My Crystal Ball

[STChaser]

I'm envisioning a lineup next season that features two new additions, one Josh Smith at the 4 and one Marreese Speights coming off the bench to spell him minutes. Both are realistic possibilities and that is what is so exciting about going into this offseason.

Speights solves our post presence if he's at all what the scouts claim - a 6'10 PF/C with an NBA caliber frame, super long arms, and impressive athleticism, who runs the court well, has good quickness, is extremely quick off his feet, and is notably explosive finishing around the basket. He

[barkley34]

I'm envisioning a lineup next season that features two new additions, one Josh Smith at the 4 and one Marreese Speights coming off the bench to spell him minutes. Both are realistic possibilities and that is what is so exciting about going into this offseason.

Atlanta isn't going to let Josh Smith walk after the series he is having.

[STChaser]

If that's the case, then I think we need to try to target a similar player in the draft and perhaps try to get ourselves another pick in the first round. There seems to be quite a lot of PF's in this year's draft. I would love to have two prospects going into next season. Then again, we do still have Herbert Hill so maybe he could fill one of those roles.

STChaser

[is1531]

I'm envisioning a lineup next season that features two new additions, one Josh Smith at the 4 and one Marreese Speights coming off the bench to spell him minutes. Both are realistic possibilities and that is what is so exciting about going into this offseason.

Speights solves our post presence if he's at all what the scouts claim - a 6'10 PF/C with an NBA caliber frame, super long arms, and impressive athleticism, who runs the court well, has good quickness, is extremely quick off his feet, and is notably explosive finishing around the basket. He

[STChaser]

But the problem with your way of thinking is that getting Josh Smith here might really free up Iguodala to do more. Having Smith, Thaddeus, Lou or Miller, and Iguodala in the same lineup would mean less defensive emphasis on Iguodala. Maybe that would be enough to do the trick. For example, IF JSmith was here, he'd be the one guarding Prince, not Iguodala. Likewise, Prince would probably have to guard Smith, meaning Iguodala would be defending and going up against RIP. Physically, that's a much better matchup for us. But yes, I do agree with you that as of right now, I'm having major doubts about Iguodala.

STChaser

[freshie2]

If Josh is the PF, why is he guarding Prince? If we're talking defensive matchups in this series, why not put Jason Smith at the 4, Thad at the 3 (Prince matchup) and Iguodala at the 2 (Hamilton)?? Even though Smith is having a great series, I'm not sold on him as the PF of the future here.

[STChaser]

If we're talking defensive matchups in this series, why not put Jason Smith at the 4, Thad at the 3 (Prince matchup) and Iguodala at the 2 (Hamilton)??

Freshie, you're not allowed to ask that question. It's forbidden. It's the obvious answer but for some stupid reason, which is beyond me, Mo won't do it.

STChaser

[freshie2]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/pow ... g?team=phi

Don't ask why I put this here, but this was an interesting review of the season...you're looking ahead, and I'm looking back.

[CPops57]

If I could brainwash Atlanta into a sign and trade with Willie Green and Iggy for Josh just give me the pen.

As described, that plan leaves the Sixers with gaps in two positions (SG, PF) instead of the current one (PF) we have.

I personally wouldn't mind adding Josh Smith, but only at SF. At PF, I think he's overmatched. And with Young here, Smith would be redundant.

Personally, I think the hidden gem on Atlanta might be Josh Childress. I didn't even realize this, but he shot 57% last year. For a perimeter player, hell any player, that is golden in terms of productivity.

[sixerswillrule]

Personally, I think the hidden gem on Atlanta might be Josh Childress. I didn't even realize this, but he shot 57% last year. For a perimeter player, hell any player, that is golden in terms of productivity.

He would be a nice addition but where would he fit in? Iguodala is more of a SG than he is and we should be trying to groom Young as our future SF. He could have the same role as he does with Hawks now as the backup 2/3, but then Carney would be the odd man out.

[CPops57]

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He would be a nice addition but where would he fit in? Iguodala is more of a SG than he is and we should be trying to groom Young as our future SF. He could have the same role as he does with Hawks now as the backup 2/3, but then Carney would be the odd man out.

* I was mainly making an observation rather than seriously suggesting we go after Childress. I could see him as a starter or bench player at two different positions so I wouldn't hesitate to add him were he available.

