1. To thine own self be true
In what very likely was their final game as members of the Philadelphia 76ers, Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes really went out of their way to give the fans a snapshot of their 4 years spent here. I know I may be the last defender of Hawes, but last night was spectacularly bad. The pair reinforced every negative critique laid on them over the years. I've written at length about both players' flaws, so I won't bother here, just wanted to share a chuckle about how "Evan and Spencer" Evan and Spencer played last night.
2. Tony Wroten is basically trying to weld the hull on the Titanic
Look, Tony Wroten isn't very good, but god damn it, he hustles every game. Tony Wroten gets a pass from last night's disgraceful performance. I watched the Sixers get manhandled last night, with every player other than Wroten more or less giving up. The Cavs were physical by the basket, and the Sixers showed no interest in fighting back. The Cavs had possessions with 3 offensive rebounds, drove often uncontested to the rim, and really just did whatever they pleased to the Sixers. I mean, Tyler Zeller had 18 points and 15 rebounds. Zeller is in no way more talented than Spencer, he simply just out hustled and bullied Spencer. I too, am going to give up on this game and move on to what people really are thinking about.
3. Trade Deadline is TOMORROW!!!!
The rumors are circulating, Evan to Charlotte, Spencer to Portland, and we haven't even started with the Sixers as a third team facilitator rumors yet. Plus major stars like Rondo and Love are being discussed. It was exactly one month ago I posted this advocating a trade for Kevin Love.
(Fun aside, later in that post, I questioned whether Love and Kyrie Irving were actually elite, in yesterday's NBA's worst contracts column by Bill Simmons, he asked the same questions: "By the way, one of my favorite dumb conversation games is “Are We Sure … ?” For instance, it’s Year 6 for Kevin Love and he’s never played on one team that even went 42-40. Are we sure he’s THAT good? Are we sure he’s worth throwing away two seasons (I’m looking at you, Lakers) because you want to rebuild around him? Or, Kyrie Irving’s career winning percentage is under .400 … are we sure he’s a franchise point guard and not just “someone talented enough offensively to win an All-Star MVP but that’s about it”? Whether the answer is yes or no for either of those questions, it’s always fun to bring them up. And if someone is eligible for “Are We Sure … ?” status, odds are they’re maybe a tad overrated.." Glad to know i'm not crazy, quite a few of my friends disagreed with my doubts on Love and Irving.)
Back to trading for Love, the thing Simmons put out yesterday that I want to focus on is the BS Reoprt, where Bill and Zach Lowe forwarded the suggestion that Harrison Barnes and David Lee should be enough to land Love on Golden State. That is it? I would think about trading Thad and both #1's, but Thad and the Sixers original first rounder is a way better offer than Lee and Barnes. You could trade for Love, draft a wing, and still have MAX CAP SPACE. Call Melo, call Lance, we could be the 3 seed next season! Hell, if we add Love, then send Evan to sabotage help Charlotte, we could still manage to grab the 8 seed this season! BRING ON THE PACERS!!!!!!!
<DEEP breath>
Also, in yesterday's podcast Chad Ford suggested Golden State would move Harrison Barnes for a frontcourt player and named Thad Young! (among others) How could we not jump at that!? The 76ers could get a guy with a higher ceiling who is on a cheaper rookie contract, do it today!!!
<another deep breath>
Btw, if the Sixers did trade for Love and managed to use Love's fame to land another star in free agency, Sam Hinkie will have had the greatest 1st year in GM history. He would have taken Doug Collins' nightmare squad and flipped it into a conteder with cap space in 15 months, outstanding!
4. Rapid fire trade suggestions (all approved by the ESPN trade machine)
- Thad Young and a 1st round pick to Minnesota for Kevin Love
- Thad Young to Golden State for H. Barnes (they have a trade exception to make it work)
- Hawes and Wroten to Portland for McCollum, Watson, and Leonard
- Thad Young to Toronto for John Salmon's awful contract and 2014 #1 pick
- B. Davies to Miami for Roger Mason and… The Rights to Ricky Sanchez!
- Young and Hawes to OKC for Perkins awful contract, Thabeet, Adams, and Dallas' 2014 #1 pick
- Young to Chicago for Carlos Boozer and a 2014 1st round pick (Chicago has 2)
Notice a common theme, get 1st round picks, absorb salary for next year only then be BDPs in the 2015 free agent class.
5. I'm not sure I could handle nothing
What if nothing happens? I'm not sure I could deal. After all the what ifs, it would be crushing. Not in a "I hate these guys way", (although I do dislike a few players on this team) just in a damn I thought cool shit was going down, but i guess not sort of way. I know the right move may not present itself quite yet, but damn that would be anti-climatic. I guess there's nothing left to do:
6. SIXERS!!!!!
Until next time….
