Sixers Approach Trade Deadline
Philadelphia Inquirer Sports Columnist Bob Ford writes about the Eagles, the Phillies, the Sixers and the Flyers.
Sixers Approach Trade Deadline
Bob Ford, Inquirer Sports Columnist
A few random thoughts about the Sixers as they play two games on the road this week before coming back to meet Washington and New Jersey at the Wachovia Center on the weekend to begin a stretch of seven straight home games.
As the week began, the Sixers were a .500 team, headed for seventh or eighth in the conference seedings and another early playoff exit. Maybe that isn't the way it will work out, but that's the way it looks. In other words a repeat of last season, but with Elton Brand struggling to keep up this time.
So, make yourself Ed Stefanski. Assuming your goal is to win the NBA championship in your lifetime, how do you get from here to there?
The next month is going to be crucial and very interesting, as the Feb. 22 trade deadline approaches. Despite the favorable home schedule, it's going to be a tough stretch against some good teams. At the trade deadline, the Sixers could well be under .500 again and still trying to fit the pieces together.
As you look at this team -- assuming Brand doesn't enjoy a return to his pre-Achilles surgery mobility -- the future is going to hinge on the play of guys like Thaddeus Young, Marreese Speights, Lou Williams, Andre Iguodala and, perhaps, Jason Smith, if he can recover fully from his ACL surgery.
Together, they present exciting possibilities, but that's a group that won't fully mature for at least another season or two. Now, is it better to ride along with an even record while that takes place, or does the record now not matter? Would that group be even better if augmented by a high draft pick?
Depending on how you answer that question will also answer what you think about the idea of trading Andre Miller before the deadline. Miller is a wonderful point guard and the Sixers won't win as many games without him, but maybe that would be a good thing in the long run. He turns 33 in March and is in the last year of his contract. Will he still be as effective, and as deserving of the deal he will no doubt get, when Young, Speights and the others are ready to compete for a long run in the postseason? I'm not so sure.
Brand is another problem entirely, and he might not be tradeable right now, given his shaky physical status and his new contract. But Miller could bring you a valuable piece in trade and the Sixers' future wouldn't be hurt if they drifted home with something less than a .500 record.
I'm not advocating tanking games. That's bad for business, bad for morale. But tanking the roster is another thing. It might be what Stefanski was doing in part last season when he traded Kyle Korver. If so, it didn't work. The team played at a higher level that could have reasonably been expected. Losing Miller would have a greater effect.
And your opinion?
Miller ist the key player of the team, please Ed, do not trade him. He´s responsible of not wasting time in the team rebuild afer the Iverson trade. He has done a lot for Philly and will be an important part of the team in the future.— miller_fan- Trade Miller for a good young player or a 1st round pick. The goal is to win championships and the Sixers still need more talent to bypass the Celtics, Magic, and Cavaliers.— Tom98786
- Please Ed, do not trade Miller. He´s the key player of the team and responsible of not wasting time in the team rebuild after the Iverson trade. He also will be a important part of the team in the future.— miller_fan
- Bob, this would be a much better piece if you defined what” getting a valuable piece" in return for Miller. Who will play the point? If we trade Miller we are right back in the lottery and that is a tough place to escape from. Let's see how the season goes. We are only 4 games out of the 4th seed and two game out of the 5th seed. We should keep Miller, hope they continue to play well and maybe this year we can win series as a 4 or 5 seed. Nobody is going to beat Cleveland or Boston anyway. Maybe we can at least win one series and play hard against Cleveland or Boston and steal a game or two. Trading Miller would be nuts!— albanykey
- The NBA can be unpredictable. Keep him and see what you can do in the playoffs with him and a relativly healthy brand.— Phillyfan28
Comment removed.- So, who would be the point guard in a few years? Lou Williams? If I am trading anyone, it is Dalembert and Green. Those are two pretty unproductive contracts. We need a plan to usurp Boston in 3 years. How did they get so fast so soon? By getting two of the best players at their positions, bringing along a young scoring point guard and filling in the rest (like the Bulls did). Were the Lakers that good before they picked up one of the most skilled centers in the game for nothing? What about the Magic, how did they get good, they put together a well balanced team with one superstar. SO, the SIxers could try to get better as a team (shoot the three and defend better) or blow it all up.— bobcitydoc
- Keep Miller...Trade Elton Brand and a Pick to the Suns for Amare Stoudemire.....That would do it!!— jaydes
- I really feel that the Sixers can only grow if they allow they're younger players to play and grow by getting valuable starter minutes. You would never have known if Thad could produce if he hadn't gotten a chance to start. Miller has done a great job for the team and he would even better if the team were about to compete for a championship. I think Lou gives them what he has been asked to give by coming off the bench. Monta Ellis, Stuckey, Rondo.JaMeer etc were not all great as starters until they had started and been in the role for a while and made the adjustment. I think the Sixers would be better in the near future if they give the young guys a chance to play and grow together.better in the future— IMscott
- I agree that a trade for Miller might work. for example... Get Andrew Toney so the team can hit more 3's - then in this year's draft select Phil Collins and Bobby Jones to add to our defense. If only we could move Brand for Dr. J... Can anyone say George McGinnis?— grimreaper
- Millers not dumb. I think he wants out of here anyway. He has pick up his game lately. Just in time for the trade deadline...HMMMM! I say sign him for two years and see how the team gets better. Then trade him.— radicaleaglesfan
- I still can't figure out why they got Brand. He's like an anchor on this team - and its wallet.— Bake McBride
- Was this article written 3 weeks ago? Thats the way it feels.— ktdb05
- I hear what your saying, but I don't think they'll real value for Miller. I think trading Brand in the offseason or next year sometime is the only way they can get that additional, young 1st round talent that could put them over the top. I think they pulled the blockbuster free agent trigger too soon with Brand. But Brand may turn out to be worth the money...— ag
- If Miller has no intention of returning, he should be traded. My guess is Ed Stafanski already knows the answer to that question.— ArtMooney
