ekpe Udoh's workout with the Hornets.

He seems to be shut down by Monty Williams all over the place ?

EDIT by TGP: Fixed the link to the video so that it plays on the board.

After seeing...76ers could use Monty for some depth this year.

[SixersTellEm]

yea hes getting worked by monty

[PhillyFan]

thx TGP, didnt' know how to link the video so that it plays

surprised Monty still got it lol

[Point-God]

I've been saying that Udoh will be a disappointment as a 1st round selection. His age, measurements, and his approach to the game are not what they should be considering who he is expected to be in the NBA. He's a nice college player who was a mature one season wonder against teenagers.

[The Guilty Party]

thx TGP, didnt' know how to link the video so that it plays

surprised Monty still got it lol

It's a newer option. Rather than using "Quick Reply", use the "Post Reply" button and you'll see a "youtube" button there. The code to enter is fairly easy to remember [youtube] and [/youtube].

[Philly KDub]

I didn't mind the Sixers trying to acquire another pick in the 1st round to get Udoh but after seeing that video, I want the Sixers to stay AWAY from Udoh! He doesn't even look like he's an NBDL-quality player.

Getting owned by Monty Williams is a very bad thing.

[KrazySixersD]

my goondes.. udoh looks weak as hell... i didnt really want him before, and definately dont now... i dont care if thats just a workout video... if you are trying to get drafted, you fight and show that you are tough.. hes getting pushed around and catching every ball outside of the lane... unreal

[The76thDegree]

he struggled during a workout.... damn I guess his career is over - yup he'll be an awful pro and he'll never amount to anything never mind the fact he's never spent one nanosecond in an actual game or even one nanosecond in a summer league game


watching one video clip of him struggling and determining he sucks is just as ridiculous as watching a video clip of his highlights and determining he's an amazing player capable of amazing things

[Philly KDub]

he struggled during a workout.... damn I guess his career is over - yup he'll be an awful pro and he'll never amount to anything never mind the fact he's never spent one nanosecond in an actual game or even one nanosecond in a summer league game


watching one video clip of him struggling and determining he sucks is just as ridiculous as watching a video clip of his highlights and determining he's an amazing player capable of amazing things

I understand what you are saying but you just don't struggle against a guy like Monty Williams who's obviously past his prime.

I'd feel much better if I see Udoh blowing past Williams but not be able to make shots. I'd give him a pass for having a bad shooting day. Did you see how Williams was being physical with Udoh and he struggled most of time.

If he struggled against Monty, just imagine how badly he could struggle against big boys in the NBA.

[KrazySixersD]

theres a difference between stinking in a workout... and showing how completely weak you are... he looked like a 7th grader playing against a senior in high school... completely scared and just got pushed around and showed no sign of trying to fight through the MINIMAL contact... thats a HUGE red flag

[Skates]

Foster for Kapono is a reasonable use of Kapono's contract, straight up or with a larger deal. Foster is a nice banger for the next year until they can develop, draft or sign someone to do that job long term.

I'd be happy to have Patterson if he is the best player available. A Udonis Haslem like, NBA ready PF is a nice upgrade on a likely never will be Speights and rapidly going downhill Brand. Speights is so bad defensively and lacks inherent toughness that I think he is relegated to an offensive reserve big man role on a winning team. Brand's lack of board work last year concerns me greatly. Patterson would be a nice fit next to a guy like Hawes, or even Speights when he plays center.

Like Collins said, you just won 27 games, you can't claim to be overly deep anywhere.

[Court_visioN]

Like Collins said, you just won 27 games, you can't claim to be overly deep anywhere.

Well that's not true. As an exaggerated example, if you had 15 point guards on your roster, you'll suck and you'll lose a lot of games but you're overly deep at the PG position.

The Sixers are overly deep at the small forward spot right now (Iguodala, Young, Kapono, and now Nocioni) in that they end up having to pick one of those to play and force others to play out of position or fewer minutes than they may deserve.

The Sixers struggle because they do not have a complete roster. Too many pieces that are redundant and don't fit together. Not necessarily due to a lack of depth.

I get what you're trying to get at, but I just felt like this could be a good topic of debate.

And now back to the SF updates =)

[Skates]

Actually, I think his point was if you lost that many games you have to reconsider how good your players are at every position, and roster spot, which fits with Collins' comment that all playing time must be earned. In other words, 27 win teams stink from stem to stern and you have to question everything.

Of course, having 15 PG's might be the reason you lost 27 games.

My view is that next year really isn't important in terms of winning and the next year will be mostly lost to the lockout. Brand will likely be bought out or traded as an expiring at that point, hence I consider both the PF and C positions as being fairly empty other than two offensively talented, defensively challenged young guys in Speights and Hawes.

Even if Brand re-emerged this year as 75% of his old self, I'd simply look to trade him then. He is not the future of this team.

[STChaser]

So STChaser, are you saying you don't think Hawes is a legit 7 footer or you just don't think he can play tough low post Defense?

I agree we should look for a good defender. I think Aldrich would fit that well. So would Udoh. Udoh is 6'10 and pretty big, but his strength is awareness and shot-blocking. I think he'd fit well next to Hawes. Aldrich is the same. A big strong body with good shot blocking skills and a very high BBIQ.

I'd love either of them. But with Aldrich, you have a platoon at Center. Lineups would work with Speights/Aldrich starting and a defensive minded PF coming off the bench next to Hawes.

I do think Hawes is a true 7 footer but (this is going to sound terrible) but I'm not sold on many of these 5's because I think many of them lack the athleticism and coordination that you see is some of the African American 5's- and yes, I'm considered to be white according to our government census so I'm not trashing them because I'm anti-white or anything like that.

The reason I'm saying this though is because if you look at the white 5's that have been taken in recent history, none of them pan out in terms of being real impact players at the 5 - whether they're from Europe of from the US. The few white big men that I can think of that have made a true impact are Gasol (who plays more the 4 than the 5) and... Well, see that's the problem. I can't even think of any others off the top of my head. Brad Miller? Well, he's ok but by no means the guy I'd want starting at the 5 for this team. Look at more recent history; Foster, Chris Anderson, Chris Kaman, Robert Smith. Do those names excite you at the 5? Not me. I'd rather take a project like Jerome James in the second round that settle for an unknown Euro that could be the next Darco. Again, guys, this is JUST my opinion on the matter. Whether right or wrong, this is how I feel based on my observations.

[tk76]

Race need not enter the equation. Hawes was is not a great player- like most guys drafted outside of the top 5 picks turn out- regardless of race or size. How is Hawes different than Patrick O'Bryant, Sene or Hilton Armstrong who were drafted #9, #10 and #12 the previous year? Race had no more impact on their success or failure. As for white centers, I'd take Bogut, Kaman, both Gasols or Okur over what the Sixers have at Center right now.

Look at the other guys you mentioned... Robert Swift was drafted #12 right out of HS and career ended due to multiple back and knee injuries- hardly a worse story than say, Kwame Brown who was just a healthy stiff. Chris Anderson was undrafted (and had substance abuse problems) while Jeff Foster has had a good career for a player drafted #21. Are you really saying they were expected to be starters? And there have been plenty of busts at the center position regardless of race... Lots of 7 footers lack athleticism because they are 7 footers... and we should leave it at that.

[Negrodamus]

Don't forget Troy Murphy and David Lee.

[The Guilty Party]

Speaking of white centers that didn't pan out, NBA TV will be airing the 1993 draft today. I hear Ron Artest knows a great psychiatrist for those of you who might watch it and will be in need of therapy afterward.