Archive: June, 2010
Bob Cooney
The acquisition of center Spencer Hawes from Sacramento last week in the Samuel Dalembert trade gives the Sixers yet another young player. Hawes, a first-round pick in 2007, just turned 22 in late April.
He joins Jrue Holiday (20), Jodie Meeks (23), Thad Young (22), Lou Williams (23), Marreese Speights (22) and Jason Smith (24). The leader of the group, Andre Iguodala, is still only (26) and Thursday the team will probably add 21-year-old Evan Turner with the second pick in the draft. The thought of coming east and joining this group of players excites the 7-1 Hawes.
“You look at the team on paper and you see a boatload of talent,” he said. “Their athleticism really jumps out at you. Any time you have that kind of talent, it’s a huge advantage. With coach (Doug) Collins and his staff, we can really start focusing in and translate that into more wins.”
Andres Nocioni, acquired by the 76ers with Spencer Hawes from Sacramento in the recent trade for Samuel Dalembert, intends to play for his native Argentina in the FIBA World Championships in Turkey.
''Absoutely it's his plan,'' said Mike Cound, one of Nocioni's representatives
When he represented Argentina in the Beijing Olympics, Nocioni told the Chicago Tribune ''With the National Team, you are representing your home country. So I feel it in my heart, I feel it in my chest, I feel it in my national colors. The feeling is really nice.''
A limited number of tickets for the NBA Draft will go on sale Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Madison Square Garden box office. Tickets are $15 each for reserved seating in the 300 Level.
That night’s draft will be held at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Doors open at 6:45, with live coverage beginning at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
The Sixers also are hosting a draft party at the Wachovia Center, beginning at 4 p.m. Admission is free.
In a way, this was just what 76ers coach Doug Collins wanted.
''You like someone and you want someone to come in and make you think; that's what you love to do as a coach,'' Collins said after watching Syracuse's Wesley Johnson go through a spirited NBA predraft workout at Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. ''Watching Wesley work out was like, 'Wow, that was impressive.'''
Johnson's session followed Thursday's appearances by Georgia Tech's Derrick Favors and Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins, and Wednesday's workout by Ohio State's Evan Turner.
Bob Cooney
The Sixers worked out Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins and Georgia Tech's Derrick Favors Friday morning.
Here is a video report from Daily News' Bob Cooney:
Samuel Dalembert described his emotion on being traded to the Sacramento Kings today "a mixed feeling."
Dalembert was drafted by the Sixers in the first round in 2001 and has never played for another organization. He was the longest-tenured member of the team.
‘’It’s like, wow, a fresh start, a team really wants me," Dalember told the Daily News' Phil Jasner in a phone interview today. "I believe I can help (the Kings) tremendously. Philly never said ‘You can really do this.’ I never felt I had a chance to be the player I’m capable of being.’’
Bob Cooney
UPDATED: The Sixers have just announced the deal. “We are excited to add two players in Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni who will help us immediately and provide us with additional front-court depth," team president and general manager Ed Stefanski said. "Spencer is a young seven-footer who will provide us with versatility at the center position, while Andres will provide us with a tough veteran presence."
Said Kings general manager Geoff Petrie: "We're excited about the acquisition of Samuel Dalembert. He will certainly bring a defensive presence and increase our ability to defend around the basket with his rebounding, shot-blocking and athleticism. I think he'll add a very different look to our team defensively and we're really excited about having him."
Earlier ...
- Poll: Is this a good deal for the Sixers? (6352 votes)
Bob Cooney
Ohio State's Evan Turner is planning one -- and only one -- workout before the NBA draft and that is with the Sixers, who are expected to take him with the second overall pick next Thursday.
"Going through a workout at an NBA facility was a lot of fun," Turner told reporters after his session for team executives at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. "I think it was a good atmosphere and I think I made a lot of shots today."
Turner also sounded optimistic about what the future might bring should he join the Sixers. Turner and point guard Jrue Holiday, selected in the first round last year, could be the team's backcourt for many years to come.
- Poll: Who should the 76ers take with the No. 2 pick? (8523 votes)
As expected, the Sixers will host workouts for the top big men available in the draft Friday when Kentucky’s DeMarcus Cousins and Georgia Tech’s Derrick Favors come to the team’s practice site.
The Daily News reported the workout schedule last week.
They will be joined by Temple’s Ryan Brooks and La Salle’s Rodney Green, who likely will fill the role of passer into the post.
The Sixers will get another first-hand look at the player most suspect will be their selection in next week's NBA draft when Ohio State's Evan Turner visits PCOM on Thursday, as we reported last week in the Daily News.
Turner will take part in a workout with two local players -- La Salle's Rodney Green and Villanova's Reggie Redding.
The Sixers have the No. 2 selection. Washington has the No. 1 pick and is expected to select Kentucky's John Wall.
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
