NBA Season 2015-16

[dbdynsty25]

Hinkie may be pulling off the biggest con in the history of NBA management. I don't think he has a clue of what he's doing. Asset hoarding means nothing if you don't use those chips to land stars and field a competent NBA roster.

QFT. If I was a Sixer fan I'd be approaching livid about now. You can only pull off the sham for so long. Maybe next year the fans actually get frustrated?

[Rodster]

I don't know what to think of the Heat right now. They lost to Cleveland and ATL but have beat lesser teams. Chris Bosh says the team still needs time to gel as they get used to playing off each other instead of thinking what the other guy wants to do. It was a risk worth taking but STAT is this years version of Danny Grainger.

Winslow is as advertised "home run pick" and Tyler Johnson continues to improve at the #1 spot. He could be Dragic's backup if Super Mario gets traded. I do like Rio, I think he's under appreciated. Whiteside got into foul trouble last night but the previous 3 games he played around 30 mins and averages 2 PF's during the game.

[Diablo25]

Anyone wants to jump on the Sixers bandwagon I'd be happy to get you a "trust the process" pin Ironically, I am enjoying watching the Sixers games right now. Noel and Okafor are fun to watch. So much growth is needed but at least we have a few guys to watch now. Once Wroten, Covington and Marshall are back we will only lose by 6 instead of 12

Hinkie may be pulling off the biggest con in the history of NBA management. I don't think he has a clue of what he's doing. Asset hoarding means nothing if you don't use those chips to land stars and field a competent NBA roster.

I am a patient dude. Most people who don't follow the team closely have similar reactions. I am not at the end of the rope yet. Obviously the Embiid situation threw a huge monkey wrench in the plan. This offseason will be the big one with Saric leaning to coming over, 4 possible 1st rd draft picks (unless the Lakers continue to suck) and MAYBE Embiid stepping on the floor. He is supposedly ahead of schedule...if you believe reports. If the above senario occurs you will have 6 first round picks available on the court next year. Hey, I am an optimist.

[dbdynsty25]

This offseason will be the big one with Saric leaning to coming over, 4 possible 1st rd draft picks (unless the Lakers continue to suck) and MAYBE Embiid stepping on the floor. He is supposedly ahead of schedule...if you believe reports. If the above senario occurs you will have 6 first round picks available on the court next year. Hey, I am an optimist.

But that's the problem...draft picks and first round picks don't mean sh*t unless you surround them with super stars. The Suns tried that and all they are is a middling fringe playoff team with a few really good players, but no superstars. You can have tons of draft picks but if the stars don't take your money saved by going young (Aldridge specifically in Phoenix this offseason), then you're just going to be in the same position as Phoenix. No real upside, just a team that is entertaining to watch. For some fans, I suppose that's okay. If I was a guy heading to FA, would I trust Hinke to do what's right and surround me with other talent. No f'n way at this point.

[wco81]

Yeah how long has he had his job?

Last time the 76ers were in the playoffs was the strike-shortened 2011-12 season when they were 35-31.

Was this GM and coach in place that season?

Or the following season when they won 34 games?

[Diablo25]

This offseason will be the big one with Saric leaning to coming over, 4 possible 1st rd draft picks (unless the Lakers continue to suck) and MAYBE Embiid stepping on the floor. He is supposedly ahead of schedule...if you believe reports. If the above senario occurs you will have 6 first round picks available on the court next year. Hey, I am an optimist.

But that's the problem...draft picks and first round picks don't mean sh*t unless you surround them with super stars. The Suns tried that and all they are is a middling fringe playoff team with a few really good players, but no superstars. You can have tons of draft picks but if the stars don't take your money saved by going young (Aldridge specifically in Phoenix this offseason), then you're just going to be in the same position as Phoenix. No real upside, just a team that is entertaining to watch. For some fans, I suppose that's okay. If I was a guy heading to FA, would I trust Hinke to do what's right and surround me with other talent. No f'n way at this point.

