The Sixers greatly benefitted from Allen Iverson’s finest season.....both on and off the court. He led the NBA in scoring again, but did so on a very young team that he acted as a mentor to. This came after learning to be the leader on Team USA in the Olympics. The problem was that his teammates looked for Iverson to do it. He was their security if they couldn’t or wouldn’t take a shot. That isn’t Iverson’s fault....though it will look like it on the stat sheet.
The Sixers have problems with their defense and rebounding...the two things they were strong with when Iverson led the team to the 2001 NBA Finals. Their cap isn’t too kind...since they are paying Jamaal Mashburn $10M next year [if he picks up his option] and Todd MacCullough $6M....even though he’s injured. Samuel Dalembert is a restricted free agent, and will get some looks. And the trade for Chris Webber, which may ultimately pay off, puts a huge salary pox on the books.
Andre Iguodala started every game for the Sixers this year [all 87 of them] and played better as the season went on. He has the athleticism to scare opponents and take some focus off AI. If he works hard enough, he could develop into a secondary scorer to Iverson that would help the team greatly.
In a little more delight.....the Sacramento Kings are done as well. Again, Kings fans...our Lakers’ window slammed shut, but we won three rings. The Kings got to ONE Western Conference Final in there entire reign!!!!
However, the Kings have set themselves up for a lighter fall. They made some shrewd deals during the season that may pay off for them. Getting Cuttino Mobley for the enigmatic Doug Christie was a straight up steal. While Mrs. Christie pinned in the Magic Kingdom, Mobley was that scoring guard that the Kings hadn’t had in a long while. While trading Chris Webber was somewhat controversial....they got quantity in return. Mainly in Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson and Brian Skinner. None of them are as talented as Webber...but they’ll be on the court. And with Mobley out there, their scoring doesn’t have to be as great. However, there is a lack of interior scoring on the team. Their center, Brad Miller, is a nice center...but isn’t a terrifying post player. And why is Ostertag making almost $5M???
The interesting thing to watch this postseason is Peja Stojakovic. He expressed his unhappiness in the Kings after last season....citing Vlade Divac leaving and Chris Webber staying. Well, C-Webb is gone....but the Kings were toying with a deal that would send him to the Lakers for Lamar Odom. Most likely he will stay and form a core with Miller and Mike Bibby. Bobby Jackson also should have his option picked up. Mobley is a nice player....but the knock on him is his defense and just "team play".
Most likely, the Kings team you saw walk off the Key Arena court last night will be the same Kings team you’ll see run out on the court on opening night this fall. And that isn’t a bad team at all.
The NBA has spoken..........
2 comments:
I'm fairly sure both Mashburn and MacCollough's salaries come off the books this year. That's why we took Mashburn and TM is retired. Of course we have to deal with the last 3 years of Webber's $60 mil contract and re-sign Korver and Dalembert who are both restricted free agents. I've got high hopes for next year.
Go to http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/philadelphia.htm and it says that McCullogh's contract still counts against the cap.....and Mashburn is, technically, still active. His contract is up for an option next year...but it is his option. He can pick it up and still get a salary from the Sixers.
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