OT - Sixers

[old duke]

Who would backup Embiid? Especially since he needs to stay healthy permanently for a couple years to ensure that he is 100% and has no worry of brittle bones anymore. We need to keep Noel or Okafor to rotate with Embiid for awhile until we draft another Center in a year or two.

 

[Taddy Mason]

Such a shame that we lost Simmons to the foot injury for a while ... Embiid looking like a future stud at Center. Starting to get his legs under him and the confidence is starting to build. If he can stay healthy and Simmons comes back for the 2nd half of the season to work out rookie kinks ... this team can be something special in 3 years. Saric should be fun to watch while Simmons is out ... was so looking forward to seeing all 3 develop together. It'll be interesting to see what we do with Noel and Okafor as well ... I can't imagine we don't trade one of the 2 before the trade deadline later in the season.

Embiid is looking like a stud at the one even, minus the assists. What a beast. Loving his play.

 

[eaglesnut]

I still like Okafor here playing alongside all those passers. He'll be great at finishing around the rim.

 

[Rey]

Embiid continues to look like a guy who may dominate the NBA within the next few years if he can stay healthy. Saric looking very good as well in a complimentary type role.

 

[Rey]

We should really look into trading for this Tyus Jones kid from the Timberwolves. I understand it was just the Summer League, but this PG from Duke looked damn good game in and game out this summer. Huge improvement from last season ... the Wolves are fairly stacked at the Guard position.

Looks like the Sixers read my post from back in July Would love to see it happen.

"The Timberwolves remain "engaged in trade talks on Tyus Jones," sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
The Sixers are just one of the teams in the hunt, but a deal between the two teams would make sense given Philadelphia needs more at point guard and Minnesota currently has four of them on the roster. With the Timberwolves deciding to keep veteran John Lucas III, a Jones trade seems likely if not definite sooner rather than later. Oct 22 - 4:20 PM
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter"

 

[old duke]

Wojo has a good reputation, as far as not reporting rumors r making them up, so where there's smoke...........

 

[Rey]

Sixers gave Oklahoma City all they could handle opening night. Westbrook just wasn't missing in the end and they were able to edge out the win. Not a big deal as this is obviously a growth year and we could obviously use another high pick. On to the players, specifically Joel Embiid ... all I can say is if he stays healthy, watch out! He looks like a taller Hakeem Olajuwan; very similar game and moves. Such a smooth stroke and all kinds of shakes and natural moves. 20 pts 7 rebs and 2 blocks in just 22 minutes for his debut. Did not look tired at all and looks like he has the complete package. Sergio Rodriguez looks like a very solid vet pickup who will guide the young ship well ... 12 pts 9 assists and "0" turnovers, very nice. Dario Saric is the one who looked like a rookie, forcing up shots without much confidence. No worries though, while I don't think he will ever be an All Star type player ... I think he can develop into a swiss army knife type who helps in many areas. He needs to keep working on that shot as he has good form, but needs to build confidence in it. Can't wait till Ben Simmons gets into the mix during the 2nd half of the season.

 

[knowyourenemy]

Sixers gave Oklahoma City all they could handle opening night. Westbrook just wasn't missing in the end and they were able to edge out the win. Not a big deal as this is obviously a growth year and we could obviously use another high pick. On to the players, specifically Joel Embiid ... all I can say is if he stays healthy, watch out! He looks like a taller Hakeem Olajuwan; very similar game and moves. Such a smooth stroke and all kinds of shakes and natural moves. 20 pts 7 rebs and 2 blocks in just 22 minutes for his debut. Did not look tired at all and looks like he has the complete package. Sergio Rodriguez looks like a very solid vet pickup who will guide the young ship well ... 12 pts 9 assists and "0" turnovers, very nice. Dario Saric is the one who looked like a rookie, forcing up shots without much confidence. No worries though, while I don't think he will ever be an All Star type player ... I think he can develop into a swiss army knife type who helps in many areas. He needs to keep working on that shot as he has good form, but needs to build confidence in it. Can't wait till Ben Simmons gets into the mix during the 2nd half of the season.

We've got a thread going on the 76ers board so not sure if there will be much response here or not. 76ers thread: 16-17 Season Thread

Agreed with pretty much everything you said. I didn't expect Saric to come out and look like a star. But I do think he'll be a contributor for the team, especially in Simmons' absence. I hope that we get to see this team with everyone healthy.

I think, with time, they may be able to work some Okafor/Embiid rotations into the mix. It'll depend on matchup and their comfort level defending the perimeter. The conventional wisdom is that you don't want either defending the perimeter, but if you stick them on a poor offensive player, I think they could manage. Think about when Golden State either used Bogut or no one to cover Tony Allen and he shot himself into oblivion.

