PREFERS TEMPLE'S OFFENSE TO PRINCETON'S
Jrue Holiday was supposed to be long gone by the time the 76ers selected with the 17th pick of the NBA Draft. At one point, Holiday was rumored to be in contention with the Sacramento Kings at the 4th spot of the Draft. But as tonight's draft progressed, Holiday's name went uncalled and as each pick passed he remained the highest-rated player remaining on the board.
Luckily for the Sixers, the highest-rated player left was also a point guard, a position the Sixers needed to fill.
Holiday will be in Philly tomorrow -- Friday -- at 1 p.m. for a press conference at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
We've spent weeks leading up to this draft looking at UNC's Ty Lawson and VCU's Eric Maynor as well as UNC's Wayne Ellington -- mostly because Holiday was projected, by nearly everyone, to be off the board.
Why did he slip?
For one, he is 19 years old and played one less-than-stellar season at UCLA, averaging only 8.5 points and game and shooting 30.7 percent from the three-point line. For another, there was some concern over an injury that might have scared a few teams away. Tonight, Stefanski said Holiday might have fallen because he was No. 2 on a number of teams' lists. In that one season at UCLA, Holiday played out of position at shooting guard. Word is that Holiday, one of the top high school player in the country coming out of high school, went to UCLA thinking Bruins point guard Darren Collison was leaving for the NBA. Collison stayed in school and Holiday was forced to play out of position.
It's all speculation, but what matters is: What is Holiday's game? Will he play right away? Could he start if Andre Miller doesn't re-sign?
Only minutes after Holiday was selected, assistant GM Tony DiLeo said the Sixers did not expect Holiday to make an impact this coming season. A few minutes later, on a conference call from Madison Square Garden, Holiday said he disagreed with that, saying he expects to contribute right away.
Of course he does.
We could go on for 1,000 words about Lawson's game, but Holiday remains a little more unknown. What we do know is that Holiday has the size -- 6-foot-4 with a 6-7 wingspan -- to be a dominant point guard, although he didn't have a chance to show GMs his point guard skills at UCLA.
Holiday's strengths appear to be his versatility, his court vision, and his ability to execute, especially off the pick-and-roll. He doesn't seem to be a guy with explosive athleticism and game-changing skills in transition (like Ty Lawson), but as far as strong point guard skills and upside (let's keep in mind this kid is 19), Holiday has plenty of that.
Tonight, Stefanski spoke about Holiday. Reading between the lines, it sounded like Stefanski didn't think Holiday would come in right away and earn all kinds of playing time, but he did say he was impressed with Holiday's defensive abilities and added that defense might be a way for Holiday to find some playing time.
The knocks on Holiday are that he is unproven (and this is very true, with what was seen at UCLA), that he doesn't have a go-to scoring mentality (although that might not be a bad thing on a Sixers roster filled with guys who think they are go-to scorers), that his outside shot needs work (although I heard from a number of people that his form is textbook and he just needs more repetition), and that he has average athleticism and explosiveness (sounds like another Sixers point guard we know well...).
All in all, the Sixers stole one tonight at the 17th spot. It was the 17th spot in a weak draft and they got lottery-pick talent. Going forward, I think it's a stretch to think Holiday will get much playing time this coming season. If the Sixers don't re-sign Andre Miller (free agency opens July 1), expect the Sixers to sign a veteran point guard with the mid-level exception they have. Considering nine point guards were chosen in the first 21 picks (or right around there), there will be a number of solid point guards looking for jobs this summer.
--Kate
With the 17th pick in the NBA Draft, the 76ers selected Jrue Holiday, a point guard from UCLA.
Most mock drafts had Holiday as a Top 10 selection, but he dropped. Sixers General Manager Ed Stefanski had said all along they would take the highest rated player left on the board. And they did. Holiday -- who played only one season at UCLA and averaged 8.5 points a game -- is considered more of a project than UNC's Ty Lawson.
Here's the running copy of tonight's first 15 picks.
The NBA Draft is underway at Madison Square Garden. And each pick influences who the 76ers might draft at the 17th spot. Here's what we know so far:
1.) Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers: This was expected. Not much more to write.
2.) Hasheem Thabeet, Memphis Grizzlies: Again, this was the guy everyone had penciled in as the Grizzlies' choice, and his selection does not rock the boat.
