Who Else Do the Sixers Need To Be Real Contenders?
Is Boobie the answer?It’s safe to say that Philly’s a playoff contender in ‘08-09. And thank goodness now that Elton Brand is in the City of Brotherly Love, cameras will have something other than Sam Dalembert’s ridiculous haircut or Reggie Evans‘ Freeway beard to focus on come playoff time. But if the Sixers are to stay on the tube into June, or as Dime’s Philly-bred editor said this morning, “Kick the Celtics in the balls,” they still have some roster work to do.
Presuming that they’re able to ink Andre Iguodala to something less than max money - as that’s all they can afford after Brand’s five-year $82 million sheet - what else do they need? It’s not a foregone conclusion that ‘Dre will stay in Philly, though. Last year he turned down a $57 million offer, as he was reportedly seeking something in the neighborhood of Dwight Howard’s five-year $85 million deal. While we don’t have the exact details of Brand’s deal yet, it’s obvious that without breaking into the dreaded luxury tax, they can only afford to sign him for roughly half of that, even if they load his contract with more money at the back end.
Add in Andre Miller and Sam Dalembert’s combined $20 million that they’re owed in ‘08-09 and GM Ed Stefanski can only afford to sign someone on the cheap - for less than $5 million a year. But Philly still needs that last piece - a perimeter shooter who can make defenses pay for doubling Brand or collapsing on Iguodala.
So who’s out there in their price range, but still high on the Sixers’ wish list?
J.R. Smith - In Denver’s first-round match-up with the then-invincible Lakers, J.R. was the only Nugget consistently bringing it on offense. While ‘Melo and AI struggled, Smith came off the bench and poured in points - especially from beyond the arc. He’s a restricted free agent with a qualifying offer around $3 million per. He fits in with Philly’s uptempo system, and could jump at the opportunity to be in a starting lineup. Plus, he’ll be about 2,000 miles closer to his home in New Jersey.
Daniel Gibson - The pricetag might be a bit higher here after his All-Star weekend exploits at the three-point shootout, but he’s proved that he’s worth it (118 3FGM, 44%). But, is Boobie willing to leave the protection of big brother ‘Bron?
Mike Finley - Could Finley go from being one of the highest paid players in the League (over $20 million last season) to playing for less than the mid-level exception? He’s not an option for the starting lineup, but he’d be the best shooter on this roster.
Sasha Vujacic - Though he was exposed in the Finals by Ray Allen as a Da Vinci Code defender, Vujacic can still knock down open triples. Philly should be one of the toughest defensive teams in the League with Brand, Iguodala and Dalembert so that’s not a concern.
Who do you think the Sixers need to be real contenders for a title?
July 9th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
bliz289 says:
i still look at this squad and wonder who’s going to create his own shot - other than Brand in the post
July 9th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Ross says:
Brian Scalabrine!
July 9th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Dime Magazine says:
There’s no way Finley would ever come to Philly, but I think any of those other guys would help tremendously. Actually, any player who keeps Willie Green off the court helps us tremendously.
- PC
July 9th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Big Dutch from Chi says:
Boobie would be a steal (considering that Miller only has a year left on his deal and is 32). What Iggy agrees to determines it all.
If he asks for too much, take JR and show him the door.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Truth says:
@bliz289
A common misconception among basketball fanatics is that you need a player who can create his own shot. When you have a point gaurd who creates for others - miller, a post presence - Brand, and if you had a coach who has an offense where players set picks and move without the ball effeciently, then you don’t need a player wh creates his own shot. The hornets offense along with the lakers is predicated on ball movement not 1 player. Actually Kobe HURTS the offense a A LOT with his requirement of dominating the ball and not flowing with the game. He makes the others stagnant, opposed to a Lebron or a Chris Paul who makes defenses collapse.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
doc says:
I’d take JR or Finley.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
YOUNGFED says:
That Jacket he’s rockin’ is “Fresh to Def”
July 9th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Meica says:
Take JR! Sure boobie could turn into something, eventually, but he’s proven that he’s not the most reliable fellow in the lineup, and with JR’s skill-set plus the sixers’ recent editions philly should turn from a rag-tag team that got lucky to true contenders. With JR, the Sixers could become one of the most athletic teams in the league, and one of the most exciting to watch.
