Sixers 2012 Roster Projections

The Philadelphia 76ers head into the 2012-2013 with a 14-man roster consisting of only five players from a season ago. But among Philadelphians, there is a renewed confidence in this team even after just finishing a game away from the Eastern Conference Finals. Had it not been for the Andre Iguodala - Andrew Bynum deal (the Dwight Howard trade), much of that optimism would not be present.

With an almost entirely new roster, head coach Doug Collins will have his hands full trying to mix and match the correct lineups, leading this team to play to its caliber as a championship contender. Here is an overview of each player, how much playing time they should get, and how much time Collins will actually give them.

Lavoy Allen: Should play 25 MPG. Will play 15-20 MPG

Allen earned his stripes in the postseason with his stellar defensive showing against Kevin Garnett. KG was running all over Spencer Hawes every minute the two were matched up, but Allen was able to contain him. Unfortunately for Allen, it looks as if Doug Collins thinks more of Hawes as a player right now, as Hawes has been named the starter at PF for some goofy reason. Allen might even get stuck behind Kwame Brown on the depth chart, although I am confident Lavoy will impress during training camp, and maybe take Hawes' starting job some point during the season. In addition to his defense and consistent rebounding, the sophomore also possesses an above-average mid range jumper, and double-double potential.


Kwame Brown: Should play 5-10 MPG. Will play 15 MPG

Brown was brought in for defensive prowess. But he isn't any better on that side of the ball than Lavoy Allen is, and his offensive game is almost nonexistent. It was a scary thought to Sixers fans when Doug Collins had him at starting center before the deal was made for Andrew Bynum. Although he probably shouldn't be, Brown will probably serve as Andrew Bynum's backup, leaving less minutes for Allen and rookie Arnett Moultrie.


Andrew Bynum: Should play 30-40 MPG. Will play 30-40 MPG

The concerns for Bynum are not his basketball skills, but rather his knees, his dedication, his effort, his maturity, his decision-making, etc. He appears to be thrilled to be in Philly, and if all goes as planned, he'll sign a max deal at the end of this season. The Orthokine knee procedure he has decided to undergo in Germany should be a positive sign, as he is being proactive about his health.


Spencer Hawes: Should play 5-20 MPG. Will play 25-30 MPG

Spencer Hawes is a backup NBA big. He can get a mid-range jumper going, but is downright terrible at defense. He cannot guard any quality big man. He plays somewhat soft and isn't imposing to anyone driving straight at him. He can play in this league, but the team would be far better off if Lavoy Allen, or maybe even Arnett Moultrie were to start in his place.


Jrue Holiday: Should play 30-35 MPG. Will play 30-40 MPG

It is said the future of this team is in Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner's hands. Based on what I saw last season from Holiday, I'd be concerned. I'm not as excited about him as other Sixers fans. He plays defense lackadaisically, takes questionable shots and dribbles around pointlessly too often. As the team's starting point guard last season, he averaged a measly 4.5 assists. Last year should have been his breakout this; this year better be.


Royal Ivey: Should play 0-5 MPG. Will play 0-5 MPG

Ivey, in his second stint with the Sixers, is a guy who can provide veteran presence and can help mentor the young guys on how to be NBA players. He will rack up the DNP-CDs, and will compete with rookie Maalik Wayns for garbage time minutes at point guard.


Arnett Moultrie: Should play 15-25 MPG. Will play 0-15 MPG

If Doug Collins has a flaw as a head coach, it might be his development of young players. He was criticized for his treatment of Evan Turner last season, even if it might have been for the better. Collins' decision to play Spencer Hawes over Lavoy Allen shouldn't be encouraging for the rookie overflowing with potential, as it shows his doesn't favor his young bigs. Moultrie likely won't get enough of an opportunity to prove himself this year, barring an injury to someone.


Jason Richardson: Should play 15-20 MPG. Will play 15-25 MPG

It remains to be seen whether J-Rich will be a starter, as opposed to Thaddeus Young or Dorell Wright. The bottom line is the Sixers are a very deep team, and won't find enough playing time for everyone. Richardson can still play, and will contribute with whatever opportunity he gets.