* No offense intended, and if you disagree that's fine, but I think Carney being the odd-man out is pretty irrelevant to the fate of this franchise. He may or may not become a decent bench player, but that's about all I see his upside being at the moment. His weaknesses as a rebounder and ball-handler are well known. Despite his wicked hot streak in the latter half of the year, he finished the season shooting 40.3 percent from the field and 31.7 percent from three. That's not the mark of a good player when you consider that his shooting is supposed to be one of his strengths. Hey, I hope he improves, I just have very little reason to be optimistic about him.

[sixerswillrule]

I agree on Carney. I didn't mean that I would take him over Childress, but he has shown promise, and I would like to keep him a little while longer. I would definitely rather have Childress though, but its unlikely that we have a shot at getting him. Although, if were to go after a swingman, I think that we should first look to get a shooter, one of the team's biggest needs.

[Wilfried]

-= original quote snipped =-



Atlanta isn't going to let Josh Smith walk after the series he is having.

18 points (42%) and 7 rebounds.

[philbe311]

It's funny, the more and more I think about the pending offseason, there are two names that appeal to me more and more... The first is Jamison... He's an UFA, could play the 4, and could be a reliable go to guy... Given our position as one of the few teams with $$$, we could offer the money and limit the years... The other player I'm intrigued by is Turiaf... He's a RFA with a low cost compared to Smith / Okafor...

[STChaser]

I wouldn't mind Turiaf. He definitely fills the "big body" PF requirement that I have and seems to have a nice touch around the rim. But if we picked up Turiaf, I would still like to take another PF in the more athletic mold i.e. the Josh Smith mold, via the draft. I don't think it can hurt to have to different options to go with depending upon our matchups.

STChaser

[LieCheatSteal]

There's a definite blueprint to put together an NBA championship. You need 2 bigs up front, 1 for scoring in the post and 1 for rebounding and defensive presence, a SF that shoots 3s and is long enough to play effective perimeter offense, a slashing SG and a combo PG. You can look at the last several champs to see this trend (San Antonio, Miami, Detroit).

So, if given the chance, I wouldn't squander cap space for Josh Smith to play undersized PF. If you do sign him, then you become the GS Warriors and Phoenix of the East and both of those teams are more or less coming to the realization that that style doesn't work (the Shaq deal and the acquisition of Brandan Wright). Hell, even Atlanta's realized the folly of their ways by drafting Horford to build around in the frontcourt.

What I would do (isn't there already a post for this speculation), I would pick up a scoring PF (Charlie V or drafting Darrell Arthur) and a slashing SG (Corey Maggette) for the money you would dump on Josh Smith. Then, you've got:

C: Dalembert (rebounding and defensive presence)
PF: Charlie V (scoring)
SF: Iggy (long defender)
SG: Maggette (slashing SG)
PG: Miller (combo PG)

Off the bench, you've got Carney (3 pt guy), Evans (energy front court guy) and Green (2nd unit shooter).

Edit: I forgot about Thaddeus Young. He'll be the 6th man that can swing between the 3 and 4, the 3 to provide length and scoring, the 4th when the Sixers go small. You don't want to put too much pressure on a second year player to produce.

[ProcessDoctor]

We also have this guy named Thaddeus Young, but whatever.

[CPops57]

There's a definite blueprint to put together an NBA championship.

I wouldn't use the phrase "definite blueprint" as I see a number of different ways that teams have won championships.

1 for scoring in the post

You want a post-scorer and Charlie V is your target?

I don't get that...

[LieCheatSteal]

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You want a post-scorer and Charlie V is your target?

I don't get that...

There's a blueprint for the game now. San Antonio, Detroit and Miami all follow this particular blue print in some form or another.

Charlie V is a capable scorer that can be had cheap now. He can score on the inside. The knock against him was that he's soft but he's not bad. He just couldn't play center in Toronto. NO ONE can play center in Toronto.

[Pure Hatred]

Next year I'm hoping to sign Turiaf along with drafting/signing a few decent 3 pt shooters (like a Rich Man's Iguodala, Roger Mason Jr. maybe)

Miller
Iguodala
Young
Turiaf
Dalembert

Vastly improved team, I'd have no trouble laying money on that team to make the EC semis.