Possible Lineup Next Season - Positives and Negatives

[STChaser]

Anyone else realize that we could go into next season with the following lineup:

PG: Miller, Lou
SG: Iguodala, Carney, Lou
SF: Thaddeus, Josh Smith
PF: Josh Smith, Evans, Speights
C: Sam, Jason Smith, Speights

That's not a bad lineup at all. The positives: Having Iguodala, Thaddeus, and Josh Smith in the same lineup would really give teams fits trying to slow us down. It also gives us two great shot blockers in Sam and Smith. Another thing it gives us is size up front. 6'7 SG, 6'8 SF, 6'9 PF, and 6'11 C. If Smith starts getting outclassed by a heavier PF, we would have the option of throwing Speights out there, providing the post up game that Sam and Smith lack - but complimenting Thaddeus at the same time, so we're still capable of having two back-to-the-basket players on the court. Ok, for the negatives now;

Unless Carney really improves his shot this offseason, this team is still without a legitimate long range threat. So we'd have the two post players but still no shooters to spread our opponent's defense. Teams could still clog the middle on us and dare us to make our shots. We'd have the inside game but not the outside game to compliment it. That is why when we do eventually trade Miller, it's essential that we get a PG who's got more range. I don't think getting a hybrid PG/SG with range is the answer either because Iguodala is going to demand a lot of minutes at SG. We're going to have to have a player on the court for major minutes who can nail the 3 and with the rest of our lineup so solidified, that player is going to have to be the new PG, assuming Lou doesn't take over that role, which is a possibility depending upon what he shows this season. Lou can hit the 3 with some consistency so it could potentially work out if he's able to nail down the other PG duties.

The other major missing piece is our depth behind Sam, which unfortunately, was not addressed on draft night. The failure to acquire DeAndre Jordan is going to sting more that most people think because as raw as he is, we really have no solid bigs behind Sam in terms of height and weight. Booth is a place holder at best. Getting a solid 7 footer to back up Sam is something that Stefanski must continue to pursue. We know that Sam can compete with the smaller, lighter 5's in this league, but likewise, we also know that against the heavyweights in this league, he gets pushed around much too easily. I see this concern being truly addressed next season, when we can use one of our two draft picks on another 5. Until then, this team is going to continue to get exposed in this area.

Even with it's flaws, the above lineup is still much improved from last seasons lineup. The real challenge I see going forward is making sure the chemistry remains intact - making sure that Speights meets the challenge posed to him by Stefanski and Co., and making sure that Iguodala is able to assimilate his skills to SG. I think it may take a little time acclimating Josh Smith into our lineup (assuming we're able to pry him from Atlanta) but because we play an up-tempo style that favors his skills, I don't think it should be too overwhelming. In my opinion, getting Josh Smith should solidify this team as a true powerhouse in the East for many years to come.

STChaser

[SendEm]

What makes our team any better than Atlanta was this past season moving forward? Once Miller leaves we are Atlanta all over again, no?

Dalembert Horford
Josh Smith "
Thad Marvin Williams
Iggy Joe Johnson
Lou Williams Bibby

[STChaser]

You answered your own question Sendem. Look at that roster you put out there. The one piece that Atlanta lacks is a true center. Hoford is a PF, not a Center. Therein lies the biggest difference between us and them.

STChaser

[The Sixer Fixer]

You answered your own question Sendem. Look at that roster you put out there. The one piece that Atlanta lacks is a true center. Hoford is a PF, not a Center. Therein lies the biggest difference between us and them.

STChaser

And some would argue that our "new" team doesn't contain a true SG.

[SendEm]

You answered your own question Sendem. Look at that roster you put out there. The one piece that Atlanta lacks is a true center. Hoford is a PF, not a Center. Therein lies the biggest difference between us and them.

STChaser

You don't need a true center to win an NBA championship the Pistons and Celtics are proof of that. Horford is an appreciating commodity while Sammy is pretty much static. What I presented was the talent level. Atlanta has more talent ESPECIALLY when you factor in Childress coming off of the bench. Atlanta as constructed is a better team than the Sixers talentwise moving forward. I believe that you have given Sammy too much credit, Horford will be an ALL Star frontcourt player, perhaps even this upcoming season. As is Horford and Sammy have the same effect on the basketball court, where Horford might get shot over, Sammy will get out muscled. In a couple years Horford will be scoring points at a pace that Sammy just can not do IN ADDITION to being a double double guy.

[The Guilty Party]

Didn't Atlanta take the World Champion Celtics to 7 games? Wouldn't you say they are an extremely young team that should only improve? What's so wrong with the Hawks right now??

