We've covered what the Sixers lost, and how their perimeter group was reshaped, now it's time to stop skirting the issue. When the Sixers snuck into the Dwight Howard sweepstakes and somehow convinced Orlando to take a package of bad draft picks and middling prospects instead of Andrew Bynum, they fundamentally changed who they are. From unorthodox to tried-and-true, the Sixers have changed their path. Now they just need to fit the pieces together and make it work.
Let's start by thinking about last season (or maybe even the past five seasons). How many times did someone get hot in a particular matchup and we all starting screaming for the coach to go back to him? Ride the hot hand? Keep going to the well until it was dry? What we were looking for was a reliable, indefensible option on the offensive end. Well, this year we shouldn't have to wait until someone puts an undersized, unathletic wing on Evan Turner on a night when his jumper happens to be falling. This year, the Sixers have a legitimate well. A legitimate option to turn to when possessions are tough, when defenses are stiff and when jumpers aren't falling. The other team is on an 8-0 run? Give it to Bynum on the blocks. Up by 3 with two minutes to go? Give it to Bynum on the blocks. Facing a Knicks lineup with Amare at the five? Give it to Bynum ten times in a row.
I'm not going to lie, I've found it extremely entertaining to see if the Sixers could somehow fit a square peg into a round hole and find a way to truly compete without a traditional offense (or defense). Last season, it was amazing to see their outside-in defense dominate teams. The whole "star for a night" offense, where they looked for one guy to carry them every night, or even every quarter was exciting, but ultimately, it wasn't repeatable. Every year we had the 2004 Detroit Pistons debate about whether a team with three or four second-tier players could win a championship, but we also knew the Sixers were at least one or two second-tier players away from finding out. With Bynum, the Sixers potentially have the pieces to put a legitimate contender on the floor, and a legitimate contender in the most traditional way.
Most people will tell you the league has changed. With Miami winning their first championship last season, the focus does seem to have turned away from dominant big men. But I think that argument may have a bit of chicken/egg to it. The fact of the matter is there really hasn't been a dominant offensive center in the league since Tim Duncan's prime. Dwight Howard could've been that guy, but he's been stuck on a team with no point guard his entire career. The one year he wasn't saddled with Jameer Nelson, his team went to the Finals (with Rafer Alston at the trigger).
When you're talking about size, athleticism and offensive skills at the center position, no one stands anywhere near Bynum. If Jrue is what I think he is, if he is what Collins has said he believes he is, then this team has the makings of a powerhouse. Solid distribution, dominant big man and shooting on the wings. That's formula.
I think it's going to be a bumpy road, to begin with. Especially with Bynum missing the vast majority of the preseason, and there are obviously a number of ways this can all go wrong (A major injury to Bynum, Jrue proving he isn't a legitimate true point guard, Turner thinking this is his team and taking 20 shots a game, Spencer Hawes getting exposed at the four and Collins refusing to adjust his rotations, Collins insisting on a turnover-phobic offense), but the difference between this year's team and last year's team is that there's a clear path. A clear direction they can take to go from fringe playoff team to a team that no one in the Eastern Conference can beat. Because no matter how good the Heat are, they don't have anyone who can stop Bynum and they aren't getting any younger. Bynum is 25, Jrue is 22 and the rest of the pieces are fungible. If Bynum can stay healthy and Jrue can grow into his role, the pieces are there. If they're smart about their personnel moves, and things go according to plan, they'll also be in a position to add another piece. If Turner emerges as a legit NBA player, the sky might be the limit.
There's nothing certain about this team, but there is hope. Hope for this season, hope for the future. I'm not sure we've been able to honestly say that for some time.
A major concern of mine is Thaddeus Young stepping up as an every night four. My best guess would place him alongside Bynum, Holiday, and Turner as the perceived core of the team. But two absolutely horrendous playoff showings later, what the hell is a Thaddeus Young and how much is he actually worth?
I think between all the talk about this season being key for Holiday and Turner, we all kind of forgot that this season is actually make or break for Thad too. Finally he has a legit defensive inside presence to play next to. Can he become an ultra effective small PF on both ends of the floor? Can he become a versatile forward that will be a matchup nightmare for the opposition for extended periods of time? Or will he just prove that he is a 6th-7th man on a good team?
His 2 major weaknesses which were the reason for him not getting a more prominent role in the past (defensive rebounding and post defense) are masked with Bynum at C, and i expect Thad to have some sort of a breakout season. In the end he might end up having a bigger positive impact on the season than Jrue and Turner.