Evan Turner: Should play 30-35 MPG. Will play 30-35 MPG

It is now Evan Turner's time. If his jump shot is the same as it's been in the past, there is cause for worry. But he is arguably the best rebounding guard in the league, and last year he showed flashes of being able to score twenty a night and put up double-doubles (yes, he's that good on the glass) with regularity. His passion during the game has the power to endear him to Philly fans if he puts up the numbers.


Maalik Wayns: Should play 0-10 MPG. Will play 0-10 MPG

He is known fondly in Philly for his starring role with Villanova. His status with the team isn't set in stone yet, but word is that he will be on the roster, meaning he'll probably get some garbage time minutes. A natural scorer, somewhat suspect defensive player and average passer, Wayns has the far-off chance to develop into Philly's next Lou Williams if Nick Young leaves after this year.


Dorell Wright: Should play 25 MPG. Will play 10-20 MPG

This guy can play. He has a killer touch from long range, can play D and will be a great late-game player due to his free-throw shooting (80% career). With the logjam of players at his position, he won't get the minutes he should, but will still be a contributor for this team.


Nick Young: Should play 10-25 MPG. Will play 15-30 MPG

I hate this guy's game. He can score, albeit very inefficiently. He is a ballhog. He doesn't play defense, and probably isn't intelligent enough to know what the word means. That being said, the Sixers struggled putting the ball in the hoop last season, and Young can go on offensive outburts a la Lou Williams. For cheap, he's not an awful pickup.


Thaddeus Young: Should play 20-35 MPG. Will play 25-30 MPG

Is he a three or a four? Probably neither; just a basketball player. He's a little small to guard power forwards, but looks a bit awkward at the three. Doesn't really matter. He causes ruckus whenever he is in the game, and will find a way to get his without ever having a play called for him. His endless energy is something Andrew Bynum should take note of.

Predictions: Some Bold, Some Obvious

1. Peyton Manning will sign with the Miami Dolphins, and connect with Brandon Marshall to give the wideout 1,600 receiving yards.

Marshall recorded over 1,200 yards with Chad Henne and I forget the other guy throwing to him. With a top five (arguably) QB in league history throwing balls his way, expect a combination that will turn out far better than the much-hyped Tom Brady/Chad Ochocinco combo that wasn't.

2. Evan Turner emerges as an NBA star.

It's not just because tonight is his coming-out party (26 points, 9 boards so far in his 2nd start). As the Sixers have faltered lately until this game against the Celtics (where they lead 102-65 as of this minute), Doug Collins shook things up and inserted Turner into the starting lineup in place of Jodie Meeks. Big deal, right? Yes, actually. Turner had been playing largely off-ball for most of his minutes so far this season, but in tonight's game, Collins finally gave him permission to play like he did in college. Seems like eons ago when Evan Turner was the college player of the year. Mark my word, he will again become a household name.

3. Josh Johnson wins the NL Cy Young.

* If Clayton Kershaw doesn't repeat.

I picked Johnson to do the same last year, but he got hurt. Coming off a season in which he recorded just nine starts (and a sparkly 1.64 ERA), Johnson is under the radar to pretty much all baseball fans. When people think of the new-look Marlins, they think of Ozzie, Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez. Heath Bell and Giancarlo Stanton are much talked about as well. It's as if Josh Johnson no longer exists. He will when he brings in the hardware.

4. Andrew Luck isn't as good as everyone says he will be.

The last "once-in-a-generation" QB prospect? JaMarcus Russell. BY NO MEANS am I saying Andrew Luck will be JaMarcus Russell. I think he will be a good NFL quarterback. But he will certainly not be Peyton Manning: leading what is really a three-win team to thirteen a season. The start of the rookie's 23-million dollar paycheck will be rough.

5. Either Neftali Feliz or Daniel Bard (probably Bard) will flame out in the starting rotation.

This usually doesn't work. Neither of these guys are lazy nutcases like Joba Chamberlain. But bringing guys out of late-inning work in the pen to the rotation, in general, simply does not work. I understand that these guys were starters in their past, but their mindset is currently to shut the door late in games, not start them. And in the routine-oriented mind of an MLB pitcher, that is significant.

What's Not to Love?

Since the day Allen Iverson was traded to the Denver Nuggets, Andre Iguodala hasn't been looked upon fondly by most Philadelphia basketball fans. As a diehard Sixer fan in my own right, the answer why still eludes me.

