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."
I could not believe they signed Brand after the Webber fiasco.
Iggy was a very good athlete but never excelled at basketball skills. He was a valuable defender, but not a franchise level player. Bynum could potentially become an anchor for the next ten years of sixer competitiveness. Now they have to get that other superstar and I don't mean Rudy Gay, Danny Granger, Luol Deng or Andre Igoudala. They are all-star level players but not superstar caliber. I say tank next season and try to get that number one pick.— 2sides2story- The Sixers gave up too much for Andrew who is still a work in progress at his position.Maybe here he can become a dominant center that he was not in Los Angeles.Like a previous commenter said if he becomes the first option and being home along with playing for a new contract could all factor into a great year for him and the sixers.— Andrew Grier
- I would like to thank the Sixers ownership in all of this for putting their money where their mouth is. This isn't the NFL, when then amnestied Brand, they're still on the hook for his salary minus what the Mavs are paying him. So in addition to paying salaries to the cap, they're on the hook for an additional 16 million this year. That really shows a financial commitment that you want to see out of your ownership. They've owned the team for just over a year, and have completely remade the team, and washed away the stench of Ed Stefanski (and Billy King), and made many of us happy Sixers fans. I started going back to games last year, and will definitely go to more this year, because they've done a really good job of putting a good product on the court.— mjc1
- after talking to some OLD HEADS about this trade, these cats watched Wilt and Bill battle long before i knew what a basketball was, this is what might get lost in the talks about getting Bynum, we kept our guards in place, these two youngsters have a chance to feed a dominant big man for the first time, shots will be open for them and the more you shoot the better you get and i was reminded that when Shaq went to miami the best guy on the team was a guard. when the OLD HEADS see good things ahead i feel good. im not saying we are the heat YET!! but when a little brother has a BIG brother to back him up...... you know!— sube
- Doug Thanks for helping to PULL THE TRIGGER on THIS DEAL !!! johnnyu— john ullman
- Im happy for Iggy, old friend and new teamate Andre Miller will make him feel right at home— chalton harley
- Like the deal. Bynam is young and Collins will motivate and give him proper coaching and direction.— WestConshy
