I know it's on everyone's mind about this time and especially after the heart wrenching loss yesterday. How will next season pan out? Well, here's how it is in my eyes. The 76ers looked as if the pieces were starting to come together after all since the Webb trade. It looked at fist that this was another bad deal for the squad and then he seemed to come around to himself and start playing as if espected. The team seems as if the adjusted to his type of play as well. We made a end of season push that was pretty entertaining but then we had to bump into the defending champs in round 1 (bummer). Well, on to next season. I think a pre-season camp will be go for the Webber - AI relationship, to get them off to a nice start next year. There are a few other things I think should go down this off-season, which are: 1. Get the young guys re-signed - Sammie and Willie 2. Get JO to set a certain style of play from the start and carry it through the whole season. 3. Look for a sleeper in the draft, either a big PG or a C that can bang and play defense. 4. Get Iguodala help with a consistent outside jumper and help him learn to creating his own shot. 5. Rehab all AI 04-05 season injuries (as usual). 6. Look to package players like Matt Barnes, Mike Bradley, Aaron Mckie, Josh Davis, John Salmons, and Kevin Ollie for a nice draft pick or a nice free agent on the market. This is my outlook. Feel free to comment or add anything else.
Well it ain't on my mind yet cause we still have a shot to win the series. Your 3rd point is off a bit,Sixers don't have a draft pick this year unless we trade for one as our 2nd rounder goes to Detroit. I hope we can trade Aaron or Kevin for a pick.
First of all, if we keep O'Brien (who's been doing a decent job, not good- just decent) we shouldn't be resigning Green. I mean, we probably won't be able to anyways since his stock has risen and Green is only getting garbage time on this team. He deserves better. However, if O'Brien will give him more minutes next season, then we'll probably let Salmons go. I agree with O'Brien setting a certain type of play for next season though. He has to stick to a set style for this team because there has been way too much confusion and problems that we've had when he tried to just plug our players into his ol Celtics run and gun style. We don't have too many run and gun shooters, plus the Webber situation messes everything up anyways. The defensive schemes definitely have to be looked at as well because they just aren't working.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">don't give up hope, season ain't over yet.</div> Yeah. That's the reason I wanted to start a thread like this until AFTER they're season was over. I wanted to prevent replies like this, but since the thread is already created, what the hell. Well first and foremost, I believe the 76ers will be a 50+ win ball club next season. Why? It?s because I believe Iverson and Webber will simply just try they?re hardest to get things done this time around and I can?t forget the fact they are also starting to gel. What they have showcased in the Playoffs finally gives us a glimpse of what?s to come. Things are starting to work out between them and Webber most importantly is looking comfortable in the offense. And then we have the role players such as Korver, Iguodala and Sam. They also seemed to have found they're roles as well. This team is finally giving us hope that they can turn out to be the team we envisioned after the blockbuster trade. And what makes things better is that in the off-season we have a WHOLE training camp and preseason to sort things out even more. Iverson is already having an injury free season and he gets to heal up some more during the off-season so that?s good. And most importantly Webber is going to through rehab. Since the injury he has never gone through rehab he has only spent his off-season healing the knee. So once he goes through this process he can gain some of his mobility and explosiveness back. Of course he won't regain all of it, but making a 45% increase to a 65-70% increase as far as his laterally movement and lift goes, will definitely be an accomplishment/plus. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">1. Get the young guys re-signed - Sammie and Willie</div> Yup. That's a definite. Billy King has to resign the young guys. But at the same time he should look at what?s being offered for Willie Green because his status in Philly isn't flowing so well. And the guy can flatout play so we might be able to get a decent role player in exchange for him. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">2. Get JO to set a certain style of play from the start and carry it through the whole season.</div> Another good point. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">3. Look for a sleeper in the draft, either a big PG or a C that can bang and play defense.</div> Forget anything that's Guard related. We need some athletic big guys, perhaps a guy like Stromile Swift? Or what about a guy like Marc Jackson which is a physical guy? But if were to pursue a player that likes the physical game like Jackson he would need tome leaping ability of course, beacuse Jackson can't get off the ground at all. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">6. Look to package players like Matt Barnes, Mike Bradley, Aaron Mckie, Josh Davis, John Salmons, and Kevin Ollie for a nice draft pick or a nice free agent on the market.