WHEELING & DEALING

Posted by: Steve Toll
04/30/13 9:33 am EST

Few could have imagined the season turned out the way it did.  The 76ers were supposed to be this, that and the other thing.  What came to pass was the realization that this past summer was one of the uglier summers in NBA history.  

Now the Sixers are a team left with holes larger than just the void in the middle cause by Andrew Bynum’s knees.  As I have mentioned ad nauseum, the 76ers are in a very bad place going forward with no clear path to anything.  

After the jump, are some trade possibilities that can be a change for the better next year or the long run.  The premise is to do all of these trades or none at all.  Part 1 will be for the future, “Hello, 25% shot at Andrew Wiggins and the return of the Anti-Gravity Treadmill”.  Part 2 will assume the future is now

On last note, while the ESPN.com trade machine says the salaries don’t work, once Jrue’s $9.2 million salary kicks in, these trades would work.

 
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HELP WANTED

Posted by: Jake Fischer
04/29/13 4:24 pm EST

After the 76ers announced their acquisition of a new D-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers (a.k.a. “the Sevens” — insert laughter here), the Philadelphia Inquirer’s John Mitchell crafted an interesting story based off a discussion with team owner Joshua Harris while the two were down in Newark, Delaware for the “big” 87ers press conference.

In the article, Mitchell discusses a general theme that the Sixers will approach their head-coaching search diligently and steadily. However, the Inquirer columnist said that Harris and current GM Tony DiLeo will be the two men conducting the process.

“Harris, who doesn’t talk publicly about contract extensions, said that he and general manager Tony DiLeo, who has an expiring deal on June 30, are running the search.  And he noted that while they have yet to interview anyone, they have several candidates in mind.  In fact, Dei Lynam of csnphilly.com is reporting that the Sixers have already reached out to Pacers’ assistant coach Brian Shaw.

Whether DiLeo remains the general manager will be resolved in time.  But right now DiLeo is the basketball mind that Harris, who inherited Collins from the previous owners, is leaning on to fill the franchise’s most vital position.”

Now, it’s important to remember that the last time the Sixers hired a head coach, Ed Stefanski and Ed Snider were running the front office and spearheaded that job search.


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NOTES, LINKS & TWEETS

Posted by: C. Smith
04/29/13 2:08 pm EST

On Saturday the 76ers announced that have acquired a D-League franchise and will move it Delaware…Ladies and gentlemen please welcome your Delaware 87ers…Wait, what?  It’s not a misprint.

Brian at depressedfan.com is not very excited about the D-League announcement.

A quick “76ers” search on craigslist brings back this signed gem from the 1983 team.

Dei Lynam at csnphilly.com reported that the Sixers have contacted Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw.

nbadraft.net has the Sixers selecting 11th in the 2013 Draft and picking Giannis Adetokoubo who plays in Greece.  Check out the video of this 6-9 kid.  I’ve seen bigger crowds at Chester vs. Lower Merion district playoff games.

Hoops Habit predicts the Sixers will grab Glenn Robinson III with the 11th pick in 2013.


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LEARNING FROM HISTORY

Posted by: Jake Fischer
04/26/13 9:54 am EST

Growing up in the late 90s and early 00s, I developed an affinity for the Cartoon Network program, Ed, Edd n Eddy. The animated show featured three boys who wrecked havoc on their parents and really just lived their daily lives in their cul-de-sac kooky pandemonium.

Thus, when the 76ers, who were then led by Chairman Ed Snider and General Manager Ed Stefanski, fired former head coach Eddie Jordan, I wrote a crafty blog post that constructed a conspiracy on how Ed Stefanski and Eddie Jordan in 2010 (who had been friends from their days with the New Jersey Nets) worked to derail this dilapidated organization.

Now, looking back on my adolescence, and knowing what I now know about the NBA, I realize that the only legitimate conspiracies in the League only involve officiating and injuries.  However, I still truthfully believe that the Ed, Ed and Eddie era of the Sixers set back this organization to where they are now.


