Are the 76ers gonna get their 1st win?

[FKAri]

6mins in the 4th. 79-78.

Tune in to find out.

[SwishSquared]

I think they'll choke. Cubes has looked ticked that Philly came back though lol.

[PWB15]

They up 82-81 with 3:38 left

[DMAVS41]

Hard not to really like this Sixers team. They come to play every night it seems (at least when I watch them)...they just don't have the talent to win yet...consistently at least. They might win this one here.

Also, really like McConnell...plays tough defense and won't back down. Loved seeing him talking shit to Dirk after that foul...

[Hittin_Shots]

Let's go Philly, double win for Boston if they get up here.. not looking promising atm though

[FKAri]

...they're choking...:facepalm

[PWB15]

Dirk just killed the sixers chances, damm

[Magic 32]

Will Okafor be the first ROTY without a win?

:roll:

[SwishSquared]

Hard not to really like this Sixers team. They come to play every night it seems (at least when I watch them)...they just don't have the talent to win yet...consistently at least. They might win this one here.

Also, really like McConnell...plays tough defense and won't back down. Loved seeing him talking shit to Dirk after that foul...I get that fielding a team lacking in quality NBA players is typically a bad product for fans, but Philly demands that these guys play hard. I remember reading that they have "effort" rating that get read to the team post-game in the locker room.

Also I gave McConnell no shot to make the team and he's doing pretty decently for a rookie as the only real PG on this team. Dude is scrappy and I lol'd at him talking junk to Dirk. Gave him no respect lol.

Dirk's 3 ball has been a huge difference maker. Philly keeps forgetting to guard him properly.

[Jameerthefear]

Will Okafor be the first ROTY without a win?

:roll:
i'm sure he wishes he was like russel and just sucked

[DMAVS41]

Dirk's defense on that last possession was laughably bad. Made up for it with the 3, but to anyone watching that possession before with the Okafor dunk...just watch Dirk.

Hilarious...

[Jameerthefear]

Dirk shittin on these boys

[Mr. Jabbar]

they're DAN

[DMAVS41]

I get that fielding a team lacking in quality NBA players is typically a bad product for fans, but Philly demands that these guys play hard. I remember reading that they have "effort" rating that get read to the team post-game in the locker room.

Also I gave McConnell no shot to make the team and he's doing pretty decently for a rookie as the only real PG on this team. Dude is scrappy and I lol'd at him talking junk to Dirk. Gave him no respect lol.

Dirk's 3 ball has been a huge difference maker. Philly keeps forgetting to guard him properly.

Yea...I loved it. Very likable team from top down imo...takes a special coach to get these guys playing like this night in night out.

It's time to start improving though after this season. They need to start learning how to win games. They have done enough great work to set themselves up with assets coming for multiple teams and for multiple years.

[Magic 32]

i'm sure he wishes he was like russel and just sucked

http://hoopeduponline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/carlos_boozer_winning.jpg

[Jameerthefear]

Oak!

[PWB15]

Will Okafor be the first ROTY without a win?

:roll:


I don;t think he should get shit if the Sixers win 15 games or less

[SwishSquared]

Yea...I loved it. Very likable team from top down imo...takes a special coach to get these guys playing like this night in night out.

It's time to start improving though after this season. They need to start learning how to win games. They have done enough great work to set themselves up with assets coming for multiple teams and for multiple years.I agree. They either need to consolidate their numerous picks/young guys into an even higher draft pick or strike a deal for some guys this summer.

Embiid set them back 1 year (although they likely lost out on a franchise cornerstone guy in him- his ceiling had to drop after 2 years out imo) and the picks not conveying delayed them.

Also, Lakers are paying Kobe roughly the same amount that Philly is paying guys to not play for them. So there's that tidbit in cap allocation.

[DMAVS41]

I agree. They either need to consolidate their numerous picks/young guys into an even higher draft pick or strike a deal for some guys this summer.

Embiid set them back 1 year (although they likely lost out on a franchise cornerstone guy in him- his ceiling had to drop after 2 years out imo) and the picks not conveying delayed them.

Also, Lakers are paying Kobe roughly the same amount that Philly is paying guys to not play for them. So there's that tidbit in cap allocation.

Right...I think they just should play up Okafor's value all year and let him put up huge numbers...then trade him...either for picks or an established young talent.