3.) James Harden, Oklahoma City: A little bit of a surprise at the 3 spot as most folks thought Ricky Rubio would be taken at this spot, but Rubio and Harden would both be gone in the Top 5-6 anyway.
4.) Tyreke Evans, Sacramento: Rubio is slipping, which is surprising, because I think most folks had Rubio at 3 or 4.
5.) Ricky Rubio, Minnesota: So here lands Rubio, probably a spot or two later than expected, but still gone in the Top 5.
So there are the Top 5, really no shocking surprises, and nothing that changes anything the Sixers might do. Just keeping it updated. Check back to this same blog after the 10th pick because I'll just be updating within this blog.
6.) Johnny Flynn, Minnesota: So Flynn worked his way up this Draft. At the start there was speculation he might be available when the Sixers picked, but quickly he worked into the Top 10. And now has worked his way past Stephen Curry in the draft order.
7.) Stephen Curry, Golden State: I think there are a lot of upset Knicks fans in NY, as most folks thought Curry would be their selection at the 8th spot. Still nobody taken that was thought to -- possibly -- slip.
8.) Jordan Hill, New York: So the Knicks take a forward. Reaction seem luke warm in MSG, but still nobody taken that has been in the Sixers core group of guys.
9.) DeMar DeRozan, Toronto: The Raptors always do some wacky stuff on Draft Day, but this was seems like a solid young guy they're taking from USC. So it seems there are plenty of the Sixers guys still on the board: Jeff Teague, Gerald Henderson, Ty Lawson, Eric Maynor, Terrence Williams, Wayne Ellington ... almost enough to get them to their pick with one of their guys still on the board ...
10.) Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee: We could say this impacts the Sixers a little bit because there was some speculation that his stock was dropping and very well could be available at the 17th, leading to discussion if the Sixers would take him even without seeing him in a workout. But he's gone, taking away that speculation. Six picks left before the Sixers.
11.) Terrence Williams, New Jersey Nets: There we go, off the board a guy you would think was in the Sixers' core group. But Williams being gone means little to the Sixers as Williams skills overlapped far too much with the some of the players in their lineup. And his outside shooting is suspect.
12.) Gerald Henderson, Charlotte: Henderson is off the board, too. Although there was only a slim chance that Henderson would be on the board at the 17th spot, there was still an outside chance.
13.) Tyler Hansbrough, Indiana: Well, I think most thought Hansbrough wouldn't be taken until late in the first round, but the Pacers took a flyer on his NBA ability.
14.) Earl Clark, Phoenix: Big guy from Louisville was not on the Sixers radar.
15.) Austin Daye, Detroit: Forward from Gonzaga also wasn't somone the Sixers were supposedly interested in.
Plenty of the Sixers guys still remain on the board. Here are the relevant guys still on the board with only 1 pick before the Sixers: Ty Lawson, Eric Maynor, Jeff Teague, Wayne Ellington ...And, of course, Ohio State center B.J. Mullens ...
We'll be blogging about the Sixers pick as soon as it happens ...
--Kate
We'll be keeping this blog live during tonight's NBA Draft, which begins around 7:30, and in which the 76ers have the 17th selection. Since everything that happens above the Sixers impacts their decision, we'll be analyzing the night as it progresses and what it might mean for the Sixers.
--Kate
Remember Allen Iverson's infamous rant about being heckled for missing then-coach Larry Brown's practice sessions? There's a very entertaining YouTube video making the rounds that re-mixes AI's comments with Jim Mora, and Joe Namath, and Terrell Owens, and... it's worth a look. (Below)
Even with the pre-draft workout on Saturday for Ohio State center B.J. Mullens, it is, of course, much more likely the 76ers will draft a guard in Thursday's NBA Draft.
Here are, in our opinion, the Sixers 3 most likely picks:
1.) Eric Maynor, VCU: When speculation first began, the front-runner was definitely North Carolina's Ty Lawson, but it seems that right now Maynor is a very likely pick. Both Maynor and Lawson are true point guards, but word is that Maynor is one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft. If last year's starting PG, unrestricted free agent Andre Miller, doesn't re-sign, Maynor would at least provide an option.
2.) Ty Lawson, North Carolina: His stock has dropped since pre-draft workouts began, falling "clearly behind" Syracuse's Johnny Flynn. The knock seems to be he is injury-prone and a product of the UNC system. Regardless, his leadership qualities, speed, and transition game would give the Sixers an option at point guard, but consensus seems to be Lawson would first need some time as a backup.
