| Draft Not Enough - Friday, June 20, 2008
254 Views :: 1 Comments ::  :: Michael Bradley Maurice Speights was in town yesterday. So was David Padgett. The Sixers took a ride up to Jersey recently to check out Kosta Koufos. And they watched DeAndre Jordan in a private workout a couple weeks back. Put them all together -- along with JaVale McGee and Robin Lopez -- and you have more question marks than can be found on the Riddler's costume. The Sixers have the 16th pick next Thursday, which is a great spot if you're in the NFL but one filled with potential peril in the Association. The past five players picked at that spot have been Nick Young, Rodney Carney, Joey Graham, Kirk Snyder and Troy Bell. Ladies and Gentlemen, your NBDL All-Stars! Of them, only Carney has done anything, and he's a reserve for the Sixers. Okay, so Hedo Turkoglu was a 16th pick. So was Ron Artest. There is hope, but not much. Teams don't become title contenders with picks from that spot. They might find a rotation piece. If they get really lucky, they get a starter. The Sixers will likely take a player with "upside" but plenty of warts, beginning with a sushi-raw game. That's why next Thursday will not determine whether or not the Sixers have a successful off-season. Their Draft prospects aren't so great, so it's going to come down to whether GM Ed Stefanski can work some magic through signings or trades. One thing is certain: The Sixers can't stand pat or just be happy to add a draft pick. That won't be enough. In case you weren't paying attention during the past couple weeks, and the TV ratings indicate that many of you were, the Boston Celtics won the NBA title this year. They did it with a team that featured three All-Stars. Three. The team they beat, L.A., had two, plus an established small forward (Lamar Odom). L.A. subdued San Antonio to reach the Finals, and the Spurs have a core of stars (Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili), as well. And the Celtics dispatched Detroit and its four All-Stars in the Eastern finals. Get the picture? Talent wins in the NBA, not systems, or years of growing together and "bonding." You either have the horses, or your off-season is long. Right now, the Sixers don't have the horses. They lack an inside scorer. They don't have a front line wing guard. And their point man has one year left on his contract and is making noises like he wants to go West after this season. For all of last year's excitement, the Sixers were a mediocre team that finished below .500 and were bumped from the playoffs as soon as Detroit got serious. They can bring the same unit back next year and perhaps win 45 games. Maybe they'll win a first-round playoff series. Maybe. But if they want real prosperity, they had better improve their roster. Does that mean Elton Brand is coming to town? Too early to tell, although the big man has expressed some interest. How about a sign-and-trade for Corey Maggette? Perhaps. There are possiblities, and they need to be examined. Next Thursday, Stefanski and his staff will make what they consider to be the best pick for the team. Then, the real work will begin. |
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