[SendEm]

I'm not hear to bash the Hawks, I'm just placing the potential Josh Smith acquisition with the inevitable Andre Miller departure into perspective.

That Hawks team was far more balanced than our Sixers will be, they have a #1 option and 3 point shooter rolled into one with Joe Johnson, we don't have either...

The way that I see it we will become the Hawks but less balanced and less talented. Our uptempo style of offense will no longer be legit without Miller. Sure we can still run, but not to a level that will scare anyone and be effective enough to amass victories. We'll be like those Rick Pitino Celtics teams who played full court defense, and uptempo offense with no legit floor general PG.

[bedjaw]

What makes our team any better than Atlanta was this past season moving forward? Once Miller leaves we are Atlanta all over again, no?

Dalembert Horford
Josh Smith "
Thad Marvin Williams
Iggy Joe Johnson
Lou Williams Bibby

This is a pretty dumb reply....you have ZERO idea how young guys improve or who replaces AM on the roster. Don't worry about next year.

[IggyTheBEaST]

What makes our team any better than Atlanta was this past season moving forward? Once Miller leaves we are Atlanta all over again, no?

Dalembert Horford
Josh Smith "
Thad Marvin Williams
Iggy Joe Johnson
Lou Williams Bibby

Anyone else not see this as a bad thing? I got no problem being atlanta. The hawks are a good team that lack a true center and still took the Champs to 7 (something the lakers couldnt even accomplish)


(btw: not only do we have Daly, but Id take Thaddeous Young and Lou Williams over Marvin and Bibby anyday)

[IggyTheBEaST]

"Our uptempo style of offense will no longer be legit without Miller."

I Disagree. You dont need a floor general to run a good fast break. Many guards are good at running the break but not good in the halfcourt and vice versa. Lou has to work on his decision making but that will come in time(dont forget last year was really his first year with minutes). He may not be the best tradition set up pg but he gets up the court quicker than anyone in the league, thats a scary asset to face against an uptempo team. Now imagine that speed with 2 highlight dunkers at his side, Iggy on his left and Josh Smith on his right, its pick your poison.

[SendEm]

Let me cut this momentum down a bit, The Celtics brought their "C" game to the Hawk series and their "A" game to the Lakers series. It's ridiculous to keep seeing people on the internet bring this Hawks did better than the Lakers against the Celtics point up. The Celtics toyed with the Hawks, they couldn't take them serious so they just blew them the HELL out while at home.

Josh Smith and Iggy's games will not improve much, Iggy lacks a first step and Josh Smith is just simply way overrated. Smith is a SF with few skills. In a few years he will continue to look like a SF with few skills. Josh Smith is like the defensive version of Glenn Robinson and/or Glenn Rice. people right now are acting like Josh Smith is the next best thing behind Lebron. I haven't seen a team have trouble stopping Josh Smith, they usually just allow him to do whatever he wants while being single covered. Joe Johnson is the REAL talent on that team. The Josh Smith love will stop once he turns 25 and the new "young" players are in the league.

[roseorbust]

Let me cut this momentum down a bit, The Celtics brought their "C" game to the Hawk series and their "A" game to the Lakers series. It's ridiculous to keep seeing people on the internet bring this Hawks did better than the Lakers against the Celtics point up. The Celtics toyed with the Hawks, they couldn't take them serious so they just blew them the HELL out while at home.

Josh Smith and Iggy's games will not improve much, Iggy lacks a first step and Josh Smith is just simply way overrated. Smith is a SF with few skills. In a few years he will continue to look like a SF with few skills. Josh Smith is like the defensive version of Glenn Robinson and/or Glenn Rice. people right now are acting like Josh Smith is the next best thing behind Lebron. I haven't seen a team have trouble stopping Josh Smith, they usually just allow him to do whatever he wants while being single covered. Joe Johnson is the REAL talent on that team. The Josh Smith love will stop once he turns 25 and the new "young" players are in the league.

Dare I attempt to argue with the ever right send em? yes. Saying that Josh Smith won't improve is just flat at ridiculous. Do you know how old he is? He's 22. How old is Al Thornton? He's 24. Now.. why is it that everyone thinks Thornton will improve, but obviously Josh can't improve because you know, he's overrated. He averaged 17.8 PPG 8.2 RPG and 3 BPG. AT 22. Let me repeat that. AT 22.

Yes he's 6 foot 9 and might have matchup problems with a Bigger Power Forward. But Speights can come off the bench and match up. With a 2 3 4 of Iggy Thad and J smith, that's scary.

