2018-19 Sixers Thread

[Tom McAndrew]

With the open bench spot Monty left, I would love to see them bring in an offensive minded coach to change that offense around. They are going to have to do it soon so the free agents they are looking to resign/sign know what direction the team is going in.

I have wondered how much the assistant coaching movement impacted the team. In March, Billy Lange left to become the head coach at St. Joe's University. Jim O'Brien was brought in to replace him. During the playoffs (earlier this month), Monty was announced as the new coach of the Phoenix Suns, though he stayed with the Sixers until the end of the playoffs.

Monty had a stellar reputation. Lange wasn't on Monty's level, but he was well thought of in coaching circles.

 

[Judge Smails]

This offense he is running now doesn’t work.

Come on. That is just objectively false. The Sixers ended the season 5th in points per game and 9th in offensive efficiency. With the current starting lineup, they were much higher than even that.

The Raptors are a great team, in particular, a great defensive team. Kawhi and Gasol might be the best defenders at their position in the NBA. The rest of the starters are almost as good. It was a tough 7 games that came down to a lucky bounce in a series that everyone predicted they would lose. Bring back all the starters and improve the bench. The Sixers were +10 with Embiid on the floor, -12 for the 3 minutes he sat in Game 7. Bring on a backup center who can actually play and see what happens.

 

[jmorovich]

Come on. That is just objectively false. The Sixers ended the season 5th in points per game and 9th in offensive efficiency. With the current starting lineup, they were much higher than even that.

The Raptors are a great team, in particular, a great defensive team. Kawhi and Gasol might be the best defenders at their position in the NBA. The rest of the starters are almost as good. It was a tough 7 games that came down to a lucky bounce in a series that everyone predicted they would lose. Bring back all the starters and improve the bench. The Sixers were +10 with Embiid on the floor, -12 for the 3 minutes he sat in Game 7. Bring on a backup center who can actually play and see what happens.

So your ok with Dribble Handoffs with what many call the most dominate big man in the game 30 feet from the basketball to start the offense?

I’m not. I think it’s easily defended against. I know people love to hang their hats on stats like the ones you put out. I’m not saying against bad teams in the NBA they won’t score a ton. That’s a talent thing not an offensive scheme thing.

Last night the sixers had 3 of the worst offense sets at the worst time. They were dribbling and handing off 30 feet from the basket, dribbling to corners and getting trapped, and then not in position to shoot. EVERYONE knew that Kawhi was going to take the shot. They ran him off 4 good picks because that’s the offense they run. The Sixers couldn’t get A shot off (not a good shot...A single shot) in those possessions because the Raptors who are a great defensive team locked them down.

Why does JJ have to work so hard for an open three. He rarely is just sitting open for 3 on the line. He’s always running off 2-3 picks. He’s tired as the season goes along because he has to work so hard for a shot every time.

 

[Judge Smails]

So your ok with Dribble Handoffs with what many call the most dominate big man in the game 30 feet from the basketball to start the offense?

I’m not. I think it’s easily defended against. I know people love to hang their hats on stats like the ones you put out. I’m not saying against bad teams in the NBA they won’t score a ton. That’s a talent thing not an offensive scheme thing.

Last night the sixers had 3 of the worst offense sets at the worst time. They were dribbling and handing off 30 feet from the basket, dribbling to corners and getting trapped, and then not in position to shoot. EVERYONE knew that Kawhi was going to take the shot. They ran him off 4 good picks because that’s the offense they run. The Sixers couldn’t get A shot off (not a good shot...A single shot) in those possessions because the Raptors who are a great defensive team locked them down.

Why does JJ have to work so hard for an open three. He rarely is just sitting open for 3 on the line. He’s always running off 2-3 picks. He’s tired as the season goes along because he has to work so hard for a shot every time.

Posting up is among the least efficient offensive plays. Go look up the advanced stats on it. Points per possession on post ups are low. When you combine that with going against a great defensive center like Gasol, just a tough way to score points.

Everything you do against the Raptors is going to be inefficient because they are a great defensive team. The advanced stats on the Joel/JJ dribble handoffs was very good.

People overreact to small sample sizes. Sixers were something like +100 with Embiid on the court, and -115 with Embiid sitting in that series. Best thing they can do is get a good backup center that isn't a goddamn hole.

