30 Teams 30 Days Philadelphia Draft Preview

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30 Teams, 30 Days: Philadelphia Draft Preview

Jun 12, 2008 11:22 AM

2007-2008 Finish: 40-42
2008 Draft Picks: 16th

Pre-Draft 2008-09 Projected Starters:
PG Andre Miller
SG Andre Iguodala
SF Thaddeus Young
PF Reggie Evans
C Samuel Dalembert
Key Reserves:
SG Willie Green
SF Rodney Carney
PF Jason Smith

What the Sixers Do Well:

The Sixers were expected by many prognosticators to be among the dregs of the entire NBA. But instead, they turned it on in the second half and streaked their way into the postseason where they held a 2-1 series' lead over Detroit in the first round and blew a big second half lead in Game 4 that could have put these fiery 76ers shockingly into the second round. While they didn?t win another game in the series, they made their mark and notified the rest of the league that they are going to be a threat next season.

Andre Miller was the catalyst for the team, providing leadership and veteran moxie from the point guard position. Miller played in all 82 games, scoring 17.0 points per game while dishing out 6.9 assists. He was active all over the floor, collecting 4.0 rebounds and forcing 1.28 steals, as well.

On his side was the up-and-coming face of the franchise Andre Iguodala. Coming off an summer when he turned down lucrative money, Iguodala thrived in his contract year. He led the team with 19.9 points per game and contributed 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.09 steals, and showed the fans of Philly that a new AI was going to lead this team from now on.

Samuel Dalembert was finally the force the Sixers' management thought he was going to be when they drafted him out of Seton Hall. The 6-11 big man averaged a double-double with 10.5 points and 10.3 rebounds. His 10.3 rebounds were a career-high for Dalembert, and he also led the team with 2.3 blocks per game. It was also his second straight season playing in all 82 games, after being often criticized in the past for his injury woes.

And finally, Sixer rookies Thaddeus Young and Jason Smith were miles ahead of what anyone could have expected last year. Give Mo Cheeks credit ? he got these young players exactly where they had to be to be big contributors in the second half and in the playoffs. Thaddeus Young looks to be a force and could be a full-time starter next season. He tallied 8.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 21.0 minutes per game, including 22 starts. Smith also used his 14.5 minutes per game well, adding 4.5 points and 3.0 rebounds from the power forward position.

Greatest Areas of Improvement:

An Offensive Beast in the Paint
The Sixers are stacked on the wing and have one of the best point guards in the East. They will fortify their point position if they resign Louis Williams this offseason. They have a defensive center in Dalembert and a rebound grabber in Reggie Evans. So what do they need to move forward? A guy who can score 20 per night from the low post. Elton Brand would be perfect for this team, but they can also use this year?s 16th pick on a guy to fill that void.

Long Range Sniper
Along with a scoring big man, the Sixers could use a rainmaker from the outside. After dealing Kyle Korver to the Utah Jazz, Philly has been lacking in that department. Louis Williams, also a free agent this summer, led the team in 3-point shooting with 35.9%, which is awfully low. The next best shooter from deep was Iguodala at 32.9%. Perhaps the reason they are not getting enough open looks is because the team has no post presence. Or vice versa. Either way, both of these areas need to be addressed.

Who?s Gone Number 16 Recently?

Over the past five years, the selection at 16 has been used on players at the off-guard and wing position. Often these players slip because there are so many of them in every Draft. Of the bunch, none of them have really paid off, but Carney is showing signs of breaking out for Philly next year, and Nick Young has some pep in his step and could be featured as a starter next year especially if the Wizards are unable to bring back Gilbert Arenas.

2007
Nick Young, Washington Wizards

2006
Rodney Carney, Chicago Bulls (traded to Philadelphia)

2005
Joey Graham, Toronto Raptors

2004
Kirk Snyder, Utah Jazz

2003
Troy Bell, Boston Celtics (traded to Memphis)

Who Should the Sixers Target?

For more in-depth analysis and background regarding the players that the Sixers should target in this year?s Draft, click on each player name to be redirected to Christopher Reina?s Prospect Report piece.

- Marreese Speights of Florida

The Sixers would love for Speights to fall to them at this pick. He has the tools to become Elton Brand Light and would immediately give Coach Cheeks a big man project whom he can sculpt into a dominant post player.

- Chase Budinger of Arizona

Something about this Sixer team tells me that they need Chase Budinger. Although they already have Iguodala, Young, and Carney patrolling the small forward position, all three of them are versatile players ? just like Budinger. AI and Carney can play the two while Young can downshift to the four. Budinger will give them a pure shooter from the outside and a tenacious player who plays like a crazed animal just let out of a cage. Who wouldn?t love to see Andre Miller picking his spots, choosing whether to feed Budinger on the wing, or Jason Smith streaking to the hoop for a dunk.

- Javale McGee of Nevada

McGee has plenty of post moves and loves playing offense. Perhaps standing next to Dalembert will help him focus more on the defensive side. Can Mo Cheeks put some meat on this skilled big man? His workouts have been porous thus far, but his breakout game last year against North Carolina make many scouts believe that he is capable of evolving into a scoring machine in the post.

- Robin Lopez of Stanford

While Robin Lopez isn?t a polished offensive scorer, he can add another dimension to this already hard-working Philadelphia frontcourt. He prides himself on the defensive side of the ball, contrary to his twin brother who utilizes his offensive game; Lopez will be a huge body in the paint, fully capable of contributing immediately next year and possibly developing into a more polished scorer by midseason.

Picks Over the Past Five Years

The Sixers haven?t had many picks over the past five years, but they have used them very wisely. They were fortunate when Andre Iguodala slipped to them at 9 in 2004, and found a gem with Louis Williams in the second round of 2005. Then they pawned off Thabo Sefolosha to the Bulls for Rodney Carney and last year pegged Thaddeus Young at number 12.

2007
Thaddeus Young, 12th
Daequan Cook, 21st (traded to Miami)
Petteri Koponen, 30th (traded to Portland)
Kyrylo Fesenko, 38th (traded to Utah)

2006
Thabo Sefolosha, 13th (traded to Chicago)

2005
Louis Williams, 45th

2004
Andre Iguodala, 9th

2003
Paccelis Morlende, 50th

Previous Editions of the 30 Teams, 30 Days Series

Whom do you want the Sixers to draft at number 16? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments and questions.

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