Okay, so he has a fat contract. Even if you don't think he's earning it (which he is), what is he supposed to do? Decline the Sixers' offer? Say, nahh, I think I'm worth 30 million less? Didn't think so.

So what's not to love (or rather, to hate him for)?

Is it his league-best perimeter defense, his ability to force superstars to a 30% shooting nights game after game, and be among the league leaders averaging 2.2 steals a game?

Is it his passing skills, where last season he averaged over six assists a game from the forward position?

Is it his willingness to improve aspects of his game, such as morphing himself into a 43% shooter from beyond the arc this year? Or his overall work ethic, something you can notice just by looking at him?

Is it his ballhandling and ability to play point forward, where he only turns the ball over two times a night?

More importantly, is it his unselfishness? His willingness to buy into the team aspect Doug Collins has implemented, rather than try to be the star of the team?

Maybe you find fault with his leadership ability, where he's led his Sixers to a 10-3 record, without any ego whatsoever.

Oh, wait, I know what the problem is. Sixers fans wanted another Allen Iverson, another superstar, another 30-a-night scorer, immediately coining Dre "The Next A.I." when he came out of Arizona.

But I'll tell you what. That's not Andre's game. He's not here to get into all-star games and win individual accolades (though he did play on last year's U.S. National Team, and is a finalist to make the Olympic squad), but rather to win basketball games through team play. The entire 76ers ballclub has bought into that, and Andre is no exception.

So do fans have a problem with Andre's scoring (14.8 ppg)? It doesn't matter, because Philly averages 100 points a game by getting contributions from every guy.

Do they see him as a failed attempt at trying to become a superstar? He's deferred final shot duties to Lou Williams, which is probably Doug Collins' decision. But has Andre complained at all? No.

Has he ever had any trouble with the media? Has he ever been a distraction in the locker room? Just the opposite. He's as humble as it gets, and a true professional.

So then what's the problem? Maybe as this Sixers group keeps winning games, he'll get the recognition from Philadelphia he deserves. Not that he wants it anyway.

Playoffs Upon Us...Finally (Day 1 Preview)

The seemingly endless NBA season has finally come to a close. Now it's playoff time, which takes more than half as long as an entire NFL regular season. There's three days between games of each seven-game series, and about a week between rounds. Upsets are at a minimum. However, in the NBA Playoffs defense is actually played, and the excitement that lacks for much of the regular season finally appears.

Today's games are Indiana at Chicago (Game 1 is currently being played as this is written), Philly at Miami, Atlanta at Orlando, and Portland at Dallas.

The Pacers have a four-point edge at the half, up 55-51. But the Bulls and the expected MVP Derrick Rose are the heavy favorite, having earned the one seed in the east following a 62-20 record. Danny Granger claimed that if his team can stop Rose, they can stop the Bulls. But the supporting cast of Chicago is not shabby, featuring Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, and Carlos Boozer. Through a half though, led by Darren Collison, the Pacers have slightly outplayed the Bulls, though many expect a Bulls recovery. Prediction: Bulls in seven six.

Before any basketball was played, LeBron James declared the new-look Heat would win "seven or eight" championships. Their quest for number one begins against my Philadelphia 76ers later this afternoon, where Miami is expected to breeze through a young Philly team. Doug Collins' group will try to prove they should not be taken lightly, as the Heat are probably already thinking past them. Andre Iguodala still is not fully recovered from a knee injury, and while he is regarded as one of the NBA's best defensive players, he will have a tougher time limiting Dwyane Wade or LeBron like he's done in the past. Iguodala can only guard one of them though, so Evan Turner will have to step up on D if the Sixers want any shot at the series. Expect the Heat to run screens with wily vet Mike Bibby to get Iguodala off one of the stars. Prediction (sadly): Heat in six.

Orlando seemingly traded away half of their team earlier in the year, but of course Dwight Howard remains, and is hungry for a championship. Not expected by many to go all the way, however, the Magic start off against the Atlanta Hawks. Jameer Nelson's postgame comments to Derrick Rose drew some scrutiny from the Hawks players, when he told Rose he will see him in round two. The well-rounded Hawks, led by Joe Johnson, want to prove Nelson wrong, and certainly not repeat last postseason, when the Magic swept them. Prediction: Magic in six.

