Doug Collins, the next Sixer Coach?

According to a source: Doug Collins has offered his name up for the vacant Philadelphia 76ers Head Coaching position.  He specifically said that ‘Yes’ he would coach the Sixers if the job was indeed available (we all think it is) and they offered him the position.

Well heck Doug, let me toss my name out there too to be in the running.  Hey Ed Stefanski, Ed Snyder, I will also take the job if it is available and you offer it to me, and for way cheaper then what Doug Collins wants.

Anywaaaaayyy, I think Jimmy Lynam gets the gig.  He was basically calling all the plays anyway.

But really, Ed and Ed, this is for you.  Hire me.  I’ll gladly accept and work these boys to the bone.  Bring this great city a real championship, a BASKETBALL championship.  Put Philly Ball back on the map BAY BAY.

A Trade in the Making?

Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Clippers in a Possible Three Team Deal

From a source:

A three team deal is in the works between the Houston Rockets, YOUR Philadephia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Clippers.  The deal would include the following:

• Houston Rockets receive Andre Miller and the expiring contract of Brian Skinner
• Los Angeles receive Samuel Dalembert, Ron Artest and Rafer ‘Skip to my Lou’ Alston
• YOUR Philadephia76ers receive Baron Davis and Marcus Camby

right click and ‘view image’ to enlarge

Hey according to the ESPN Trade Machine, it works.  God I hope this happens, as much as I like Andre Miller, I would love to see Baron Davis running this offense.  Imagine the starting lineup of Baron Davis, Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, the rook Mareese Speights, and Marcus Camby.  Look out Boston, you got something to worry about in the Atlantic now. PULL THE TRIGGER STEFANSKI!

Iggy Inks Deal

The Philadelphia 76ers and restricted free agent Andre Iguodala have agreed to a six-year, $80 million contract, league sources tell ESPN.com.

FINALLY.  The last piece to the puzzle has been inked and the Sixers are looking to have a very dominant starting squad to throw out on the court next season.  $80 mil was a tad high in my mind in terms of salary for a player like Iggy, but he did average 20/5/5/2 steals last season with NO help and has only missed 6 games in his first four seasons.  He continues to improve every season and he now has some established running mates along side of him.  I’d much rather give the money to someone like Andre then see Stefanski blow it elsewhere (i.e. Erick Dampier $65 mill, Adonal Foyle $55 mill or even Rashard Lewis $118 mill).

Sixers Re-Sign Williams for Five

A source confirmed Thursday that the Sixers have locked up one of their two restricted free agents and signed guard Lou Williams to a five-year contract.

Additional terms of the deal were not known.

Williams averaged 11.5 points as the first guard off the bench for the Sixers. Although he wasn’t a starter, the slender 6-foot-2, 175-pounder often finished games during his third NBA season which garnered him some national attention this offseason.

Ed Stefanski must now focus on re-signing the key to the starting five, the spark on the court, Andre Iguodala.  Stay posted for updates.

UPDATE: Derrick Gunn on Comcast SportsNite is reporting that the deal is worth $25 million over the 5 years.

Sixers get ‘Poison’ Ivey

The Sixers reached an agreement with journeyman Royal Ivey for the minimum contract. The 6′4″ guard will join Willie Green and Louis Williams as combo guards coming off the bench for the new-look Sixers next season.

Ivey, 26, spent last year with the Milwaukee Bucks averaging 5.6 points and 2.1 assists in 75 games.

Royal Ivey

Offense isn’t his forte but he prides himself on defense.

I know the Sixers had to sign somebody since they only have 9 players under contract, but I hope management has their priorities straight. Signing Iguodala and Lou Will have to get done or this offseason tastes a little less sweet. We had a little scare with Lou Will, but the Warriors opted to go with Marcus Williams. Hopefully, Louis doesn’t take note of other signings and get any ideas of raising his asking price. My question is, were there no guards that could shoot that were cheap?

Its Official: Elton’s Coming East

Marc Stein iof ESPN with a little music to my ears (eyes):

NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday that Brand has informed the Sixers that he will accept a five-year deal worth an estimated $82 million and spurn what was presumed to be a slam-dunk return to the Los Angeles Clippers to hook up with Clipper-to-be Baron Davis.

The Sixers cannot formally sign Brand before midnight, with Wednesday serving as the first day that NBA teams can officially complete signings and trades after the lifting of a league wide moratorium which began July 1.

Sick pickup by Ed Stefanski which makes me very excited about what lies ahead for this team.  Ed, a Philadelphia native, came in here with a mission; to bring the basketball fans of the City of Brotherly Love something that has not graced the court for a long time here in Philly, a true low post presence, and he did just that. Not since the days of Charles Barkley and Moses Malone have we had a dominant scorer that commands attention at the four-spot. I sense Ed has something else up his sleeve and I have a feeling there are more great moves ahead before the beginning of the 2008-2009 NBA season for YOUR PHILADELPHIA 76ERS.

NBA Draft Preview: Kevin Love

Kevin Love, Freshman C, UCLA
6′ 9   271 lbs   17.4 ppg   10.9 rpg

Pros:  Kevin Love is truly a consistent player, scoring in double figures in all 28 games he’s played in his freshman season. Averaging 17 points and 11 boards in almost 29 minutes per game, Love is also very productive. Love’s inside game is powerful and his goto move is a baby hook that is very difficult for college players to defend. He’s got terrific footwork in the paint and can be dominating rebounder on the offensive and defensive glass.

Love’s inside game allows him to shoot over 58% from the field, but he’s a more versatile player than that. He can also step outside and has range out beyond 20 feet. Love is hitting almost 36% of his 3-pointers this year and over 74% of his free throws which is incredible for player of his size. Love is also an excellent passer and can pass out of double teams or run a high post.

