If you have any burning questions for Ed Stefanski, and I know you do, head over to Sixers.com during your lunch break. He's holding a live chat at noon. If you can't make it, I'll try to post some highlights after the jump.
"So, Ed...if you believe - as you have stated in the past - that shooting from distance and perimeter defense are two of the biggest problems facing this team, then three questions:
1) How would re-signing Andre Miller address these two issues?
2) If we do not re-sign Miller, how does either Lou Williams or one of the PG's projected to be available at 17 (Lawson, Flynn, Mills, etc...) project to fix our issues in terms of shooting from distance or perimeter defense?
3) While you cannot comment specifically on players under contract to other teams, would you view a player like Kirk Hinrich as a guy whose skill-set would direc tly address these two critical problems?
Sent that question twice - the first time before the chate even started...the second time with a different name and in a more condensed format (basically repeating what they said at Jordan's presser about how Miller's replacement wasn't on the roster or at #17...whether we are going to replace him by FA or trade...and whether this guy needs to be able to shoot and defend).
0-for-2.
Get ready for LWill/Lawson/Ivey (or some marginal upgrade from Ivey) at the point. At a time this franchise needs to be bold, our big move is Evans-for-Kapono....
So...he answers not one but TWO questions about Eric Maynor, but ignores specific questions about Miller's replacement (which he addressed at Jordan's PC, so it should clearly be considered fair game) and how that player could address our deficiencies with shooting and perimeter defense.
Yeah, me too. Asked if he'd consider trading up and if he believes there's a player worth trading up to get. Also asked if the team definitively will not go over the luxury tax threshold.
Not every question is going to get through on a chat like this folks - they screen - they always do - hopefuly unlike espn chats people won't take it so personally
Why is he even doing this chat? Honestly - if he's not going to REALLY address anything, then he just looks like an ass engaging in marketing non-speak. It's not like the masses are tuning in to this chat...these are generally people who are knowledgable and can smell fluff and cliches a mile away.
I'm not expecting him to tell us exactly what he is going to do, but I would absolutely LOVE to see the questions that have been submitted that are falling to the cutting-room floor...
or a press conference or a 'conference call' - they may get asked but part of a GMs job (if he does it well) is to avoid answering the questions that yo udon't want to (or shouldn't be) answered publicly
Stefanski is on the public record (Jordan's presser and or the WIP interview) stating that if we don't sign Miller, his replacement isn't on the team and won't be at 17. Is it a "tough question" to ask him how he plans to fill that hole, and what specific kind of player (without mentioning names) would he be looking for i n FA or in a trade?
It might not be a 'tough' quesiton - but he's under no obligation to answer any question he doesn't want to answer - just because you think he should - he isn't a politician - he doesn't answer to yo - you don't 'pay his salary' - and maybe if describing what he wants he gives hints to teams out there he doesn't want to - there's any number of reasonable reasons for answers he chooses to give and not to give - the sense of entitlement to the answers you want is what i find interesting
Stefanski never said that about Miller's replacement, Jordan said it. Stefanski's been pretty much mum on the whole thing, only saying they're going to draft the best available guard, either position.
If you're really heartbroken, here's what his answer probably would've been: "I can't talk to Andre Miller before July 1st, so I don't know how we'll replace him, or if we'll replace him. As for the defense, that's something we're going to work hard on in training camp, no matter who's on the roster."
I understand that he's not going to say, "well, I thought that I would take this opportunity - during this internet chat with a bunch of GM wannabe-yabos - to tell everybody that we are going to let Andre Miller walk, sign CJ Watson and Rodney Carney in FA and trade Speights to the Wizards to draft Stephen Curry..."
But if all that a group of reasonably hard-core Sixers fans and bloggers are going to get is something like what you wrote (or what he gave us), then what true value is there in the chat? He said nothing of real substance...sidestepped all but the most softball questions...
Honestly - I would respect the man more if he just went radio-silent until the draft.
Stefanski seems to only want to get out there in front of people with the wind at his back...the Kapono deal gives him a little cred, so he runs with it. But when the team was melting down after the All-Star break...when DiLeo's substitution pattern resembled a medicine man throwing a bunch of bones on the ground...when Dalembert was pulling his annual "jilted diva" act...where was Stefanski then?
