G-Man

Not that we here at 76 Big Shot have anything against Mike Gminski, especially as he was the Center on the 1989-90 Atlantic Division Championship Team, but I don't see any upgrade in the broadcast booth from the G-Man to The Mayor.

The Mayor at least knew the team and was happy to help at training camp.

Joe Juliano & HouseKeeping

Thanks to Dad for supplying the best Phillies tickets in the park tonight - about 8 feet away from Charlie Manuel. Watching him manage for 8 innings is like watching a National Geographic special about an animal in the woods...Charlie seems to get along with ALL of the players. The coaches didn't talk much, especially Jimy Williams and Charlie Manuel to each other. Seems that Dubee kinda stays to himself. Then, after Rowand got hit for the second time, a few fans we're giving Contreras a hard time, and Charlie turned around and got into it with the fans...good stuff.

On the way back, we got to hear Joe Juliano with Glen Macnow on WIP at 9:45ish...Joe didn't have much to report that we didn't know but did make a good point...the 76ers do not have room to take on 3 first round picks on their roster unless they cut someone or a few someones. I think I'd like to have Joe Smith back next year if we can get him on good terms, NOT BAD TERMS BILLY! If not I'd personally rather have the 3 kids...but that's me.

Finally, a giant thank you to the readers who have started reading the site...I hope you enjoy the content and hope you all know how much I enjoy doing this....I would like this site to make a difference in the fans viewing and venting experience. I am shocked at how many people have been logging on and hope to keep this going until we have a good team.

Good Reading

Thanks to Matt Kamalsky of DraftExpress.com for this article about the state of the Sixers...a couple of good graphs about the efficiencies of key 76ers and a great breakdown of the cap.

Asset development people...and the class of 2009 free agents.

Jeff Green Article

It seems the Sixers made sure to let everyone see that Green will not slip past 12....but he may not be a 76er.

Refer back to the 04 draft and Andre Iguoudala...they kept that on the down low...it seems they've hired a PR firm to let everyone who isn't watching Paris in jail that Green is impressive and will be gone by 12.

Today's Workouts

Sixers Notes

Today the Sixers will bring in an impressive list of players - Georgia Tech freshman forward Thaddeus Young, LSU junior forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis, Colorado State junior center Jason Smith (whose stock is apparently rising), and Vanderbilt senior swingman Derrick Byars.

You have to think there's a good chance one of these guys will be picked at 21 or 30...maybe not by the Sixers though. I think today is "what are we going to be missing?" day...

Also interesting to note that the Sixers are GOING TO Washington DC to see Green...you think they'll tell him that there's no way he gets by #12?

The Finals... and other things

So 76er fans, what did we learn about the NBA in May 2007?

• Even if you have that "special" player, you need balance on defense. Sure LBJ went MJ in Game 5 and Magic in Game 6 (with a special 'sheed ending for the Cav fans), but Varejo, Z, Gooden, Hughes, Snow etc...really played tight team defense (along with LBJ). This was especially prevelent in Game 5.
  
• It sure helps to have "that special player"...in the East, it seems you can get to the second round any year because everyone is so up and down. Besides LBJ and maybe Dwayne Wade, there are no other stars you have to plan around on a nightly basis. For as good as Rip Hamilton played in the series against the Cavs, the key player for Detroit, Wallace, was up and down. Hence the results for Detroit...for everyone hoping to build a "team" a la Phoenix or Detroit, note the number of championships that those two teams have won (1). If Billy King plans on having a spread floor with lots of options, does that really mean he has no options at the end of the game? And I don't want a 6 foot shooting guard to score 30 points either.
• Where is the 76ers special player? Remember, the last 3 years MVPs have been drafted below 8 (Nowtizki and Nash), neither are American, and flashy athletisicm aren't part of their games. I'm convinced there are "special" players in this draft - I'll call a special player someone that instantly becomes the focus of the other teams offensive/defensive game plans - but I think b/c of the age of the kids is younger, its much tougher to see who will develop.
  
• While Michael Conley Jr. goes up in scouting, the fact that Jeff Green is on the fence is not good for the 76ers on two fronts:
• He could be a good fit with the Sixers THIS year
• It's one less player that will be available in the top 10 that was a sure fire high pick...that pushes the Spencer Hawes and Tiago Spitler down to 12. The pick loses some inherent value and becomes less valuable should a trade in the top 7 become available
• It sure feels like Bill the King will be moving one if not more of those picks...I hope he stays in the draft this year as much as he can...nothing like getting 2009 draft picks to fire up the fan base. Right now we need ASSETS and they come $0.70 on the dollar this year.
• The Cavs will take the Spurs to 6 games...the Cavs will get hurt by the pressure defense the Spurs will apply to Hughes and Gibson and unless LBJ knees Bowen in the onions at some point, he will wear down by the end. The Cavs have two things going for them - LBJ and good matchups with Duncan.
  
• Chris Webber is a dog. Maybe he can play for the Spurs or Cavs next year to get his ring. I'm sick of hearing what a good guy he is too...where are the banners in Chrysler Arena Chris?
  

You might notice that we've taken a step back on the player reviews - we'll get back into that when things start to shake out a little more after Orlando. The one thing I think we all know is that we have no idea where the Sixers are going to draft and that 12 is probably less than 50/50.

One final note - only here on 76BigShot - a senior official on USA Basketball was talking to a colleague recently and the conversation of "How will Greg Oden be in relation to LBJ?" as a force in the NBA. This official said "Greg Oden in the best prospect to come out of college basketball and will be the best player in the NBA...soon."

Congrats E Snow

...and the rest of the Cavaliers.

Our new AI can guard LBJ in a series.