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GENERAL MANAGER CANDIDATES

Posted by: Philadunkia
04/23/13 10:41 am EST

Here at Philadunkia it seems to be a consensus that the first item on the “Honey Do List” for Josh Harris and Adam Aron this off-season should be to find a new General Manager for this franchise.

It’s not that Tony DiLeo has done anything wrong, but it’s apparent that he was hand picked for the job by Doug Collins  last year and it’s time to wipe the slate clean from the DC era.  Removing DiLeo is especially important  if DC is going to have an active “consulting” role in the Sixers front office going forward as we will need a strong willed and independent thinker who can sift through Doug’s input and only use the sensible thoughts.

If the Sixers decide to look for a new general manager, the Philadunkia scribes have some suggestions for Harris and Aron as to who should receive job interviews.

After the jump are a few suggestions for a new 76ers General Manager.


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TOP PRIORITY: A GM

Posted by: Jake Fischer
04/22/13 11:17 am EST

If there is anything the eight Game 1s of the 2013 NBA Playoffs taught us, besides that home court actually does matter in the NBA, it’s that whichever team has the better players wins.  It’s a simple as that.  Thus, it make sense for the 76ers to start their rebuilding process by focusing their attention on getting the best players on the court, right?

Wrong.

This, if anything, the troublesome Sixers ownership and management group must start this off-season by making key off-the-court decisions before they can start looking to solve their on-the-court issues.  The Sixers brass must find a smart general manager who can run this franchise correctly. 

Recent NBA history has proven this method can be very successful.


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COACHING CANDIDATES

Posted by: Michael Kaskey-Blomain
04/19/13 12:28 pm EST

Yesterday, Doug Collins officially notified the 76ers organization, the media and Philadunkia nation that he would not be returning to the sidelines next season – something he decided and informed Tony DiLeo of back in December.  So the Sixers are officially in the market for a new head coach.

No, the Sixers’ struggles this season don’t fall solely on the shoulders of Collins.  Not only did he have to deal with a serious string of injuries throughout the season, he never actually got to coach the team he envisioned, and built around, last off-season.  With Bynum sitting the entire season, Collins was often left to play catch up, plugging players in as he went along.

Nonetheless, after such a disappointing season it is no surprise to see fingers pointed at the head coach, especially considering the large hand Collins had in assembling this underachieving unit.

This pseudo-rebuilding stage the Sixers are in is more than Collins bargained for, so it’s no surprise to see him stepping away. 

Realistically, the best available coaches, the likes of hall-of-famers Phil Jackson and Jerry Sloan are not going to come to Philly on a rebuilding mission.  Coach Cal isn’t going to leave the comfort of Kentucky to revive the 76ers, and Larry Brown isn’t going to walk through the door accompanied by a 27-year old Allen Iverson.  Let’s get those lofty options out of the way early.

However, even with all of those options eliminated, there are plenty coaching choices for the Sixers to pursue; coaches who will be eager to embrace the challenge of turning the team around.


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THE NIGHTMARE IS OVER

Posted by: Jake Fischer
04/18/13 2:09 pm EST

All good things must come to an end.

But, unfortunately for the 76ers organization and its fans, their immaculate 2012-2013 season came to an end before it ever began.

In August, the Sixers introduced their addition of Andrew Bynum — and, oh yeah, Jason Richardson — at the Constitution Center in front of a raucous crowd.  But, before Bynum could even get through hinting at signing a 5-year max extension, he stopped in his tracks.

Then, as all of Philadunkia was imagining Bynum backing down the likes of Roy Hibbert, Joakim Noah and Tyson Chandler before turning them into a poster, the team announced that Bynum would be undergoing surgery on his knees and going to Germany.

We all know he would go on to never suit up in a Sixers uniform outside of a photo shoot.  We all know he participated in less practices than his jersey number, 33.  We all remember his parade of ridiculous hairdos and his romantic long walks on a freakishly expensive anti-gravity treadmill.  His season, and maybe his career in Philly, was over before it even had a chance to commence.


