[high floorParticipant]

To be clear, I am not saying that Embiid’s game is exactly like Shaq. Or that Simmons game is exactly like Penny’s. 

What I am saying is that Shaq & Penny took the league by storm….. and that their older (more experienced peers) had difficulty preparing for them from the jump due to their size, speed, athleticism & flair at their positions. Ben & Joel are super unique in today’s game, just as Penny & Shaq were in their time.

Also, look at some or Orlando’s key role players during that short era. Robert Covington is Orlando’s Nick Anderson. A 3&D wing who could switch & lighten the load for Hardaway in certain difficult matchups. JJ Redick is Orlando’s Dennis Scott. A 3pt assassin & high-IQ shooting guard that could also serve as a 3rd or 4th primary ball handler. 

Markelle Fultz & Dario Sariz don’t really have comps on these Orlando teams….. but I thought the others were close enough to warrant a discussion. 

Also, Orlando was competing for titles VERY early in their window….. so here’s to Philly doing the same & potentially making a run to the ECF this year!! 

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

 Eerie. 

Shaq and Embiid both with big likeable personalities that might end up attracting them to LA. 

Hopefully Simmons doesn’t have Hardaway’s injury problems. 

 

 

 

 

[Snatalini247Participant]

CRINGE INTENSIFIES

[holefillers1Participant]

 You might be right but you have it backwards…Embiid has the injury history and Simmons wanted to play in LA.  Either way I hope you are wrong.

[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

has already stated he wants to end his career in Philly and that he loves it here.

Ben has also stated he loves Philly.  Markelle is loved here as well.

I hope its a Magic and Kareem situation, not Kobe and Shaq.  And I hope they win 6 or more rings.

The only way it breaks up is if winning gets old, Josh Harris doesn’t want to pay everyone, and the guys just want to move on like Kyrie and try something new.

But I don’t think so, these guys are unselfish and know they can make absolute history by playing with each other.  I don’t see the egos.

Only one i’m slightly scared of if Ben Simmons because he really wants his own legacy. But he’s not dumb, he realizes he needs Joel and Markelle.  

  

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 Good comparison! If Amir Johnson could play more consistent he could be the Horce Grant of the bunch. 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Yeah. 

I think we have discussed it here, too.

I also like the Blue Chips comp.  Which happened just before the Penny draft.

Then you have the Matt Nover guy as the Dario Saric of that movie.  The "third guy".

In that movie Tony was the other, other guy and kinda a headcase guard.  That’s Fultz.

Even the team they played — Indiana — had similar guys.  Bobby Hurley was on that team in the movie. That’s obviously TJ McConnell.  Then you had Calbert Chaney in the movie. That’s Robert Covington or somebody. Eric Montross was in that movie. Not sure who their Eric Montross is.  

Yeah, the Orlando comp works very, very well.  The "other guys" Dennis Scott is similar to Robert Covington in terms of size, length, and 3 point shooting with Bob’s defense off the charts and Scott’s defense less-than-average.  Nick Anderson and Markelle Fultz, I guess would be a solid comparison.  Who is the Dario Saric of that Magic team? Wanna say Jeff Turner but Saric is a lot, lot better.  TJ McConnell has no Orlando Magic doppelganger on that Finals team, but Scott Skiles was on Penny’s team when Penny was a rookie.  The other Magic filler guys: Donald Royal, Anthony Bowie, and Brian Shaw, not sure who those comps are but the Sixers probably need some cheap guys like that.  Other than that, they really, really, really could use a Horace Grant type.  Maybe that is Wendell Carter, Jr. around 10 or so if Mikal Bridges and some other guys aren’t there.  

I think this team could actually be closer to the Showtime Lakers if BOTH Magic and Kareem were one rookie contracts.  Shades of Showtime: that team had two monster unicorns but they still (somehow) ended up with great lottery picks to augment the core.  

If I had to break down the Philly roster I would have Unicorn Alpha Option 1 and 1a obviously.  Then I don’t see a blue chip 3rd option, but Robert Covington looks like a really good 4th option type especially with his defense.  "5th guy" is probably Saric.  6th guy is Markelle Fultz. Although Saric and Fultz are probably interchangeable in terms of roles.  7th man: Don’t really see one.  That would either be a high-level 3rd big, a high level 3rd guard, or a high level backup small forward.  8th man: TJ McConnell… I would go with him.  Solid, all-around prototype backup point guard.  9th man: Amir Johnson as the emergency 4th big.

So, in the draft they need to find their 3rd option.  Either as an All Star type or even a high-level role player type.  Someone who ALSO complements the young Simmons-Embiid-Saric-Fultz-McConnell Core even if there are few overlaps, and even if you have to stagger some lineups/minutes.  

