The 76ers' stated NBA draft plan has been to take a perimeter player at No. 17.
That, of course, makes perfect sense. They have only two full-fledged guards on the roster: Willie Green and Lou Williams. They have no way of knowing whether point guard Andre Miller, arguably their most important player last season, will re-sign. We're not even totally sure that's what they want.
So, they need guard help. Maybe it's Ty Lawson from North Carolina, or Eric Maynor from Virginia Commonwealth. Maybe it's Jeff Teague from Wake Forest, or Darren Collison from UCLA. Maybe it's someone we haven't even considered.
But if that's their most pressing need, why has there been speculation in the last couple of days that they're trying to arrange a predraft workout for B.J. Mullens, the 7-foot Ohio State center?
Mullens started two of 33 games as a freshman, averaging 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in 20.3 minutes. By all accounts, any team drafting him will have to wait at least a year or 2 for him to develop and mature.
"We're focused on a perimeter player," Sixers president/general manager Ed Stefanski said. He has said that from Day 1.
So, could interest in Mullens mean that the Sixers' personnel staff thinks it can can get a guard elsewhere, either by acquiring another pick in the first or second round, or via trade or free agency?
Those are things the Sixers don't talk about publicly in the days leading up to the June 25 draft. And it's hard to be critical at this point, because their recent top picks have been mostly solid and productive: Andre Iguodala, No. 9, 2004; Williams, No. 45 (their first pick), 2005; Rodney Carney, No. 16, 2006; Thaddeus Young, No. 12, 2007; Jason Smith, No. 20, 2007;and Marreese Speights, No. 16, 2008.
Nice. I don't mind holiday at all, especially with Iggy also on the court. From what I've read about him so far though, he doesn't seem ready to run the point this year.
I dont see how different he is from Louis Williams.
Lou is in a different world than Holiday when it comes to athleticism.
I went back to check highlight reels when people were comparing him to Wade (including Iguodala) but his first step seems really pedestrian, and I'm not seeing much of him finishing at the rim. Most of the highlights are showing him hitting jumpers but he's a poor shooter.
I don't know.
Doesn't help that I can't really go back and watch UCLA games because he was playing tentative and out of position. This pick just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I hope I'm wrong.
Its a bull**** pick thats why. Seriously, I hate 'potential' picks especially on guys who dont justify it. Granted I could be wrong, but here was a guy who sleep walked through the season and now he's supposedly going to light the league on fire. B.S. If the rationale was to get rid of Miller and draft a guy who can start, why not go for Lawson? I guarantee you Lawson does great on the Nuggets. He doesnt even need to shoot at all on that team, all he has to do is handle the ball and keep up with his frenetic pace. As for the Sixers, you better start looking for a capable point. Jrue aint ready.
Holiday is very good value at #17, let's not forget that he is at least a year younger than everyone else except for Rubio. Unlike Rubio, he hasn't been a pro for years and is the first amateur player born in the 90s to be drafted. The Sixers have had success drafting extremely young guys recently, Holiday doesn't have to contribute a lot right away and he probably won't.
I'm fairly optimistic he will develop into a guard who might not be an All-Star caliber type, but on the level right below which would be considered an excellent choice at #17.
Which is where I bring up the Lou Williams comparison...its another combo type guard which isn't much of an upgrade over what they have now. As for being fairly optimistic, he had an average season at UCLA, whats the cause of the optimism?
Its a bull**** pick thats why. Seriously, I hate 'potential' picks especially on guys who dont justify it. Granted I could be wrong, but here was a guy who sleep walked through the season and now he's supposedly going to light the league on fire. B.S. If the rationale was to get rid of Miller and draft a guy who can start, why not go for Lawson? I guarantee you Lawson does great on the Nuggets. He doesnt even need to shoot at all on that team, all he has to do is handle the ball and keep up with his frenetic pace. As for the Sixers, you better start looking for a capable point. Jrue aint ready.
The Sixers weren't going to start a rookie guard this season regardless. That's what I've been saying from the start. They wanted a veteran to man the helm for a few years. If I had my way Miller would walk (or be sign and traded) and the Sixers would get a stop gap to man it and they would've taken Maynor. That obviously is out the window and the Sixers will go full boar after Miller, and if he leaves they'll probably go after Bibby. I'd rather just go after Bibby for two years because he at least needs to be respected.
Lawson's flaws won't stand out as much in Denver because they have heavy fire power and he's not asked to carry the load. He'll also get wide open shots with that slow and low release of his. He basically went to the perfect place for him. I'm positive he wouldn't have been as productive in Philly as he will be in Denver.
Quote:
Originally Posted by croco
Holiday is very good value at #17, let's not forget that he is at least a year younger than everyone else except for Rubio. Unlike Rubio, he hasn't been a pro for years and is the first amateur player born in the 90s to be drafted. The Sixers have had success drafting extremely young guys recently, Holiday doesn't have to contribute a lot right away and he probably won't.
I'm fairly optimistic he will develop into a guard who might not be an All-Star caliber type, but on the level right below which would be considered an excellent choice at #17.
I think when it all comes down to it... I don't think Jrue will be better than Maynor.
Which is where I bring up the Lou Williams comparison...its another combo type guard which isn't much of an upgrade over what they have now. As for being fairly optimistic, he had an average season at UCLA, whats the cause of the optimism?
I like his length, demeanor, versatility and a good portion of projecting players is always gut feeiling.
Does any one think a trade could be in the works? Aside from rubio, Holliday seemed like one of the most "tradable" picks in this years draft. (every team needs somone that can stop the other PG from penetrating.)
All that's left this offseason is them making a push to re-sign Andre Miller, and if he's gone they'll go after another PG that's a free agent.
I love the Sixers. They're my second favorite team in sports behind the Eagles, but they've got a lot of work cut out for them to make people in the area care. Good luck to them.
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