He was doing his god damn job - trying to trade Dalembert...
Billy King didn't say anything when Sam bitched either - when a player is bitching publicly - by responding to it - you give it more credibility it deserves - demanding that he respond to sam being a whiny bitch is just silly - it gives sam more leverage than it should - the sixers handled it perfectly...
brian, this is a pretty random question, but i was thinking you would know. if we use the mle, do we still have the option for the bi annual exception without having the luxury tax. so could we sign a guy like jarret jack for the mle and sign a guy like rodney carney without reaching tax zone?
Hey man. I just put up the whole transcription to the interview. Here is the link for you and for other fans who want to read it: http://philadunkia.com/?p=357
Yeah, he seems like a cross between Rondo and Tony Parker. Plus, he has some range on his jumper. I would not be mad if they ended up with him, although he is behind Curry, Lawson & Terrence Williams, tied w/Maynor as a prospect.
Tom, with all this combo guard talk, being a natural p.g. may work against a guy, unless he can flat out shoot.Maynor,Teague and Douglas sure fit the combo tag.Meeks was a pure 2 guard but they may draft a guy like him if he is the best shooter and his handle is above average.
ugh i don't like all this rodney carney talk. i absolutely HATED him while he was here. stereotypical "athletic/slasher" who doesn't really do anything well. he can kinda handle the ball, kinda sorta shoot sometimes, kinda play D, but isn't really good at any of those things. was so glad when he was shipped out.
I'm a longterm Sixers fan. I have a winning strategy to take the Sixers far into the playoffs this new season. With Andre Miller and Royal Ivey gone. Guards are a priority. Make the trade for Skip to my Lou Rafer Alston. 1) Send Willie Green and whoever. Skip should be available due to Jameer Nelson. 2) Get Joe Johnson 6'7 3 pt scorer. Hawks are keeping Josh Smith and want to resign Bibby. Send Sam Dalenbert to Hawks for Johnson. With Horford ailing they need another big man. Draft best availble pt guard at 17. This guard will back up Skip for a couple of years. Starters Brand-C Iggy-F Speights-F Skip-G Joe Johnson-G Deep Bench Lou Williams,Thaddeus, Jason Smith, 3pt Kopono, rookie pt guard and Donyell. I start Speight because he is 6'11. Brand cannot power forward with Sixer running team. He has to be a 6'8 center. Lou W, and Thaddeus are 6th man scorers off the bench. Every team gets injuries. With a little luck. This team wins 50-60 games. Give it a shot Ed S. Thanks.
1. You over value what willie green is worth - and i think you over rate rafer alston - dude had a nice run - but his career has been longer
2. Contrary to all reports that the hawks are shopping josh smith but can't find a taker due to his asinine 6 million dollar kicker? And why would the hawks trade Joe Johnson for Sam dalembert - they give up the best player in the deal and take back a worse contract.
"So, Ed...if you believe - as you have stated in the past - that shooting from distance and perimeter defense are two of the biggest problems facing this team, then three questions:
1) How would re-signing Andre Miller address these two issues?
2) If we do not re-sign Miller, how does either Lou Williams or one of the PG's projected to be available at 17 (Lawson, Flynn, Mills, etc...) project to fix our issues in terms of shooting from distance or perimeter defense?
3) While you cannot comment specifically on players under contract to other teams, would you view a player like Kirk Hinrich as a guy whose skill-set would direc tly address these two critical problems?
:) go to the chat and see if he answers.
I got my first question in, he didnt really answer it saying that eddie will decide in training camp.
Brian:
Sent that question twice - the first time before the chate even started...the second time with a different name and in a more condensed format (basically repeating what they said at Jordan's presser about how Miller's replacement wasn't on the roster or at #17...whether we are going to replace him by FA or trade...and whether this guy needs to be able to shoot and defend).
0-for-2.
Get ready for LWill/Lawson/Ivey (or some marginal upgrade from Ivey) at the point. At a time this franchise needs to be bold, our big move is Evans-for-Kapono....
