Much will be written over the next few months about some very exciting names in the free agent class next summer. Unfortunately, the biggest of those names (Kobe and Booz) won't be in play for the 28 or 29 teams in the league. Both these guys have early termination options on their contracts. Restricted free agents usually need to be paid more than market value in order to lure them away from their current team. Plus, no one's really jumping off that list as a great addition. Ranking in the top of the unrestricted free agents are a couple of very dubious investments, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest. So, let's say the Sixers keep Dre' through the end of the season, make their run, see what happens and let his contract expire. In that case, what would they do in July?
I'm not sure, but there are a couple of interesting possibilities. The two I will hit quickly here both have to do with Detroit. Sheed and AI will both be available come next summer. Could either one possibly have a role on our 2009 Philadelphia 76ers? My partner in crime Greg thinks that Sammy needs to go - that he's unreliable and soft in the paint. Sheed is unreliable, but he's not soft in the paint. If Sammy can't hack it, could Sheed be a lockdown big who could compliment Elton in the paint and spread the offense with his shooting? He does have strong Philly roots (shout out to Gratz High). He could definitely handle our media and fanbase. He would be a veteran presence on a team that has to make it's run in the next 2-3 years. A 3 year, $15-18 M deal might not sound bad for one last crack at a ring.
The other guy I mentioned is Chuck. If Iggy scares us into believing that he's not worth $80M, would we consider moving him if we can find a taker and bringing back the guy who brought tats and cornrows to professional sports? Would he come home for Dre' money over 3 years? If shot creation and ball handling is what AI2 lacks, would the original AI be a fit replacement?
Imagine the team with either one of these deals made:
Sheed, Elton, Thaddeus, Iggy and a midlevel pg.
or
Sammy, Elton, Thaddeus, AI and Miller or whatever we could get back in the Iggy deal or the draft.
Like either of these teams better than the other? Like either of them better than what we currently have? For me, option B's not drivin' me crazy, but option A is kinda' alright.
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2 comments:
My problems with Sheed are: 1) he disappears for stretches of games sometimes, and 2) while he can, and does, lock down the middle, he also likes to drift out beyond the arc and look for an open shot.
Sammy is a servicable center who has his qualities. But he just ties up too much salary which would be better spent elsewhere.
I love the idea of shedding Sammy for an exiring contract, then using that money to go after Chuck next summer (going with your plan, Umi, of hoping he'll take half-salary to come back to Philly and win one). You don't NEED a great center to be a championship team. Shit, the C's dominated last year with Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe, and Big Baby. I'd be fine rotating Reggie Evans, Speights, and Theo in the 5-spot, if that's what we have to do.
Imagine this roster next year:
1 -- 'Dre
2 -- Chuck
3 -- Iggy
4 -- Brand
5 -- Evans
With Thaddeus and Lou coming off the bench for the backcourt, and Speights letting the big men rest (with Theo pitching in limited minutes). Iggy plays his natural position, 'Dre runs the offense, Brand commands a double team in the high post, and Al runs off screens and drives defenders insane.
That team can't win? Plus (and I know this goes without saying), just imagine the vibe in the Center with Chuck back home again. Jesus H., it's almost too much.
Have to log off. There's something in my eyes...
I knew you'd bite option B. You're such a Chuck fan.
There's a lot of things wrong wiht bringing back AI.
1) He becomes the savior again. We've spent the last two seasons trying to transform the Sixers into being a team that doens't revolve around one player. Bringing back Chuck reverses all that in one fell swoop. It's like getting back with a girl you used to mess with cus she looks different and seems to have gotten her head straight. It never works, becaus eht enature of your relationship is still the same. You learned each other one way, and it's nearly impossible to change that dynamic.
2) You totally negate Dre Miller's effectiveness by having AI pound the rock for 20 minutes a game.
3)What does Lou do if you bring back AI?
Besides: 'Dre, Chuck, Iggy, Elton and Re-ggie ain't winnin' nothing in this league. Frankly, I'm surprised writing that lineup didn't make you think twice about the whole idea.
On the other hand, if we could dump Sammy's contract and replace him with Sheed at $6 or 7M per for three years, I think that's a move you make quickly. Yes, Sheed does float out to the perimeter at times. But that's not so bad if you've got Elton operating out of the post. In fact, it could be great because Sheed's man has to come out to the 3 line with him in respect of his shot. That gives Elton more room to operate and allows the other good rebounders onthe team like Iggy, Thaddeus, Speights and Reggie to hit the offensive glass.
And yes Sheed is unreliable at times, but when he's on he's a top three defensive center in the league. He's a rich man's PJ Brown even three years from now. After Sammy got used on Wednesday night by Al Jefferson, I realized once again that we probably can't win it all with him. The Celtics won with inferior talent at the 5, but all those guys are tough with a capital T and play hard man-on defense. We at least know Sheed can do that. Sammy can't. Plus: 'Dre, Iggy, Thaddeus, Brand and Sheed has a much more realistic shot at making the Finals. Iggy's got a learn how to play his position nomatter what happens, but otherwise that team is solid.
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