What Do They Need From Thad? Over the past two games we've seen Thad Young absolutely explode on the offensive side of the ball. He's taken over each game for long stretches, and given the Andres a break from having to carry the offense. It was just a taste of what we've all been waiting for from this kid, we saw it coming last season, we saw flashes of it earlier this year and obviously, we're all hoping it's here to stay. Here's the question, though: Is it enough? My short answer is yes. Let me explain. First, don't get me wrong. I think Thad can be much more than a scorer, and I think he already is. He can absolutely rebound better than he has. He can absolutely handle the ball better than he has. And I'm sure he can defend better than he has (although I think he's already a good defender, I think he has the tools to be an excellent defender). I'm not saying I hope he doesn't evolve into an all-around player like Andre Iguodala. What I'm saying is that the future of this franchise doesn't depend on it. Look at it this way. Assume Elton Brand is healthy from opening day next season. Assume Andre Miller is re-signed to a decent contract and let's assume the team also adds a shooting guard who can stretch the floor, for argument's sake, let's say Anthony Parker. That would give you the following rotation: PG: Miller, Ivey (draft pick) SG: Iguodala, Parker, Williams, Green SF: Thad, Iguodala, Parker PF: Brand, Speights, Smith, Evans C: Dalembert, Speights, Smith That gives you two very good playmakers in Iguodala and Miller. Guys who can score, but don't need a ton of shots to get their points. You've got Dalembert, who admittedly needs to tone down his offense, but stands tall as a defensive center. You've got Elton Brand, whose role needs to be better defined than it was this season, but we'll save that for a later date. And you've got Thad Young. In that lineup, I don't see a problem with designating Thad as a scorer on offense. I don't think they need him creating for anyone else. I don't think they need him handling the ball. I think the offense would be just fine if instead of running through Thad, it ended with him. What I mean by this is Thad, probably more than anyone else in the starting lineup, will have a size advantage and the offensive skill set to beat his man. He's going to be the best spot-up shooter in the lineup, he'll have the size and moves to post up just about every small forward in the league. Yes, in order to be an All Star, or a true superstar in this league, he's going to have to hone the ancillary skills. For this team to be truly dynamic, it would be unbelievable to have two wings who play like Igudoala. But is it vital? I don't think so. If Thad Young can turn into a guy who scores 20 points/game on 15 shots/game, this team would be extremely tough to beat. I don't think it's out of the question for Thad to be that guy as early as next season, and the best part of all, I think he could do it while shooting over 47% from the floor and 38% from three. In the short term, let's just hope that the Thad we've seen over the past two games shows up later today against Miami. Speaking of which, I'll have my pregame up before the 1pm tip and I'll be here, live for the in-game discussion as well. 10 Comments | Leave a commentLeave a commentLatest Posts• Marshall Law • Make A Statement • What Do They Need From Thad? • Expand The Coaching Staff • First-Person Report: Sixers vs. Bulls • A Proper Ending • Sixers Fans NCAA Group • Close It In Style • Catching Up With The Bulls • LeBron Blocks Richardson's 360 Dunk Vide • Statistical Oddities, Sixers Version • Saying Goodbye To The SpectrumSearchBlogs in The NetworkSixers BlogsPassion and Pride Sixers 4 Guidos Liberty Ballers Recliner GM PhillyArena Heard In The Cheap Seats | ||||||||||||||||
Instead of drafting a small PG like Ty Lawson or Darren Collison, how about drafting a tall SG who can handle the ball like Evan Turner? He's very versatile and can replace Willie Green in the near future. The 2 PGs may be too small and can not play with Lou Williams any way.
As far as a tall PG, I'd say draft Nick Сalathes. He's 6'5", can pass near Jason Kidd's level and he is a very high % shooter from outside (a la Calderon). He isn't that athletic but he has supreme skills.
With Thad, I'm sort of happy with his progress so far. He has gotten better at scoring (which is important) but he isn't defending, rebounding or passing at last year's level. First off, they need to move him to the 3 and move Iggy to the 2. He really isn't a PF. Second, they should use him as the primary scoring option now. He probably has the best offensive repertoire on the team already.