So where are the Sixers supposed to get one of these so called superstars? What "Superstar" FA would have signed with the Sixers this offseason...or last? Damn near every "superstar" in the league was drafted by the team they are on. Any superstar that left his original team left for what...another contender. The Sixers had Butler coming in for a visit but he resigned. You don't think Brown talked to Leonard about coming to the Sixers? You can't make a guy sign. If you are bad you gotta build back up. This is Hinkie's way. I'm not saying its the right way or most popular way. I absolutely don't want to the Sixers to go sign a few middle of the road guys, make the media happy, and MAYBE make the playoffs. I've seen that over and over again. Again, the Embiid thing has made things way more chippy than they would be. It set them back a full year. Be honest, the damn league has like 5-6 teams that have a chance at winning it all. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just kidding themselves. Hinkie is no idiot. Whether his "plan" works or not he is no idiot. Like I mentioned before, this off season will be telling. Just my opinion, I'm only here everyday following the team.

Just so we are clear, someone tell me another avenue Hinkie should be going. Seriously, what other blueprint should he be using? What FA's should he have targeted? If the Sixers would have won 10 more games last year would Aldridge, Leonard, Butler,etc. have been drooling at an offer from the Sixers?

[dbdynsty25]

I'd be more excited about the new Unis than the team's direction. All I'm saying.

The avenue is to trade your "assets" to teams w/ superstars that need a change of scenery. Boogie in Sacramento, Carmelo in New York, etc. Then you make it easier to sign other FAs. That's what Phoenix tried to do and failed this offseason but it's not like the assets disappear. You make another run next year. Philly is doing NOTHING but be being shitty and collecting assets and until such time as they make some moves with all of those assets its going to stay that way. I'm glad you're patient w/ them Diablo, and I hope it works out for you. But right now, I'd be going nuts during year 3 of nothingness.

[Diablo25]

I'd be more excited about the new Unis than the team's direction. All I'm saying.

The avenue is to trade your "assets" to teams w/ superstars that need a change of scenery. Boogie in Sacramento, Carmelo in New York, etc. Then you make it easier to sign other FAs. That's what Phoenix tried to do and failed this offseason but it's not like the assets disappear. You make another run next year. Philly is doing NOTHING but be being shitty and collecting assets and until such time as they make some moves with all of those assets its going to stay that way. I'm glad you're patient w/ them Diablo, and I hope it works out for you. But right now, I'd be going nuts during year 3 of nothingness.

First off, the unis are sweet (I like the blues the best).

Patience is a REQUIREMENT with this squad for damn sure

Name a team where that formula worked well and long term. You can have Boogie and Carmelo. Those guys needed a change of scenery for a reason. I know culture is an overused word in sports these days but it does mean something. The Kings and the Knicks had two of the most dysfunctional teams in the league last year because of those two 'superstars'. DB, you know the NBA well and I value your opinion. You know damn well that Carmelo is a black hole. Boogie has his baggage too. No way would I want Carmelo to come to a young team. You think trading for Carmelo would make it easier to sign FA's? I disagree. I think legit FA's would AVOID playing with Carmelo. In my opinion, what you just described is exactly what I don't want...not that I am totally on board with Hinkie. You are just improving a bit to tread water. Make the playoffs and go out in round 1 or round 2. I believe the best superstars are developed after being lottery picks. Name the top studs in the league today. Steph, Davis, Lebron, Westbrook, Durant. Yes, you have Hardens and a very few others but, for the most part, they come from the draft. Obviously there are no guarantees (I think the Lakers F'd up by drafting Russell instead of Okafor). A team in the league that I feel a legit FA might want to sign with would be Minnesota. Several great young players acquired in the lottery and they are up and coming. Yes, they need to prove themselves a bit more before any FA would sign on the dotted line but they are on the way. I think there are valid criticisms of Hinkie out there but there are also many invalid ones. Our society is an 'instant gratification' society and that doesn't mesh at all with the NBA right now.

[dbdynsty25]

I was just using Melo as an example, I hate him.

