Collins: Bynum 'might be best low-post center'
Philabuster is a blog about Philadelphia sports written by Philadelphia Inquirer sports columnist Phil Sheridan.
Collins: Bynum 'might be best low-post center'
Phil Sheridan, Inquirer Columnist
LONDON -- Sixers coach Doug Collins was broadcasting the Olympic semifinal between Spain and Russia when it became official. The NBA office had approved the stunning four-team deal that brings center Andrew Bynum to Philadelphia.
To say Collins was happy would be understating it. The only possible negative is that he has to wait a couple months to get his radically rebuilt team on a basketball court.
Collins had a lot to say. Here's some quick hits. There will be more in The Inquirer and here on philly.com tomorrow.
On big changes after a good season: "I thought it was incredible what our guys did. I thought we maxed out our time. For us to take the next step, we were going to have to make some changes. One of the keys one was having to amnesty Elton (Brand). It was the only way to get any flexibility. I think a lot of people felt like we were doing all these things for salary cap room next year, but we had in our sights, could we get in the (mix) for Andrew Bynum. He might be the best low-post center in the NBA. You can throw the ball into him, he can score, he can defend, he can rebound. He's from New Jersey and I think he was looking forward to coming back East."
On the impact: "We think we've gotten bigger on the front line. We're more athletic. We're bigger on the perimeter, we've added shooting. All the things we set out to do, we think we've done that. Miami is still obivously the class of the East, but we think we can line up and play with most teams now."
How it came together: "We had three teams that we locked in to doing it. But Orlando was looking for a home for Dre. At the last minute, Denver came into the picture to be the fourth team. For them to move Dre and get Aflalo and Harrington was the thing that really pushed it over the top and got them to do the deal."
On being aggressive: "The thing I love is our owner has been very, very committed to making things happen. Amnestying EB was a big thing. You have to be realistic when a team is maxed out and make changes. Josh Harris and I always talk about intelligent risk. His business is built on intelligent risks, and we think we've taken a lot of intelligent risks.
On the departure of Andre Iguodala, traded to Denver: "We're going to miss Dre. The thing I'm happy for Dre about -- the last two years, he finished on an uptick. What he did to help us win, the Chicago game where he goes the length of the floor and makes to free throws to put us into the next round, the way he defended (against Boston in the second round). I wish Dre well. He's been on a world championship team, he's been on the all-defensive team, he's been an All-Star, he has a chance to win a gold medal. The two years I've known him, good things have happened for him."
On Iguodala's reaction: "I'm going to talk to him before the (U.S.-Argentina semifinal) game here. My son Chris saw him in the hotel today. He said, `Dad, he's fine. He was in good spirits.' We had to wait until it went through. The conference call just went through. I'm going to thank Dre for everything and wish him well. It's interesting how things work. I believe we open up with Denver."
On getting a dominant center: "You've got to have a good big man. You have to be able to throw that ball in the post."
DC, I LOVE YOU!— dudega- it would be nice to get a quote from bynum on his thoughts of the trade.. hopefully he doesnt intend to pull a crybaby sulking act like odom did in dallas. — zwarte piet
- WOW. Did not see this one coming. Bynum is the best big man in the league. He was third option at best on the lakers and now, he should be the first option and show what he is all about. The only complaints I've heard is that he is in his final year. But so was Iggy. I would rather one year with Bynum then one more year with Iggy. Moreover, these critics assume we can't sign him to long term. He is a local guy, and following the new new owners focus on the history of this franchise, point out that this is the team that brought you Wilt, the greatest big man of all time, and Moses, who brought us the championship. He can make his own legacy in the 4th largest media market, in his own backyard. He can be compelled and if not, at least we can see how this team can play with a real big man. I love this trade. I haven't been this excited since Croce took AI with the first pick in 1996. — Fo Fo Fo
- Of all the new people in management, I think Josh Harris is the key. This guy is willing to roll the dice if it is worth while. Think back just a couple years ago when we had Snyder and Stefanski running the show to now. Bynam could be a superstar very soon!— Bobby V
- Agreed...while some may not have liked what the Sixers did towards spending available monies after the amnestying of EB, they still sheared $18.5 million by doing that.(and remained on the hook for like $16 million after the Mavericks got him)....Basketball people make basketball decisions...Harris stepped up, allowing moves to be made...hope it all works out. — bearsfriend
- Great stuff getting honest comments, especially after going through the CIA/James Bond "codes of secrecy" through the Pre-Draft, and then the moratorium through Free Agency in early July....wish DC could have been asked if Harkless was drafted at #15 with the intention of moving him to the Magic...as the Magic was known to be interested in him at #19 in many mock drafts....Through much of the Summer many fans were somewhat miffed by certain moves, but "calculated risks" have seemed to payoff in what obviously was a conscientious effort to land a monster big...Although it's early, wondering if DC still plans to experiment with Hawes as a "stretch 4", or is he a 6.5 million dollar insurance policy? (can't be traded till December 15th)...Also, is Thad Young still on the "bulkup plan", and can he be trusted by DC to handle the 4 paired with that low post monster, who will both provide an aide to stretching the floor on offense,bring double teams, and pose as a ferocious rebounder defensively, taking pressure off Young....Last, as Iggy moves on, like Lou in early July, the Sixers are left with but 2 trusted ballhandlers to intitiate...More moves to come?— bearsfriend
- Richardson makes a good outside shooter to bring instant Lou points. Andrew is way overweight and has bad knees and ankles but if if if he gets serious, loses some weight and will follow Doug's orders, this kid could be very good. He will have to be very disciplined: which he was not in Lakers-land. If they use him correctly, he will be a monster in the middle and with Thad , Lavoy, Moultrie, he will get lots of rebounds. And he can score 16 plus points a night , again, if used correctly.— Koons
- Not going out on a limb to say this, but assuming Bynum is healthy, he figures to get enough touches to score in between 22-24 points a game, and garner 11-13 rebounds...He WILL be option #1, with insane athleticism to even score when plays are NOT run for him. — bearsfriend
- Now go and make Kate Fagen an offer she can`t refuse— Pearchair
- They look really nice for next year. The best true Center in the NBA when he's healthy, an emerging PG in Jrue, much needed shooters like Richardson, Young and Wright. Turner's development is key though -- it be nice to see him take his game to the next level.— gordon7
- This is great for Sixers, but it speaks as to the hypocracy of the NBA. What does Orlando get out of this deal? For that matter what did Memphis get out of the deal for Paul Gasol? It's like the NY Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates acting as the NYY own personal farm system. Pirates never get better and NYY continue to restock.
Same goes with NBA. Stern is so happy to have Lakers stay relavant. Now if he could only get the Knicks to bot be..., well the Knicks.
And finally, it's a shame that the DIVA Miss Dwight Howard got his way. He's such a wuss...— IrishJoe - I'm baffled by people that don't think this is a brilliant move.
And bearsfriend, I think you're right to point out the 12/15 date, as the team is almost certain to look different after that than before.— evolutionary - Not that I want to see it often, maybe just once or twice a month, but it's nice to have the option to go super big with 3 7 footers - Hawes, Brown and Bynum. When was the last time the Sixers - a team that seemed comprised of 6-7 swingmen for the last decade - able to do that?— Iron Giant
- Vuc was a seven footer...Hawes, Brown, and Vucovic were three seven footers before the Bynum trade. The sixes didn't get taller but they got bigger because Bynum weights 285 lbs. — fafink
- irishjoe, the NBA declined to give the lakers Chris Paul.— Flyers2001