 

[jmorovich]

I'm not saying post him up. I know that's highly inefficient. I'm just saying I'm not a fan of having him hand it off 30 feet away and then try to have him run down or follow the play every time. When you have guys running that fast by the play it's not as hard to defend it as it is a true pick and roll. That's all I'm saying.

It's not like I'm here offering up solutions either. I don't pretend to know NBA offenses like others do. I'm not calling for an overhaul of the offense, I just think if you are going to keep Tobias and Jimmy you need more pick and roll.

 

[MJG-90]

Best thing they can do is get a good backup center that isn't a goddamn hole.

One who can play defense. That's where Embiid makes the biggest difference in my opinion.

 

[PSU_Chicago]

Tough loss. KL did walk on that last play. And made an unbelievable shot. higher than 75% probability that does not go in. But it did.

Plan for 2019-2020 for 76ers

Keep Brett Brown. He is not the problem. Good coach and communicator.

They need better and more shooting. Find another shooting guard / small forward that can shoot the rock.

Keep JJ as an off the bench instant scorer.

Get a better bench. One that can at least play defense but hopefully add some offense too.

Ben needs to play all summer not being allowed to shoot anything under 15 feet from the basket. Watch his HS film when he shot from outside the lane.

Sign Butler and Harris. .... unless you know you have something better lined up. Like Kawai!

Back up center ... we cannot stop the other team now unless Joel is on the court.

 

[PSUoh90]

76ers could explore a Ben Simmons for LeBron James trade this summer, per report

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/76ers-could-explore-a-ben-simmons-for-lebron-james-trade-this-summer-per-report/
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Oddsmakers think Brett Brown gets fired, Jimmy Butler re-signs, Tobias Harris moves on

https://www.phillyvoice.com/nba-rum...ed-jimmy-butler-re-signs-tobias-harris-moves/

 

[Judge Smails]

These are the same owners who fired Sam Hinkie and brought in the twin morons Jerry and Brian Colangelo, who lost or blew every pick or trade they made (except the layup Ben Simmons pick handed to them by Hinkie). Brian was such a dope that he was trolling his best player Embiid behind anonymous twitter accounts. Still will never understand the logic behind that one.

 

[Nitwit]

Remember next year Smith will be ready to play. He could help the defense and outside shooting. But they could use a better defensive center and a proven outside shooter. Also wouldn’t be surprised if Embid has some sort of surgery to clean up the knee in the offseason.

 

[PSU_Chicago]

LeBron ? For Ben? Too short term a move for me

 

[MJG-90]

Don’t the Lakers already have a PG who can’t shoot?

I’m not sure Ben is sticking around past the number of years Philly can keep him, so maybe it’s not so shortsighted.

If philly made that trade, kept Butler and signed a quality point guard, aren’t they the favorites in the east?

 

[psuno1]

Kawhi took 4 steps without dribbling before that last shot.

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That is so bad, what a joke, did not even notice watching live.

 

[jmorovich]

Come on. That is just objectively false. The Sixers ended the season 5th in points per game and 9th in offensive efficiency. With the current starting lineup, they were much higher than even that.

The Raptors are a great team, in particular, a great defensive team. Kawhi and Gasol might be the best defenders at their position in the NBA. The rest of the starters are almost as good. It was a tough 7 games that came down to a lucky bounce in a series that everyone predicted they would lose. Bring back all the starters and improve the bench. The Sixers were +10 with Embiid on the floor, -12 for the 3 minutes he sat in Game 7. Bring on a backup center who can actually play and see what happens.

Article stating what you mentioned about the Raptors D...one my strengths admitting irrational thoughts when still pissed about a loss!

I guess what I should have said that as good as this offense was, I think it can be great with these players all back and different wrinkles built in from a full offseason.

https://apple.news/A_BAzeyvWQzyhPi3AFitCOw

 

[jmorovich]

Brown to stay on as head coach

http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-41064495-4

 

[Relayer]

Brown to stay on as head coach

http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-41064495-4

Good, I can't wait to hear the head clown on WIP tomorrow morning have another meltdown. He's so predictable, I decided to listen for a few minutes this morning. He was only taking calls from those willing to bash Brett Brown, pathetic.