Heck look at this.

Thaddeus Young is around 6 fooot 8 6 foot 9. He could grow another inch perhaps and be a PF.

Bottom line I really wouldn't mind a lineup of Miller Iggy Thad and J Smith and dalembert, even if it is undersized.

[SendEm]

When the game slows down Josh Smith is absolutely worthless. He's strictly a regular season entertainer.He's not made for post season CHIP level basketball. His purpose in life is to fill seats, sell popcorn, and leave people in awe at his amazingly athletic highlight reel plays. That's it that's all...

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

Let's put it into perspective: The Hawks snuck into the playoffs because Mike Bibby managed to play decent over the last week and a half.

The hawks were losing before the trade, were still losing untill the last two weeks.

Now as for future Atlanta moves? None. Joe Johnson is clearly their best player and is locked up. They'd be idiots not to lock Josh Smith up, only Mike Bibby will expire for them.

That team will end up like the 04 Milwaukee Bucks that took the Pistons to 5 games. As you can see, the Bucks are still rebuliding.

[roseorbust]

When the game slows down Josh Smith is absolutely worthless. He's strictly a regular season entertainer.He's not made for post season CHIP level basketball. His purpose in life is to fill seats, sell popcorn, and leave people in awe at his amazingly athletic highlight reel plays. That's it that's all...

How do you know what he's made of? He's 22 and hasn't won a championship. Your point? So if he fills seats and is entertaining that means he can't win a championship? Your ridiculous. The fact is it's hard for me under any circumstances turn down a player that is averageing three blocks 8 rebounds and over 15 points and is 22. But your right sendem, he has no room to grow.

[SendEm]

When the game slows down Josh Smith is absolutely worthless. He's strictly a regular season entertainer.He's not made for post season CHIP level basketball. His purpose in life is to fill seats, sell popcorn, and leave people in awe at his amazingly athletic highlight reel plays. That's it that's all...

How do you know what he's made of? He's 22 and hasn't won a championship. Your point? So if he fills seats and is entertaining that means he can't win a championship? Your ridiculous. The fact is it's hard for me under any circumstances turn down a player that is averageing three blocks 8 rebounds and over 15 points and is 22. But your right sendem, he has no room to grow.

You'll find that I'm always right when it comes to judging talent that's already in the NBA. A player like Francisco Garcia is completely off of the radar right now but he is one hell of a talent. He represents value. Give me him at SF for the peanuts that he'll make in his next contract over Josh Smith at PF for the insane amount that he'll receive. I'll use the money saved towards a real star/potential star player.

[Mik317]

How does it feel to be so full of yourself.....really.

[roseorbust]

Alright Sendem i'm taking notes, get Fransisco Garcia and trade iggy for crap..

what else?

[76ersFan1]

How can you say we are exactly like the hawks. Louis Williams is nothing like mike bibby, Williams is young and extremely athletic, bibby is a veteran PG. Iguodala is a slasher and is better closer to the rim while joe johnson is more of a shooter. Marvin Williams hasn't shown anything in the pros while thaddeus is 19 and did more than hold his own this year especially in the playoffs. Dalembert is a tall athletic shot blocker while horford is more about strength and is better on offense. I dont understand how we'll be exactly like the hawks, we have different players and a more defensive minded team

[SendEm]

How can you say we are exactly like the hawks. Louis Williams is nothing like mike bibby, Williams is young and extremely athletic, bibby is a veteran PG. Iguodala is a slasher and is better closer to the rim while joe johnson is more of a shooter. Marvin Williams hasn't shown anything in the pros while thaddeus is 19 and did more than hold his own this year especially in the playoffs. Dalembert is a tall athletic shot blocker while horford is more about strength and is better on offense. I dont understand how we'll be exactly like the hawks, we have different players and a more defensive minded team

Childress?

What does better closer to the rim mean? Joe Johnson can break down his man off of the dribble and drive to the hole through traffic for a dunk or layup. Iggy can't do that. Joe Johnson can post up his man with an elite turnaround/post game that will MAKE a defense double team or watch him go for 35+ EASILY. What does closer to the basket mean? Were you just struggling to come up with an Iggy positive of the All Star Joe Johnson so that was the best you could muster? Iggy is only better than Joe Johnson at running the floor for easy dunks because he has far more long foot speed than Joe, but he doesn't have the great footwork in the halfcourt that Joe has which allows him to be an elite offensive player. Iggy's defense is simply overrated.