[TheWizardParticipant]

Samuel Dalembert has been the Sixers starting center since 2003. There were a few games where coaches opted for the likes of Kenny Thomas and Steven Hunter instead, but for the most part Sammy has been manning the middle for the Sixers since I was back in middle school. That will change in 2010-2011.

Earlier this summer, Sammy — the Sixers longest-tenured player and starting center — was traded to the Sacramento Kings for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni. The trade opened up a gaping hole in the Sixers starting lineup and also gave the Sixers a candidate to replace Sam — Spencer Hawes — along with the two candidates already on the roster.

The other two are Elton Brand and Marreese Speights. If one these three players don’t start every game at center for the Sixers something has gone horribly, horribly wrong. That would mean either Jason Smith, Tony Battie or Thaddeus Young has started a game at center.

Now the question is, of the three, who will start at center? And who should? A brief breakdown the candidates after the jump.

Marreese Speights

Speights career numbers per 36 minutes:

18 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and .490/.154/.758 percentages.

Though Speights per 36 numbers are impressive, his attitude, work ethic, defensive lapses have previously stunted his development. Speezy has all the tools to be a good defender and has shown flashes at times, but the lack of desire and hard work has prevented Speights from being even an average defender.

There’s no question that Speights has the most potential of the three, and if Coach Collins can light a fire under him it may pay off big-time for the Sixers. He’s still only 23.

Spencer Hawes

Like Speights, Hawes is another young big man with untapped potential. And like Speights, he also has the same warts: work ethic, attitude and lack of defense.

Hawes biggest strengths are his passing and ability to stretch the floor as a center. His 13.2 AST% last season ranked second amongst centers and just barely behind other elite-passing big men Pau Gasol, KG and Carlos Boozer.

Looking past Hawes jumper and his passing skills he doesn’t bring too much to the table. His rebounding is average-to-below average. His efficiency for a big man is below average. And his defense is bad.

Elton Brand

Unfortunately Elton will almost guaranteed to start either way, whether it’s at power forward or center — most likely power forward. If Brand starts at center it most likely means that either Thaddeus Young or Andres Nocioni are the starting fours. It’d also mean the Sixers starting lineup consists of zero players over 6’8”. It’d also result in the worst frontcourt in NBA history.

If Elton were still in his prime the Sixers may be able to get away with starting him at center, but not now. -SB NATION

[Mr. 19134Participant]

It’s gonna be Hawes because Doug Collins loves his passing ability and scoring ability. Hawes can really score for a big man he could develop into a Chris kamen type in the east only not as many rebounds. I dont think he will But i do think he will develop well for us. The Sixers wanted him in the draft that year because they loves his low post skills. Speights for right now is best served off the bench because of his lack of defense and he’s like instant offense off the bench. Although I would like to see him start just to see how good he can be.

The Sixers gotta do something with Brand or Iggy because I really wanna see Thad Young start.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

It’s gonna be Hawes because Doug Collins loves his passing ability and scoring ability. Hawes can really score for a big man he could develop into a Chris kamen type in the east only not as many rebounds. I dont think he will But i do think he will develop well for us. The Sixers wanted him in the draft that year because they loves his low post skills. Speights for right now is best served off the bench because of his lack of defense and he’s like instant offense off the bench. Although I would like to see him start just to see how good he can be.

The Sixers gotta do something with Brand or Iggy because I really wanna see Thad Young start.

[SlimParticipant]

http://www.smdh.net/images/SMDH_Entrance.jpg

[SlimParticipant]

http://www.smdh.net/images/SMDH_Entrance.jpg

[SlimParticipant]

Hawes isn’t exactly an all-NBA defender either

[SlimParticipant]

Hawes isn’t exactly an all-NBA defender either

[DNYCE]

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=3akpcqu

[DNYCE]

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=3akpcqu

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

My starting line up would look like this…

PG-Holiday…no if, and or but this guy is the PG of the future…
SG-Turner…# 2 Pick and for good reason…he better become a great 2 guard
SF-Iguadola…with Turner here now and Iggy coming off a gold medal and learning how to be a better role player, I expect a solid year from Iggy doing everything…17-7 and 7..
PF-Brand…if rumors are true that Brand is back to form he can be at least a leader and low post threat for 25 to 30 minutes …He clearly needs to make way for M16 and Thad at times
C-Hawes…They made the trade for a reason and Hawes better be ready to play his ass off in Philly or become Matt Geiger 2.0….M16 will be the 3rd big and back up Hawes with Battie has the veteran defender

Botton line if Brand,Hawes and Speights can become a steady force with Battie,Thad and Nocioni helping that front court I can see a playoff berth for the Sixers….If not Lottery Central….

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

My starting line up would look like this…

PG-Holiday…no if, and or but this guy is the PG of the future…
SG-Turner…# 2 Pick and for good reason…he better become a great 2 guard
SF-Iguadola…with Turner here now and Iggy coming off a gold medal and learning how to be a better role player, I expect a solid year from Iggy doing everything…17-7 and 7..
PF-Brand…if rumors are true that Brand is back to form he can be at least a leader and low post threat for 25 to 30 minutes …He clearly needs to make way for M16 and Thad at times
C-Hawes…They made the trade for a reason and Hawes better be ready to play his ass off in Philly or become Matt Geiger 2.0….M16 will be the 3rd big and back up Hawes with Battie has the veteran defender

Botton line if Brand,Hawes and Speights can become a steady force with Battie,Thad and Nocioni helping that front court I can see a playoff berth for the Sixers….If not Lottery Central….

