MVN: Most Valuable Network

Welcome back to Passion and Pride, post-carnival!  There's actually Sixers news to get to this time around.  The three items of interest are the signing of Calvin Booth, the trade of Steven Hunter, and Sam Dalembert's stress fracture in his left foot.  We'll address them in matters of importance.

First and foremost is the issue of Sam's foot.  According to the Inquirer's Marc Narducci, the Sixers are saying that he'll be ready for when camp opens on October 2nd at Duke University.  The report suggests that it must have happened in the final game at the FIBA tournament.  On August 30th against Puerto Rico, SammyD played 31 minutes and had 13 points, 18 rebounds and 2 blocks.  He complained of pain in his foot afterwards.  Canada coach and former Sixer Leo Rautins said he was surprised about it because Sam was always asking for more minutes.  Sam told Daily News writer Phil Jasner that he wasn't sure exactly when it happened and it was more of a gradual progression.  But he said, "Something told me to check it out," and the MRI revealed the stress fracture this week. 

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but that's how Marc Jackson started the 2003-2004 season for the Sixers and he only ended up playing 22 games that year.  Frankly, who cares about training camp?  This is not a veteran team that needs to build chemistry.  Sam should attend and watch, but physically avoid contact until mid-October.  I wouldn't rush him for training camp.  He says he'll be ready and the Sixers management concur, but this is a "wait-and-see" kind of thing.  You don't want this to turn into Marc Jackson's injury-prone season.

Of second importance was the Monday trade of Steven Hunter and Bobby Jones to the Denver Nuggets for Reggie Evans and the rights to Ricky Sanchez.  Ricky played for Puerto Rico in the FIBA Americas and at times, was the best player on that team (which was led by Orlando Magic point guard Carlos Arroyo).  Sanchez is a promising player.  He's a 7-footer with 3-point range.  As for Evans, the guy is a rebounding machine.  He averaged 7 boards in 17 minutes per game last year.  Those numbers are right about where he should be.  He only averaged 5 points and shot better from the field (54.4%) than from the line (49.7%).  At 6'8" 245 lbs., he's an undersized power forward.  Hunter also shot better from the field (57.7%) than from the line (49.0%).  Hunter played a little over 22 minutes per game and averaged better than 6 points and less than 5 boards per game.  His blocks per minute really went down with the Sixers, but he played well with Dalembert as a defensive tandem.  Hunter finished the season as the starting power forward by default, and now the position has been totally revamped with Joe Smith signed for the Bulls.  It's no surprise that they dealt Hunter, since they already tried to deal him to the Hornets two seasons ago and he was not part of the long-term plan.  Let's hope he passes his physical this time.  Even though Hunter is better offensively, his lack of rebounding killed us.  Evans will be a great addition in limited duty and it gives more opportunity for Jason Smith and Herbert Hill to get involved.  Besides, it's always good to have a banger on your team who is willing to grab the other guy's nuts (YouTube video from TNT with commentary from Sir Charles).  Phil Jasner says that "he isn't shy about contact."  Um...no, he isn't!  As for Bobby Jones, he wasn't going to get time on the court with all the players at small forward.  He's guaranteed $200,000 this year whether or not the Nuggets retain him (they should).  As far as trade reaction goes, Depressed Fan is ecstatic.  Sixers Shots is not, saying that we'll be treading water at best.  Sixers4Guidos won't miss Hunter or Jones, and also likes Reggie Evans.

So, to make up for Evans lack of shotblocking and height, the Sixers signed free agent center Calvin Booth yesterday for a little more than $1.1 million and a player option for a second year.  What I was surprised to learn about was that Booth was only 31-years old.  In basketball years, he's like 45.  Didn't he play at Penn State with John Amaechi?  And coming full circle, didn't Steven Hunter and Shavlik Randolph get quoted for stupid comments to Amaechi's coming out party?  Despite Calvin's meager 1.6 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, Booth is going to be missed by the Wizards fans.  He apparently was a fan favorite.  Over at DC Sports Bog, I read this classic quote from his former teammate Antonio Daniels:

"Calvin Booth can only do what Calvin Booth does. That's what Calvin Booth did."

Yes indeed.  Well said, Antonio.  Know thy role.  For Calvin, it's mostly warming the bench and blocking an occasional shot.  He'll get a better shot in Philly.  Welcome to the Sixers, Reggie and Calvin!  Watch out for Shavlik in the locker room though.  He's homophobic.

**UPDATE: Sixers signed second round picks Derrick Byars and Herbert Hill as well.  You can read the official press release here.**