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I say that to mean that I think the PF is coming in a trade. I think that Ed has something lined up to get an established PF and is keeping it close to the vest until the draft.

The whole "shooter" talk to me says that he's not worried about shoring up the 4 and I'm sure he KNOWS he needs a low post 4.

And no...I have nothing but a feeling in my bones to go on with this, but I think by July 15 we're going to see J. O'Neal or Brand or Villaneuva or Wilcox or Millsap or some veteran 4 in a Sixers uni.

I hope you're right, but so far it seems like Ed runs his mouth a lot and we'd have some idea of his plans if he knew something like that. Maybe I'm just used to Billy King's way of GMing where you didn't know anything at all until it happened or you read it on here from sixerfan1976.

bballin76 wrote:I hope you're right, but so far it seems like Ed runs his mouth a lot and we'd have some idea of his plans if he knew something like that. Maybe I'm just used to Billy King's way of GMing where you didn't know anything at all until it happened or you read it on here from sixerfan1976.

Ed talks a lot, but he doesn't say anything. The Korver deal came down real quick for example.

I think that he really enjoys the public aspect of the job, and will drop some nuggets about his thoughts, but when it comes to specific plans I think that gets drowned out in the "white noise".

As opposed to coach Andy who says nothing in between throat clears.

I always thought Billy King had the big mouth. If you want to sign one of our UFAs to a long term deal, that's swell. Just don't promise people that they WILL get a deal. That gives the players way too much power in negotiations.

there is no doubt that we are going to bring in a PF this offseason if it makes sense. I don't think paying for marginal talents (Wilcox, Charlie V) is going to get us where we want to go. Best to be patient if we can't get Brand or Josh Smith.

doctor him wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Ed talks a lot, but he doesn't say anything. The Korver deal came down real quick for example.

I think that he really enjoys the public aspect of the job, and will drop some nuggets about his thoughts, but when it comes to specific plans I think that gets drowned out in the "white noise".

As opposed to coach Andy who says nothing in between throat clears.

very true, good point.

Stefanski would have to have a huge set of balls to trade for Jermaine O'neal.Sure he was a dominant big and is still relatively young @ 29 but his injury problems are just too damn risky,especially with the price tag he comes with.

Hopefully Ed is nothing like Larry Brown and Billy King who had no ability to build a franchise with a long term outlook. I hope that he doesn't feel pressure to bring in an over the hill PF like J.O. with the hopes of keeping Philly fans off of his back by showing them that he is "trying." I hope that he doesn't feel pressure to bring in a young wannabe PF like CV when he could do better by drafting and developing a PF. The worst thing that could happen to this franchise is NOT failing to make a move to acquire a PF. However, this franchise could be destroyed if a move is made to acquire veteran PF and he turns out to be a bust.

Seems to me that the fact that the team finished well last year gives Ed at least a year of breathing space. The team is not complete. It can't really compete. It is not one player away from a championship. This is not the Boston model. Ed should continue building for the long-term. There are only 3 legitimate starters (not counting Miller) who is too old. Iguodala, Young & Dalembert with the assorted role players on the team is just not enough. Try to get a future starter at #16 & try to steal one through FA. This is a deep draft. I'd love to see Philly pick a second project later on, someone like Jawai, Ibaka, Ajinca or one of the Euros. We need to be patient. I agree 100 % with Sendem that signing guys like Zbo, CV, Haslem, etc. will just show that Ed is panicking before he needs to.

[quote] "We need to be patient. I agree 100 % with Sendem that signing guys like Zbo, CV, Haslem, etc. will just show that Ed is panicking before he needs to." [/quote]


Without particularly endorsing or nixing any of the above, or Wilcox, Smith, etc, I do disagree with the sentiment expressed. Does it not seem possible to anyone else that we might not, and maybe never will, be able to get a superstar four like Brand in trade?

I have no problem with trying to find good potential in the draft, but see nothing wrong with strengthening ourselves immediately. In fact, it seems to me the logical thing to do and definitely not evidence of panic. I think the draft is, and has always been, a crap shoot. What is wrong with "hedging our bets"? We have and could "forever" wait for that elusive superstar, Or we could progress in steps by more quickly shoring up our weak spots while waiting for that miraculous occurrence. Nothing is forever in the NBA and if we get a good player he most likely will be movable if subsequently necessary.

Young started last year because we had a weakness and because, for a while, nothing to lose. He did an acceptable job on a losing team. He demonstrated good potential, a nice shooting stroke, and some good inside moves. As a result some, panicking about a future contract, believe Igoudala is now expendable, and complain about everything from his handle to his shooting ability. They are excited about replacing him with Thad.

But, at the risk of ticking off everyone on the board, and Ed and Mo, I suggest that Young would have to play a lot better next year for us to not get substantially worse without AI. This year he dribbled like Groucho Marx, and I could count on one hand...or at least without taking off my shoes...the number of perimeter shots he hit. I'm pretty confident Thad will be very good. I lack a basis for such hope for a big from the draft. Why not get whoever we can to become better through the normal developmental period needed by all but a few superstar draftees?