Cons: First of all he doesn’t have great court speed. While his size is sufficient to dominate the paint in college, he won’t be big enough to play center and dominate down low in the League. He will have to line up at PF and could have a tough time trying to guard the quicker PF that has evolved in the NBA.  He’s had knee problems in the past and isn’t the best-conditioned athlete in college hoops, though his freshman status may have something to do with that.

Notes: According to Ed Stefanski yesterday on WIP, the Sixers are in dire need of a PF.  This guy could come right in and be the guy that we need.  He has great basketball IQ and even though hes a youngin’, K Love could be on a NBA court near you come next season (depending on where hes projected, he might stay).  His ability to rebound and outlet the ball is simply remarkable.  He would fit right in with the way the Sixers have been runnin’ and gunnin’ lately and be a great person to start the fastbreak with.

Trade Deadline Looming

With the trade deadline only 36 hours away the Sixers could still be poised to make a monumental move.

Yesterday, 610 WIP broke the news that the Denver Nuggets, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Houston Rockets are all seriously interested in trying to acquire the 76ers PG Andre Miller. It’s no surprise that Andre wants to get out of Philly, and who can blame him. The Sixers might be in the hunt for the final playoff spot, but they are nowhere near they need to be to make a run at a title shot anytime soon.

So I took some time and visited the old ESPN Trade Machine to see what we could work out with the three teams mentioned as having interest in Andre Miller.

Nuggets: Obviously we are not going to get A.I. back for Miller, but the Nuggets could be the best for the Sixers in terms of getting some talent back. Using the trade machine, I proposed Andre and Willie Green for Nene Hilario and JR Smith. This worked out for both teams as the salary numbers came very close and it’s something I can see both teams being interested in. Denver gets Miller and can move A.I. to shooting guard. Nene who is overcoming some health issues, could be seen as expendable on a Nuggets team that has seen improved inside play from Marcus Camby (phenomenal season) and Kenyon Martin (seems to back from his knee injury).

As a Sixer fan, I truly dislike Willie Green, not to mention his contract, which has him locked up for four more years. I would love to get rid of him in any trade and I feel JR Smith in return for Green, is a definite upgrade. Given the opportunity to receive more PT and take more shots (which he does not get in Denver) JR Smith could be a serious player. Who knows, maybe get a pick back in this deal as well.

Cavaliers: Chris came up with this trade between the two teams via the trade machine. Andre Miller to the Cavs and in return the Sixers would receive Boobie Gibson (only brightspot), Damon Jones, and Donyell Marshell. Personally, I dont like it at all, and dont know why the Sixers would do this trade. Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall are washed up and Boobie for Andre isnt exactly equal in my book.

The trade that I came up with and would go for in a heartbeat would be as follows; Andre for Drew Gooden, Boobie Gibson, and Ira Newble. Ira Newble makes or breaks this deal for me. HAA, kidding, he sucks, BIGTIME, but needed him in there to match up salaries. Obviously the Cavs need a PG so the 76ers need to take control and be in the drivers seat in this deal, or any for that matter involving Andre. I will not be happy if we give him away for nothing and get shafted like we usually do in every transaction we made (at least under Billy King, Stefanski – your on a short leash). Newble however, does have an expiring contract, and Drew Gooden is a very solid bigman. Well, a definite upgrade from Reggie Evans in my mind at the 4 spot. This is a trade I would condone as a fan and would actually be happy with.  Boobie “has tremendous upside” (always wanted to say that) and could be a great 2 guard in a few years.  Sam-U-EL, Drew Gooden, Iggy, Carney/Gibson, and Lou Will ain’t a bad starting five.

Rockets: Judging by my troubles getting a decent deal done on the trade machine, Houston looks to be the worst team to try and make a deal with for the Sixers. I don’t really like that many players on this team, especially in exchange for Andre. The best deal I could come up with was Andre and Willie for Luis Scola (PF), Shane Battier (SF), and Skip to My Lou, Rafer Alston (PG). I’d be very surprised if Houston would bite on this deal though. The only way I would consider doing a deal with the Rockets would be if we could dump a few contracts (Willie Green included) and we would have to receive picks in return.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Andre a lot and with the departure of Jason Kidd to the West, he could be the second best (active) PG in the East behind Chauncey Billups (Gilbert Arenas is better, but injured). Andre has been a team player and has played his heart out for this team but it is a fact he wants out, and it’s most likely in the best interest of the team.  

So the questions remain: 

What should the Sixers do with Andre Miller?

What do you think the Sixers will actually do?

How Many Mo’?

According to Philadelphia-area media reports, the 76ers and coach Maurice Cheeks are near a contract extension.

Reports in the Inquirer and Daily News stated that an agreement to keep Cheeks as coach is imminent, but not yet finished. Cheeks, 51, is in the final year of a three-year contract.

To be honest, I liked Mo as a player, but not as a coach. I feel that he does not get all that he can out of any given player. He looks bored on the sideline and never shows much of what I would call TRUE emotion. It’s like he knows his boss is watching and makes himself look busy by standing up here and there. I honestly think that Jim Lynam is calling most of the plays. He’s the only coach that I see getting into player’s faces and using the whiteboard.

In my mind he definitely underachieved in Portland, only posting a record of 162-139, with a very good team. Two playoff appearances and a career playoff record of 3- 7. Portland steadily declined in each year that Cheeks was tenured there. He’s horrible when it comes to handling the media, and I can see that translating to him handling his team. He needs to go if the Sixers think they will ever climb the hump that is mediocrity. Its time to pump some life into this team, and a few Mo’ years of Bo-ring Mo-rice Cheeks, is definitely not the way to do it.