</div> I liked this idea at first until I saw Aaron McKie name in there. Before yesterday I would be willing to part away with McKie, until what I heard Webber comments in the post game interview. Here is what he said... <font color="Blue"><font size="1">"You have to credit guys like Aaron McKie. A veteran presence in the locker room - I am trying to tell you - there is nothing like it. When you don?t have it, you can?t win. When you have hardheaded young guys, you can?t win. We have guys that listen, and we have some good veterans, and I think that is part of Willie?s development.?</font></font> If he was just to praise McKie like this out of no where, that says a lot. And Webber being the veteran that he is and yet says McKie is the locker room leader shows his importance. And after all it?s not like McKie is COMPLETLY washed up. Yes, he has declined a lot since his 6th man Award days, but when he is on the court he makes wise decisions and hits his open shots. He has become the coaches player, similar to what Eric Snow brought to this ball club. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">First of all, if we keep O'Brien (who's been doing a decent job, not good- just decent) we shouldn't be resigning Green.</div> And to add on top of that, if King plans to keep O'Brien, O'Brien MUST change. There is word that goes around quite often stating how he is very stubborn and doesn?t listen to his players. He only does things his way. And according to Stephen A. Smith some players are going to acknowledge the fact they want O'Brien gone by next season UNLESS if he is willing to change and listen his players. This was actually reported last week on the Kia NBA Shootaround show. So again, if O?Brien is going to make another run as coach he has to change. So all in all, if things run smoothly, I have a feeling this team will do a LOT of damage. If they can keep a similar swagger and intensity they have right now against the Pistons and carry it on to next season, watch out. But of course it will be hard to play on that level at a consistent basis, but even if they win or lose the series, the way they hanged in there with the defending champions says a lot, especially to the young guys. So if they potentially win and go to the next round or go home packing tomorrow night I believe they will carry some of that confidence and experience into next season.
Good post Avery, I glad you agree with me on those. I thought that there would be alot of speculation with my comments. lol
Next season is the last thing 76ers fans should be worrying about at this point. Even though are team still is missing some pieces to the puzzle are 05 campaign is not over yet. Right now, this series has been all about composure. In my opinion the Sixers are just as skilled as the Pistons are, with the exception of one game the 76ers have showed they can play with Detroit. Don't get me wrong, Detroit is probably a better team all round, but the 76ers are just as strong as the Pistons are when they are at their best. Now to the off-season, I'm sure Billy King will have a lot of priorities going into this summer. The team is going in the right direction but I think next year is going to have to be the year the Sixers make a run. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> 1. Get the young guys re-signed - Sammie and Willie</div> True, but your missing someone. Out of all of the young guys, Dalembert should be Philly?s first priority. Not only is he voluble just because of his height but also he is getting better and better and its definitely showing in the playoffs. Once he learns offensive presence he is going to be a big part of the 76ers future. With Green, I think his situation is up in the air. It wouldn?t be a good idea to sign him, and then use him like O?Brien did throughout the regular season. But if O?Brien utilized him on a consistent basis like he is in these years? playoffs then I think Green would be a great signing. Green has a knack for hitting tough shots and if Allen is out then he is a reliable ball handler and back up. Kyle is disappointing me with his performance in the playoffs but he is obviously a valuable player to the team. Korver works hard and at the end of the day, he deserves on a contract. All four (Salmons to) of the younger guys are guys I would like to see in are future. All of them have show they can play, but will the Sixers be able to afford to resign them all? I hope so. With that being said, I hope are young guys work hard this off season. Like I already said Dalembert needs to learn offense and defense awarness and how to get rebounds. Iguodala needs to work all around, even though he is already a deep player. The thing I want to see him doing is getting involved a lot more, he is a good offensive player but at times he is to passive. What were are also missing is bench depth, when you look at teams that win championships they all have a deep bench with three or four guys that can come in produce at any time. Two guys that come to mind are Abdur-Rahim, and Robert Hory. When it comes to how the Sixers play, they need to get it down on defense. A lot of the time, they?ll beat a team on the offensive end, but when it is time to make stops the 76ers just can?t seem to make them. They rotate/switch slow off of picks and help defense, that?s why we often see wide open looks from the perimeter.
