It's Time for 76ers to Consider the Unthinkable

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">We have passed the point of calling the 76ers disappointing, underachievers in a Eastern Conference rife with too many at this moment.

It would be one thing if you looked at this team and questioned why it's faltered, wondering whom to blame. But when the list of the worries includes everyone from Allen Iverson to Chris Webber to Samuel Dalembert to coach Maurice Cheeks, right on up to team president Billy King, the time to sound the alarm has officially arrived.

Entering Friday night's game vs. the Memphis Grizzlies, the Sixers were an unimpressive 18-20, mired in a two-game losing streak, with finger-pointing going on all over the place.

King had just a few days earlier wondered who would play defense. Cheeks had, too. Publicly and without compunction. Rumors were circulating leaguewide that Webber was having trouble playing alongside Iverson. The same could be said of Iverson's desire to play with any of the cast of characters King has assembled for him, though King is still salivating at the thought of getting Ron Artest in a Sixers uniform.

And caught in the middle of this reality show is one fact simmering in the minds of the Philly faithful:

This team is not much better than it was under Jim O'Brien.

The Sixers may love Cheeks. His demeanor. His people skills. But, as of Friday, they were only one game better than O'Brien's 17-21 squad at this time last season.

That's the reason Iverson had a private meeting with King on Friday. Why Webber met with King on Monday. Why both appeared exasperated, envisioning a future devoid of success and championship contention. Why it probably hasn't changed, despite their victory over Memphis heading into this weekend.

"Obviously, they have concerns," King said Friday, confirming he'd met privately with both players. "Nobody likes the way things are going right now. But I've talked to both of them. Everything is OK. There are things that need to be done. Things that need to change. They both believe we'll figure these things out, and so do I. There's still a ways to go in this season."

It means nothing, unless changes occur.

The first necessary change involves Dalembert, despite what his averages of 9.3 points and 10 rebounds per game indicate. Dalembert may be averaging an impressive 3.36 blocks per game, but he's as hardheaded as they come, reluctant to absorb instruction, still registering most of his blocks on help defense instead of defending straight up, man to man.

For Kyle Korver to defend anyone would be an improvement, as would Webber, if he had the athleticism to do so.

The list can go on and on, especially since heart and commitment on defense supersede the Sixers' talent issues. The thing is, getting a hard-core individual like Artest would solve myriad problems, "and although we've talked to the Pacers," King explained, "it's something we just can't get done."</div>

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well, it pretty much sums up the fact as to how bad this team has done this season. i agree that if we cant start winning now, we might as well trade away AI and get some young players for a better future, since we are not going to win anything any time soon.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phiLA:</div><div class="quote_post">well, it pretty much sums up the fact as to how bad this team has done this season. i agree that if we cant start winning now, we might as well trade away AI and get some young players for a better future, since we are not going to win anything any time soon.</div>


Not as long as Billy King is around..

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Psycho Drama:</div><div class="quote_post">Not as long as Billy King is around.. </div>

That's the biggest problem!

 

Agreed!

 

The biggest thing the owners care about is making money, if we trade AI we will have no one coming to the game. While it may be better for the franchise in the future, King or any other owner wont do it. Its all about money.

After watching the half of the game on Sunday, is anyone else starting to think we cant win it all with AI in the future? I'm not saying AI wouldnt be able to win a championship, I'm saying I dont think he can win one with our current team, and he will never will. Despite what everyone wants, our future is Iggy, Dalembert, Korver, and maybe Willie Green. Those guys are going nowhere. We should get some solid players in the draft as long as we dont do something stupid, like trade for Artest.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AI2AI888:</div><div class="quote_post">The biggest thing the owners care about is making money, if we trade AI we will have no one coming to the game. While it may be better for the franchise in the future, King or any other owner wont do it. Its all about money.