Eh, they've already made their decision on Thad. This season is huge for Jrue because (unless they extend him prior to Oct. 31) they might have to decide whether he's worth locking up their cap (at least partially) to keep him. Same thing with Turner. They can trade Thad, or not trade him if this is all he ever is, and this is the number he's going to cost you. With Jrue and Turner, a franchise-altering decision could be looming, depending on how they play.
I wasn't talking about the financial and contract implications. I was merely discussing on court contribution. Thad may have been locked up long term, but his real long term on court value is still a major question mark.
Is last year's regular season Thad the real Thad? The one who can blossom next to Bynum into a legit top4 player on a championship team. Or is it the Thad that struggled in the playoffs in the last two seasons? Did he struggle in the playoffs because the Sixers played the top 3 defensive teams over the last 2 years (Miami, Chicago and Boston) or because he can't handle the pressure and his game simply isn't suitable for playoff basketball?
Just waiting for the sixers to announce bynum needs microfracture surgery. This eskin report worries the heck out of me. Are we 10O percent sure they are telling us the truth about the knee? How did he get the bone bruise anyway? The story is shaky.
Csth
Good point. It will be interesting to see how Thad does this season now that he has put on some extra weight. The additional lbs. and playing next to Bynum should help his game down low. Maybe this will be the year that Thad starts to use his right hand also. I'm not expecting any miracles there though!
Blog (with video): What to watch for in preseason:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/sports_columnists/tom_moore/what-to-watch-for-in-preseason/article_3030c7b0-8738-54dc-9600-e702d6b913d7.html
twitter: tmoorepburbs
NBA PLAYOFFS, CAREER
Rafer Alston 56 G 1494 min 171 assists WS 1.6 WS/48 .052
Jameer Nelson 44 G 1429 min 204 assists WS 4.2 WS/48 .142
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"Skip to My Lou": accessory, not cog; '08'-'09 Magic playoffs contribution - 11.8 mpg ORtg 97 DRtg 106 WS 0.7 WS/48 .043
Jameer is short, but don't sell him short. Dwight, imposing and at times spectacular, is saddled with himself. (Kobe, Steve & Lakers winning tradition/bright lights should help the smiling muscular wonder.)
What are Dwight's numbers with each guy at PG?
You tell me. And then ask yourself about their significance.
Win shares hardly tell the tale here. Brian's argument is talking about what a true point guard could've (and did, in the case of Rafer Alston) done alongside Howard. Compatibility is the key here.
You'd want to look more toward assist percentages and assist/turnover ratios in this case.
Of course, Jameer made one of the worst plays in recent Finals' history (Along with Rasheed doubling off Big Shot Bob in '05) when he somehow let Derek Fisher shoot a three in the waning seconds of Game 4. If he doesn't back off a washed-up Fisher, that series gets back to 2-2 (3-1 Magic, if Courtney Lee makes an alley-oop).
Nelson's defense wasn't all that bad (view it again). Jameer picked up a running-out Fisher at the arc, coverage just a little soft (had no help on that side behind him), should've wrapped him up/chopped him before Fisher got into his deep shot. Didn't. Mistake. "Worst play in recent Finals history"? Only if one has an ax to grind. Nitpickin' at a guy who missed 4 months due to shoulder surgery, surprised all by playing in Finals, contributed what he could. Superman's 8 missed free throws and 7 turnovers had greater impact on Gm 4 outcome, but let's not mention that.
"Superman's 8 missed free throws and 7 turnovers had greater impact on Gm 4 outcome, but let's not mention that."
Good one; ax now dulled.
I don't really dislike Nelson at all, but think it's hilarious how blindly you'll defend him. Jrue looked mighty comfy operating against him last night.
And come on, even if that doesn't fit in with your WINNER narrative, that is a horrible play with under five seconds in the game. Not all that bad? You have a washed up Derek Fisher with the ball and Jameer backs way off, inviting a three. No help behind him is IRRELEVANT. If Fisher shoots a two and takes two more seconds off the clock in the process, the Magic win the game.
That's one of the worst defensive mistakes I've ever seen in my lifetime. If he does his job, which was only to stay close enough to run Fisher off the three-point line, the Magic win. Was he afraid Fisher was going to get to the rim and dunk the ball? That's what his defense looked like.
From what I hear, "winners" don't blame Dwight Howard, they simply make winning plays. And that was a losing play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm9l1T_0Mt8
Just rewatched it. Van Gundy and Jackson absolutely tear into Nelson for 45 seconds after the play. They just kill him for his positioning. Hilarious.