Nice sack, Eddie.
It's a little early to say that was their big move. Give him a chance, he made what we all thought was the best possible big move last Summer.
Oh I expect most questions will get the political answer non answer
Yep, this is kind of the dream format. He chooses the questions, and answers with no follow ups :)
So...he answers not one but TWO questions about Eric Maynor, but ignores specific questions about Miller's replacement (which he addressed at Jordan's PC, so it should clearly be considered fair game) and how that player could address our deficiencies with shooting and perimeter defense.
Sweet.
And we just got our first "How could you trade Reggie Evans" question. Awesome.
I wish he woulve answered my question he sidestepped it pretty quickly. You knew a couyple of those reggie questions were coming in.
Of course he did - it's his job as GM
This is more for PR than information :)
It really is. He hasnt answered one question directly yet except for one about Dileo.
I've asked a number of questions that haven't gotten through yet.
Yeah, me too. Asked if he'd consider trading up and if he believes there's a player worth trading up to get. Also asked if the team definitively will not go over the luxury tax threshold.
Brian I asked the exact same questions. I also asked if he felt we even had the assets and were willing to part with them to move up.
You got one through, and it was answered directly. Nice. :)
The Sixers do plan to bring Maynor in for a workout.
Not every question is going to get through on a chat like this folks - they screen - they always do - hopefuly unlike espn chats people won't take it so personally
With this software, it's almost more important when you ask than what you ask. Questions are flying by him right now. Nothing to take personally.
Well in a chat like this I also think they'll screen out questions they don't want even considered...
has anyone asked the 'iverson' quesiton yet?
Not yet. You know it's coming, though.
This is actually pretty funny. A bunch of Raptors blogs and the RealGM Raptors board are linking to this post on Reggie Evans.
Why is he even doing this chat? Honestly - if he's not going to REALLY address anything, then he just looks like an ass engaging in marketing non-speak. It's not like the masses are tuning in to this chat...these are generally people who are knowledgable and can smell fluff and cliches a mile away.
I'm not expecting him to tell us exactly what he is going to do, but I would absolutely LOVE to see the questions that have been submitted that are falling to the cutting-room floor...
What did you expect him to do? Tell you their off season targets, draft plans, and the ins and outs of how he plans to build the team?
Seriously - why are people shocked when nothing insightful is said in a chat like this...temper your expectations back down to the reality
A live chat isn't the place where he's going to answer tough questions.
or a press conference or a 'conference call' - they may get asked but part of a GMs job (if he does it well) is to avoid answering the questions that yo udon't want to (or shouldn't be) answered publicly
Brian:
Stefanski is on the public record (Jordan's presser and or the WIP interview) stating that if we don't sign Miller, his replacement isn't on the team and won't be at 17. Is it a "tough question" to ask him how he plans to fill that hole, and what specific kind of player (without mentioning names) would he be looking for i n FA or in a trade?
It might not be a 'tough' quesiton - but he's under no obligation to answer any question he doesn't want to answer - just because you think he should - he isn't a politician - he doesn't answer to yo - you don't 'pay his salary' - and maybe if describing what he wants he gives hints to teams out there he doesn't want to - there's any number of reasonable reasons for answers he chooses to give and not to give - the sense of entitlement to the answers you want is what i find interesting
Stefanski never said that about Miller's replacement, Jordan said it. Stefanski's been pretty much mum on the whole thing, only saying they're going to draft the best available guard, either position.
If you're really heartbroken, here's what his answer probably would've been: "I can't talk to Andre Miller before July 1st, so I don't know how we'll replace him, or if we'll replace him. As for the defense, that's something we're going to work hard on in training camp, no matter who's on the roster."
I understand that he's not going to say, "well, I thought that I would take this opportunity - during this internet chat with a bunch of GM wannabe-yabos - to tell everybody that we are going to let Andre Miller walk, sign CJ Watson and Rodney Carney in FA and trade Speights to the Wizards to draft Stephen Curry..."