 

[Rey]

Saric finally has a good shooting game ... needed that to get his confidence going. Embiid continues to shine; I knew this cat was something special ... can't wait for Simmons to get in there and start gelling later in the season. Not worried about record this season ... it's all about getting the core young guys experience. Keep adding talent in the draft.

 

[old duke]

Josh Jackson next year.

 

[Rey]

Josh Jackson next year.

Jackson's the grand prize, but I would be fine with either Dennis Smith or Markelle Fultz if we don't get #1 again. All 3 seem like great fits and top options in those need positions. Smith in particular looks like a complete PG. Fultz gives you that combo guard you can play at either the 1 or the 2 ... some compare him to Portland's CJ McCollum who helped me win my fantasy BBall league last year

 

[SixthStreet]

The only reason I want us to get some wins is that if we don't that buffoon Colangelo is going to fire Brown and replace him with some retread that's been proven incompetent.

Although he did get some modest assets for Jerami Grant so that's a plus for a guy who I don't think is really a NBA rotation player on a good team.

I'm 100% team Dennis Smith. I want to force teams out of small ball and the best way I see to do that is stack the perimeter with guys that can blow by defenders off the dribble and compromise defenses in the paint. Smith and Simmons on the perimeter attacking won't allow teams to play small. I don't like Fultz much or the other freshmen combo guards. I've also watched some tape on the French PG and I absolutely LOVE him. I think he'll work his way up the lottery through the draft process.

 

[old duke]

Jackson's the grand prize, but I would be fine with either Dennis Smith or Markelle Fultz if we don't get #1 again. All 3 seem like great fits and top options in those need positions. Smith in particular looks like a complete PG. Fultz gives you that combo guard you can play at either the 1 or the 2 ... some compare him to Portland's CJ McCollum who helped me win my fantasy BBall league last year

Thanks for the info. I couldn't think of Fultz' name, and I hadn't looked at Smith. So, you're right about getting one of the 3. Question: even though PG is the most pressing need, if we get the 1st pick, would you pick Smith or Fultz over Jackson?

 

[Rey]

Thanks for the info. I couldn't think of Fultz' name, and I hadn't looked at Smith. So, you're right about getting one of the 3. Question: even though PG is the most pressing need, if we get the 1st pick, would you pick Smith or Fultz over Jackson?

I would take Jackson first ... love Smith, but with the Offense likely running through Simmons when he gets back, we don't "have" to take a PG that high. Jackson can swing between SG and SF ... we need talent at either of those two positions. Remember, we also have the Lakers first barring it being a top 3 pick ... so we will probably have 2 lottery picks.

 

[old duke]

I would take Jackson first ... love Smith, but with the Offense likely running through Simmons when he gets back, we don't "have" to take a PG that high. Jackson can swing between SG and SF ... we need talent at either of those two positions. Remember, we also have the Lakers first barring it being a top 3 pick ... so we will probably have 2 lottery picks.

 

[Taddy Mason]

The only reason I want us to get some wins is that if we don't that buffoon Colangelo is going to fire Brown and replace him with some retread that's been proven incompetent.

Although he did get some modest assets for Jerami Grant so that's a plus for a guy who I don't think is really a NBA rotation player on a good team.

I'm 100% team Dennis Smith. I want to force teams out of small ball and the best way I see to do that is stack the perimeter with guys that can blow by defenders off the dribble and compromise defenses in the paint. Smith and Simmons on the perimeter attacking won't allow teams to play small. I don't like Fultz much or the other freshmen combo guards. I've also watched some tape on the French PG and I absolutely LOVE him. I think he'll work his way up the lottery through the draft process.

As far as the first 2 paragraphs go, I can't fault BC for any of the moves he's made so far. The draft, the FA signings, and the recent trade.

On Brown? He deserves a leash. He has this season, maybe next year, maybe not. Some of these end of game situations the way they've fallen. Today was almost a loss, which shouldn't have happened. Is it on the players or Brown, I don't know, but there's been some horrible end of game play. Some of that has been on Embiid trying to put too much on his shoulders down the stretch. When they put him back in the game today in OT he was able to step up to the task. In other end games, he's turned it over multiple trips in a row. I'm getting away from myself, my main critique would have been on Henderson being the guy to end up with it end game multiple times, but close out has been bad, especially when teams are defending against the inbound.

I won't speak to the draft at this point, there's so many guards with talent, I'd like to see what is around and where we're at.

 

[old duke]

It is way to early to really talk draft, but we should watch those top 3 players, mentioned above, this season to prepare for it.

 

[Rey]

Watched the Kansas game last night ... Josh Jackson looked like he needs a good deal of work on the Offensive side. Defense was impressive (stays with his man really well) ... once the offense comes around he should become a complete player. Shot is awkward ... has a hitch.

 

[old duke]

Good report. I think it has to be Fultz or Smith, and so far I lean toward Fultz.

 

[Rey]

Don't look now ... 2 game win streak!