Get JR, he’s so underrated.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
@ truth–
kobe don’t hurt the offense. how else would you want shooting in the triangle?…tervor ariza?
if there is a player who may hurt the teams offense, it is lebron james…as he receives the ball at the top of they key (on damn near every possession) surveys his teammates (as if there is any need for that) and then proceeds to dribble dribble dribble 1 vs 5. lucky for L-train…he is the shit and can get away with it. but dont tell me he dont hurt the offense
July 9th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
doc says:
@Yall.He not sayin Kobe aint the shit,he saying he hurt the offense principle wise.He breaks off the triangle alot to do his own thing.Nothing wrong when you score but it fucks the flow up.Lebron team dont have a offensive system besides give it to bron at the top of the key.If they get a offensive assistant coach like boston got one for D they’d be good.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
philly needs a long range consistent shooter. maybe they should re-acquire kyle korver.
or make a play for wally szczerbiak.
james jones (then next posey) would have been a good fit if Miami Heat didnt already sign his ass
July 9th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
doc
at the end of the game, there is no principle. kobe should be taking the shots. a good coach knows to let his players play to their strengths,; let your scorers score….
damn that
kobe dont mess up nothing principle wise. if he dont do what he do…the lakers (as in game 2 of the finals) will never attempt a free throw…the triangle aint set up for shit like that.
so he gotta do what he do and create the flow/principle
July 9th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Truth says:
@yallallreadyknow
exactly what doc said in post 10, Kobe a beast no doubt, but that triangle creates a lot of shot oppurtunities on it’s own, Kobe would score a lot more points going with the flow of the offense rather than trying to take over.
You right though yallallreadyknow philly need a shooter REAL bad, I don’t know about wally though? dude too inconsistent and his contract his horrendous. Like 13 mil, it is expiring though?
I would make a play for that boy J.R. Smith, he can shoot and he got STUPID hops!
July 9th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
philly also needs a bench
..of everything
July 9th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Truth says:
@yallallreadyknow
you talkin bread now. LOL!!
I don’t know if they ready to go all out like that after the brand signing. I don’t know why though? It ain’t like they ain’t got a market for that team. Philly is big yo, and seems like a basketball city?
July 9th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
doc says:
@yall of course at the end he should break it off but in the 2nd quarter when he does it fucks the flow up.If you look at some old Bulls games.Mike never really broke his man down off the dribble unless it was a end of situaition-(game,quarter,shot clock).They would all touch the rock then get it back to Mike.Kobe so good he can pass once or twice and the ball will still come back to him.Sometimes he just blacksout and goes for his though.Im not knocking it at all because that aint mysquad but the definition of that is breaking the offense.which is why Phil called him uncoachable a few years back.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
hahhaa…phil called him uncoachable and came right back to him (and jeanie)….
..what does that tell you?
July 9th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
doc says:
that tell me 10 mill talks.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
doc says:
10 mill a year screams
July 9th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
should philly make a trade with new orleans to get mo peterson and maybe mike james?
July 9th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
bliz289 says:
@ Truth
All the guys you mentioned, Kobe and CP3 and LeBron, can create their own shot. Name an elite team without a player like that. When you need a bucket, you need a go-to guy. If that guy is a post player, then you have to surround him with shooters if you’re not going to surround him with playmakers.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
phil jax signed an ext and will be making $12 mil per season…AS A COACH!??!
July 9th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
side note….DID YOU KNOW (player salaries)
lebron james is NOT the highest paid yearly salary player on his team?….wally and ben wallace each earn more
raef lafrentz is the highest paid portland blazer at $12 a year
peja, david west and tyson chandler all earn over $10 mil a year and chris paul makes about $4 mil?
the knicks lead the league in avg players weight?…232lbs
shaquille oneal and kevin garnett are the only nba players making over $20 (21 and 23) a year from their teams?
