Coatesvillain

Hong Kong Fooey always has interesting insites on how teams should fix themselves, so last week, I asked him on his personal forum how would he go about fixing the Sixers since he already did write-ups for the Cavs, Spurs, and Hawks among others. Here's what came of it, feel free to respond, and say what you think:

Sorry for taking so long man. I was not online most of the day. Here is what I would do if I am the Sixers. First trade Eric Snow & John Salmons for Cuttino Mobley. JVG doesn't like having them both in the same backcourt and Snow gives him a chance to move Francis to the SG position. The best thing about this trade for the Sixers, is it gives them a legit shooting guard and moves AI to the point (to hopefully prolong his career) and someone who can make shots in Mobley. Mobley also has only 2 years left on his deal and helps this team immensely if he doesn't work out or you can sign him for even cheaper (but not a long term deal).

Here is the trade:

Houston trades: SG Cuttino Mobley (15.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.2 apg in 40.4 minutes)
Houston receives: PG Eric Snow (10.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 6.9 apg in 36.2 minutes)
SG John Salmons (5.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.7 apg in 20.8 minutes)
Change in team outlook: +0.3 ppg, +1.4 rpg, and +5.4 apg.

Philadelphia trades: PG Eric Snow (10.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 6.9 apg in 36.2 minutes)
SG John Salmons (5.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.7 apg in 20.8 minutes)
Philadelphia receives: SG Cuttino Mobley (15.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.2 apg in 80 games)
Change in team outlook: -0.3 ppg, -1.4 rpg, and -5.4 apg.

TRADE ACCEPTED

Due to Houston and Philadelphia being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is invoked. Houston and Philadelphia had to be no more than 115% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

I would also hang onto Glenn Robinson because his deal is expiring. He is a cancer and a whiner, but he will fit with Jim O'Brien because like Walker before, this guy loves to shoot and shoot some more. If someone wanted to take him for another expiring contract (like SAR), then I would trade him. If not, let the Big Puppy's deal expire.

The truth of the matter with the Sixers is that the contracts that have been signed are absolutely terrible. I mean without any question, brutal. They are cap-strapped for a long time. I think at the 9th pick, they will be able to choose from Snyder, Childress, Igoudala and Josh Smith (although Igoudala is rising fast). If Childress is chosen at No. 5 (or 4) then the odds of the Sixers getting to pick up Igoudala become increasingly higher. I'll give them Igoudala for right now, although for some reason come draft time, I see Childress in their future.

Here is how the roster will look then:

C - Samuel Dalembert/Marc Jackson
PF - Kenny Thomas/Derrick Coleman
SF - Glenn Robinson/Kyle Korver/Greg Buckner
SG - Cuttino Mobley/Andre Igoudala/Willie Green
PG - Allen Iverson/Aaron McKie

IR: Todd MacCulloch, scrub, scrub

The Sixers however, still have two cap exceptions that they can play with. Since O'Brien likes to shoot the 3's so much, the Sixers make another trade. This one cleans up their roster a bit.

Philadelphia trades: SG Greg Buckner (3.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.9 apg in 13.3 minutes)
SF Glenn Robinson (16.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.4 apg in 31.9 minutes)
PF Marc Jackson (9.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.8 apg in 27.2 minutes)
Philadelphia receives: PG Tony Delk (6.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.9 apg in 15.4 minutes)
PF Antoine Walker (14.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 4.5 apg in 34.6 minutes)
SF Josh Howard (8.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.5 apg in 23.7 minutes)
Change in team outlook: -0.5 ppg, +3.5 rpg, and +3.8 apg.

Dallas trades: PG Tony Delk (6.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.9 apg in 15.4 minutes)
PF Antoine Walker (14.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 4.5 apg in 34.6 minutes)
SF Josh Howard (8.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.5 apg in 23.7 minutes)
Dallas receives: SG Greg Buckner (3.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.9 apg in 53 games)
SF Glenn Robinson (16.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.4 apg in 42 games)
PF Marc Jackson (9.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.8 apg in 22 games)
Change in team outlook: +0.5 ppg, -3.5 rpg, and -3.8 apg.

TRADE ACCEPTED

Due to Philadelphia and Dallas being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is invoked. Philadelphia and Dallas had to be no more than 115% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Now why this deal is made. First Dallas wants to get rid of Antoine Walker, who disrupted chemistry big time, but they need a legit guy who will go into the paint, which brings them Marc Jackson, who is a rugged individual who will get after people and bring much needed toughness to the table, which the Mavs definitely need. Now why would they trade for Big Dog, well the reason is simple. In Don Nelson's type of team, he will get shots and put up points, but the key thing is they traded an expiring contract for an expiring contract. If he doesn't work out, trade him in December or let him walk. Greg Buckner brings toughness to the backcourt that the Mavs lost when Raja Bell and Buckner both left.

