Tom Moore is reporting
the Sixers will bring Rodney Carney back after a one-year Minnesota furlough. Carney will reportedly sign a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum ($855,189).
Personally, I was disappointed when Carney was dealt away last summer. I understood the move (the Sixers sent Carney, Calvin Booth and a #1 pick to Minnesota in order to clear cap space to sign Elton Brand), but I was impressed by the improvement in Carney's game toward the end of 07-08.
If you recall, Carney had been glued to the end of the bench for a couple of months, then Mo Cheeks spoke to him about what he needed to work on to get back into the rotation. Carney put in the gym time and forced his way back into the rotation, playing important minutes toward the end of the season. As a matter of fact, in the final 20 games of 07-08, important games for a team chasing a playoff spot, Carney shot 43.3% from downtown (26/60), and averaged a little over 16 minutes per game.
Carney followed up his strong finish that season with a decent year playing for a horrible team in Minnesota last season. He shot a career high 35% from three, hitting 79 treys in only 67 games (1,199 minutes of action).
I don't expect Carney to have a huge role for the team, but I do consider him a step up from Willie Green at shooting guard, and he's a defensive improvement over Kapono as a depth at the three. He'll see some minutes and the Sixers could've done far worse for the 13th man on the roster.
I hope, I hope, I hope, I pray, I hope, I dream, I plead, I beg that this is the beginning of the end of Bill Green on the 76er bench! Please, Ed, time to clean house. Please!
Glad he is back. He has alot of fans on the sixer blogs.
Good move. Agree that we could see Kapono and Rodney filling much of those Wille Green minutes. Feel a bit better about the roster after this news.
I hope you are right! Obviously I don't hide my feelings about Bill Green.
It's not Willie Green's fault that the Sixers GMs and coaches were so pathetic in player acquisition and development that he was oour starting SG by default.
It's not Wilie Green's fault that BK gave him a ridiculous contract.
As a 8-9 man rotation/backup SG, I like Willie Green.
I like the Carney signing...like what he and Kapono bring to the bench...but I also like what Willie brings to the table - in limited minutes - as well.
Good depth signing.
You are COMPLETELY correct. I am just sick and tired of seeing Green being a starter.
If Willie plays like he did last year, Carney likely won't be noticably better.(maybe worse? I'd have to look into it more) If Willie plays like he did a couple years ago, Carney easily should be better.
I still want to see some healthy scratches from Willie. That will be a happy say in my Sixers watching career.
Off-topic, but if I could redo the 07 draft
12: Thaddeus Young
20: Rudy Fernandez
30: Carl Landri
38: Marc Gasol
55: Ramon Sessions
At least they got #12 right.
2006: rajon rondo, paul milsap
2005:(if pick wasn't traded- danny granger), louis williams
2004: andre igoudala, (if pick wasn't traded-trevor ariza)
2003:(if pick wasn't traded-boris diaw),mo williams,kyle korver
2002:(if pick wasn't traded-tayshaun prince,carlos boozer,louis scola
2001: tony parker,memhet okur
2000: michael redd, malik allen
1999: (if pick wasnt traded-andrei kirilenko),manu ginobili
if i had a time machine and became the gm of sixers:
rajon rondo
danny grander
louis williams
andre igoudala
trevor ariza
boris diaw
mo williams
kyle korver
tayshaun prince
carlos boozer
louis scola
tony parker
mehmet okur
michael redd
malik allen
andrei kirilenko
manu ginobili
marreese speights
jrue holiday
chase budinger
Hindsight is always 20/20
Like Carney, was sad too to see him traded, but was happy about the bigger picture at the time. Should do well when he sees the court. He can flat out get up, should make for at least a highlight reel or two this season.
I am very happy with this move mainly cause I really liked carney before and Ive always hated Willie. Welcome back carney and (more importantly) bye bye Willie.