July 9th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Damon says:
did you know jordan had the highest one season salary ever? 33 million in 97/98.
btw, the sixers need a lot to be contenders. they were in the playoffs last year, but clearly overachieved.
they have a good team now, but not enough to beat boston or detroit.
they need at least 1 or 2 shooters, and even then I wouldn’t call them contenders.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Celts Fan, "Kobe, Tell me how my @$$ tastes" says:
I’d say JR Smith, but he’s one of those guys that maybe you actually want him 2000 miles from home…
July 9th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Mike says:
People need to stop sleeping on Lou Williams, he can J it. JR Smith might be a cancer, but he can flat out shoot and is athletic enough he could develop into an all-around player if he puts in the work.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Jeronimo says:
It’s a pity that Juan Carlos Navarro has signed with Barcelona, because I think he would have been a nice fit in the 76ers squad.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
alaskan_fire_dragon says:
sign sasha
as a laker fan im pretty much sick of him and his whiny face
which pretty much represents the lakers tougness
lakers or sixers should sign POSEY
July 9th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
doc says:
We dont want none of those Juan Carlos dudes in Philly.As soon as its a big game and people roughousing out there they gonna fold right up.And fans gonna hurt they confidence from the stands.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
HBooyah says:
Cavs have no offence. They have the old “Iverson” offence. Mike Brown is coasting on Lebron’s coattails.
Sixers got a steal with Brand, and JR’s the final piece. Though it would be a shame to see him leave the “All Gangsta Team” in Denver. Denver, of all places!!!
July 9th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
LakeShow84 says:
No one ever calls Boobie G injury prone and everytime i turn around he’s injured..
JR Smith is a nut job.. That 30 foot three he launched in the playoffs this year would have been considered the dumbest shot if it didnt go in.. All flash, no substance.. This guy should be a reminder of the Jerome James principles..
Mike Finley is now a spot up shooter nothing more nothin less..
And Vujacic is an enigma.. In my opinion the Defense hype was too much for him (ginobli stopped himself with a hobbled ankle) but he can shoot the hell out of the ball mid range and long range.. What gives him the advantage over everyone here is hes a competitor and competitors always get better.. But he does whine and even if hes on our team i cant stand FLOPPERS!!
July 9th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Yoooo says:
JR lives like 10 min from me and I smacked his girl on several occasions, he doesn’t need to be closer to Jersey. The nigga mad immature. It wouldn’t be a good look for him. Hed be around the way way too much, trust me.
ALP… I kno u kid.
July 9th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Bron42 had springs before slamball says:
lebron create his own shot? since when does gettin the ball at the top of the key and barreling through the defense count as creating a shot lol
July 9th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Pat says:
Hmmmmm…..Sign and trade Iggy for Michael Redd? I love it!
July 9th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
What is this!? says:
What do the Sixers need to be “Title Contenders”…um lets see…either Iverson or Jesus Christ himself.
Oh and JR Smith is not leaving Denver, he said he wants to stay there and play with A.I and Melo. So Philly fans can scratch that thought.
I think I like the signing of Elton Brand for the Sixers, but they are not contenders..even in the East. After watching this years playoffs, the East is a little stronger then what I thought. With the Champs the Celtics, and regardless of the hate Detroit will still be there, along with Orlando and the Wizards (who will have there own big 3 back in full effect), As long as Cleveland has Lebron they will be in it and even Toranto is looking nice with Jermain O’neal, Atlanta seems to have a decent future and with Coach Larry Brown, you can possibly even add the Bob Cats in the mix…i’m just saying its not going to be a cake walk in the East. I just hope Brand does a good job, otherwise..Sixer fans will turn against him like they seem to do everyone else. SMH
July 9th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
What is this!? says:
See look, some Sixer fans are already in here talking about trading Iggy…damn shame, SMH.
July 9th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Pat says:
Sixers do not need Iverson nor would they want him. He is not a team player. The man can play don’t get me wrong but with our team he just doesn’t fit in. He needs to be on a team where he can take over. Sixers play team ball and Brand is a good fit as long as he can stay healthy they will be good. Now lets get a shooter and we are set
July 9th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Pat says:
Trade Iggy hands down we got thad. Thad coming into college was the third best prospect behind Durant and Oden. The only reason he went to Georgetown was because he wanted to play the three and no other team would let him.