Now from Philly's perspective, they get two things, Antoine Walker re-united with Obie. Which is great for both of them. Walker's deal is only a year and the Sixers can let him walk the plank anyway if they don't want him. They also got out from under the albatross deals given to Buckner and Jackson (whom a team like Dallas needs) and they get back Walker, Delk and the biggest key to this deal, Josh Howard. Howard, combined with the drafting of Iggy, will give the Sixers a pair of young wings to build around.

Now I know you are asking why would Dallas trade Howard, well with Finley, Nash (needs to be re-signed), Daniels (needs to be re-signed) and probably the LLE for a vet, the minutes are just not going to be there for Howard and they do get back a true defensive player to attack Kobe and Peja in Greg Buckner. They need to forsake some offense for defense and in Jackson and Buckner they got that. Robinson is expendable for all accounts.

Your new Sixers lineup.

C - Samuel Dalembert/Derrick Coleman
PF - Antoine Walker/Kenny Thomas
SF - Andre Igoudala/Josh Howard/Kyle Korver
SG - Cuttino Mobley/Tony Delk/Willie Green
PG - Allen Iverson/Aaron McKie

IR: Todd MacCulloch

Now as I was saying earlier. The Sixers have two exceptions to use, the MLE and the LLE. Here is what I would would do. I would split the MLE and give half of it to Rafer Alston (which is close to 3 million) and the other half to Brian Skinner (bring him back as he brings toughness to the frontline that they lose w/o Jackson.

Here is your new Sixers lineup for the last time:

C - Samuel Dalembert/Brian Skinner/Derrick Coleman
PF - Antoine Walker/Kenny Thomas
SF - Josh Howard/Aaron McKie/Andre Igoudala
SG - Cuttino Mobley/Tony Delk
PG - Allen Iverson/Rafer Alston

IR: Todd MacCulloch, Willie Green & Kyle Korver

Now all of a sudden this team fits the kind of style that Jim O'Brien likes to play with defense (Dalembert, Mobley, Howard), 3-point shooting (Mobley, Delk, Walker, McKie, Alston), better rebounding (Dalembert, Skinner, Thomas, Howard) and athleticism (Iverson, Mobley, Howard, Dalembert, Igoudala, Skinner).

If Billy King could do that in the off-season and it is not outside of the realm of possibility if he is thinking smart, the Sixers would go from having Korver and Green playing big minutes in a season to not even getting on the floor unless someone is injured. Iverson would have to be on board with a position change, but would he really not be the go-to guy in the crunch and he might be able to avg. 8-9 assists with this crew. Walker can handle the ball in the crunch while Iverson goes off. Mobley is an excellent third scorer for a team and Howard, Igoudala and Dalembert give the Sixers energy, youth and athleticism. Alston solidifies the backcourt and on occassion you will see a Skip-AI backcourt. Not bad if you ask me. Then you have Tony Delk & Aaron McKie being asked to only knock down 3's and play some serious defense. Kenny Thomas is instant offense off the bench and he thrives in a 6th-man role. Skinner and Coleman are needed to knock some skulls around.

If the Sixers did this, it would save their franchise, while the bad contracts come off the books, but it would make them IMO, contenders for the Atlantic division crown. They would be a top 5 team in the East with this squad. They would also have a chance to get back to the Finals with this team.

Note: Just as an FYI, but if this was how the Sixers could get their team set up, I would really think about taking Josh Smith with the 9th pick. By the time the team starts slowing down and it needs a bit of youth, Smith might be a superstar that can re-lead Philly back into new glory. King should really think about that if he is smart (if Josh Smith is available). Although for selfish reasons I don't want to see him on the Sixers, because I want to see him play and on Philly no matter how ready he was to play, Obie is not going to let a HS player play through his mistakes unless it is Lebron James.

HKF's Info Desk

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Allen Iverson

I don't think Iggy will be there at 6 but its okay. Just draft Jefferson, cause Howard is crazy good

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Well.....they are decent ideas, and if it worked out like that, the team would do well but just to make a few points.

1. How in the world would Antoine Walker, Allen Iverson, and Cuttino Mobley play on the same court, last time I checked there was only one ball...

2. I definitely agree with moving Allen to point, the problem is Eric Snow. See I love Eric Snow, I would HATE to see him go. He does all the intangibles, which has its positives and its negatives......

Positives: It helps the 76ers out enormously

Negatives: It doesnt help out his trade stock.

3. Josh Howard is someone I like. Sure I am biased (I am a Wake Forest fan) but I see this guy as smart, good sized, and a hustler. He is someone who could do the dirty work, and would not get in the way of a scorer (like demanding the ball). I always saw him as a George Lynch like player, but right now I see him as more.


4. The draft, well thats another topic, but I do look forward to this years draft, its the first time I think we will actually have high hopes on our first rounder. (Boston Natchjbar was exciting...........too baddddd we lost him )


Thats my 2 cents for now

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