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GM 82: (1 LAST FRICKIN’ W) RAPID REACTS

Posted by: C. Smith
04/18/13 10:47 am EST
Philadelphia 76ers 105 FinalRecap | Box Score 95 Indiana Pacers
Thaddeus Young, SF 21 MIN | 5-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 8 REB | 0 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 10 PTS | +14

For the most part it was an outstanding year for #21 and on the final game of the season he came up just 2 rebs short of a double-double on only 21 mins of run.  I would have loved if he connected on that left hand tomahawk dunk as the icing on his cake for this season.

Evan Turner, SF 40 MIN | 7-18 FG | 1-2 FT | 6 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 16 PTS | +11

In 40 minutes of burn against 2nd tier NBA players “The Enigma” scored 16 inefficient points 18 FGAs and 2 FTAs.  That about sums up Turner’s year. By my count Turner had 3 shots from inside 8 feet blocked last night.

Spencer Hawes, C 4 MIN | 1-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 3 PTS | +9

Spencer actually showed a hint of a nasty streak last night when he pushed Psycho-T to the floor.  His reward…DC benched him for the rest of the game

Jrue Holiday, PG 9 MIN | 2-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 5 PTS | +10

I was disappointed that DC chose to play Jrue so little, especially after he drained his first two shots. The turnover issues need to get fixed this off season, but kudos on a solid year overall.

Damien Wilkins, SG 36 MIN | 6-11 FG | 3-3 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 4 TO | 15 PTS | +3

A nice way to end the season for “Employee #8″ who got off to a fast start when he scored 6 in the 1st Q.  Do you realize that Wilkins started 21 straight games for the Sixers this season?  His solid play means he’ll likely be back next year in a reserve role.

Arnett Moultrie, PF 29 MIN | 7-11 FG | 0-0 FT | 12 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 14 PTS | -1

A great 1st half — 8 points and 4 rebs — led to Arnett’s 1st career double-double.  In the 2nd Q he had a great follow tip and then a nice spin move and finish.  He also displayed a nice jumper in the 4th Q.  If #5 can raise his energy level a notch or two, he could be a solid big for the Sixers next year.  Did you know that #5 shot 62% from the field since the All-Star break?

Dorell Wright, SF 36 MIN | 8-15 FG | 3-3 FT | 2 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL | 2 BLK | 0 TO | 23 PTS | +7

I gave him the A, but it wasn’t easy for me.  Why??  Because he lit up a bunch of second tier NBA cats and got out scored by Gerald Green.  That sets off red flags for me.  Still, he showed enough flashes this season that I think I want him back next year.  Am I sick in the head?

Lavoy Allen, C 32 MIN | 4-9 FG | 3-4 FT | 11 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 11 PTS | +4

Of course Lavoy’s third double-double of the season comes when I am begging for the Sixers to lose a game.

Justin Holiday, SG 27 MIN | 3-8 FG | 1-2 FT | 0 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL | 2 BLK | 3 TO | 8 PTS | -1

It was nice knowing you.  Make sure that this summer Jrue works on his handles and decision making as we need to cut down on his turnovers.

Nick Young, SG 6 MIN | 0-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 0 PTS | -6

An O-for night.  That’s exactly how I want to remember the Swaggy P era in Philly.

Kwame Brown, C DNP COACH’S DECISION MIN | FG | FT | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |

The Kwame-palooza Tour has finally come to an end.  Thank you Indianapolis and good night!!! (For the record Kwame racked up 60 DNPs this season.)

Doug Collins

I hope your “retirement” is a train wreck just like the condition you are leaving the Sixers in.

After the Jump, Six Things We Saw Last Night…


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TONIGHT IS THE END MY FRIEND

Posted by: C. Smith
04/17/13 10:27 am EST

On Monday night after the 76ers had lost their 48th game of the year, Spencer “Double-Double” Hawes was asked by the Sixers beat media about the final game of the season tonight in Indianapolis.

Hawes said, “It is just going to be good to get it over with.  With all the expectations we had coming in and then the way the season has gone it will be nice to take the positives going forward and flush the rest of it.  It was a tough year on everybody; us; the fans, anyone involved with the organization.”

Here at Philadunkia, we couldn’t agree more with Spence’s words and after the jump I compiled a list of items from the 2012-13 season that I am happy to see coming to an end.

 
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