After watching the half of the game on Sunday, is anyone else starting to think we cant win it all with AI in the future? I'm not saying AI wouldnt be able to win a championship, I'm saying I dont think he can win one with our current team, and he will never will. Despite what everyone wants, our future is Iggy, Dalembert, Korver, and maybe Willie Green. Those guys are going nowhere. We should get some solid players in the draft as long as we dont do something stupid, like trade for Artest.</div>

Newsflash to the organization! Attendance is down! Therefore keeping AI isn't the biggest reason to make money now, WINNING is! If the organization can't see that, then they are pretty stupid. I agree that our owner is a problem. He spends 99% of his time concentrating on the Flyers (which has paid off this year, so far), and 1% on the Sixers.

I knew we couldn't win with AI a couple of years ago. The run in 2001 was our best chance with him, and if it weren't for Shaq, Allen would have a ring right now. Everything took a turn for the worse in 2003 (I beleive) when we played Detroit in the second round of the playoffs when Larry was still our coach. AI missed two free throws in a game up in Detroit, and we lost when the Pistons won in overtime. Then, in another game at Detroit, Derrick Coleman was called for goaltending on the Pistons' final possession, and we lost that game too. That, to me, is the turning point of the AI era.

Should we trade AI? I think so, even though I want him in a Sixer uniform for his entire career. But, you have to ask yourself, do you want to stay in mediocrity for the next 5-10 years, and then start rebuilding, or do you want to start rebuilding sooner? I choose the latter. The only thing is that our GM is pretty stupid, and if he does decide to trade AI (which he won't, because he doesn't have the intestinal fortitude to do it) he'll probably bring crap back in return.

 

You know what I hate? How this was written by Stephen A. This guy is..was all about Iverson. He kissed AI's ass especially in interviews and was a nice guy and all, but now that Iverson isn't in his face he's encouraging Philly to trade him..

What an ass..

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheAnswer2:</div><div class="quote_post">You know what I hate? How this was written by Stephen A. This guy is..was all about Iverson. He kissed AI's ass especially in interviews and was a nice guy and all, but now that Iverson isn't in his face he's encouraging Philly to trade him..

What an ass..</div>
That does not mean anything. Just because he is encouraging the organization to trade Iverson don't mean he does not like AI. Like a lot of Sixer fans on this site even have suggested they do not see Iverson getting a title with the team we currently have, so trading Iverson to a contender, and getting young players in return as well as giving AI a legit shot at a title would be best for both parties.

 

Supposedly the 76ers are talking trade to somebody, and Billy King has told AI that some changes will be made to improve this team. I'm anxious to see what is going to go down.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Philadelphia Inquirer - Heart and commitment on defense supersede the Sixers' talent issues. The thing is, getting a hard-core individual like Ron Artest would solve a myriad of problems, "and although we've talked to the Pacers," King explained, "it's something we just can't get done."

King wouldn't say why, but the reality is he doesn't have to, because the answer is obvious: The Sixers barely have what it takes to get a deal done.

Kyle Korver doesn't make enough to make a deal work, and wouldn't be enough even if his salary were within 15 percent of Artest's $6.8 million salary. King could work out a package deal involving Steven Hunter and Johnny Salmons, and it still wouldn't be enough to appease the Pacers' brain trust, Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh.

The Pacers would love to get their hands on Andre Iguodala, but King isn't stupid. Another option could very well be Blazers forward Ruben Patterson. But he's a registered sex offender with a $6.3 million salary, believed by Portland general manager John Nash to be of sixth-man quality, thus commanding equitable compensation.

"They're not a mess," one Eastern Conference GM told me about the 76ers, "but they're not great, either. A lot of people are wondering what's going on, wondering if there's anything King can do to fix this mess. You can't predict personality conflicts, injuries, stubbornness, et cetera, but this business isn't kind. You know someone always gets blamed unless something gets done to steer this in the right direction."

The New York Post meanwhile reported that the Sixers were considering moving Iguodala, but they couldn't find anyone to vouch for Artest.</div>

But if any trade is said to go down. King cannot trade Andre Iguodala!

 

Yes, I read that already, and I agree... if Billy trades Andre I will personally fly to Philadelphia, walk into his office and bitch slap him.

