MIKE LOWERY
formerly chuck finster
- 7,586
- 4,714
Kyrie just did Tucker dirty
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I think there's some legitimate concerns for the Sixers, going forward (overall they will be fine though)
1. Who knows what happens with Noel... A lot of teams will come circling for him in Free Agency, sensing the Sixers may elect to get rid of him (or maybe have no choice) because of Embiid, Simmons, Saric & Okafor (unless they trade Okafor)...
They may end up just letting him go instead of paying him $17+ mil a year.. Teams will drive up the bids to get the 76ers to pass. Also Noel isn't necessarily happy with his role on the 76ers, and that will drive him to go looking elsewhere as opposed to what some RFAs do, and just wait for their current team to make 2-3 moves then sign afterwards.
2. Okafor isn't really a great bench piece, especially when he shouldn't play because Noel is the better overall player. Oak is basically dying out there (in terms of trade value). You eventually have to bite the bullet on him, and get rid of him for whatever you can get in order to keep Noel. (They legitimately should trade Okafor before the deadline, and take whatever a team offers).
3. Embiid does have a long injury history... Granted, he's an All Star Player when he's on the floor.... You never know when those injuries can pop up. Bynum looked like he was healthy 2011-12 after years of injuries, and then the injury bug bit him again. Granted Bynum didn't really work to stay in basketball, but there's still an injury history for Embiid, and reason to worry. Not saying you do anything other than hope for the best.... BUT, you have to worry about it for a long time going forward.
4. Yes, they don't have bad contracts... But they absolutely will, eventually... Veterans actively avoid playing there, and will not even consider them in FA., and they still are going to for the next few years because of how they've been playing things out (Not saying right or wrong).... But they're not going to get many legitimate interest in FA because even with 2 lotto picks this year, they still will not be anywhere close to a playoff team. That alone will chase away veterans, at least the kind you want.
So they could go 1 of 2 routes when it comes to FA, Avoid veterans (The Blazers) route which is a bad choice because then you are overpaying mediocre young guys a ton of money, and hoping you can make a trade or else, you're wasting productive years... Or continue to let it play out... But when they do, they'll be paying a few of their prospects actual money.
The only way to circumvent that, and get veteran pieces earlier is to overpay.. Whether it is by money or by adding extra years.
It's not going to be easy sledding for really any team that has been stuck at the bottom for a couple years. Goes for Sixers, Lakers, Timberwolves, Suns, etc.
Okafor with DNPs in two of the last three games. Oof.
I think they've realized Okafor isn't going to look spectacular no matter how many minutes they give him off the bench so they're highlighting Noel instead cause he's looking great with his defense and hustling. He even made a couple jumpers today that looked real good. I think it'll continue like this every game til we trade Noel cause there's only enough time for one of them to play behind Embiid in order to get them enough time to highlight them to potential trade partners.
Warriors can't go this season with Zaza as their C and then throwing KD at PF or C. Makes them soft as tissue.
lolteams need to study this play. This is 2 games in a row that they've run it. did the exact same against brooklyn. Gotta pay attention to their placement on the floor so they can see it manifesting and stop it.
I think there's some legitimate concerns for the Sixers, going forward (overall they will be fine though)
1. Who knows what happens with Noel... A lot of teams will come circling for him in Free Agency, sensing the Sixers may elect to get rid of him (or maybe have no choice) because of Embiid, Simmons, Saric & Okafor (unless they trade Okafor)...
They may end up just letting him go instead of paying him $17+ mil a year.. Teams will drive up the bids to get the 76ers to pass. Also Noel isn't necessarily happy with his role on the 76ers, and that will drive him to go looking elsewhere as opposed to what some RFAs do, and just wait for their current team to make 2-3 moves then sign afterwards.
2. Okafor isn't really a great bench piece, especially when he shouldn't play because Noel is the better overall player. Oak is basically dying out there (in terms of trade value). You eventually have to bite the bullet on him, and get rid of him for whatever you can get in order to keep Noel. (They legitimately should trade Okafor before the deadline, and take whatever a team offers).
3. Embiid does have a long injury history... Granted, he's an All Star Player when he's on the floor.... You never know when those injuries can pop up. Bynum looked like he was healthy 2011-12 after years of injuries, and then the injury bug bit him again. Granted Bynum didn't really work to stay in basketball, but there's still an injury history for Embiid, and reason to worry. Not saying you do anything other than hope for the best.... BUT, you have to worry about it for a long time going forward.
4. Yes, they don't have bad contracts... But they absolutely will, eventually... Veterans actively avoid playing there, and will not even consider them in FA., and they still are going to for the next few years because of how they've been playing things out (Not saying right or wrong).... But they're not going to get many legitimate interest in FA because even with 2 lotto picks this year, they still will not be anywhere close to a playoff team. That alone will chase away veterans, at least the kind you want.
So they could go 1 of 2 routes when it comes to FA, Avoid veterans (The Blazers) route which is a bad choice because then you are overpaying mediocre young guys a ton of money, and hoping you can make a trade or else, you're wasting productive years... Or continue to let it play out... But when they do, they'll be paying a few of their prospects actual money.
The only way to circumvent that, and get veteran pieces earlier is to overpay.. Whether it is by money or by adding extra years.
It's not going to be easy sledding for really any team that has been stuck at the bottom for a couple years. Goes for Sixers, Lakers, Timberwolves, Suns, etc.
Bunch of "if's" in this
Embiid has become a superstar on and off the court that every fan and player in the league love...free agents will come and play with him. Every damn interview I've seen of opposing players after they play against Embiid and are asked a question about him are giddy as hell talking about how good he is. Add in a guy as talented as Simmons being one of the best and most willing passers out there and trust me...dudes will want to come play for the Sixers.
They don't need to attract superstars when they already might have two on roster and two other potential ones about to be drafted by them this summer, they just need vets that will be good complimentary pieces. Basically three point shooters and defenders. To get the best out of Simmons you have to build the team how you would build a LeBron team.
Also, do you not realize it legitimately doesn't even matter if they barely get anything for Noel and Okafor? It would be nice, but we could legitimately just bench both of them the rest of the year, play Holmes all the backup center minutes, give Okafor away for a pack of gum and we will still be fine because we already have the two players we're planning on building around and Noel and Okafor's contracts aren't holding us hostage. These aren't two aging vets that we just signed to max deals that we have no choice but to stick with...they could be dealt to somebody at any point, even if it is for not that great of a return. It would obviously look like Hinkie's plan of acquiring those assets didn't actually work out, but it wouldn't hurt us in the end.
teams need to study this play. This is 2 games in a row that they've run it. did the exact same against brooklyn. Gotta pay attention to their placement on the floor so they can see it manifesting and stop it.
lol
Raps should offer up valley and Ross then try to get a third team to pony a teen pick, if that's what the Hawks are looking for
Besides Pels, I don't think any other team would give them a lotto pick
It would be a tough call for Raps but if they wanted him now I think something centered around that package could work. Milsap could be better on both ends and enough of a presence offensively that they could start bebe next to himI agree with Ross + a pick. Can't afford to lose Valley, especially since Milsap will be a free agent.
Also, Raps should really focus on improving their interior defense. They need to make a run at Bogut. THEN they can take the Cavs to 7.
meek L jokes are super corny at this point