Draft well....then add young players in free agency.

But the time of putting out teams that will win sub 15 games...this year needs to be the last of that imo.

[SwishSquared]

Right...I think they just should play up Okafor's value all year and let him put up huge numbers...then trade him...either for picks or an established young talent.

Draft well....then add young players in free agency.

But the time of putting out teams that will win sub 15 games...this year needs to be the last of that imo.Agreed. I hate to use the term, but Okafor is a pump'n'dump guy. He's a good kid and he should have a solid career, but Noel's an easier piece to build around as a C in this era.

Based on the really early pre-season stuff, landing 2 studs like Simmons (own pick) + Ingram (Okafor trade package) would put this team right back on the path to a rebuild. Those 2 guys seem like true, 2-way franchise building blocks. Maybe they use the LAL pick on a guard or Dragan Bender, who's apparently a rich man's Porzingis.

They need to have some lotto luck for once so they can land the top prospect and get their other picks to convey.

I think this summer is when they make a move. If nothing else, they'll throw money at certain RFAs (Fournier, Barnes, etc.). But I doubt fringe NBA guys are heavily in their rotation next season, as you said.

[DMAVS41]

Agreed. I hate to use the term, but Okafor is a pump'n'dump guy. He's a good kid and he should have a solid career, but Noel's an easier piece to build around as a C in this era.

Based on the really early pre-season stuff, landing 2 studs like Simmons (own pick) + Ingram (Okafor trade package) would put this team right back on the path to a rebuild. Those 2 guys seem like true, 2-way franchise building blocks. Maybe they use the LAL pick on a guard or Dragan Bender, who's apparently a rich man's Porzingis.

They need to have some lotto luck for once so they can land the top prospect and get their other picks to convey.

I think this summer is when they make a move. If nothing else, they'll throw money at certain RFAs (Fournier, Barnes, etc.). But I doubt fringe NBA guys are heavily in their rotation next season, as you said.

My thoughts exactly....especially when Embid and Saric are looming.

I think this is the ultimate test for Hinke. Will he do the right, but extremely tough thing, of trading Okafor after a great rookie year that is likely to continue.

The average fan simply won't get why, but it will be the smart move.

[imdaman99]

Of course. No one expected the Nets to get a win either and they surprised somebody.

[SwishSquared]

My thoughts exactly....especially when Embid and Saric are looming.

I think this is the ultimate test for Hinke. Will he do the right, but extremely tough thing, of trading Okafor after a great rookie year that is likely to continue.

The average fan simply won't get why, but it will be the smart move.I don't think he's attached to any one guy tbh. He doesn't view players as assets but he does understand what's +ev when the right offer comes around. I think he took Okafor because he was the best value at #3, even if he knew Kristaps, Hezonja, or Winslow made more sense for them and had the higher ceilings.

Part of his MO is "optionality" and Okafor's perceived value after putting up a bunch of PPG allows him great options for trades, like you've been saying. His efficiency #s and D will probably get overlooked since he has the bad team excuse. Smart gamble by Hinkie if he can capitalize.

Like you said, time between now and next opening night will be critical for his tenure. Especially since Saric publicly declared he won't wait the extra season overseas and will play next year in the NBA (he could easily pull a Mirotic and avert the rookie scale contract but he seems so fed up with his current club he's exercise that his buy out. ).

[DMAVS41]

I don't think he's attached to any one guy tbh. He doesn't view players as assets but he does understand what's +ev when the right offer comes around. I think he took Okafor because he was the best value at #3, even if he knew Kristaps, Hezonja, or Winslow made more sense for them and had the higher ceilings.

Part of his MO is "optionality" and Okafor's perceived value after putting up a bunch of PPG allows him great options for trades, like you've been saying. His efficiency #s and D will probably get overlooked since he has the bad team excuse. Smart gamble by Hinkie if he can capitalize.

Like you said, time between now and next opening night will be critical for his tenure. Especially since Saric publicly declared he won't wait the extra season overseas and will play next year in the NBA (he could easily pull a Mirotic and avert the rookie scale contract but he seems so fed up with his current club he's exercise that his buy out. ).


Right. I think he'll do it, but it's easier said than done. Okafor is at 19/8 right now and that is probably roughly where he'll end up.

The average fan simply won't understand what we are talking about...hell, most ISH posters won't get it either.

