MVN - Most Valuable Network

Memo to Management: Assessing the Sixers after 20 games

 **VOTE IGUODALA FOR ALL-STAR**

Before Billy King exited stage right, Sixers director of scouting (Tony DiLeo) said that they would not consider making trades until they’ve reached the 20 game mark.  Saturday’s blowout win over the Knicks was their 20th game.  They entered Monday’s contest against the Rockets with a 7-13 record.

Unfortunately for the Sixers, Lou Williams fractured his right big toe in the game.  It happened when he was the recipient of a hard foul by Knicks big man David Lee.  Lee was whistled for a flagrant foul in the exchange.

One outcome of the Knicks blowout was the success of the full-court trap.  The Sixers have a young athletic team, and it’s about time that the coach utilizes his talent with a full-court strategy.  The Knicks folded to the pressure, but it was not an isolated incident.  The pressing trap style defense has been successful in spurts all year.  The problem has been sticking to a short rotation that runs out of gas in the fourth quarters.

Andre Miller has been tremendous since Billy King was let go.  It didn’t happen overnight though.  After around the tenth game of the season, Miller slowly started improving his game and playing more within the team concept.  His team also started picking him up as well.  Miller’s improved play is a direct result of building team chemistry.

While Lou Williams has stepped up and shown he has the tools to become a star in this league, Willie Green has played really well too.  He’s kept the Sixers in games with hot 2nd quarters.  Williams, Green and Miller have formed a pretty good backcourt rotation.  Green might not be a starter in this league, but he can provide instant offense when he is involved in the flow of the game.

Thaddeus Young has shown solid fundementals in the brief stretches in which he has played.  When compared with Julian Wright, Al Thornton and Nick Young, Thaddeus stacks up well.  Nick Young has probably played the best as a regular part of the Wizards rotation.  Given steady minutes, there’s plenty of reason to believe that Thaddeus will continue to improve.

It is obvious that the Sixers need to get a big man that commands a presence in the paint.  Reggie Evans hustles, Sam Dalembert is a decent center, and Jason Smith has shown lots of promise while obviously being more comfortable on the perimeter.  I’d love to have Hawks rookie Al Horford.  We need a guy like that to add to this mix.  Don’t forget about Herbert Hill.

Unfortunately, Rodney Carney has not progressed any further and now appears to be a mistake.  He doesn’t make good decisions on the court.  We should send him to the D-League to see if he can get straighted out.

So, with the news that Ed Stefanski would aggressively consider trades, what exactly do we have to offer?  Kyle Korver is the best candidate who would actually command some value.  Somebody might be interested in Carney as well.  If I’m Ed, I do not make any rash moves.  I would prefer that he wait until the offseason to make a move, because I just can’t see a scenario where we need to make a deal until we really know what we have to work with.  That all centers around next summer’s NBA Draft.  We’re due for a major shake up next year.  The biggest assessment Stefanski has to make is with the coach.  More on that to come…

P.S. In game 21, the Sixers hit full-throttle against the Rockets and blew them out 100-88.  They actually led this game by 31 at one point in the third quarter.  The Player of the Game goes to Andre Miller for his 17 points, 12 assists and 3 steals.  Stay tuned to Passion and Pride for all your Sixers needs!

BONUS: Previously on Passion and Pride, RECAP: SIXERS DOMINATE KNICKS AT THE GARDEN | SIXERS/KNICKS RECAP: Sixers Team Effort dooms Knicks | Passion and Pride: Having our cake and eating it too | GameThink: “Dear Mr. President…”

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This entry was posted on Monday, December 10th, 2007 at 9:41 pm and is filed under Ballhype, Reggie Evans, Sixers, Lou Williams, Willie Green, Andre Iguodala, Mo Cheeks, NBDL, Sean Watts, Memo to Management, Ed Stefanski, D-League, GameThink, Aarick Knighton, Tony Dileo, Rodney Carney, Kyle Korver, Al Horford, Julian Wright, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Al Thornton, Nick Young, Andre Miller, Sam Dalembert, Billy King, Passion and Pride, Thaddeus Young, Herbert Hill, David Lee. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.