But if all that a group of reasonably hard-core Sixers fans and bloggers are going to get is something like what you wrote (or what he gave us), then what true value is there in the chat? He said nothing of real substance...sidestepped all but the most softball questions...
Honestly - I would respect the man more if he just went radio-silent until the draft.
No - you wouldn't - then yu'd complain about him not saying anything.
Damn straight.
Thanks, bro.
Stefanski seems to only want to get out there in front of people with the wind at his back...the Kapono deal gives him a little cred, so he runs with it. But when the team was melting down after the All-Star break...when DiLeo's substitution pattern resembled a medicine man throwing a bunch of bones on the ground...when Dalembert was pulling his annual "jilted diva" act...where was Stefanski then?
Classic.
He was doing his god damn job - trying to trade Dalembert...
Billy King didn't say anything when Sam bitched either - when a player is bitching publicly - by responding to it - you give it more credibility it deserves - demanding that he respond to sam being a whiny bitch is just silly - it gives sam more leverage than it should - the sixers handled it perfectly...
Well, I feel lucky that two of my litany of questions got answered. Beaubois and Llull are at least on their radar.
So no iverson question? Interesting - I'm sure at least one fan (you know the guys who miss reggie) would have sent it in
brian, this is a pretty random question, but i was thinking you would know. if we use the mle, do we still have the option for the bi annual exception without having the luxury tax. so could we sign a guy like jarret jack for the mle and sign a guy like rodney carney without reaching tax zone?
if not carney maybe ime udoka?
Right now, I think we could probably afford both, but it's getting tight.
Hey man. I just put up the whole transcription to the interview. Here is the link for you and for other fans who want to read it: http://philadunkia.com/?p=357
Cool, thanks.
Sean, Beauboix is intriguing; de4fensively off the bench would be a good fit.On N.B.A. Draft.net he looks athletic and his jumper looks fluid.
Yeah, he seems like a cross between Rondo and Tony Parker. Plus, he has some range on his jumper. I would not be mad if they ended up with him, although he is behind Curry, Lawson & Terrence Williams, tied w/Maynor as a prospect.
Maynor and Teague are among the guys supposed to work out Sunday.
Tom, with all this combo guard talk, being a natural p.g. may work against a guy, unless he can flat out shoot.Maynor,Teague and Douglas sure fit the combo tag.Meeks was a pure 2 guard but they may draft a guy like him if he is the best shooter and his handle is above average.
ugh i don't like all this rodney carney talk. i absolutely HATED him while he was here. stereotypical "athletic/slasher" who doesn't really do anything well. he can kinda handle the ball, kinda sorta shoot sometimes, kinda play D, but isn't really good at any of those things. was so glad when he was shipped out.
I'm a longterm Sixers fan. I have a winning strategy to take the Sixers far into the playoffs this new season. With Andre Miller and Royal Ivey gone. Guards are a priority. Make the trade for Skip to my Lou Rafer Alston. 1) Send Willie Green and whoever. Skip should be available due to Jameer Nelson. 2) Get Joe Johnson 6'7 3 pt scorer. Hawks are keeping Josh Smith and want to resign Bibby. Send Sam Dalenbert to Hawks for Johnson. With Horford ailing they need another big man. Draft best availble pt guard at 17. This guard will back up Skip for a couple of years. Starters Brand-C Iggy-F Speights-F Skip-G Joe Johnson-G Deep Bench Lou Williams,Thaddeus, Jason Smith, 3pt Kopono, rookie pt guard and Donyell. I start Speight because he is 6'11. Brand cannot power forward with Sixer running team. He has to be a 6'8 center. Lou W, and Thaddeus are 6th man scorers off the bench. Every team gets injuries. With a little luck. This team wins 50-60 games. Give it a shot Ed S. Thanks.
Hmmm.
1. You over value what willie green is worth - and i think you over rate rafer alston - dude had a nice run - but his career has been longer
2. Contrary to all reports that the hawks are shopping josh smith but can't find a taker due to his asinine 6 million dollar kicker? And why would the hawks trade Joe Johnson for Sam dalembert - they give up the best player in the deal and take back a worse contract.
Aside from that - it's a great idea