 

[Lion8286]

Brown to stay on as head coach

http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-41064495-4

A lot of posters in this thread look pretty stupid right now. You know who you are.

 

[WestSideLion]

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Brown’s job is secure. Period.

This young team hung around and played very hard the entire series. The coach gets big props for that. They could easily be on their way to Milwaukee.

Where this gets interesting is the decision on who comes back. How do they stick to this starting 5 and try to improve or do they tinker?

 

[mrtailgate]

Brown’s job is secure. Period.

This young team hung around and played very hard the entire series. The coach gets big props for that. They could easily be on their way to Milwaukee.

Where this gets interesting is the decision on who comes back. How do they stick to this starting 5 and try to improve or do they tinker?

Critical time as the NBA landscape is going to push a huge reset button. The balance of power will undergo a huge shift with Kyrie, Kawhi, and KD all possibly changing. Not to mention a potential trade of Anthony Davis and God Only knows what with LeBron and the Lakers. Then you have a slew of next level players such as Walker, Butler, Harris, Middleton, Horford, Rozier, etc. on teams in the immediate competitive world with the Sixers who could move along. I’ll assume that Klay isn’t in play but add him to the top 3 and Davis if he would decide to move. The draft then has the wild card as well with Zion. Let’s just say for a second that the Knicks get Kyrie and KD and the Zion lottery lands him in NY as well. The Knicks then become a player in the East.

This is one instance where staying the course with this core might be a huge plus. Let’s say Kawhi and Kyrie both head West. Tor falls off the map and the Celtics then have a huge reset if Kyrie is gone (arguing whether that is better for them or not is for another day but teams typically don’t lose all NBA players and not suffer for it). That leaves the Bucks as the only other real threat in the East and they have a lot of issues to navigate. They could suffer a big loss as well with Middleton. There is a clear path then for a window in the East if the core is kept together although I think one of the three starters likely doesn’t return.

 

[jmorovich]

So now that Brown is locked in. What would you do with the current roster? Who would you keep? Looks like Elton is going to earn his pay check this summer.

 

[LionJim]

Critical time as the NBA landscape is going to push a huge reset button. The balance of power will undergo a huge shift with Kyrie, Kawhi, and KD all possibly changing. Not to mention a potential trade of Anthony Davis and God Only knows what with LeBron and the Lakers. Then you have a slew of next level players such as Walker, Butler, Harris, Middleton, Horford, Rozier, etc. on teams in the immediate competitive world with the Sixers who could move along. I’ll assume that Klay isn’t in play but add him to the top 3 and Davis if he would decide to move. The draft then has the wild card as well with Zion. Let’s just say for a second that the Knicks get Kyrie and KD and the Zion lottery lands him in NY as well. The Knicks then become a player in the East.

This is one instance where staying the course with this core might be a huge plus. Let’s say Kawhi and Kyrie both head West. Tor falls off the map and the Celtics then have a huge reset if Kyrie is gone (arguing whether that is better for them or not is for another day but teams typically don’t lose all NBA players and not suffer for it). That leaves the Bucks as the only other real threat in the East and they have a lot of issues to navigate. They could suffer a big loss as well with Middleton. There is a clear path then for a window in the East if the core is kept together although I think one of the three starters likely doesn’t return.

Good post except that I think there is no way Kyrie and KD can coexist. Talk about a hot mess. And think of how Kyrie would mess with Zion’s head were that to come to pass. I don’t think it’s any accident that Tatum regressed last year.

 

[Judge Smails]

So now that Brown is locked in. What would you do with the current roster? Who would you keep? Looks like Elton is going to earn his pay check this summer.

Sign Jimmy to the max, see if you can get Harris for slightly less than the full max that the Sixers can pay him (but still more than any other team can offer), sign Redick using his Bird rights to 2/$20 mil, sign C Dwayne Dedmon using the MLE, resign Scott and Ennis for cheap 1 year contracts, draft well and pick up some young bench pieces with your 5 draft picks.

 

[MJG-90]

draft well and pick up some young bench pieces with your 5 draft picks.

This it the part that's easier said than done. Philly has had a ton of draft picks recently. Where are they all playing?