At 10, go with somebody with a solidly decent floor or baseline but with maybe a higher "upside" than some other guys even if some other guys have a lower "bust" potential.  

They can ALWAYS use Saric, Fultz, and Covington as options 3-5 but having the luxury of another high level go-to guy is not something you can pass up.  I would base the 10th pick on a pool of guys I like with fairly high floors as well as some "upside potential" then make the pick based on intangibles, leadership, and fit then the combine, workouts, and interviews.  Mostly you are looking for a guy to round out the core and "tie the room together".  

At 23, go with Donte Inferno.  His "floor" is a more athletic, taller, more alpha version of Steve Kerr with some poor man’s Jeff Hornacek.  His "upside" is probably as high as the lottery guys.  

If Donte Inferno is gone, I would suggest Moritz Wagner. Classic backup center/stretch 5 type.  He gives you some intensity, leadership, and intangibles.  Maybe you can go with some twin towers stuff with Embiid and Wagner.  

If Mikal Bridges is gone by 10, then I am thinking of trading 10 and 23 along with a couple of 2nd rounders to Phoenix for 15 and 16.  

2nd round: going with Villanova guys, especially if Mikal and Donte are the 1st round picks.  Jalen Brunson can be their 3rd string point guard in this weekend’s playoffs.  McConnell insurance if he leaves.  Maybe he can teach Simmons some post moves.  Omari Spellman might only be a 4th big in a 3 1/2 big man rotation but he has some skills.  Other than that, get some draft and stash guys.  Go get Greek Freak’s brother. Draft Liangelo Ball.  His rights might be worth more than your typical late second round pick, his rights give you leverage for future deals, AND his skillset as a solid shooter should actually mesh well with the Philly core/rotation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 I think we will know by the end of the playoffs what the Sixers need (if anything). Probably a sleeper pick to win the title.  

Then draft based on need, fit, intangibles, leadership, and interviews after the combine and workouts help narrow down the possibilities.  

If Donte Inferno continues to move up (based on the combine and workouts) they should CONSIDER taking him at 10 or try to trade down a bit.

With Donte, he helps shore up the backcourt of Simmons, Fultz, Reddick (will he resign?), and McConnell. Robert Covington has the small forward position on lockdown (and you can probably play Simmons there in some quirky lineups).  They could use some help inside perhaps but Embiid is the alpha center and Saric is a good complementary big.  The 10th pick might be too high to draft what might amount to a "3rd big man".  They can probably find a "third big man" at 23.  Robert Covington’s backup can probably be had in the 2nd round (I am thinking more of a scoring small forward, maybe a more athletic 3, too, to give Philly a different look at small forward.  

The Sixers are in great shape regarding the draft — as long as they don’t overthink it.  They also have the luxury of taking a swing at an "upside" guy at 10, knowing that they have some extra picks to complement a roster that doesn’t really need much.

 

 

 

 

[The GoatParticipant]

Despite all the great play, all i remember from that Magic-Rockets series are Nick Andersons free throws. The poor guy lost it and never recovered.  

I think Philly has to look at Gary Trent Jnr as a replacement (or backup if he re-signs) to Redick. That’s about the level of player that will be available when they draft. There’s only so many guys you can stockpile or draft for potential. If they don’t get contributors with draft picks now they should start packaging them for better players. Otherwise they’ll have a lot of guys who will come off rookie deals around the same time – they can’t pay them all. They need potential to turn into performances within the life of those contracts.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 I love Donte Inferno for them at 23, but I am not sure he will be there (if he even comes out).

Then if Mikal is off the board, maybe "stretch" and go get Donte at 10.  Get your third big at 23.

The Kentucky Kids might be good picks at 10, but I am not yet sold on Knox, Shai, or Diallo.  They might offer more value around 15. Maybe those skillsets don’t mesh well, though.

Knox looks to be a solid scoring option but they already have Covington at the 3.

With Donte, you get a young 3 guard rotation of Simmons, Fultz, and Donte. With McConnell as the fourth guard if he sticks around. Then you can go with some small ball lineups featuring a backcourt of Fultz and Donte with Simmons and Covington at the forward spots.

Also, even though Omari Spellman isn’t a freak athlete he has enough range to be a stretch five for the Sixers.  Could be a poor man’s Sam Perkins for them.  

You use Spellman in lineups when Simmons is sitting out — so five out with Fultz, Reddick (or Donte if you draft him), Covington at the 3 and Spellman/Embiid at the big man spots. OR, have Spellman fill in as that small ball stretch 5 when you rest Embiid.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HeroescantdieParticipant]

Who’s DScott man, lol, Phila needs some Dscott? maybe Covngton, Dscott with the defense lol, Anderson maybe it’s saric lol  

[Author]

Posts