And you seem to be including Lebron in this list, forgetting that he's changed teams a few times (going BACK to CLE counts because he was a FA).

You really wouldn't want Boogie in a Sixer uni? Whoa. That is my dream trade if he can end up Phoenix somehow to be reunited with all of his Kentucky alums (Bledsoe, Knight, Booker).

[Diablo25]

I was just using Melo as an example, I hate him.

And you seem to be including Lebron in this list, forgetting that he's changed teams a few times (going BACK to CLE counts because he was a FA).

You really wouldn't want Boogie in a Sixer uni? Whoa. That is my dream trade if he can end up Phoenix somehow to be reunited with all of his Kentucky alums (Bledsoe, Knight, Booker).

We agree on the Melo front. Yeah, Lebron left via FA but there were only 1 or 2 teams that were on his list. Sixers obviously weren't one of them. Love Boogie's talent but not his attitude but I guess beggars can't be choosers. Plus, ironically the one thing the Sixers don't need is a big man. We've got skinny big men, injured big men, rookie big men. Tonight the Sixers are beating the Cavs...I'm calling it!!

[Diablo25]

I'd be more excited about the new Unis than the team's direction. All I'm saying.

The avenue is to trade your "assets" to teams w/ superstars that need a change of scenery. Boogie in Sacramento, Carmelo in New York, etc. Then you make it easier to sign other FAs. That's what Phoenix tried to do and failed this offseason but it's not like the assets disappear. You make another run next year. Philly is doing NOTHING but be being shitty and collecting assets and until such time as they make some moves with all of those assets its going to stay that way. I'm glad you're patient w/ them Diablo, and I hope it works out for you. But right now, I'd be going nuts during year 3 of nothingness.

As soon as I refute your argument this article shows up at Philly.com . It won't happen but it's exactly what you suggested.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/six ... ound_.html

[dbdynsty25]

Lol. I mean...come on.

[pk500]

This offseason will be the big one with Saric leaning to coming over, 4 possible 1st rd draft picks (unless the Lakers continue to suck) and MAYBE Embiid stepping on the floor. He is supposedly ahead of schedule...if you believe reports. If the above senario occurs you will have 6 first round picks available on the court next year. Hey, I am an optimist.

But that's the problem...draft picks and first round picks don't mean sh*t unless you surround them with super stars. The Suns tried that and all they are is a middling fringe playoff team with a few really good players, but no superstars. You can have tons of draft picks but if the stars don't take your money saved by going young (Aldridge specifically in Phoenix this offseason), then you're just going to be in the same position as Phoenix. No real upside, just a team that is entertaining to watch. For some fans, I suppose that's okay. If I was a guy heading to FA, would I trust Hinke to do what's right and surround me with other talent. No f'n way at this point.

Bull's eye. Very well said.

Name me one NBA team that has made a deep run into the playoffs in recent seasons without a superstar. You can't. Hinkie's grand plan is nothing but smoke and mirrors until he can use it to land a top-20 NBA player in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Sixers don't even have a top-50 NBA player on their roster.

[pk500]

I'd be more excited about the new Unis than the team's direction. All I'm saying.

The avenue is to trade your "assets" to teams w/ superstars that need a change of scenery. Boogie in Sacramento, Carmelo in New York, etc. Then you make it easier to sign other FAs. That's what Phoenix tried to do and failed this offseason but it's not like the assets disappear. You make another run next year. Philly is doing NOTHING but be being shitty and collecting assets and until such time as they make some moves with all of those assets its going to stay that way. I'm glad you're patient w/ them Diablo, and I hope it works out for you. But right now, I'd be going nuts during year 3 of nothingness.

Exactly. There still are guys out there who are VERY good NBA players who could be lured to Philly or brought there in a trade for hoarded picks. Guys like Al Jefferson, Greg Monroe, Monta Ellis, Paul Millsap, etc., etc. These guys are FAR better than anyone on Philly's current roster.

You MUST have at least a foundation of talent, the promise of fairly quick improvement, to lure free agents. Hinkie could have done that by signing guys like the above. Instead, he keeps drafting promising kids who may or may not develop and then hoarding picks.

