Highs and Lows: Philadelphia 76ers
Andre Iguodala (photo. Kelly Turso)Opening Night is about one week away. While we wait for the ‘08-09 schedule to start, we’re going team-by-team, from 1 to 30, exploring where each team’s ceiling is for the upcoming season and where their basement is. In other words, what are the realistic best-case and worst-case scenarios for each squad?
Additions: PF Elton Brand, PF Marreese Speights, C Theo Ratliff, SG Kareem Rush, SG Royal Ivey, SF Donyell Marshall.
Losses: SF Rodney Carney, PF Shavlik Randolph, C Calvin Booth, PG Kevin Ollie, PF Louis Amundson.
Ceiling: Top-4 playoff seed in the East
No team had a better, more efficiently effective offseason than Philadelphia. When they needed a legit power forward and a go-to scorer in the post, they pulled the biggest surprise of the free-agent period by inking Elton Brand, and further bolstered the position by taking Marreese Speights in the draft. When they needed another shooter, they picked up Kareem Rush for relatively cheap. When building block Jason Smith tore up his knee during summer workouts and the Sixers needed a backup center (especially for when Sam Dalembert gets in foul trouble), they got a proven vet in Theo Ratliff. And when it came time to take care of their own guys and set themselves up for a promising future, the Sixers re-signed Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams. With Brand and Iguodala as a solid 1-2, the always-underrated Andre Miller running the show at point guard, and playoff-tested productive role players like Thaddeus Young, Dalembert and Williams, Philly is a team on the rise. They could easily take second in the Atlantic Division, leap-frogging Toronto to challenge Boston.
Basement: Bottom-4 playoff seed in the East
The roster is improved, the salary cap situation looks good (Miller’s sizable expiring contract almost makes up for the whole Dalembert-at-$33-million-through-2011 thing), the fan base has confidence in the front office (Billy King is in the NBA TV studios where he can’t hurt anyone), and the players know what it’s like now on the big stage. About the only thing that can trip up the Sixers? Expectations. Philly won’t surprise anyone this year. Iguodala is making superstar money and will be expected to consistently play like one. Brand has been handed the franchise and will be expected to take it further than he took the Clippers. Whereas Mo Cheeks could collect Coach of the Year votes for simply making the playoffs before, now he’ll be expected to advance a round or two. Dalmbert is too old (27) to be treated with kid gloves, and Williams’ leash is running out in that regard as well, given his long-term contract. Can they handle it all? At worst, Philly should at least make the postseason party, but depending on the matchups and whether or not they get homecourt, could be sent home early again.
‘08-09 NBA preview archives
10/17 — Dallas Mavericks
10/15 — Indiana Pacers
10/14 — Golden State Warriors
10/10 — Detroit Pistons
10/9 — San Antonio Spurs
10/8 — Chicago Bulls
10/6 — Oklahoma City Thunder
10/3 — Washington Wizards
10/2 — Utah Jazz
10/1 — Charlotte Bobcats
9/30 — Memphis Grizzlies
9/26 — Toronto Raptors
9/25 — New Orleans Hornets
9/24 — Atlanta Hawks
9/23 — Sacramento Kings
9/22 — Miami Heat
9/19 — Portland Trail Blazers
9/18 — New Jersey Nets
9/17 — Minnesota Timberwolves
9/16 — Cleveland Cavaliers
9/15 — Phoenix Suns
9/12 — Milwaukee Bucks
9/11 — L.A. Clippers
9/10 — Orlando Magic
October 20th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Diego says:
Absent further injuries, they’ve got a really nice team going on.
October 20th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
This team can make a lot of noise in the East. I don’t think they really lost anybody significant and gained some good pieces. If they stay healthy and get along I can’t see how they don’t finish in the top 4 come playoff time. (Only the Pistons and Celtics are better on paper in the East)
Stoners never remember if they’re lying.
Spliff
October 20th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
jayslay says:
philly is nice man….they got prolly a top 5 pf rite now and iggy is almost a superstar miller is very underrated so is williamsand young is real nice…i think if theo ratliff can be serviceable then they gon kill….i could see this team goin to the finals 4real
October 20th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Tony says:
Why did they sign Kareem Rush as a shooter? Whatever happened to that guy Lee Humphrey from Florida that went undrafted? If memory serves, Humphrey was nailin’ those threes back in the day.
October 20th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
fallinup says:
Philly will be the big question mark until they throw a few winning streaks together. They have so much potential, and it’s all on how well Brand will play this year after a not too swell year last season. But there is tons of upside. Iggy needs to play like he’s being payed now. But it’s all on Elton’s shoulders.
October 20th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Jeeves says:
How about Ceiling: Championship?
Batman never lies.
Jeeves.
October 20th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
QuEst?? says:
calling jason smith a building block is being too generous, however i think thad young will b more than a role player in the future
October 20th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
sans says:
all the Tyrone rip offs are pretty funny. I think the ceiling is way low for this team. Young, athletic, good floor general, the 2ndtier star gets his off of hustle, 25 rebounds per from their frontcourt, Thad Young can leap small buildings, nice supporting cast. Billy King did set all this up with the Answer trade, drafted well, and got axed for being an ass for decade before wisening up.
October 21st, 2008 at 1:43 am
Big V says:
Iguodala needs to prove he’s worth the big bucks. Filling up a stat sheet is cool and all, but they’re going to need someone outside of EB to close out games. Here’s his chance.
October 21st, 2008 at 1:59 am
Magnifico says:
solid team, needs to prove it with lockdown D. But with a steady point, explosive wings, plus legit big man, they are a contender.
October 21st, 2008 at 3:02 am
dj ho says:
I’m a huge Elton Brand fan, but he hasn’t gotten past the 2nd round of the playoffs before. A lot will come down to team chemistry and if Iggy plays like the superstar he’s supposed to become.
October 21st, 2008 at 4:02 am
Simon says:
Can Iguodala handle the pressure?
http://www.squidoo.com/AI2
October 21st, 2008 at 4:10 am
dillinger says:
Philly in the playoffs. I don’t think they’re gonna get past the second round though. They’re missing that x-factor that would really put them over the top. But then again i thought they would be horrible last year and they made it to the playoffs and gave the pistons a good run. Iguodala is gonna be a big time player this year.
October 21st, 2008 at 8:33 am
djKianoosh says:
Iguodala has to prove he has a consistent outside jumper. That will open up so much for himself and Brand and the entire team.
He still needs to attack the rim, but when he’s open he’s got to start draining those long range shots.
October 21st, 2008 at 11:59 am
Brown says:
The only thing missing is shooters. I don’t see Kareem Rush being the answer. They’ll miss Kyle Korver in this regard.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:18 pm
THA NEXT HIGHFLIYA!!! says:
@10 we have lockdown d everyone on our squad defends except AM Lou Rush Green
@13 our X-Factor is Andre Miller and Lou Williams
@15 We should’ve gotten someone during the draft. (We have enough front court depth. Maybe Donte’ Greene from Cuse’)