Man, if we draft Bender i'll be depressed. Everything is going so well lately, please don't eff it up...
He could've been the pick at 3 and I would've been fine with it. He's very skilled and could be a very good player in 2-3 years. I don't see a Porzingis, but a very solid NBA player. Guy who could be a good stretch 4 or 5 down the road. We have number two and I don't see him leapfrogging Ingram or Simmons. I also think we would've considered someone like Hield at #3. I think Boston will take him. They desperately need a combo guard to take some pressure off Isiah.
If I had to guess, I think Boston moves that pick for one of Philly's centers. If Embiid is indeed right, Okafor for the #3 could be a nice trade for both teams. Boston has lots of smalls, Philly has lots of bigs.
I think Boston will hunt for bigger fish, but that's a good fallback option. Better than taking whoever they'd end up with. Okafor is a good piece to start with. I think Boston plans on packaging everything for Boogie or Butler.
He is. But Philly loses some leverage by having 3 centers. Everyone knows they HAVE to trade one eventually, so they won't get equal value. But walking away with Embiid, Simmons, Dunn, and Noel is a nice core.
I think all depends on Embiid's health. If he's healthy, it's a great trade for Philly. If not, not so much.
I'm not sure that solves our defensive issues. there is only so much a coach can do. When you don't have ANY above average defenders on your team, your team is going to be below average defensively. you can quote me on that. If we don't add a few good defenders, we are going to be in the last third in the league (20-30) in terms of defense. No question in my mind. The young players must improve significantly on defense next year. Randle and Clarkson were flat out toast and Russell was also not much better. We can't steal the ball, we can't block shots and we are below average rebounding which is surprising because Randle, Russell and Clarkson are good rebounders. But team rebounding was an issue last few years.
^true, but all it takes is one or two guys who are really good defenders and a good scheme. see the spurs for a great example. but i expect that if the lakers improve this year, it will be primarily on offense.
Yeah I don't think we'll be a great team defensively next season. I don't think anyone does, but the bones will be there and we need to start somewhere. I sincerely doubt Byron had a coherent offensive or defensive scheme. We may be bottom third next season, but over the next couple years I expect that to improve.
No team this young (with a brand new system I might add) will be a good defensive team. I agree with real, it will take a few years.
Last year weren't we last or second to last both offensively and defensively? I do not see that happening again even if our only major addition is Ingram or Simmons.
JB Bickerstaff, Blatt, and Skills would all be good. Bickerstaff makes the most sense. I know Houston wasn't a strong defensive team, but I don't believe that was his fault at all.
