April 22, 2017
Often times, I feel like fans and local writers are too close to their own team. Generally, that means they naturally tend to overvalue the players they watch day in day out (“Tony Wroten is just a jump shot away!” was something I thought for longer than I should have). That is generally how “interesting” trade proposals like this seem to pop up frequently on the Interwebs:
today in our Facebook messages pic.twitter.com/Ojq221ggOV
— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) April 21, 2017
(For real, though, Celtics fans are the worst in this regard.)
That is why it’s important to at least gauge the outside opinion of the Sixers. One way to do this is by reading Bobby Marks, a former assistant general manager of the Brooklyn Nets and now the front office insider for The Vertical, who recently wrote about the Sixers’ summer agenda.
And on the subject of a player that most Sixers fans (at least the ones I follow on Twitter, anyway) decidedly do not overvalue, Marks has come to the same opinion albeit in slightly more gentle terms: The Sixers need to “find a home for” (trade) Jahlil Okafor:
Since being drafted with the No. 3 overall pick in 2015, Okafor has averaged 51 games the past two seasons because of injury, leading to a diminished role, especially when Embiid is healthy. For an interested team, Okafor has a controllable contract with $4.9 million and $6.3 million owed the next two years and will be a restricted free agent in 2019. 76ers management should look at realistic trade scenarios for Okafor and not take into account that he was the third overall pick only two seasons ago.
Another aspect of the Sixers’ offseason that Marks touched on is Joel Embiid’s impending free agency. And as we said when The Process was put on hold for the rest of the season, he believes the Sixers should wait on handing out any long-term money to Embiid:
If Philadelphia enters extension talks, the contract should mirror the contract Brook Lopez signed with Brooklyn. The deal would have reduced compensation by 50 percent in Year 2 and 25 percent in Year 3 if Lopez had re-injured his right foot and played in less than 60 games and averaged fewer than 15 minutes. The 76ers should not be afraid to delay contract talks until July 2018. Improved health and Embiid’s $18.3 million cap hold would give Philadelphia flexibility when he is a free agent.
1. THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS: Ten ways the 2016-17 Sixers season was, and 10 ways it wasn’t. My writing didn’t make the cut for either list.
2. DO YOU SMELL… what the Rock is cooking? An update on Robert Covington, who just had surgery and is due a payday.
3. STRETCH-FOUR: Both Brett Brown and Bryan Colangelo talked about the Sixers’ need for a shooting big in free agency and I’m not entirely sure why.
4. MOCK DRAFT ROUNDUP: Mock Draft Mock Draft Mock Draft Mock Draft Mock Draft Mock Draft
5. MAILBAG: What is the Sixers’ worst-case scenario in the 2017 NBA Draft?
6. GAME OF ZONES: The Sixers made a cameo on the popular web series, and soon The Process will get its own episode according to one its Philly native creators…
@DerekBodnerNBA @rich_hofmann Full Process episode coming soon....
— Adam Malamut (@mutsack) April 20, 2017
7. DEFENSE, PACE AND SPACE: Ranking the Sixers roster according to Brett Brown’s criteria.
Ben Simmons’ ever-changing (but not really) role within the Sixers’ offense: Derek Bodner
Bodner takes a deep dive on one of the most pressing Sixers questions:
Even if what Colangelo says is true and Simmons can guard the point guard spot with regularity, having another defender on the court capable of slowing down point guards (which is more likely to be found in a point guard’s body) along with Simmons provides benefits.
There are very few instances where it makes sense to take a guy with the quickness to defend point guards, but also size, strength, and rebounding ability to bang down low, to then place him on the perimeter defensively. Have as many switchable athletes on the court as possible and you maximize your defensive potential. Asking Simmons to defend the point guard spot to make way for an Ersan Ilyasova style power forward would take away one of the unique advantages Simmons’ skill set provides.
Sixers owner David Blitzer: "We were completely clueless" after team purchase: Shamus Clancy, Liberty Ballers
Sometimes the title tells the whole story.
Meeting Markelle Fultz: A Day With The NBA's (Likely) No. 1 Pick: Andrew Sharp, Sports Illustrated
This was a very good look at the projected top overall pick:
Later that night, he's asked about the chances of Big Baller Brand endorsement deal. "That's a high chance," Fultz says. "High chance. I was thinking about getting a couple hats for the family. I think that would be cool." His mom's sitting next to him on the couch and shaking her head. "I don't know what she's thinking about,” he continues, “but me and Keith are always talking about it. We're gonna get some hats."
"No you're not," his mother says, "You're not wasting that money. You can tape some B's onto your hat."
NBA awards, Pt. 2: All-NBA, All-Defense and All-Rookie teams: Zach Lowe, ESPN
In reading all of the various award columns, my post pleasant surprise is seeing how much (legit) love that Robert Covington is getting for the all-defense teams. The Covster didn’t make Lowe’s first second team, but he was the toughest omission:
You can probably make a better one for Covington, my most painful omission. He seized the league's inaugural deflections crown, and leads all perimeter players in ESPN's defensive real plus-minus. He can slide up to jostle with power forwards more easily than almost any other wing player in the league. He deserves a spot, but the competition is fierce. Allen remains perhaps the league's most feared one-on-one defender, and Green just nails every possession. Covington is at a tiny quickness deficit against the speediest wings, though he can usually make up for it with his long arms and quick feet.
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