 Stefanski Smoke Screens?
The Inquirer has a piece today about Stefanski's first draft as the head honcho who makes the final call. We'll get to Ed's statements in a minute, first I want to take a look at a blurb about Tony DiLeo.
Read this clip:
Now, does that make it sound like DiLeo is saying Billy King had very little to do with draft decisions? That's how I'm taking it. King has taken several opportunities to take credit for the success the Sixers had after his firing. After all, he drafted the guys, right? Well, it heartens me to think we still have the brain behind the Thad Young pick in our organization in DiLeo. Now, onto Stefanski's statments. Here's the quote I want to discuss: "Whoever we draft is going to be a young man who we are going to have a structured program with mentorship," Stefanski said. "If you have a 19-year-old and you're going through that, I don't care who the kid is, you need some structure." This is exactly what I didn't want to hear. I like Darrell Arthur, but I don't think he's really that big of a project. If you take Ed at his word, this pick is probably going to be used on a guy like Speights, or worst-case, Randolph. Personally, I don't think a project is what this team needs at this point. They have projects at just about every position. What I'd like is a guy who can come in and fill a specific need, right away. A shooter with range would probably be the easiest to find at #16. In Arthur, they could get some interior scoring at the 4. All told, I want this pick to be about production more than upside. The Sixers have upside all over the court, I want a known quantity who will fill a need. So, is Eddie blowing smoke with his recent comments? Are we looking at drafting a player who won't really contribute for a couple of years? Would we be better off drafting a guy who could be a stud three years down the road (or bust), or a guy who can step in and contribute to an area of need right away? Thoughts in the comments, as usual. Get your draft predictions in to Arin. The deadline is today. 
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I heard him make a telling comment today on the radio; that the price of moving up in the draft was too expensive today (tuesday) but on thursday it might become "cheaper". This coupled with the constant project talk makes me think, yes, these comments are well placed smokescreens and they have a non-project impact player in mind. Someone they think could help them like Thad did. I get the feeling they are not entirely confidant the player will be available when they are picking though. I think he wants to make sure he keeps the cards close to vest so he doesn't get fleeced if he has to move up. That is - if the player they actually want falls low enough.
I'd love to come out of a draft feeling good. Last year I was cautiously optimistic even though it turned out great, I still didn't have that great feeling. The past two Eagles drafts have left me pissed. Just make a move and get a solid player, is that too much to ask, Ed?
Best case scenario is that they move up to get kevin love but theres little chance of that happening. Arthur would be the best choice in my opinion followed by cdr or rush. Of the high risk high reward guys I would take Hickson first then Randolph then Jordan then Mcgee. The last 2 i want absolutely no part of but rather have Jordan because he has the potential to be the 3rd best player in the draft but the chances of that happeneing are very slim. Hickson would give us the bruising athletic low post scorer and id rather have randolph than the other guys because at least he was productive with 15 9 and 2.5 blocks.
Chad Ford and Bill Simmons just finished a 5-hour mock of the lottery, CDR, Chalmers, Arthur, Rush and Love all went in their version. Which means at least two of them will probably fall out of the lottery and be available when the Sixers pick. They also had Augustin falling out of the lottery, if he's there at 16 I definitely take him.
I think if augustin is there you have to take him but hopefully CDR or Arthur will be ther. If bill walker slips out of the first round maybe eddie will buy a pick to get him hes realllllly intriguing to me.