So it's gonna be hard for a team that has been tanking for years now...to "hit" on a draft pick...only to trade him for either more draft picks or other young players that might not look as good as Okafor does to the average fan.

Now, you are right that he's done +EV things so far and has thrown fan input out the window, but this move will be his toughest yet.

But, oh my god, this could be another dream scenario.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but they have the chance to have their own pick, the Lakers pick, the Miami pick, and the OKC pick...right?

It's so hard to keep track of and I don't have a resource for all this...so please correct me if I'm off, but the Lakers pick is only top 3 protected...so that has a really good chance of conveying. I'm pretty sure the Miami pick was only top 10 protected...so that has a great chance. And OKC was top 15 protected...and that is probably a lock.

So couldn't they end up with a top 3 pick (their own), a top 10 pick (Lakers), and then two other first round picks via OKC and Miami?

So if they could trade Okafor for a top 5 pick or a good young player around 25 years old...damn...combine that with all the other assets they have and are in the pipe.

Hard to do a better job than that.

Hinke has straight up fleeced the Pels and Kings already....maybe he can pull one more off before this team really starts to focus on winning games.

It's fascinating stuff.

[STATUTORY]

all those picks, no wins

Oakfor feasting during garbage time doe

[SwishSquared]

Right. I think he'll do it, but it's easier said than done. Okafor is at 19/8 right now and that is probably roughly where he'll end up.

The average fan simply won't understand what we are talking about...hell, most ISH posters won't get it either.

So it's gonna be hard for a team that has been tanking for years now...to "hit" on a draft pick...only to trade him for either more draft picks or other young players that might not look as good as Okafor does to the average fan.

Now, you are right that he's done +EV things so far and has thrown fan input out the window, but this move will be his toughest yet.

But, oh my god, this could be another dream scenario.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but they have the chance to have their own pick, the Lakers pick, the Miami pick, and the OKC pick...right?

It's so hard to keep track of and I don't have a resource for all this...so please correct me if I'm off, but the Lakers pick is only top 3 protected...so that has a really good chance of conveying. I'm pretty sure the Miami pick was only top 10 protected...so that has a great chance. And OKC was top 15 protected...and that is probably a lock.

So couldn't they end up with a top 3 pick (their own), a top 10 pick (Lakers), and then two other first round picks via OKC and Miami?

So if they could trade Okafor for a top 5 pick or a good young player around 25 years old...damn...combine that with all the other assets they have and are in the pipe.

Hard to do a better job than that.

Hinke has straight up fleeced the Pels and Kings already....maybe he can pull one more off before this team really starts to focus on winning games.

It's fascinating stuff.You got the pick protections right! LAL may improve as their 3 young guys better adjust, but I wouldn't be surprised if they finish with one of the 3 or 4 worst records. Especially if Byron stays stubborn and Kobe keeps shot jacking. They also essentially have all of SAC's ping pong balls in the lotto thanks to the 1st of two pick swaps. They should be in prime position to land some potential stud players.

Okafor's floor (I guess he currently is at his floor) seems to be high as a guy coming off the bench on a contender who could murk dudes. I don't think he'll average 25ppg on a contending team but low 20s seem very feasible. Likely never grabs double digit RPG, but his passing should be solid, if not great. His ceiling is a 1st option scorer and average defender (I'm bearish on that last part though).

It would be tough to part with him (fan reaction, etc.) but if everything I'm reading about guys like Ingram is true, I'd pull the trigger.

I'd first try to grab a guy like PG-13 if he wants out of Indy (I think we're 18 months, if ever, from that happening though) with Okafor as my trade chip. I read today that Ingram is very similar physically to how Giannis was at 18, but he can create/shoot from the perimeter. That seems like Middleton is his floor, which sounds really optimistic, but he has all the talent to be a superstar.

Their rebuild got pushed back due to Embiid's foot pre-draft, as Wiggins was essentially a lock to fall into their lap before that news broke. But they need to be more competitive next season- Brett Brown could grow weary of a 4th year of blowout losses.

Not that they need to chase the 8th seed next season, but you probably should start building a team that doesn't regularly get outscored by double digits in every 3rd quarter lol and is soon down nearly 20. Especially if they land two top 5 picks this draft. But they might be prone to taking Dragan Bender (aka rich man's Porzingis if you buy the hype) who likely must wait 2 years prior to making his NBA debut.