Think about it: Which promising rookie is going to develop faster and probably better, a guy like Justise Winslow surrounded by veteran talent in Miami or Jahlil Okafor surrounded by Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid?

It's one thing to have all of this young talent and picks. It's another thing to create some inertia with them, and Hinkie is failing miserably at that. This franchise is stuck completely in neutral, coasting at a VERY slow speed. That's on Hinkie.

[pk500]

(I think the Lakers F'd up by drafting Russell instead of Okafor).

I don't. The Lakers already have Randle and were confident he would return healthy and play well. Plus they were able to get Hibbert, who proved for a brief time in Indiana he can play at an All-Star level. So far, the Lakers are correct.

That's another problem of Hinkie's. He doesn't draft based on the team's need. He drafts based on what value the asset has for future deals.

Example: Why the f*ck did the Sixers need to draft or make deals for three of the best young players at the SAME POSITION -- center -- in the last three years? I know they needed cover for Embiid's injuries. But what other competent NBA GM trying to build a winning product would grab three young players at the same position in consecutive years? That's insanity, all because of "the process."

Hinkie is perhaps doing the most masterful job of playing the shell game or Three-Card Monty of any NBA GM in history. This is a complete sham.

[wco81]

It's a reasonable strategy to bet on high draft picks becoming superstars.

There are very good players who were drafted even in the second round.

The question is, are any of these high draft picks showing signs of improvement?

It may take years and the team has to really believe in them and make the commitment.

Curry his first year struggled. Also, he was like the 7th pick of that draft and he wasn't necessarily the consensus pick at that spot.

He had injury problems the first couple of years and ultimately they had to trade away Ellis, who was still a very effective player, before he could flourish. They extended his contract before he was fully back from his injuries.

They saw enough signs of him becoming one of the best players in the league, despite the poor records his first few seasons. So are the 76ers seeing enough promise from their high picks to see them becoming all star level players? They do probably need to get a top notch PG, instead of relying on all the centers.

[Diablo25]

(I think the Lakers F'd up by drafting Russell instead of Okafor).

I don't. The Lakers already have Randle and were confident he would return healthy and play well. Plus they were able to get Hibbert, who proved for a brief time in Indiana he can play at an All-Star level. So far, the Lakers are correct.

That's another problem of Hinkie's. He doesn't draft based on the team's need. He drafts based on what value the asset has for future deals.

Example: Why the f*ck did the Sixers need to draft or make deals for three of the best young players at the SAME POSITION -- center -- in the last three years? I know they needed cover for Embiid's injuries. But what other competent NBA GM trying to build a winning product would grab three young players at the same position in consecutive years? That's insanity, all because of "the process."

Hinkie is perhaps doing the most masterful job of playing the shell game or Three-Card Monty of any NBA GM in history. This is a complete sham.

Incorrect and Barry Pepper agrees with me. Noel doesn't play much center. He plays the 4. Occassionally the 5. Who knows if Embiid will play so he DID draft based on position. When it became clear Embiid was done for at least another year they drafted Okafor who for some reason was still on the board at 3. He has been better than advertised. Unreal post ability. Handles the ball way better than expected and has been a surprise outside of 5 feet of the bucket. Prior to Embiid's 2nd injury they were hot on Russell and Mudaiy. From what I've seen Russell has been less than advertised (like most OSU draft picks). I'd bet the Lakers would take Okafor if the draft was repeated. I could be wrong. It's still early though. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I'm just not on the 'Hinkie is clueless' bandwagon. Most people outside of the Philly area are on that bandwagon...and some in Philly.

I love Randle. Hibbert is a puss.

[Diablo25]

Perhaps I was mistaken. Maybe the Lakers would take Porzingas if the draft was done again.

http://espn.go.com/blog/losangeles/lake ... -porzingis

I will agree with you guys on this...the NBA is in a good spot right now. Plenty of young stars. Fun to watch.

