2007 NBA Philadelphia 76’ers
Pennsylvania's Pro Basketball Team Pursues a Complete Makeover
Feb 4, 2007
Now that the first A.I. era is becoming a memory, the Philadelphia 76’ers are beginning to find themselves as a team, and there may be hints of a second A.I. coming, in the person of Andre Iguodala. That’s the good news, but before the Sixers entertain notions of a return to playoff contention, there will be another significant roster shake down necessary.
The guard rotation on paper looks OK, with veteran Andre Miller, Willie Green, and rising star Iguodala. The question is whether the Philly franchise wants to go forward with a 30 something point guard due 20 million over the next two years. This should be a no-brainer: Miller is as professional as they come these days, and his steadying hand (if he would only take a pledge to never shoot another three ball) is vital to glue this group together. The suggestion here is to tap more deeply into the shooting talents of Kyle Korver by playing him in a three guard rotation with true point man Miller and Green. This would make the new AI a pure small in the frontcourt, where his athleticism would allow him to make cuts for Millers slick passing, and if denied by double-teams Iguodala can kick out to KK, who is shooting a blistering .430 behind the three arc this season.
The frontcourt will not miss Korver's liabilities on defense, and 76’ers fans should see a big man tandem of Dalembert, a still-improving gem in-the-rough, with Steven Hunter (who has the potential to be a 2+ bpg stopper but has never lived up to it). The third body in this mix should be one they get from moving Joe Smith’s expiring contract, and because Don Nelson loves to deal more than coach, it should be no problem to get Adonal Foyle, who isn’t even getting off the bench these days, along with a pick in exchange.
This move may under whelm those of you who follow the league closely, but take a minute to chew on this – Foyle projects to 10 rebounds and over 3 blocks per 48 minutes over his career. He’s 31, but his legs are at least 5 years younger due to being stuck behind other players such as Erich Dampier all those years in the Bay Area. 76’ers GM Billy King should use the draft picks garnered in the Denver trade and this proposed one to get a solid big in the late first round.
As for the castaways, Smith of course goes one way or the other. Kevin Ollie and Alan Henderson were space fillers for this year only. The rest of the bench has value, and here’s where the remainder of the season should go: getting at least 15-18 mpg for Randolph, Louis Williams (who could develop into Miller’s backup, removing a need to find an Earl Watson type on the market this off-season), and Bobby Jones who I will boldly predict may one day diminish the memory of the 70’s version in the minds of longtime fans
We could see this grouping on the floor for the Sixers next year, and it would be assured that there wouldn’t be a repeat of this season’s disastrous start:
PG – Andre Miller; SG – Kyle Korver; SG – Willie Green; SF – Andre Iguodala; F-C – Samuel Dalembert.
The remainder of their eight-man rotation would be: F-C – Steven Hunter; SF – Bobby Jones; C- Adonal Foyle
This would be a versatile team that could run and play the Eastern grind it out style. If Larry Brown can keep his fingerprints off the situation, Mo Cheeks and Billy King may look like geniuses by playoff time next year.
Next: Bucks need to Buck Downturn
Prev: Singin' the Memphis Blues