Dirk Nowitzki has already won an MVP and been to the NBA Finals. He just has not won it all. Calling this "another disappointing season" if his Mavs group does not go all the way, Dirk's road starts against the potent Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers have a great mix of talent including the newly-acquired Gerald Wallace, Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews, Marcus Camby, and Andre Miller. Roy was once regarded as an NBA star, but has been hindered by injuries and only averaged a dozen points a game. He's now behind Gerald Wallace on the depth-chart, as Wallace's acquisition has skyrocketed Portland to new heights. Expect LaMarcus Aldridge to be almost unguardable for the Mavs. Portland creates far too many matchup problems in the series for the aging Mavs. Prediction: Blazers in seven.

Sixers' Return to Winning Ways

For the most part of this 2010-2011 basketball season, the Philadelphia 76ers have played in front of home crowds that barely fill a third of the Wells Fargo Center. Those few fans in attendance at first had little to cheer about, as the Sixers started what looked to be a terribly long season at with a 3-13 mark. But the wins this year, after the early misery, have started coming. And steadily, the bandwagon jumpers have decided to go to some games, the WFC is starting to fill, and the atmosphere that should be at any basketball game is beginning to return.

This current 76ers season has certainly had its fair share of heartbreak, completely disregarding the horrific 3-13 launch. There's been at least six games the Sixers have had under their belt, but let get away. Most recently was the game against the Memphis Grizzlies, when Philly managed to blow a 21-point 4th quarter lead.

The Sixers, since the best of the Iverson days, have taken a backseat to the Eagles, Phillies, and Flyers in the City of Brotherly Love. All three of those teams are now consistantly in championship contention; the 76ers far from it. Thus, Philly fans have paid them next to no attention. Even with this current hot streak, many fans still disregard them, and one could argue rightfully so. But some have noticed, while the Sixers still aren't a title contender, that they are playing some quality basketball.

In tonight's 100-98 thrilling win over the Knicks, there was some life in the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers inched within two games of the 6th spot in the East, possessed by New York. Elton Brand looked like the player he was with the Clippers, putting up 33 points (his highest total as a Sixer) as well as 16 boards. Andre Iguodala, the team's centerpiece, had 18 points to go along with 16 assists. Energy came from the bench. Every player contributed, and played with more effort than normally seen in an NBA game. Coach Doug Collins is in the midst of turning around another team, in this case what was a mess left by Eddie Jordan. The Sixers have won six of their last seven, the only loss being the aforementioned Grizzlies game.

Rather than in the midseason, the team's turnaround was supposed to be as a result of the 2010 NBA Draft. When the Sixers drafted Evan Turner, he was considered the savior for Philadelphia basketball, an up-and-coming star who would take the team from Iguodala's grasp. Coming off college basketball's National Player of the Year Award the season before at Ohio State, Turner was expected to take the helm and do what Allen Iverson did: put the team on his back. In the weeks before the season, the city anticipated Turner's debut, talk of him filling the city. He was the hero, receiving a standing O at a Phillies game. Though not yet a bust, this wasn't, or isn't yet, the reality. Turner is not even starting, but coming off the bench behind former Kentucky star, yet far less acclaimed Jodie Meeks. He's shown flashes of stardom, but as of right now his role is a contributor off the bench, whatever is best needed to help the team.

That very same team first aspect is a significant reason for these winning ways, every man on the team putting the common goal of any team in any league before his own personal interests. For example, Elton Brand knows he is no longer consitantly the player he once was. He's accepted the fact that he is no longer an NBA superstar, and has accepted coming off of the bench for a few games in the past. But he rarely sits now, leading the team in scoring and rebounding, and, while no longer at an all-star level he used to be, has become a backbone for this team. Marresse Speights, a guy who can certainly play in this league, scarely saw court time earlier in the year. He didn't sulk at all, but rather worked harder in practice and earned his PT, and now contributes when he's called upon.

Are the Sixers going to win an NBA Championship in 2011? No. Not a chance. But they certainly will at least put up a fight against either the Bulls or Heat, or whoever they play in the first round of the playoffs, even if they lose the series. In watching this team one can see they have the fight that other teams lack, which has led to wins. Which, currently, aren't so hard to come by any longer.