3.) Terrence Williams, Louisville, SG/SF; Jeff Teague, Wake Forest, combo guard: Ok, so we said 3 top picks and this makes it 4. Williams is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard who is very athletic, although he seems to slip into the small forward role, too, and we know the Sixers don't need another tweener who slips into the small forward spot. Teague is listed as a point guard, but is more of a combo guard. He has a ton of upside, but the Sixers do have a combo guard in Lou.
And ...
Last week the 76ers announced they will re-launch their brand identity tomorrow in the main lobby of the Comcast Center on JFK Blvd. Sixers General Manager Ed Stefanski and new head coach Eddie Jordan will be present. This "major announcement" is scheduled for 2 p.m. and includes a free t-shirt and multimedia presentation on the Comcast experience (the public is invited to attend). Afterwards, the Sixers will begin a T-Shirt Tour from a double-decker bus, with the t-shirts courtesy of Adidas. The tour begins at the Comcast Center, continues through to the circle at the Art Museum, loops around Main Line Health's Lankenau Hospital, then west up Lancaster Ave.
--Kate
The 76ers have scheduled a pre-draft workout with Ohio State center B.J. Mullens and Notre Dame guard Ryan Ayers.
The workout will be tomorrow, Saturday, at 10 a.m. at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
There has been speculation recently about whether the Sixers would schedule a workout with Mullens, the 7-footer with plenty of potential. Ayers, 6-7, averaged 11.1 points a game last year for the Fighting Irish. Mullens averaged 8.8 points a game last season with Ohio State.
Since the season ended, Sixers General Manager Ed Stefanski has said the team would most likely draft a perimeter player, but if Mullens, who by all accounts would take a few years to develop, slips to the 17th spot -- the Sixers draft position -- he would be a tough player to pass on.
Rumors have swirled that Stefanski has been shopping current center Samuel Dalembert -- one specific rumor has him going to the Charlotte Bobcats -- but two people within the NBA circle have said they would be surprised if Stefanski could find a suitor for Dalembert this off-season, saying that more than likely Stefanski could find a much better deal next off-season, when Dalembert would have only 1-year remaining on his contract.
Whether Stefanski can trade Dalembert this off-season is a question that will be answered in the next few weeks, but even if Dalembert is still on the roster come October, Mullens appears to be a guy who would take a few NBA seasons to develop anyway.
The NBA Draft is scheduled for Thursday, June 25. The Sixers have only one pick -- the 17th.
--Kate
The 76ers will move their training camp from Penn State to St. Joe's this year. Camp opens on Tuesday, Sept, 29 and runs through Oct. 4. Practice will be held at the Hawks' training facility which opened in Sept., 2008.
On Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the 76ers will hold another pre-draft workout, this one consisting of six players. The NBA Draft is to be held on June 25. The Sixers have the 17th pick.
Here are the six players, with Stefon Jackson coming back for his second workout:
1.) Stefon Jackson, UTEP
2.) Lester Hudson, Tennessee-Martin
3.) Eric Maynor, Virginia Commonwealth
4.) Jermaine Taylor, Central Floriday
5.) Jeff Teague, Wake Forest
6.) Greivis Vasquez, Maryland
--Kate
The Sixers will workout five players in a pre-draft workout Thursday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The workout will be at 10 a.m. Here are the five players:
1.) Dionte Christmas, Temple
2.) Darren Collison, UCLA
3.) Jack McClinton, Miami
4.) Wayne Ellington, North Carolina
5.) Marcus Thornton, LSU
The Sixers have the 17th pick in the June 25 NBA Draft.
And here's even more news from Sixer-land, one day after the Reggie Evans-Jason Kapono trade: Sixers announced that center Jason Smith, who tore his ACL last summer, has been cleared by Dr. David Altchek to do basketball court work without limitations. Altchek reported he is "pleased with the progress" Smith has made.
"This is very encouraging news and a testament to the hard work Jason has put in over the past nine months," said Sixers General Manager Ed Stefanski.
For the next two to three months, Smith will wear a left knee brace during on-court work. And his progress will continue to be monitored by the Sixers medical staff. The progression will be individual skill work, shooting drills, and then onto 1-on-1, 3-on-3, then 5-on-5 games. Sixers have set no timetable for this progression, but will base his progression on how he feels during each step.
--Kate