I'd still like him to improve on his ancillary skills though. I agree with Brian, he should be an excellent defender if he works on it. He also has to board better as there are some midget PGs in the league averaging more rebounds than him in less minutes a game. He possesses the wingspan of a pterodactyl and has amazing hops so he should be rebounding better than he has this year.
http://hoopshype.com/draft.htm
Brian, it is nice when Iggy doesn!t have to be the #1 option and can just play.The sooner Thad becomes a 20 ppg. player the sooner the Sixers may decide to get a lockdown, pressure the ball p.g..Or A.Miller!s minutes may be able to be cut some [32?] so we can pressure the ball a little more.As far as the draft, L.Will. hopefully will have a defined role by the end of the playoffs; if he is our backup 2 guard and Iggy our starting 2 guard the only place for a shooter is the backup p.g. position, and he has to be tall to guard the opposing 2 guards [Ivey].It is tough to be pigeonholed when drafting and look for a certain type, that is why I hope L.Will. can be our backup p.g. and a backup 2 can be added.I like Turner and Terrence Williams because they are good creators and in Williams case, a lock down defender but my guess is shooting is at the top of their list when looking at players in the draft.
Brian, I agree Thad needs to become the go to scorer. I am not on the same page with you about Miller.
Miller might be one of their top 2 players right now, but Miller/Iguodala/Thad just does not work. Not enough shooting. Even ignoring 3pt shots, look at 2 pt shooting (http://www.82games.com/0809/FGSORT7.HTM .) Thad is developing a decent spot of 3 ball, and can score inside, but he still is a horrible 2pt shooter, just like Iguodala. They shoot 35% and 34% on 2pt jumpers. They are both bottom 15 of the 125 regular players listed.
They can get away with this if they have a shooting PG. They also have less need for a 'true' PG with Iguodala's ability to create. They need a PG who can shoot- even if that player is overall not as good as Miller. Even if that player is a rookie.
Look at Lebron/Kobe/Wade. All way better than Iguodala, but similar in that they create enough where a good shooting PG (Mo Williams, Fisher and Chalmers) is a better fit than a pure PG with limited range like Miller. I argue Iguodala has reached the level as a creator/slasher that the same thing is true for the Sixers.
The other key is that with tall/long wings like Iguodala/Young your PG must be able to cover quick PG's. Right now Green does this for Miller. Iguodala will not be covering the PG for Miller like Green has. They really need a Chalmers type (they almost traded to get him for good reason.) Not a great player or PG, but can defend and hit shots. In the draft Curry could fall to them perfect fit on offense), but he is going to be killed just like Miller by many PG's. Maybe he is a better defender than I think?
IMO miller is a better defender than you give him credit for, but we've differed on that for a long time.
If you're looking for a rookie who can come in and shoot jumpers better than Miller (he's currently about middle of the pack on that list you showed above for PGs at 41%), and cover quick PGs, you're asking a lot. Chalmers doesn't even fit that bill (he isn't on the list at all).
I'd love to have a definitive stat to point to for Miller's defense. 82games only breaks down opponent's production by position, not by who the player is actually guarding. In general, I think it's overblown and I don't see a drop off at all when Miller eventually slides from the two to the one. From what I've read from the coaches, they start Green on the opposing point so Miller doesn't have to work so hard on defense early on.
This is all a conversation for next season, but personally, I'm fine with Miller on the ball. With Brand back, they'll have two guys protecting the hoop if guards can penetrate.
Draft Express doesn't project calathes to come out this year and has him a top 10 in the 2010 draft.
WHy is this interesting to me?
In the 2008 draft, draftexpress didn't project a certain player from Florida to come out at this time last year and projected him as a top 10 pick in the 2009 draft.
If Stephen Curry falls to the sixers how much of it is because he was more hype than substance - he's a kid who worries me - he was impressive in the tourney - but suddenly you got people cooling off on him who look at the game with a more analytical eye who aren't 'just' impressed with his points per game.
Only player i've developed any interest in is a late second round pick kid named woodside at North Dakota State as a back up point guard (who could not be on the floor as the same time as Lou, but that's ok - I'm of the 'one andre at all time' school)
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