Your supplied argument by (overly-emotional) authority [it's called venting] is a flat tire. What happened to YOUR two eyes and YOUR critical basketball judgement? Only have 19 days left to locate. Good luck.
Is the game on TV tonight?
no, its not on tv. :(. I feel like my first child is being born but I can't be there to witness it.
As filler, Comcast may rerun Toronto Raptor's first-ever footprint in Philadelphia (3/12/96), when Stack ruled his house for 34, Trevor "Touche" Ruffin notched 24 and Vernon Maxwell, Tony Massenburg and Sean Higgins added double-figure scoring to effectively counter Tracy Murray's 31 and Sharone Wright's 22 in a ferocious battle of 12 & 16 win behemoths before 8,806 bloodthirsty Sixers fans. Final Sixers 118, Raptors 110. Billy Oakes, former Bishop Neumann and St. Joe's guard (and Matty Guokas' backcourt mate), was one of the game's whistleblowers.
24 players suited up for the Sixers that non-championship season, lending support to the notion that John Lucas is a people person.
One thing that just came to mind - how happy must Andrew Bynum be to no longer have to be in the general presence of Kobe Bryant on a regular basis?
Is there an athlete you guys can think of who would be more insufferable than #24? Maybe Dwight...
Roadrunner John Wall might be tough to take, not for his personality, but because he has the keys to the car and he can't shoot, doesn't defend much. Time for him to show some growth. Change to Randy Wittman might help Wiz. Nene & Okafor, not bad boardmen.
That's funny. In addition to a ton of talent, there's also a ton of crazy in that locker room, between Kobe, Metta and Howard. They're still going to the Finals, though (hope I'm wrong.)
The only thing standing between the lakers and a title this year is Eddie Jordan.
Eddie's already got one L.A. Ring. Had 5 assists in 6 min of 4-2 '82 Championship series vs. Sixers. 84.7 AST% hard to beat. Let that be a lesson to you, Jrue Holiday!
Call me crazy, but I honestly think it's going to help Bynum to get away from Kobe. I read over the summer how Kobe nurtured him or whatever over the last few years; I don't know the relationship between the two, but I remember when Kobe called him out 3 or 4 years ago. It's got to be a relief to get away from such an overbearing team leader. Another way he wants to be like Mike: be a dick for the sake of being a dick.
Now Kobe feels the need to humiliate Smush Parker and Kwame Brown in his interviews. Petty.
Kobe's been bashing Smush and Kwame for years now though, this is nothing new.
Reporters haven't quoted Smush and Kwame but I bet they're not bad at the dozens either. At least Kobe works hard at the game he loves; gotta give him that.
Smush's and Kwame's play has warranted smushing.
Ha ha, good one DB. I'm sure those 2 deserve it, my point is that Kobe still brings it up and it makes him look small. Not that he cares.
If anyone knows of any potential link to watch this game, please pass it along. Happy faux opening day everyone.
http://www.thefirstrow.eu/sport/basketball.html
Anybody know what channel the game is on???
I'm already warming up the trade machine with Evan Turner trade proposals. A change of scenery might do Evan some good. I've heard Cleveland is real nice this time of year...
Any noteworthy reason you wrote this?
Probably a reaction to the 2/12. I think Turner's a bum, but even I'm not going to read much into the first preseason game.
Check out the tweets with Kobe commenting on Meeks.
Goliath beats David and brags about it to the press. What an asshole. I guess that's part of what makes him so good.
jrue, 27 points 0 FTA
The more things change...Dollar Bill can't figure out how anyone could explode like that on jameer, who is the toughest cookie out there.
Didn't view it. But I know NBA exhibition games have always meant an awful lot.
Thanks so much for playing. You'll receive a take-home version of "Jrue's Jramatic Jroppings" (Superfan Edition) as a parting gift. Bye now.
The funny thing is I was actually saying something negative about Jrue. Apparently if anything comes too close to your Jameer boner you lose your powers of comprehension.
anyone aware if sat nights game is going to be televised?
not much surprise that Hawes and Turner struggled. really wish Turner would light it up coming out of the gates this year just so he can gain back a shred of value so they can get something for him.. no need to prolong the inevitable. just a matter of time before Lavoy sits Hawes in his rightful place
Wouldn't mind if we signed Smush Parker to a non guranteed (then immediatley cutting Smush after the game) contract before we play the Lakers. Lets raise the intensity of that game another notch...