July 9th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Celts Fan "Kobe, Tell me how my ass tastes" says:
I lived in Philly for 5 years. Philly will boo anyone, but as long as you bust your ass trying and don’t suck, they’ll get behind you and root for you completely irrationally. They have high standards for their players. If every other city did, our pro sports may be in better shape. You fuck around in Philly, people know and aren’t shy about calling you out on it, whether you’re some scrub or Santa Claus.
and trust me, Sixer fans would LOVE to get AI back. That guy is a fuckin warrior. Pound for pound, he’s the toughest guy in the league by a HUGE margin.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Bron42 had springs before slamball says:
not to mention he piggy backed them to their only finals in how many years.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
DT says:
Uh Pat, Thad Young went to Georgia Tech playa
July 9th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
LakeShow84 says:
@ Celts fan,
Really sixers fans want AI back?? wow i think i have heard one more dumb ass remark from a Celtics fan.. Come on man, yes hes a tough SOB but he isnt tailor made for a TEAM.. the only reason he went to the finals was because of the coaching.. Larry Brown had his No nonsense, All Team ball system going and Allen had to listen as a rook..
They wouldnt take that man back if he came back for the mid level exception.. unless he wanted to retire a sixer..
July 9th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
LakeShow84 says:
But he is no doubt the best scoring little man to ever play in the NBA..
July 9th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Pat says:
Thank you DT I mixed up my G colleges for a second
July 9th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Ding Dong We Got Danilo Gallinari? says:
Re: player salaries
Don’t cry for Lebron Inc. He is getting paid less from the Cavs compared to others, but his royalties put him through the roof. You think people are buying Ben Wallace’s Starbury shoes?
July 9th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Meica says:
@ y’all
Don’t cry about any of those guys salaries.
First of all, the players mentioned are all still under their original contracts from becoming drafted (namely CP3, David West, pretty much all of the Portland Trailblazers, LeBron). I’m not sure of the exact rules, but I believe that their salaries are capped, which is why everyone is trying to make cap-space for 09 when a lot of those guys’ contracts are up. They’ll get their payday, believe me.
Secondly, Tyson Chandler had a $60 mil contract from the Bulls awhile back and played like an idiot. I’m glad he’s playing well now, and I love the Hornets, but he pretty much sucked as a Bull, so I wouldn’t want to pay him either.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Big V says:
They need a solid backup PG (if Lou Williams doesn’t work out) and a shooter who can space the floor. The second being a bigger priority than the first, if they can address these, I think they can be a solid 4-5 seed in the East and maybe shake things up.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:25 am
What is this!? says:
Pat,
Iverson doesn’t want to go back to play for the 76ers either…so you can relax, because the feeling is mutual. I was just joking when I mentioned him anyways. But regardless, the Sixers still do not have a legetimate ‘go-to’ guy, period. So yes, they do need a guy that will be able to take over in the big games, which ironically enough they traded away when they traded Iverson. Elton is a solid 20/10 guy, but it is not in his nature to be that guy. They also need a few other parts before you or anyone else even considers them legetimate contenders.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:39 am
djkianoosh says:
honestly i dont like any of those options but I don’t know who else is available to meke a suggestion.
gibson might be the best choice but he might be too small? or is he?
JR is nutcase and very selfish on the court. JUST SAY NO!!
finley is ooollllllddddd. and last year he wasn’t really consistent at all with his shot.
sasha.. pffftt.. please.
you need a real good sharpshooter that can also take it to the rack from time to time. is Delfino available? wouldn’t mind a guy like that. not sure about his range though.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Pat says:
I’m glad you weren’t serious about Iverson…I don’t agree that sixers need a go to guy. Sixers need a shooter to complete the team till Miller is gone. Sixers are very good at playing as a team. Look at the Pistons they don’t have any superstars but they do have a group of guys that can play damn well together. I’m not saying that they can contend with Celtics or Cavs but they can be in the top 5 in the East.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
John Oh says:
I think if you throw Andrew Katz at 3 spot…that’s a solid front court…Apparently Katz can rip boards and is a force to reckon with in the paint but has range outside the paint.