The love affair with Philadelphia

[celticsclay]

Hopefully 76ers get Russell
So that they do not tank further again next year

I don't think there's any reason for them to tank next year.  I really admire what they pulled off here.   They are set up pretty brilliantly. 

I think the biggest gamble they made was dumping MCW.  I understand why they did it... they thought MCW was overrated (he probably is) and figured they'd get a better guard this year (they probably will with Russell).  They also gambled that they'd end up getting a top 7 pick this year from the Lakers.  Unfortunately for them, the Lakers are probably going to be significantly better next year... so Philly ends up getting probably a mid-to-late 1st for MCW.  Bad gamble.

But Russell, Embiid and Noel is a sick foundation.  Add Saric, cap space to sign talent and several other tradeable assets... I expect Philly to be a playoff team within 2 years.  Depending on how the rest of their offseason goes, they might even sneak into the playoffs next year. 

Russell, Wroten, Tobias Harris, Noel and Embiid, for example... that'd be interesting.

I know it sounds straight-up absurd that Philly could make a leap that quickly, but we don't know yet how good Embiid will be... and during the second half the season Philly had the #1 defensive rating in the league when Noel was on the court.  Add Embiid, some scoring punch and a signing or two... I mean... as Boston proved this year, it doesn't take much to sneak into the playoffs in the East.

i think even as a supporter of what philly is doing you have to admit that today was a bad day for them. Not only did they not get the lakers pick, which is going to be worse next year, but they also saw the lakers leap frog them and push them to number 3 where there seems to be a consensus drop off in value. After trading away MCW in hopes of bottoming out, it didn't pan out. Their plan could still 100% work out, but not acknowledging today went about as bad as it could for philly (no lakers or heat selection) is being dishonest.

[Csfan1984]

Yeah Philly didnt luck out at all. Even with this years first all Philly has to do to be bad next year is keep the same team. They should be in the top three mix again.

[LarBrd33]

Hopefully 76ers get Russell
So that they do not tank further again next year

I don't think there's any reason for them to tank next year.  I really admire what they pulled off here.   They are set up pretty brilliantly. 

I think the biggest gamble they made was dumping MCW.  I understand why they did it... they thought MCW was overrated (he probably is) and figured they'd get a better guard this year (they probably will with Russell).  They also gambled that they'd end up getting a top 7 pick this year from the Lakers.  Unfortunately for them, the Lakers are probably going to be significantly better next year... so Philly ends up getting probably a mid-to-late 1st for MCW.  Bad gamble.

But Russell, Embiid and Noel is a sick foundation.  Add Saric, cap space to sign talent and several other tradeable assets... I expect Philly to be a playoff team within 2 years.  Depending on how the rest of their offseason goes, they might even sneak into the playoffs next year. 

Russell, Wroten, Tobias Harris, Noel and Embiid, for example... that'd be interesting.

I know it sounds straight-up absurd that Philly could make a leap that quickly, but we don't know yet how good Embiid will be... and during the second half the season Philly had the #1 defensive rating in the league when Noel was on the court.  Add Embiid, some scoring punch and a signing or two... I mean... as Boston proved this year, it doesn't take much to sneak into the playoffs in the East.

i think even as a supporter of what philly is doing you have to admit that today was a bad day for them. Not only did they not get the lakers pick, which is going to be worse next year, but they also saw the lakers leap frog them and push them to number 3 where there seems to be a consensus drop off in value. After trading away MCW in hopes of bottoming out, it didn't pan out. Their plan could still 100% work out, but not acknowledging today went about as bad as it could for philly (no lakers or heat selection) is being dishonest.

Sure it could have gone better, but I don't think they would have traded MCW if they didn't convince themselves that a better guard would be available during this draft (Mudiay/Russell).   It would have been interesting to see what they would have done had they ended up with another elite big prospect, but now they don't have to worry about it.  Russell is a great fit next to Noel and Embiid.

[Irish Stew]

Are we convinced that the Embiid/Noel tandem is something that they believe in? Just a thought, but would they consider moving Noel for #4 or #5 and bring in two of Mudiay, Russell, and Winslow? Hinkie has never been afraid to make bold moves. Would Orlando or NY be interested?

[Moranis]

I can't see Philly moving Noel this summer unless they are blow away.  A top 5 pick when you already have #3 isn't a blow away type offer.

[tazzmaniac]

Hopefully 76ers get Russell
So that they do not tank further again next year

I don't think there's any reason for them to tank next year.  I really admire what they pulled off here.   They are set up pretty brilliantly. 

I think the biggest gamble they made was dumping MCW.  I understand why they did it... they thought MCW was overrated (he probably is) and figured they'd get a better guard this year (they probably will with Russell).  They also gambled that they'd end up getting a top 7 pick this year from the Lakers.  Unfortunately for them, the Lakers are probably going to be significantly better next year... so Philly ends up getting probably a mid-to-late 1st for MCW.  Bad gamble.

But Russell, Embiid and Noel is a sick foundation.  Add Saric, cap space to sign talent and several other tradeable assets... I expect Philly to be a playoff team within 2 years.  Depending on how the rest of their offseason goes, they might even sneak into the playoffs next year. 

Russell, Wroten, Tobias Harris, Noel and Embiid, for example... that'd be interesting.

