Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 6:09 PM | 5 comments |
 

Sixers Protect Their Assets
options
 

NBA coaches and general managers are fond of talking about the importance of protecting their assets. That's why invoking a third-year option on Marreese Speights and fourth-year options on Thaddeus Young and Jason Smith for 2010-11 were basically no-brainers.

Still, the one who should be the most grateful is Smith, the backup forward-center who missed all of last season after undergoing knee surgery.

''He's been with us through his whole rehab and was cleared to play in July,'' Sixers president/general manager Ed Stefanski said. ''He's played through the preseason and his level of energy has been off the charts. We've been told by the doctors that he'll get stronger as the season goes on. And he has a nice skill, in that he's a 'big' who can come in and make shots.''

Before Smith got hurt two summers ago, part of the plan was to use him as a change-up center because of his ability to score from the perimeter. We'll find out what new coach Eddie Jordan's plan is as we go along.

By the way, about the money . . .

Charts obtained by the Daily News show these numbers for 2010-11: Speights, $1,773,960; Young, $2,901,241; Smith, $2,187,913
Posted by Phil Jasner @ 6:09 PM  Permalink | 5 comments
5
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:40 AM, 10/23/2009
    Marresse Speights and Thaddeus Young deserve it. I think we should have held out longer on Jason Smith to see how he progresses during the season. That's just my opinion though.
    — deasytrent
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:46 PM, 10/23/2009
    The Sixers are getting away real cheap with these players for now, but they're all going to demand and deserve big money when these contracts expire.
    — ricky
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:36 PM, 10/23/2009
    Hey, anyone want a chance to win tickets to the Eagles/Dallas game on Sunday, November 8th? Call 215.525.0694 on Sunday October 25th between 11 am and 12pm. Once there are 100 callers on the line a winner will be picked!!
    — Regan368
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:18 AM, 10/24/2009
    If Brand is healthy, he is the Sixers best player. Thad is coming along and Iggy is a solid player, but Brand has had huge success in the past. The reason Stefanski hired Jordan was to get the most out of this group. You better believe Brand will be a big part of what happens. Lets see how they do when the games start. I expect progress. Since this has been a playoff team, I will be very unhappy if they don't win at least two playoff series this year.
    — Paul SoTX


5 comments
About Bob Cooney
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.

Join on Facebook   

Advertise Here
Latest Sixers Videos