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

Let Brand become the 3rd big and 6th man…If we have a Horrible season well another top 5 to 10 pick I pray…also Thad as the Starting Sf would be nice but that means two things…
1.Iggy or Turner goes to the Bench…Likely Turner as the Impact G ala Manu…or
2.Iggy gets traded to make room for Thad Young and Nocioni…maybe we get a true C or Scorer or Both…

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

Let Brand become the 3rd big and 6th man…If we have a Horrible season well another top 5 to 10 pick I pray…also Thad as the Starting Sf would be nice but that means two things…
1.Iggy or Turner goes to the Bench…Likely Turner as the Impact G ala Manu…or
2.Iggy gets traded to make room for Thad Young and Nocioni…maybe we get a true C or Scorer or Both…

[OhCanada-Participant]

Hawes will start, Speights could take it over. Scarecrow you ready for the draft? Its in 1 hour im signing in now!

[OhCanada-Participant]

Hawes will start, Speights could take it over. Scarecrow you ready for the draft? Its in 1 hour im signing in now!

[stanford hoops]

Hawes. Fans need to stop the per numbers. Coaches don’t start or play people because of per

[stanford hoops]

Hawes. Fans need to stop the per numbers. Coaches don’t start or play people because of per

[doubledribblerParticipant]

How in the world does Tony Battie still get NBA paychecks? He must be one hell of a locker room prescence because he hasn’t been much of anything in awhile.

[doubledribblerParticipant]

How in the world does Tony Battie still get NBA paychecks? He must be one hell of a locker room prescence because he hasn’t been much of anything in awhile.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

How did i get negatives for telling you what Collins said?

And Philadelphia does not want Bynum!!!

[Mr. 19134Participant]

How did i get negatives for telling you what Collins said?

And Philadelphia does not want Bynum!!!

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

I’d do a Oden and Rudy for Iggy deal….I’d think about a JR, Balkman and Birdman deal too…

I feel like we have to take a risk on some one we’ve got the pieces to be legit contender with a Star C and Turner becoming a Roy type 2 Guard…either way we’re looking at the lottery if we start Hawes,Brand or Speights full time…I’m a homer and I know that…we need an Oden or Bynum if they are out there to be had…we just have to get something to help our depth out too…That’s why Oden and Rudy plus a # round pick or Pg from the Blazers for 1 healthy Olympic Gold medalist Andre Iguadola to join the Roy/Aldridge duo with a deep young team with veteran C’s Camby and Joel Pryzbilla to fill in for the lose of Oden…It just admits some form of failure in picking Oden over Durant

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

I’d do a Oden and Rudy for Iggy deal….I’d think about a JR, Balkman and Birdman deal too…

I feel like we have to take a risk on some one we’ve got the pieces to be legit contender with a Star C and Turner becoming a Roy type 2 Guard…either way we’re looking at the lottery if we start Hawes,Brand or Speights full time…I’m a homer and I know that…we need an Oden or Bynum if they are out there to be had…we just have to get something to help our depth out too…That’s why Oden and Rudy plus a # round pick or Pg from the Blazers for 1 healthy Olympic Gold medalist Andre Iguadola to join the Roy/Aldridge duo with a deep young team with veteran C’s Camby and Joel Pryzbilla to fill in for the lose of Oden…It just admits some form of failure in picking Oden over Durant

[durantula83Participant]

Hawes is the man in the middle.

[durantula83Participant]

Hawes is the man in the middle.

[JNixonParticipant]

Yeah Hawes will start at C, and Speights probably will take the spot. Possibly before the All-Star break

[ghettosermonParticipant]

Even with his height Spencer Hawes is kinda soft. I think I’d rather have Brand at Center and Hawes+Speights at PF.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

Bynum is too injury prone thats the main reason I don’t want him in Philly and hell no I would trade Iggy and Hawes for Bynum… I already have a forum going where the Sixers send Hawes and Iggy to the Clips for Kamen, I would rather having Kamen then most of the other centers people are throwing out there like Bynum. And not only that Iggy is a perfect fit for the Clips so I think its a win win, the salaries match but I will still try to maybe get the Clips to take on Nocioni so we could get Foye off them too…

[durantula83Participant]

Hawes will start at the 5 when the season starts. I expect Speights to have a break-out season, if Brand can get back to his former self then the Sixers are set up front. I think Hawes will open some eyes too this season, he’s very skilled and versatile for a big man and will make people forget about Dalembert fast enough. If Brand or Hawes struggle then Speights will step in, I love his game.

[omphalosParticipant]

Yeah by all accounts it was a clash of coaching that kept Speights down this season. Doug Collins has a lot of respect in Philly and he has a history of improving records. The talent is here in the 76ers roster, they just need to be tapped; Speights should breakout, and earn the starting spot by season’s end barring injury.

No way is Brand getting the nod for C.

[stanford hoops]

Lol. I love when fans think they know what a team wants. Philly inquired about bynum
already so I guess they don’t share you’re thoughts or concern for his health. Injured big men still get alot of attention if they can play. When camby was always injured teams still wanted him. Teams still want oden as well

[Author]

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