Ivey signs for veteran's minimum
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Ivey signs for veteran's minimum
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Sixers on Friday officially signed veteran point guard Royal Ivey to a one-year veteran minimum deal ($1.23 million).
Why?
The Sixers apparently don’t really place a high value on backing up point guard Jrue Holiday because they have confidence in Evan Turner to play on the ball offensively for stretches during the season. Sixers coach Doug Collins’ offense also allows for Andre Iguodala to dominate the ball at times.
Whether this is sound philosophy or not is questionable. However, the hope is that if Holiday does suffer an injury that keeps him sidelined for a significant amount of time, Ivey will be able to step in and give the team competent play at the point.
Ivey, 30, an eight-year vet, spent the last two seasons in Oklahoma City. During his career, Ivey has started 109 games and averaged 3.4 points and 1.1 assists per game. This is his second stint with the Sixers, who signed him in 2008 as a free agent and later traded him along with Primoz Brezec and a second round pick to Milwaukee in exchange for Francisco Elson and Jodie Meeks on February 18, 2010.
Bring back the black uniforms. Slick looking and they can pay the 1.5 in jersey sells.— Darryl Cofield- i like Ivey's defense, alot. with so many ball handlers on the team. he fits perfect w/ the second unit. former sixers, cheap, and good defense. i like it, for now.— brownrice
- What a waste of money.— Horlet
- I thought Ivey would sign for the towel boy minimum. Sixers got ripped off. Ivey makes loot.— Tyrone Biggums
- I think its unlikely the will bring more to camp. They are capped out, and remember they sold their second round pick? Why? They either needed the money or feel their roster is set.— xam14
- I am sure they will get a PG or two in camp, Ivey can play some pretty good defense. I don't see what's so bad about that.— Paul SoTX
- I was hoping for Dwight but this is much better— lonewolf 10
- Kinda liked Jacob Pullen's play in Orlando - wonder if 6ers will still give him a chance and bring him to camp. Ivey's okay - just ok.— bsmart
- Smell? It stinks!
jmarder, hope of finding another Lin, by signing a young guy would have been more appealing. As bearsfriend suggested— xam14 - Smell? It stinks!— xam14
- Jeez relax people. What do you guys expect the backups to be? Marquee players???— jamarder
- No,but at least they should have the ability to play semi-pro. This acquisition sounds like he can't even have sandlot creds. Interesting name tho, I'll give him that. — TEDcGEGI
- This signing will help sell tickets— bgwille
- Appreciate the fact that John Mitchell questions the fact that this position (backup PG) seems to be devoid of "upside"...Royal Ivey is a professional, will play tough D, will hit an occasional three, and most importantly to DC...is a soldier who will not create a problem as the 13th man on the roster...But the Sixers are left with no "quick" in the backcourt, a certifiable dervish. Knock on wood for Jrue and ET as being durable (the Sixers as a team had the second FEWEST games missed due to injury last season)...I would have much rather seen a Jerryd Bayless...What's going on with Maalik Wayns?— bearsfriend
- I smell another meaningless transaction....nothing against Royal Ivey but you know what he is already....why not take a flier on undrafted rookie with some upside and see what happens....you can on the rarest of occasions strike gold or at least silver....this will be Ivey's 5th team in 9 years and K Brown's 7th team in 12 years....REALLY excited about that!!!!— bbrady25
- Judge that is funny because I smell feet.— rockinrob
Oh yeah..I smell championship.
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
