Extensive Sixers 2008 Season Preview

Guards

Andre Miller- Has to show- Mid range game

Andre Miller was easily the best player on the Sixers last season. Statistically, Andre Miller did not blow anyone away, but his leadership, getting others involved and control the offense was a pleasant surprise for Sixers fans that haven’t seen a true point guard play at an elite level in years. The Sixers made the 2007 playoffs with one of the least talented rosters in the NBA, a direct reflection upon Miller’s true ability to make those around him improve significant areas of their game. What Andre Miller must show this season is to continue to show the ability to hit the mid range jump shot at, again, a high frequency. With Brand and Iguodala spreading the court, Miller will gain the opportunity to receive much more, wide open jump shots around the perimeter. With defenses likely crowding the paint, our strength, to force the Sixers to shoot from the perimeter, our weakness, Miller must show efficiency in the mid range game on a team that lacks shooters.

Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 13-14 points, 8-8.5 assists, 3-4 rebounds

Royal Ivey- Has to show- Perimeter Defense/Ball Handling

Lets be honest…Royal Ivey was not brought here for his offense, we all know that. Royal Ivey’s main role for the Sixers will be to provide ball handling and defense to allow an emerging star guard, Louis Williams, to play his natural position and allow him to do what he does best: to put the ball in the hoop. Ivey is in a very good situation here. Although, not much will be asked of the young guard in this spot, but Ivey has real potential to surprise fans with his scoring ability. While not the most talented, Ivey does have skills to put it in the hoop. I have a strong feeling that Ivey, with his energy and defense, will become an instant fan favorite among Sixer fans. With a strongly defined role, Royal Ivey could really thrive in this position on the Sixers as a 3rd or 4th guard off the bench to provide hustle and defense.

Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 6 points, 3 assists

Andre Iguodala- