It took the Sixers 12 minutes to wake up from their All Star break slumber, then they methodically put the Washington Wizards to bed. The 117-94 final score makes the game look closer than it was. The Sixers absolutely dominated Washington in a demonstrative opener to the final 26 games.
Charts
Thoughts
- Jrue was a stud tonight, for the second consecutive game. The headline will probably say something about Wall's 21 points, but it took him 19 shots to get there, and really, after the first quarter he was a non-factor. Jrue was deadly efficient and his 20 points came in three quarters. There was no need for him to even take off his sweats in the fourth. He's your POTG
- The Sixers put 7 players in double figures, and Lou wasn't one of them. Big game for Turner, Thad was amazing: 18 points on 7 shots and 10 boards in only 26 minutes. Speights had an insanely hot stretch in the fourth where he hit about 4 jumpers, including a three, without the ball even coming close to touching the rim. Hopefully teams around the league were extremely impressed and flood the Sixers with calls in the next 14 hours or so, desperate to make a deal.
- Bad News: Lou didn't shoot the ball well. Good News: Lou didn't shoot the ball much.
- I'm not sure if this is completely legit, but I think the Sixers have developed signature celebrations. I noticed three, the Thad Young, "Raise the roof" after his oop. EB apparently taps his elbow when he hits his money elbow jumper. Hawes did something strange with his hands, I think it might have something to do with the religious right. Keep an eye out next game to see if you can pick up any others.
- I find dozens of things puzzling about the Wizards, but one in particular sticks in my mind. JaVale McGee is seven feet tall with a 7'7" wingspan and he runs like a deer. John Wall gets into the lane pretty much at will. Why isn't McGee throwing down like 3 or 4 lobs/game? Do you think Spencer Hawes or Elton Brand is really even going to be able to put up a fight if Wall just puts the ball up a foot above the rim for McGee to finish it? McGee is basically useless in their offense and I'm not sure if the blame should fall on Wall (for chucking up contested shots when he has 3 guys on him), Flip Saunders for failing to draw the plays up, or McGee for hanging on the perimeter. Maybe it's all three of them. Seems like easy points to me.
- Andray Blatche's name was misspelled on the back of his jersey tonight (B-A-L-T-C-H-E), that was the least embarrassing thing about Blatche tonight.
- My favorite play of the night came in the third quarter. Josh Howard was on Iguodala, John Wall was on Jrue, Jrue had the ball out past the three-point line on the left wing. Iguodala came out and set a hard pick for Jrue, forcing Wall to switch onto Iguodala. Jrue passed the ball quickly to AI9 who immediately started backing Wall down. Howard had to go double to stop the easy score in the post, Iguodala immediately kicked it out to Jrue who hit the wide-open three. Simple, deadly-efficient basketball, especially against a joke of a defensive team, like the Wizards.
- Overall, this game was just what the doctor ordered. A demonstrative win over a terrible team to set the tone for the stretch run while Amare Stoudemire comes to terms with the fact that he's going to get about as many touches as Nene did in Denver while Melo goes one-on-one at every opportunity. I wonder if anyone has explained to Melo that he's really the #2 option on that team now, maybe #3 or #4, if you want to get technical about it. I guess I should say he should be the second, third or fourth option, if efficient offense is your goal.
Player of The Game: Jrue, who is now shooting 44.6%/37.2%/81.3% (FG/3P/FT) on the season, respectable numbers across the board.
Team Record: 28-29
Up Next: vs. Detroit, Friday night.
Game capsule
are you sure Brand touching his elbow wasn't his way of letting the refs know "hey he fouled me on that shot too"?
I think Jrue was the first guy to be doing the raise the roof celebrations, the rest of the young guns are just following suit.
Still, good to see the team has cause for celebration.
Yeah, I'm sure. There was no one w/in 10 feet of him on that play, and Iguodala did it first when Brand hit the jumper, he looked at Brand and did it, then Brand did it.
Really enjoyed watching Turner play with some confidence tonight. The step back jumper he took at the beginning of the 4th in particular was pretty nice.
"Too bad it wasn't against Phoenix."
In all seriousness, a lot his points came in garbage time, but he was still contributing while not scoring in the first half. He played good defense, rebounded well, and made a really nice drive and kick to Iguodala for the three. I'm feeling better that he's going to be a starter in this league sooner rather than later. He's a key contributor on a playoff team.
If they could just replace Hawes in the 8-man rotation with a center who could at least get in the way of drivers as a weak-side helper, they'd be such a better team. Like, maybe win a round in the playoffs better. Ugh.
Wow, Baron Davis for Mo Williams. Somehow, I think both teams got worse with that one. The rare lose-lose.
Wow that really is a bad trade for both teams... Especially Clevelend.
Btw, does anyony think the Anthony/Stoudemire partnership is the second coming of Denver during the Iverson era. Good enough to make the playoffs and lose in the first round. Both are black holes, both want to be "the man". I smell trouble there, especially after Billups leaves.
I'm wondering if Amare basically turns into Nene. An uber-efficient, mostly-ignored big man.
The Clips gave up their first-rounder in that deal as well, and got Moon.
Heh, Williams is shooting 38.5% from the floor and 26.5% from three.
Sterling basically gave up his first round pick to save about $11.5M over the next two years, plus the savings from not having to pay that first rounder. I wonder if he'll use the money to pay DeAndre Jordan this summer.
Also wondering if Bledsoe will start over Mo Williams.
Okay that makes more sense now for Clevelend. I can't seem to find a report on the trade somehow... I do believe the Clippers will re-sign Jordan at any cost.
Great game for the Sixers tonight. They did exactly what a very good team would do. Hopefully they can continue to grow. For the first time in forever, the team looks like a REAL team in every aspect. And they are very very young. I see absolutely no reason to be down on them because the Knicks and Nets got some stars...
Billups is the reason they may be improved for the rest of the year. I smell trouble in subsequent years.
Why the hell would you want to trade Speights? We are seriously lacking in big men and he is the one we have that actually has talent. This guy is only 23. I wouldn't give up on him. I am still holding on to hope that by the end of the season his minutes will be much greater than Hawes.
Speights tweeted alluding to how the Sixers have different things they do (such as that elbow tap). Speights puts up 3 fingers. And I don't think that signifies a 3 pointer.
I don't think Speights gets moved, simply because other teams look at the Sixers, notice he's not playing, and think they can offer some low-ball talent swap and we'll go for it (Dante Cunningham, anyone). He's got one year left on a cheap rookie contract and I don't think you can get equal value in a trade w/ Speights as the main piece, the guy's offensive game is still scary at times and we've got another year and change to (hopefully) integrate him more into the rotation.
Maybe Thorn's got a surprise for us, but no team wants our expirings or flotsam like Nocioni and we can't really stand to lose more size
Story: Sixers overwhelm Wizards with balance:
http://ow.ly/42zQk
I'll be glad when the deadline passes. Then I can go back to refocusing on the Sixers instead of how other teams are building.
Just watching the Sixers and how they have gelled as a team is enjoyable. Aside from a couple of guys, their players are easy to root for, and improving. They seem to be maximizing their talents and responding to coaching. That is rare in a young team. Even rarer in a young team without a star to take pressure off everyone else.
So big picture the rebuilding issues won't go away- and frankly I don't know if there is an answer available to them. But fortunately when you watch the team they are enjoyable, and seem to be getting more fun to watch since they are growing from their earlier struggles.
The types of teams I hate to watch are the older teams in decline (late AI years) or teams that have given up (EFJ team.) Its also frustrating to have a "good" team that fails to meet expectations.
But I immensely enjoyed watching the Sixers 2-3 years ago (post-AI trade) where it seemed like a young team was starting to grow. Last year was terrible, but this year is turning out to be pretty darn good. Seeing a fledgling group grow up and outperform your expectations is one of the better things in sports. Not as great as watching a contender reach their potential- but you can't have everything.
Thorn? You there? Only a few more hours to move Turner for something, anything. Favors has that thing you can't teach called height along with the supposed upside with the young age, and NJ didn't have an issue with letting him go. Turner's not a big, and his age and game suggests his upside has plateaued, put him in a package...........NOW.
Out of curiosity, name some trades you think they might able to pull off using Turner?
I had hoped for Turner/Speights/filler/sweetener for Gallinari/Nene.
What did you have in mind? Because I think at best they get something like Turner for Mayo- and that's not a great move IMO.
I don't really have anything specific in mind. Don't really get into all the cap and trade ramifications. Your first suggestion would be a dream but I'd even settle for your second one involving Mayo. I'm just in the mode that we're going to wait around for Turner to 'get his game/shot together' and we'll still be saying the same thing 2 to 3 years from now like with Thad and Speights. At some point, players are what they are and Turner doesn't come across as leading us on any upward path out of this sustained mediocrity we've been in. The way he disappears against some of the better defensive teams or even some of the mediocre ones, I just see him doing the same thing in the playoffs when every team clamps down on defense. He only seems to show up if it's a bottom-feeder defensive team or in garbage time like last night. To be that high of a pick and not appearing to be able to lead us anywhere, even incrementally, is really disappointing.
This will be polarizing for sure - but he really isn't that much better than the guy he replaced, Willie Green. He just gives some of our fanbase the dreaded hope, because he's the new kid on the block. Just like Thad once did and Speights too. We see how they've turned out after the few years of initial giddiness.
I'm clear on your impression of Turner. And the draft is over, so he is a Sixer. So if you want him gone, who would you want back for him? It sounds like you are not suggesting a solution, just re-hashing a problem.
Suggesting a solution? In the first sentence I said I don't have anything specific in mind, trading him period would be a solution, no?
Of course you'd like mayo over turner.
He seems to be contributing very well in the short term, which seems to be your philosophy, no?
Your definition of contributing very well must be worlds apart from mine. If he's contributing very well as you say, then I guess Hawes is a borderline all-star.
In the last 15 games Turner has shot 46% to go along with 69 rebounds, 43 assists, and only 7 TO's.
If you don't think that's "contributing" for a guy who plays 20 to 25 minutes off the bench then I think you should start following another sport. Maybe curling?
Curling is such an underrated sport. Best winter olympic.
I know I'm in the minority, but I really love what Turner brings to the basketball court, and if my prediction is correct, I believe his asset value will balloon if he can put it all together in the next few years - the real concern will be can we fit 3 potential initiators and playmakers together on one team to run a successful offense?
You aren't in the minority. The minority is the exact opposite just a lot more vocal, iconoclastic and beating the dead horse.
Intelligent sixer fans realize that Turner is not the bust he was made out to be early in the season
Turner's not quite a bust but he could still be a major disappointment. He hasn't really improved, over the course of the season, at scoring; he's still really lousy at that. And I had thought scoring was what we drafted him to do.
He's definitely improved. Shooting 45% in February. I'm not sure what you can expect his scoring numbers to be when he is instructed to focus on defense, rebounding, and passing, and let Lou Williams and Thad take most of the shots.
So he's been okay in 10 games this month. You're saying he's improved because, instead of making 27 of his 67 shots this month, he's made 31. Way too small a sample size to convince me there's a real improvement there, when every other month he's been shooting 40%.
He's been shooting pretty well for a guy who IMO has een settling for too many bad shots. He has to stop shooting 20 foot jumpers and start using his size/handle to generate better looks inside 15 feet.
I can't wait until he's entrenched a's the starting two guard next season and shuts you up. What do you expect from him? He's a rotation player on a very solid playoff team and has shown flashes of being a big time player. Would you rather him be like Tyreke last year and shoot 20 times a game to get his 16 ppg? Would his season be a success to you then?
Amare Stoudemire comes to terms with the fact that he's going to get about as many touches as Nene did in Denver while Melo goes one-on-one at every opportunity. I
And the fantasy team that I have that is performing well weeps as I have not only Amare but Landry Fields who if last night is any indicator won't be relevant much any more
I caught a lot of the Knicks game last night, Fields was trying to make plays off the dribble and it wasn't a pretty sight.
Fields did have a sweet dunk on the baseline tho! :)
Also you like Melo's 27 on 25 shots? Haha get used to that knick fans!
As Jalen Rose said last night, he's a volume scorer.
In other 'man i wish he was a sixer instead of iguodala' news
Brandon Roy played 15 minutes last night, he got 5 points on 5 shots and 1 rebound.
I agree with your views about Roy, but we shouldn't forget his first 2 or 3 years in the NBA, he was an electric player who could get to any place he wanted to on the floor, just a smooth ass scorer.
That's all gone now though. Blah. Sports are brutal.
He was never 'far and away' better than Iguodala unless you ignore half of Iguodalas game.
He was a primadonna in waiting (the whole Andre Miller thing was proof of that)
And his knees were going to kill his career, it wasn't a matter of if, it was a matter of when, this issue was an issue when he was drafted, and how many medical professionals are wondering why the blazers signed the contract, and saying 'see that's why they couldn't get it insured'.
This was the inevitable course of Roy's career, Iguodala on the other hand has been as healthy as an NBA player gets with the amount of minutes he plays -a nd I"m sorry - but health matters - all this 'the blazers will be great if roy and oden get healthy' is funny cause that ain't never happening.
PS - the next 'knee guy' to watch is Dajuan Blair. I'm curios as what the spurs will do long term as they usually don't take on injury risks like that. He's got long term knee issues as well obviously.
Isn't the case with Blair, that he doesn't have knees at all? whats up with that guy?
We all have knees - (the reason crooks break knee caps by the way, so I"m told, is they don't heal like a broken arm or leg)
Blair has no ACL - in either knee. According to the first article I found (slate.com)
When an athlete (or anyone, for that matter) lands after a jump, the force of that impact moves up the leg to the knee. This force is dissipated or opposed by muscles, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments like the ACL, which connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone) and helps keep the knee stable by limiting twisting motions. Since Blair lacks ACLs, his quadriceps and hamstring muscles, and the remaining soft tissues in his knee, will need to pick up the slack, as it were, straining harder to stabilize and absorb shocks. So long as his quads and hams remain strong, it's possible for Blair to play.
I'm convinced he's a robot then, cause his legs should be falling apart by now.
I think the spurs are smart and limit his minutes, but I wouldn't be surprised if his long term contract isn't so long term (or big) from the spurs and he gets more money from a different team ignoring his injury risks (you know, like portland ;) )
Roy was healthier earlier in his career, but the wear and tear of the NBA starting getting to him. The reason Blair slipped wasn't cause of the first two years, it was the long term, a lot of teams worried about his long term health and while he had first round talent that injury risk seems pretty severe. That was before the whole Brandon Roy thing came full public in Portland.
Something like that yes. The realistic expectation is though that he will have a fairly short career. He may have 3-4 more seasons in him but i expect serious health issues afterwards (if not sooner).
I think he's got really impressive vision, and a great knack for rebounding (notice I didn't say an elite wing rebounder, I'm not ready to go there yet). The ball handling may never be there to beat guys off the dribble, but there's still time for him to improve his shooting off the dribble. That could put him as a starter, versus a high minutes bench guy. If that doesn't improve, however, he'll always be a 1 or 2 dimensional player.
PS
Thanks all for the headphone adivce. The Etymotics finally arrived from amazon and they are quite excellent - for 77 bucks quite a bargain.
Now all I need is that damn door
Now I thought the clippers would move Kaman for a TPE to save money to re-sign Jordan, but who knew that the 'big splash' the cavaliers had in mind for their TPE was to get Baron Davis.
Even with the clippers draft pick (low lottery?) in this years weak ass draft, that's just stupid.
I hope Toronto does something similarly stupid.
My favorite rumor of the day is that Miami is do damn desperate they're trying to get Brandon Haywood from the Mavs and don't have the assets to get it done :)
Think about that, the Heat can't even trade for a contract the Mavs would give away if they could
Hmmm, did the Cavs need the TPE for Baron Davis? I thought it was Mo Williams + Moon for Baron + a pick
You know what, had me a moment there. You're absolutely right.
Mo + Moon (M-O-O-N that spells stupid trade)
Take away the TPE aspect and it still makes little sense to me. Neither Mo nor Baron is 'great' - Baron makes a lot more money and they're both signed through the 2013 season.
Is the clippers 2011 mid to low lottery pick really worth taking on that much money (8 million extra for the next two years approximately)?
I don't think it is. But mostly because Davis will be terrible in a situation like Clevelend. I think he might get traded again in the offseason.
It's interesting how a lot of lottery bound teams are selling picks this year. Everybody knows the draft is going to be terrible. Minnesota was open to trading their pick as well.
Is there a team left in the NBA that would trade for Baron Davis?
Miami!!! But they don't have the assets :).
That's true.
And just to add to the fun that is the Cleveland Gilberts
: Baron Davis in '05: 'Playing with Coach Scott, it was more like he was a dictator. It was his way or the highway.' Twitter
Brian,
An inefficient 20+ points game is definitely a detractor when assessing a players ability to contribute to an offense. However, is there something to be said for being a volume scorer, especially when playing very strong defenses? For clutch situations and when an offense breaks down, can't a guy who can create any time he wants be an asset to a certain degree?
I'm not saying Melo is a top tier player, obviously. But I'm asking, isn't creating your own shot, at the expense of efficiency, an important asset to have on a championship basketball team?
Oh Shawn, please don't start using volume scorer, I was making a joke. He's not a volume scorer, he's a volume shooter. (Here's where the difference between a scorer and a shooter comes in to me, Allen Iverson, scorer, Kyle Korver, shooter).
Here's the counterpoint. With his athleticism and getting to the basket, how many points does Amare score with those 27 shots? Maybe he's got 34, 35, and the game isn't close (it was close late in the fourth) because the more efficient scoring of Amare Stoudemire stretches the lead without as many shots.
GORTAT!!!!
Boston, Chicago and several more would love to pry Jared Dudley out of Phoenix, sources say. Suns can't dump Childress deal, need money off.
Marcin!!!
Get him here.
The sixers may have been the team to finally break the Wizards spirit Check It
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6153972
Talks of players moving away from small market teams (nothing new.)
Can you name trades/signings where a desirable, high profile player went from a big market to a smaller one?
Of the top of my head, I can only think of when Shaq was traded from LA to MIA.(I also asked this at LB)
No offense to New Jersey (ok, big offense, it's freaking Jersey for gods sake) but they're a small market too, and there's no guarantee Deron goes to Brooklyn so he went from small market to small market and while New York is huge tv market (of course) denver is a top 20 market
http://www.stationindex.com/tv/tv-markets
They play in the NY metro area... and will soon be in Brooklyn. Its mot like the Nets play down the shore in A.C.
No - they play in north jersey - which is at best a suburb or new york and no one cares about them - they aren't playing in new jersey and calling them selves new york (yeah you giants and jets) - they are a new jersey team - and will be for longer than they think i bet (recessions, inflation, and sky rocketing fuel costs, I see that construction being delayed beyond the current projected date)
Salt Lake City is not a small market - and while new york is a big market - it's the knicks market. The nets will be popular in Brooklyn I'm sure, but what portion of the New York market is brooklyn (brian?) and what appeal will the nets have outside of Brooklyn compared to the 'hot' knicks at the 'mecca of basketball' (for a team that has made as many finals as the nets since 1970 - seriously - why the hell is the garden considered the mecca of anything?)
Baron Davis just got traded from LA to CLE, does that count?
As a "a desirable, high profile player" :)
But Brand chose Philly over LA- so that counts...
LA 2 - Philly 4
And the clippers are 'second class citizens' in LA
While it's a 'smaller' market - it ain't a small market
See, this is the argument I was making about baseball. A-Rod chose Texas over NY, and it was 100% about money. Mike Hampton to COL, all about money, Werth to DC. There are a ton of examples in baseball of how small market teams can get elite players, simply by paying a tax. In basketball, where the max is the max and anyone can offer it, small markets get squeezed out. Or I should say undesirable markets/situations. The money's the same, so I may as well play in a warm place, or in the greatest city in the world, or with another superstar who will take the big shots in the fourth so I can be Pippen.
John Hollinger
The scary part is that he's not even close. Sterling, Dolan, Taylor (Minn), Heisley,... they at least got Cohan out of the game, but league's biggest problem that nobody wants to talk about remains the boobs who run half the franchises.
(In regards to sarver being one of the worst owners)
Daryl Morey - boy genius
In talks to obtain Thabeet for Battier and JOnny Flynn from Minnesota.
Man, he's turning those assets into gold Jerry...GOLD
He gets picks back of course.
An interesting name started floating around. Marginalized by the new coach, only 26, he's an upgrade I think on both ends of the court Zaza anyone?
He shouldn't cost much to get
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4pppsl4
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4c7ype5
Zaza is not an upgrade IMO...
I disagree that he isn't an upgrade over Hawes
WOjo (on fire this week) with the sixers 'small move'
No late trades surprises with Andre Iguodala. "He's out of play," source says. Jason Kapono buyout likely next order of 76ers business.
Save that money comcast - save that money
Any chance at all Thorn pulls a gigantic rabbit out of a hat?
this gets them out of two bad contracts, gives them Turner, and you throw in multiple #1 picks.
You're a funny guy.
I don't think the magic would do it and I still don't believe in Comcast and luxury tax ville :)
You make me laugh - but you're not a clown to me
Clowns are scary
AND evil
Hell, i'd give up half the team
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=45evzxs
add 2-3 first rounders
not possible unfortunately...
Boston has been dangling Nate Robinson and Avery Bradley. They're looking for a tough wing. This seems to work to me, in a big way.
Nate Robinson can only come to the sixers if he is immediately sacrificed on the altar of competition
Yeah, he could rot on the bench for all I care. I like Bradely, and this would save the team money.
He's just one of those guys that irrataionlly I truly hate and could never ever root to succeed, hell I'd like Lou more just because Nate was on the roster.
And he's the kind of guy collins would play cause he's a 'vet' who can 'score' in the 'clutch'
over Jrue
And Danny Ainge may be off - but he's not that off to believe Nocioni doesn't suck?
They wanted Nocioni bad last season.
Yeah, but he played this season :)
I loved when the Mullet saw his first action of the game last night when we were up 30 points.
Remember when he started?
Video: Collins on a possible minor trade on deadline day, Jason Kapono and liking his team:
http://ow.ly/42LTK
Adrian Wojnarowski: Teams calling Houston on Courtney Lee keep getting same message: No big in deal, no trade. Will Bulls cave and give Omer Asik? So far, no. Twitter
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4ndhvpj
So was there actually any possiblity on Gortat being traded? If we agreed to like a Childress-Nocioni swap to save them years on the contract maybe we could get him?
Nope, not mention whatsoever, just extrapolated the saving money comment to get people excited about getting Gortat :)
Oh ok, well the rumor said the Suns are trying to dump Childress, I would take him if it meant getting Gortat, he's not a bad player, just has a long contract.
Yeah, they've been trying to dump childress pretty much all year - such a dumb contract :)
There's probably about 6 hours (max) left in the Jason Kapono era...I think it would be nice if every talked about their best Kapono memory. I'll start below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzYup6FifRc
lol, did they test his pump fake dribble drive?
Could it have really happened like this? From Woj:
The New Jersey Nets had gone morning until night for weeks and months tying to make a deal for ’Melo. And then Tuesday afternoon, Jazz GM Kevin O’Connor and Nets GM Billy King were on the line. King hadn’t called O’Connor about Williams, but about Andrei Kirilenko(notes), the Russian forward. They talked about the possibilities of a deal for Kirilenko’s expiring contract, but there was nothing there.
Anything else, O’Connor asked?
“What about Deron Williams?” King said with a I-know-that’s-silly laugh.
O’Connor responded, well, if you’re serious about discussing him, we’re serious.
Within 24 hours, Williams was a Net...
Ugh.
The thing that pisses me off about that deal is the Sixers could've offered expirings for Murphy and been the third team. GSW didn't have anything we didn't, and we could've used Murphy.
I believe the perception is that Brandan Wright has more 'upside' than Mareese Speights
Murphy may leave GSW, but reportedly it's a buyout deal, and then he'll go with some contender.
Now the rumors are that the kings aren't looking to trade sam OR buy him out - wtf?
Kapono declined to talk today.
Still waiting to talk to Iguodala.
Kapono declined to talk today.
A little over an hour to go. Can someone drive by that Chili's and see if Stefanski and Thorn are on the clock or enjoying some babyback ribs.
Nothing says they can't do both
Chad Ford reporting the Celts want Kapono. For the pure pite of it, I hope we don't buy him out.
I hope we do, they sign him and actually play him.
Didn't he have like his only good game of the season last year at Boston?
Is that what's clouding their judgment?
Not a sentiment I understand but I guess I can respect it. I doubt Kapono makes a difference to anyone this year regardless of where he plays.
I just wish they couldn't buy him out so that Comcast couldn't be cheaper than they already are
Dwyer on last night's game. Only the last line is about this Sixers, but it's true-
"The Washington Wizards are an awful, awful team full of people who either don't know how to play winning basketball, or wouldn't care to try even if they did. John Wall(notes) and Trevor Booker(notes) are exceptions. The Sixers came at them in waves, moved the ball, and never let up. A post-game image on local Washington TV reversed the final score, and though I sometimes do that, I won't be doing it here. Also, Andre Iguodala(notes) was robbed in the 2006 Dunk Contest."
35 minutes. I feel a big goose egg coming on. And buying Kapono out doesn't count as even a minor move.
Any deal the sixers made this year had to be salary 'neutral' (at worst) for the next two seasons (in my estimation)
Combine that with the belief (rightly or wrongly) that this core might do something going forward and you have limited assets to move combined with an unwillingness to take on contracts.
Remove the starting five, lou, thad and turner
What's left if you aren't willing to take on longer contracts to improve your roster?
espn2 is having a trade deadline show at 3pm
Gi there if you definitely don't want to hear anything about the Sixers :)
One of the things that hasn't been discussed much in regard to the Williams/Melo trades is that we're now headed for a very uncompetitive first round in both conferences. After the West's top 5 (and arguably top 4), no one there is any good anymore. The West looks just like the East now.
couldn't disagree more. The knicks will play hard/well against the bulls if that is 6-3. We match up well with an old and injured celtics team at the 7-2. And the pacers have given the heat fits all season. it's gonna be the best 1st round in the east in many years.
That's a fine theory, except the Sixers will be playing the Bulls at 6/3 and the Knicks will be taking on the Celts at 7/2.
I really want the sixers to end up 8/1 vs the heat. I don't think they can beat the Bulls or celtics. Do think they could beat Heat, and also think they could beat ATL/ORL winner in 2nd round.
I don't think it's a lock who gets the 1, 2, 3 seeds in the east. I want the sixers to get the 5 seed cause that's the only chance they have of winning a round this year in my opinion :)
If Miami doesn't match up well with Boston, how do we? I'm sure that Indy, New York, and we can win games in the first round, but I really think the chance of an upset happening in any of those series is below ten percent.
Agree on the percentage. I think it's lower for the Knicks. They go 6 deep, on a good night.
I was actually making the more extravagant claim that the chance of any of those being upsets (not the chance that each would be an upset) was less than ten percent.
And I guess the Knicks are more than 6 deep. Toney Douglas, obviously, is a valuable role player, they've gotten production from Shawne Williams, Sheldon Williams is an okay big off the bench, Carter's a perfectly serviceable backup point guard, and Balkman can be disruptive. It's a weak bench, to be sure.
Douglas is the only legit rotational player of that group. Six deep.
Yes, they proved that he definitely does travel... every time.
Sorry, reply fxn didn't work.
Adrian Wojnarowski WojYahooNBA
Boston has agreed to send Kendrick Perkins to OKC for package that includes Jeff Green, sources tell Y!
wow.....
That deal is absolutely insane. Weirdest trade deadline ever!!!
Btw, i love that deal for the Thunder. Presti does it again. The Thunder are scary as hell now.
Holy crap. Celtics traded Perkins to OKC for Jeff Green. That's completely batshit insane.
Boston has to be banking on Troy Murphy.
didn't they draft Jeff Green? Traded him in the Allen deal?
Ainge must love him
That's interesting. I wonder if they know something about his knees as he's up for a contract extension this off season.
Is this the beginning of the 'pre-emptive' rebuild for when the big 3 retire?
Yes, that is batshit insane. You know what, maybe they're so unconcerned with Orlando that they think Shaq can hold the spot down. Then again, you still have the Lakers. More likely, they knew Perkins would leave and go to Miami in the offseason and wanted value back. All the same, that significantly impairs their shot at another championship.
Wow I cannot believe this shit.. Jeff Green might be the most overrated and underrated player in the NBA at the same time. How much better is OKC now, and can they lock him up easily?
Real GM had a report saying Perkins turned down an extension of 4/30.
I had read a whole lot of Perkins-to-Miami talk, and you'd think that if he'd leave a situation like Boston the prospect of winning with Durant wouldn't be enough to keep him in Oklahoma. Nevertheless, doesn't this at least give OKC a theoretical shot at making the Finals? I think it makes them a legitimate long shot.
They did apparently get Krstic back too. But that really means nothing.
WojYahooNBA
Houston has traded Shane Battier to Memphis for Thabeet and a first-round pick, source tells Y!
Good lord
I don't understand this deal for memphis. Give up a 1st and their #2 pick for battier whose an expiring i believe...
You gotta always look at the finances and the expirings and what they didn't do.
The Grizzlies did not trade Zach Randolph, which would indicate they will attempt to sign him to a contract extension this off season.
Additionally, Marc Gasol is due a contract extension this off season.
And they have Gay and COnley signed to long term deals.
Gasol is worth a big deal and Randolph will want a big deal. A #2 pick bust makes about 5 million a year (or so), so that's 5 million dollars Memphis saves that they might not have another way.
It's a financial move for Memphis and it's another one of those 'genius' moves for Morey that people will praise him for because of his rep, but so far in the past year I've been very unimpressed with his moves.
You didn't like the Kevin Martin deal? For that matter, what's not to like about turning an expiring contract of limited on-court value into a first-round pick?
So they had to give away a 1st rounder to give away their #2 overall pick from less than 2 years ago? And all that to get an expiring contract?
1. That would be like the Sixers next deadline trading away a future #1 and Turner in order to get an expiring.
2. I would have loved it had thorn traded Kapono for a #1 pick + Thabeet.
Would have been great, but no way Memphis would've chosen Kapono over Battier. Battier actually helps them with their playoff run this year.
And apparently Mayo to Indy, for McRoberts and a first-round pick. If that's the price of Mayo... I mean, is McRoberts's value much greater than Speights's?
Mayo is awful.
This year he is.
I would have traded a lottery protect #1 + Speights for Mayo. I think he slots well between Jrue and Iguodala.
+1
I don't think we wanted Mayo and didn't want to give up our #1. And Speights is clearly better than McRoberts. I'm much happier keeping Speights and our #1.
Video: Iguodala on remaining with Sixers as trade deadline passes:
http://ow.ly/42Sgd
Paul Coro: The Suns "likely" are trading Goran Dragic and a first-round draft choice to Houston for Aaron Brooks, a source said.
What? Really? I really have no understanding of this league anymore.
So Lowry took advantage of Brook's earlier injury to suplant Brooks as the #1 PG.
+1
Paul Coro:
Suns are sending their 1st-rounder but it is lottery-protected. If the Suns miss the playoffs, Houston gets the Orlando pick the Suns have.
Hmm. Morey must like this draft.
Be interesting to see a list of the teams that didn't make a deal and see who should have
I'm surprised Toronto did nothing, their ownership flux might mean that they can't do anything.
The NBA has officially gone nuts. Honestly with all those ridiculous trades i'm beginning to think it's a good thing the Sixers weren't involved. So many mind-blowing moves.
Um, I kinda want Boston in the first round now.
I'm kind of with you. I guess Perkins is hurt though? Sprained MCL , out at least a week.
Charlotte's Gerald Wallace has been traded to Portland, a league source tells Y!
lol
lol not meant to be a reply to this. :(.
I don't want to face boston, honestly I don't want to face anyone with meeks still our starting 2.
Is this for real or not - rumors were that it had fallen apart cause Jordan is a coward
And you might get your wish. There is a very good chance they end up 2nd or 3rd.
I still cannot believe that deal. Is Garnett injured, so they needed Green?
I think it's just more that Jeff Green is a pretty darn good player, whereas Nate Robinson is an annoying and awful gunner (addition by subtraction) and Perkins was going to leave for a big contract.
Basically they got Ray Allen for free, since they acquired him straight up for Green. Kind of amazing.
WojYahooNBA Portland will send Joel Przybilla and a 2nd round draft pick to Charlotte for Gerald Wallace, source says.
1 minute ago
Wow, what a steal for Portland
Jesus. I would of given up a first to try a Iggy/Wallace/Brand lineup.
Yeah I don't get that at all. Michael Jordan strikes again?
WojYahooNBA
Ken Berger has picks right going to Charlotte for Wallace. I can't read a text message: Two future first-rounders for Wallace.
Haha, that makes a lot more sense.
Best trade by far. Great job by the new Portland GM.
What is wrong with MJ? I really feel sorry for the Charlotte fans.
A lot of these deals seem like trading just for the sake of trading
Yup. A lot of teams just got worse while trying to become better.
I think some of these deals are made by drunken GMs
You know what's the best thing about all this? Almost every team has new players they need to integrate in their team.
Hopefully the sixers can take advantage of that.
Portland just got Gerald Wallace for free
Do you guys think Ainge saw their division "rivals"Knicks and Nets make big deals and said, i have to get one for my team?
KBerg_CBS
Source confirms @WojNBAYaoo report: Rip Hamilton-to-Cavs fell apart over buyout amount. Rip stuck in Detroit. Pistons won't do buyout.
Lol good job Rip! I won't feel bad for you anymore.
Joe Dumars signed Richard Hamilton to a bad cotract, knowing it was guaranteed. No one forced the pistons to make that bad offer. No one forced the pistons to keep joe dumars employed longer than he should have been.
NBA contracts are guaranteed, I never understand why the player is always the bad guy when he won't agree to take less than he was guaranteed. The system is broken, not Rip
Rip and Cavs were in negotions for a buy out, Rip wanted more $$$, he could of gotten out of his contract if he wanted but didn't. So i don't feel bad for Rip Hamilton anymore, he can enjoy that Detroit bench.
chadfordinsider Hearing same as @MikeWellsNBA ... O.J. Mayo to Pacers for McRoberts and a first.
6 minutes ago
Didn't make it in time possibly? lol.
Although the 76ers did not make a move by the 3 p.m. trading deadline, a source confirmed that they were engaged with the Houston Rockets up until the final hours before the deadline discussing a deal which involved Sixers' forward Jason Kapono and big man Marreese Speights in exchange for Rockets' forward Shane Battier. Houston ended up trading Battier to the Memphis Grizzlies for Thabeet and a first-round pick.
Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/deep-sixer/76ers_went_to_the_wire_with_Rockets.html#ixzz1EufJB6Sw
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