 

[Judge Smails]

This it the part that's easier said than done. Philly has had a ton of draft picks recently. Where are they all playing?

Collars Colangelo was freaking terrible at the draft and everything else.

I think Zhaire Smith has looked good in his limited minutes. 3 point shot looks clean and he is super athletic. Could be very special on defense.

 

[Judge Smails]

Good post except that I think there is no way Kyrie and KD can coexist. Talk about a hot mess. And think of how Kyrie would mess with Zion’s head were that to come to pass. I don’t think it’s any accident that Tatum regressed last year.

I think Kyrie goes to the Knicks or Lakers.

 

[MJG-90]

I think Zhaire Smith has looked good in his limited minutes. 3 point shot looks clean and he is super athletic. Could be very special on defense.

I'm hoping. He's one guy who could improve our team without having to spend a lot right now.

 

[Judge Smails]

Josh Harris is a twit. Wonder what the head coach equivalent he would have come up with to the Bryan Colangelo hire. Let's the speculation about Brown's status go on throughout the playoffs. Great distraction for the team and fans.

 

[wlawn]

Sign Jimmy to the max, see if you can get Harris for slightly less than the full max that the Sixers can pay him (but still more than any other team can offer), sign Redick using his Bird rights to 2/$20 mil, sign C Dwayne Dedmon using the MLE, resign Scott and Ennis for cheap 1 year contracts, draft well and pick up some young bench pieces with your 5 draft picks.

And please bring Simmons a 15' jump shot... ok,10-15.

 

[70Sixers]

Collars Colangelo was freaking terrible at the draft and everything else.

I think Zhaire Smith has looked good in his limited minutes. 3 point shot looks clean and he is super athletic. Could be very special on defense.

Shake Milton's stroke is even better. Landry Shamet level pure. JJ Redick is impressed with Shake Milton's jumper.

Milton's 33 inch vertical hurt him a lot in the combine and he was labeled as having average athleticism. However, when you watch him drive and finish you wouldn't know that was the major flaw that hurt his stock.

 

[royboy]

Shake Milton's stroke is even better. Landry Shamet level pure. JJ Redick is impressed with Shake Milton's jumper.

Milton's 33 inch vertical hurt him a lot in the combine and he was labeled as having average athleticism. However, when you watch him drive and finish you wouldn't know that was the major flaw that hurt his stock.

Will Milton factor in at the PG position, or more as a shooter? He's got some length.

He shot 32% from 3-point in limited action this year, but was around 43% in college, which is quite good (even though it's a shorter line). His development would be a nice plus.

 

[LionJim]

And please bring Simmons a 15' jump shot... ok,10-15.

There is zero reason to think Simmons can’t hit 35% of any open threes he takes. I watched video after video of him shooting threes during the last off-season and he’d make nine, ten consecutively. The easiest thing for an athletic basketball player to do is to learn to shoot from outside. I’m just flummoxed that he didn’t try any threes in the flow of the game last season. Hell, even Shawn Marion had a 33% 3-point percentage.

 

[Obliviax]

There is zero reason to think Simmons can’t hit 35% of any open threes he takes. I watched video after video of him shooting threes during the last off-season and he’d make nine, ten consecutively. The easiest thing for an athletic basketball player to do is to learn to shoot from outside. I’m just flummoxed that he didn’t try any threes in the flow of the game last season.

I had the opportunity to play in in Gym in Akron for a few years frequented by CLE Cavaliers. Namely, Kerr and Elho for the most part, but others as well. If you let those guys stand at the three they'll make 99 out of 100 (OK, and exaggeration but clearly over 50%). Just pouring them in time after time after time. Incredible. The issue is the pressure, the defense and the timing. You've got to get players "off their spot". You have to get them rushing. You have to make them move to get open (make them fight their body's momentum). Steve Kerr, in fact, was the easiest guy to guard. His 3 pointer started from his knees and he had a very slow release. And, he was not very fast. So you could play a yard off him and close the gap when you saw him take the ball down to his waist to start his shooting motion. But left open, he is automatic. He added several years to his career just camping out on the 3 line and making a couple of key shots down the stretch when players were doubling Mark Price or Mike Jordan. In the playoffs, especially a game seven, it is even worse.

