Identity!

[phillyborn_jacksonite]

I believe after a long time(maybe 4 years), we finally have some assemblance of an IDENTITY. This is not news to any of you, but we are best when we are running. We have no low post or outside shooting, but have managed to dispatch three very average to below average teams with this style being the focus. Its exciting to watch and i am excited for every turnover now. Tonight will certainly be a test against a premier team. Can our run and attacking style be effective against a team that unquestionalbly has excellent ballhandling, passing and scoring abilties.

That being said, we should continue in this effort this summer by trading for an athletic lowpost scorer and possibly going after maggette to play SG. Obviously the 4 spot is our priority, but I would like to see Willie either go in a trade for expirings to make room for Corey or maybe Ed can figure out a way to keep Willie for our bench. If we could get a Smith and Maggette this summer, we would definitely have something b/c they both fit this style. While Smith is not a bonifide low post threat, he still young and can develop into one.

If smith isn't the guy say if Atlanta matches. Then who is? We need an athletic guy that won't disrupt this current system. Which by the way is different that say toronto or phoenix because we actually play solid D and have the best O rebounding in the league.

[Johnny Broad-Street]

If your PF can trigger the break by rebounding and passing well, you can get away with that being the one slower position. It also helps if they can score down low when you're forced into a half-court game.

I'd try to find a fit, but be happy with a solid all-around PF even if he's not the most athletic. Not to sound like a broken record but I'm a huge Kevin Love fan.

[STChaser]

That being said, we should continue in this effort this summer by trading for an athletic lowpost scorer and possibly going after maggette to play SG. Obviously the 4 spot is our priority, but I would like to see Willie either go in a trade for expirings to make room for Corey or maybe Ed can figure out a way to keep Willie for our bench. If we could get a Smith and Maggette this summer, we would definitely have something b/c they both fit this style. While Smith is not a bonifide low post threat, he still young and can develop into one.

Can we afford to get both Corey and Smith? I would rather spend the money on Smith as I think we need the PF more. The other issue I have with getting Corey is that it would automatically force Thaddeus out of the starting lineup because Iguodala would remain at SF. I would much rather just get Smith, move Thad to SF, and Iguodala to SG. Don't get me wrong, I like Corey. But is he that much of an upgrade over Iguodala? On offense I'd say yes. But Iguodala has improved upon his game on offense each season and his defense is solid too. He's also becoming the vocal leader of this squad. Is Corey a leader?

STChaser

[Johnny Broad-Street]

The problem with an Iggy/Thad 2/3 is that neither is much of a shooter. Makes us easier to guard. If that all happened I'd say move Iggy

[Sixersftw]

i think thad will develop the outside shot. he shot an okay clip in college and his form looks solid. We are probably going to be like the nets teams, ironically, that went to the finals. a fast break team thats very dependant on it's defense rather than the suns style.

[Johnny Broad-Street]

Sounds good to me. They just needed a powerhouse scorer in the end

[STChaser]

The problem with an Iggy/Thad 2/3 is that neither is much of a shooter. Makes us easier to guard. If that all happened I'd say move Iggy

Both Thad and Iguodala are decent standstill shooters. Neither seems really great at creating their shot off the dribble - Thad because of his handle and Iguodala, because of his lack of a quick first step. But that being said, IF Lou Williams is our starting PG, do we really need to depend upon those two to break down the D?

Iverson was able to create for others because of his speed, and when I say "others", those players we had surrounding him (McKie, Lynch, Hill, Deke) weren't half the athletes that Thad, Carney, Iguodala, or Sam are. They understood and played their positions well but athletically, I don't think they compare to what we have now. I don't see why we can't use Williams to break down opponents defenses and then have him drive and dish.

Also consider this; IF we get Josh Smith at the 4, I think we'd be fine on offense because Smith looks to score. That would be Williams at the point surrounded by Iguodala, Thad, Smith, and Dalembert. In my view, that's plenty of offense right there.

STChaser

[phillyborn_jacksonite]

If your PF can trigger the break by rebounding and passing well, you can get away with that being the one slower position. It also helps if they can score down low when you're forced into a half-court game.

I'd try to find a fit, but be happy with a solid all-around PF even if he's not the most athletic. Not to sound like a broken record but I'm a huge Kevin Love fan.

jbs - i agree with your analysis but you forgot that one of the reasons we are so good on defense right now, is that we have 5 guys out there that are quick to rotate to challenge shooters with a hand up and jump in passing lanes - that inldudes Thad or Reggie at the 4. kevin love, while your right would be great for intiating the break, i think would be weakness on defense. Ed has stated specifically he want to be "real athletic". Josh smith is the only one that fits in my mind right now.

What i am asking from this board is to help me brainstorm a potential player that fits this mold that we could trade for....don't worry about cap implications or even coming up with a trade scenario, i am just looking for some names at this point..my mind is blocked...the only one that come to mind is David west but the hornet wont trade him. Any others?

[STChaser]

"Athletes" at the 4:

-Andray Blatche
-Amir Johnson
-Tyrus Thomas
-Josh Smith

[phillyborn_jacksonite]

"Athletes" at the 4:

-Andray Blatche
-Amir Johnson
-Tyrus Thomas
-Josh Smith

great..after some research i will add:

David Lee
Nick Collision(its a stretch i know)
Paul Millsap Ryan Gomes
Jason Maxiell
Brandon Bass

any others? keep addin until we get about 15 then we can start debating who can be had that will fit our identity.

[STChaser]

I think Tyrus could come discounted because of the issues going on in Chicago and he'd be highest on my list in terms of getting a backup PF to spell minutes for Josh Smith. Also, add Brandan Wright to that list as well of athletic 4's. I think Amir is pretty much untouchable because Detroit seems to be very high on him even though his playing time is limited behind their plethora of PF's.

Bass is listed at 6'7 so I think it would be stretch having him at the 4, though he does have the girth to move people under the paint. Gomes is also 6'7 so I'd pass on him. If the idea is to get a PF who can move people but who's undersized, we may as well get that bust from NY who ate himself out of the league (can't recall his name). Why spend money on these undersized PF's when we can just insert Thaddeus at 6'8 into the spot? I think we need to be thinking, 6'8 or taller to make it worth making the move. You can't compensate for size in my opinion and those who do, like Brand, are very rare commodities. If you've ever questioned why our frontcourt needs to have length, look no further than what happens to our interior when Sam sits. I can settle for a 6'8 PF but he's got to have a decent standing reach like Thad or Smith - guys who can still alter shots because of their length.

STChaser

[76erinSJ]

Im starting to like Willie Green on this team next year if he comes off the bench. He has improved his shot selection. I think he could always shoot. he just stop taking threes and bad shots. He even has started to try to make an effort to get rebounds and steals and dimes. Im still waiting for him to take a charge lol. Next year if we have a post presence this team could look like a poor mans Suns team.