 

What? Andre Freaking Iguodala! Your Kidding Bk! Do Not! I Repeate, Do Not Trade Away Iguodala Unless You Can Get Kevin Garnett In Return. If You Do, Well, Youve Single Handedly Ruined Our Future !

 

we need to bring artest so we can go back to playing the defense we did in 2001

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting RuN WiT iT:</div><div class="quote_post">we need to bring artest so we can go back to playing the defense we did in 2001</div>

Bingo. Not necessarly bring in Ron Artest, but just go back to playing defensive minded basketball that we used to play. A lot of people look back on that team in 2001 and ask themselves how in the world can four guys who couldn't even shoot a ball into the ocean make it into the finals? It was 100% defense. George Lynch, Eric Snow, Tyrone Hill, and Dikembe were all defensive minded guys who had no intension of putting up more than five shots per game.

My suggestion would be to trade Korver and Dalembert to try and get Artest over here, then try to move Webber around in the off-season (contract year coming up I believe) and get maybe a pick from the Bobcats with Gerald Wallace (Somebody King has always wanted since his draft class), which bringns you to a new lineup of:

G - Allen Iverson
G - Ron Artest
F - Andre Iguodala
F - Gerald Wallace
C - Steven Hunter

Three of the best defensive players on one team, Iverson would still get his shots, and Iguodala would be more involved on the offensive end like we all want him to be. This would be very risky for Billy King because this process would take two years before we can become contenders and that would probably be a one year thing, but I would do it to have a title in Philly. But please at the very least just move Korver out of here. Plus we'll have a great sixth man coming off the bench ready to take A.I.'s spot like DANIEL GIBSON...hopefully.
If only I can be the GM of the Sixers

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phiLA:</div><div class="quote_post">What? Andre Freaking Iguodala! Your Kidding Bk! Do Not! I Repeate, Do Not Trade Away Iguodala Unless You Can Get Kevin Garnett In Return. If You Do, Well, Youve Single Handedly Ruined Our Future !</div>

I agree that is the one person you do not want to trade but if someone like Kevin Garnett was available I think you would have to pull the trigger

 

Honestly I dont see Webber leaving and bringing in Marbury would not be good for us I dont like the thought of him playing along side AI maybe it would work but prolly not

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PhillysAnswer:</div><div class="quote_post">Honestly I dont see Webber leaving and bringing in Marbury would not be good for us I dont like the thought of him playing along side AI maybe it would work but prolly not</div>

Not only would that work but we can then move Iverson back off the ball to the two and still make the Artest deal that I've mentioned. If things go down like shape said this is how I see our lineup if we make the Artest deal I mentioned:

PG - Marbury
SG - Iverson
SF - Artest
PF - Frye
C - Hunter

Either that or we can try Iguodala at the four and Frye at the five...

 

Shape, I'm pretty sure New York won't be willing to give up Frye. He's a main part of their future it looks like with the numbers he's putting up and plus, why trade a piece of the future while getting two thirty three year old ish veterans in return? I understand part of its unloading Jerome James' contract, but at the same time they're getting very long term deals with Rose and Webber in return. Personally, I don't like getting Marbury. He handles the ball too much and on this team, there's no doubt with Iverson he'll struggle. Both need the ball to contribute and its not like Marbury's a good defender either and plus it would give us a pretty small and defensively weak backcourt.

 

You know I was thinking...Do you think its possible that Korver got moved out of the starting lineup not so much because Cheeks thinks Salmons is a better starter but because he wants Korver to get use to playing the 6th man role

I say this because the more that I think about it Billy King is now talking about how he would like to have Artest here when he was first available he said he didnt want him and if Artest was to come here Korver would be likely the one moving to the bench

So why would King all of a sudden decide that he was wrong and would like Ron here maybe there is actually a deal in place to work out and if there is and it doesnt involve Kyle why not move him to the 6th man now and get him use to playing it

Could Ron really be on his way to Philly?