[pk500]

Perhaps I was mistaken. Maybe the Lakers would take Porzingas if the draft was done again.

http://espn.go.com/blog/losangeles/lake ... -porzingis

I will agree with you guys on this...the NBA is in a good spot right now. Plenty of young stars. Fun to watch.

Porzingis isn't that great. He can't play a lick of interior defense because of his lack of strength, and he's foul-prone. The kid has nice offensive skills, is rebounding better than I expected and can develop into a solid NBA starter for a decade or more.

But much like Michael Carter-Williams on an awful Sixers' team three years ago, it's not hard for a competent rookie to look good on the Knicks. MCW will go down as the worst NBA Rookie of the Year of the last two decades. Mike Miller is really the only other guy in that conversation, and Miller had a few good years and has evolved into a solid bench player.

Porzingis is overrated because of the "SportsCenter" effect -- two or three of his putback jams in games were featured on ESPN highlights, and everyone thinks he's now the finest rookie in a generation.

I'm not ready to call Porzingis the perfect hybrid of Dirk and the few effective years of Bargnani. But I'm not as down on him as I was on draft night.

[Diablo25]

Perhaps I was mistaken. Maybe the Lakers would take Porzingas if the draft was done again.

http://espn.go.com/blog/losangeles/lake ... -porzingis

I will agree with you guys on this...the NBA is in a good spot right now. Plenty of young stars. Fun to watch.

Porzingis isn't that great. He can't play a lick of interior defense because of his lack of strength, and he's foul-prone. The kid has nice offensive skills, is rebounding better than I expected and can develop into a solid NBA starter for a decade or more.

But much like Michael Carter-Williams on an awful Sixers' team three years ago, it's not hard for a competent rookie to look good on the Knicks. MCW will go down as the worst NBA Rookie of the Year of the last two decades. Mike Miller is really the only other guy in that conversation, and Miller had a few good years and has evolved into a solid bench player.

Porzingis is overrated because of the "SportsCenter" effect -- two or three of his putback jams in games were featured on ESPN highlights, and everyone thinks he's now the finest rookie in a generation.

I'm not ready to call Porzingis the perfect hybrid of Dirk and the few effective years of Bargnani. But I'm not as down on him as I was on draft night.

I'll agree for the most part but his numbers are far from pedestrian.

[Rodster]

I still say Porzingis is off to a good start, factoring the glaring media spotlight, expectations and pressure playing in NYC. Those issues Porgingis has can be overcome with development. Whiteside is a prime example. He was foul city last year. This year his foul average is around 2 FPG. IIRC he had no fouls in the Pacers game and played around 30 minutes. That's where the coaching staff comes in to help the younger players.

[wco81]

The Latvian needs to juice up.

Well at least a lot of steaks.

[Rodster]

I was just reading some stats on Justise Winslow. He's in his seventh game of his NBA career and he's already playing elite "D". He only guards the opposing teams elite scorers. When he does their PPG average drops by 8 pts. The majority of the 36 pts Paul George dropped on the Heat was when Luol Deng was guarding George. That's pretty badass for a 7 game rookie and the kid doesn't get into foul trouble either while he's playing 30-36 mins per game.

[Rodster]

Even more impressive is the impact Winslow is already making.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-bas ... 9-year-old

"There can be a lot of noise in individual net rating statistics, especially this early in the season. But the Heat have just flat-out been better with the rookie on the floor. In the 140 minutes with Winslow on the bench, the Heat hace been outscored by 9.2 points per 100 possessions. In the 197 minutes Winslow has played, they're outscoring opponents by 19.4 points per 100. A difference of 28.6 points per 100 possessions doesn't even seem real, but his activity has affected the game demonstratively."

[Brando70]

Name me one NBA team that has made a deep run into the playoffs in recent seasons without a superstar. You can't. Hinkie's grand plan is nothing but smoke and mirrors until he can use it to land a top-20 NBA player in the City of Brotherly Love.

That's holding the Bulls back, and they're a good team, so I can't imagine how bad it is for Sixers fans.