I'll give you a "for instance". Game seven in 2016, Cavs win the championship. With players like Curry, James, Kyrie, Thompson, Love, and more the game ended 93-89. Cavs 33 of 82. GSW 32-82. Three point: 24% for the Cavs, 36.6% for the Warriors.

 

[PSUoh90]

I had the opportunity to play in in Gym in Akron for a few years frequented by CLE Cavaliers. Namely, Kerr and Elho for the most part, but others as well.

Out of curiosity, what gym was this?

I was at the last game ever at the Palace on the Prairie. Very vague recollection. I was 3 or 4 at the time. Not sure why my dad was wasting a ticket on me . I know he greatly preferred it to "The Gund".

 

[Obliviax]

Out of curiosity, what gym was this?

I was at the last game ever at the Palace on the Prairie. Very vague recollection. I was 3 or 4 at the time. Not sure why my dad was wasting a ticket on me . I know he greatly preferred it to "The Gund".

It was before "the gund" was built. The team was still playing in richfield. Many of the players lived in the Bath, Richfield, Fairlawn area. I think it was called the "Akron General Medical Center".

 

[Obliviax]

Out of curiosity, what gym was this?

I was at the last game ever at the Palace on the Prairie. Very vague recollection. I was 3 or 4 at the time. Not sure why my dad was wasting a ticket on me . I know he greatly preferred it to "The Gund".

Some of the guys that played: Winston Bennet who was a former Mr. Basketball in KY but had knee problems (would have been a superstar without), and Darnell Valentine (who was the worst NBA jump shooter at PG I've ever seen). I was clearly the worst ball player on the floor. The locals were really good. But I could keep up and play D. I was ALWAYS the last guy picked but I had a blast. And, BTW, all of them were really great, outstanding guys. Steve Kerr and Valentine especially. Steve Kerr is a very interesting guy. His father was assassinated . Wiki: "On January 18, 1984, Kerr was shot and killed by two gunmen outside his office. He was 52. Years later, information regarding Kerr's assassins and their motives still remain uncertain, but an Islamic Jihadist took credit for the murder."

 

[wlawn]

There is zero reason to think Simmons can’t hit 35% of any open threes he takes. I watched video after video of him shooting threes during the last off-season and he’d make nine, ten consecutively. The easiest thing for an athletic basketball player to do is to learn to shoot from outside. I’m just flummoxed that he didn’t try any threes in the flow of the game last season. Hell, even Shawn Marion had a 33% 3-point percentage.

Be glad to buy you a delmonico steak sandwich and deliver it to you if that happens

 

[bwifan]

Collars Colangelo was freaking terrible at the draft and everything else.

I think Zhaire Smith has looked good in his limited minutes. 3 point shot looks clean and he is super athletic. Could be very special on defense.

I haven't looked it up to see who is left but don't the Sixers still have a few players in the european leagues they have drafted?

 

[PSUoh90]

And, BTW, all of them were really great, outstanding guys. Steve Kerr and Valentine especially. Steve Kerr is a very interesting guy. His father was assassinated . Wiki: "On January 18, 1984, Kerr was shot and killed by two gunmen outside his office."

This I knew. What I didn't know was that Kerr played on those Cavs teams before winning championships in Chicago.

I've only ever heard good things about Mark Price too. I think he lived in Hudson at the time. It wasn't until the late 90s that I was old enough to really follow. Not a good time to be a Cavs fan, similar to present day .

 

[Obliviax]

This I knew. What I didn't know was that Kerr played on those Cavs teams before winning championships in Chicago.

I've only ever heard good things about Mark Price too. I think he lived in Hudson at the time. It wasn't until the late 90s that I was old enough to really follow. Not a good time to be a Cavs fan, similar to present day .

Interesting...I looked at his NBA profile and his cavs thing wasn't in there. Then I saw this:

-Career beginnings. Kerr was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the 1988 NBA draft. He was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1989. He spent over three seasons (1989–1992) there and then part of the 1992–93 season with the Orlando Magic.

 

[LionJim]

Be glad to buy you a delmonico steak sandwich and deliver it to you if that happens

He’s a professional. Besides his coach, I’m sure people like Butler, Mike Scott, and JJ have been in his ear about this.