I know it sounds straight-up absurd that Philly could make a leap that quickly, but we don't know yet how good Embiid will be... and during the second half the season Philly had the #1 defensive rating in the league when Noel was on the court.  Add Embiid, some scoring punch and a signing or two... I mean... as Boston proved this year, it doesn't take much to sneak into the playoffs in the East.

i think even as a supporter of what philly is doing you have to admit that today was a bad day for them. Not only did they not get the lakers pick, which is going to be worse next year, but they also saw the lakers leap frog them and push them to number 3 where there seems to be a consensus drop off in value. After trading away MCW in hopes of bottoming out, it didn't pan out. Their plan could still 100% work out, but not acknowledging today went about as bad as it could for philly (no lakers or heat selection) is being dishonest.

Trying to say the Sixers had a bad day when they clearly didn't is being dishonest.  The Sixers finished with the 3rd worst record and got the 3rd pick.  The Lakers jumped them but they jumped the Knicks.  They had a better chance of not getting a top 3 pick then getting one so they actually beat the odds.  They only had a 17% chance to get the Lakers pick and less than 10% chance to get the Heat pick so not getting either pick is as expected.  They got the 3rd pick so they are in line to take Russell or Mudiay.  They certainly don't need another big.  They traded MCW because he wasn't their future PG not to bottom out.  They were already losing quite well with MCW.  The only team that had a bad day was the Knicks every other team held their position.  Now you would be accurate in saying that the end of the season did not go their way when they didn't get the Heat or OKC pick. 

[Who]

I don't know why so many people want to make tanking an "all or nothing" plan based on getting the #1 pick. The plan is to get a top 5 pick. You can't plan on any specific pick within that range but you can plan effectively (not a sure thing, but highly likely) to get into that top 5 range.

Mission accomplished for Philly.

[Tr1boy]

They will draft Russell imo

Embiid
Noel
Saric?
?
Russell

[GC003332]

The paying customers certainly aren't loving it, 29th in attendance last season, last this season.
You have to ask yourself who is behind this narrative? someone is wrapped around Hinkie's pinkie

[Moranis]

They will draft Russell imo

Embiid
Noel
Saric?
?
Russell

with that lineup I think Thompson (who they have) is exactly the player they need at SG.  Very few players in league history (especially 6'8" SG's) enter the league and shoot over 40% from three in their first two seasons (Ray Allen for example didn't crack 40% until his 4th year).  And it isn't like it is a small sample size.  His rookie year he shot over 2 a game and last year shot 4 a game, hitting 40.1% in each season, and that is on a horrible offensive team, imagine him getting open looks.  He is the perfect floor spacer for that team.

That makes Wroten the first guard off the bench and he is perfectly suited for that role as well.

Saric won't be over for a couple of seasons, but just looking at what they have on their roster, I think this is a pretty solid team in a couple of seasons and that is without using their cap space on any upgrades.  If they can attract any of the good wings (Harris, Butler, Leonard, etc.) then you are really talking about a real contender.

C - Embiid, Noel, Sims
PF - Noel, Robinson, Aldemir
SF - Saric, Covington, Robinson, Sampson
SG - Thompson, Wroten, Grant
PG - Russell, Smith, Canaan

[Evantime34]

Three thoughts on the Sixers draft.
1. All these reports of the Sixers targeting Russell as their guy seem questionable. Why would they tip their hand this early before working anyone out. Wouldn't be surprised if Mudiay was who they really wanted or they aren't even sure yet.
2. If Towns goes first and the Lakers decide they want Mudiay or Russell, I wonder what the Sixers do. Would they select Okafor then move Embiid?
3. My guess would be their draft this year will indicate that they won't be ready to compete until the 2016-2017 season. I expect them to pick players with the highest upside and a whole boatload of foreign guys that won't come over for a while.

[D.o.s.]

The paying customers certainly aren't loving it, 29th in attendance last season, last this season.
You have to ask yourself who is behind this narrative? someone is wrapped around Hinkie's pinkie

The NBA-internet loves it, because we tend to fixate on extremists in management. The Sixers have, I think, continued to raise season ticket prices in the face of all this mediocrity, which may explain this somewhat.

[Csfan1984]

Was thinking two things Mudiay could still be in play. And next year's draft has plenty of big men so Philly will get plenty to choose from being top 3 likely. This season(not offseason) they should have no issue on moving on from Noel or Embid of its not working. They moved MCW after all.

[Emmette Bryant]

Is Mudiay still hurt?  The 76ers could draft him and put him on injured reserve for the season.  They love that trick. 

[MBunge]

I don't know why so many people want to make tanking an "all or nothing" plan based on getting the #1 pick. The plan is to get a top 5 pick. You can't plan on any specific pick within that range but you can plan effectively (not a sure thing, but highly likely) to get into that top 5 range.

Mission accomplished for Philly.

It's because of the way Philly is tanking.  Traditionally tanking has been what we've seen in Minnesota.  A lot of injuries make a team worse than it would normally be, supplemented by sitting guys at the end of the year to avoid "unnecessary" wins.  Or what Boston did to try and get Duncan where you have a buffoon coach, but you might have a better than horrible roster like  Antoine Walker, David Wesley, Rick Fox, Eric Williams, Todd Day and Marty Conlon.  And yes, Marty Conlon had a 9 year career in the NBA.

Let's take Boston as example, again.  They won 36 games, tanked to 15 wins to try and get Duncan, then won 33 games the year after that.  Philly won 34 games, then tanked to 19 and then 18 wins.  And given that Philly has given every sign that they don't plan on making any moves to improve by bringing in veteran free agents this coming year, they might struggle to win 30 even if Embiid and this year's pick are as good as they could reasonably be.

People talk about how Boston doesn't have stars or doesn't have guys who could start on a great team.  Outside of Noel, Philly has a bunch of guys who don't belong in the league.  They've stripped themselves bare and relied on TV money from the league to sustain themselves and dumb luck to succeed.

Mike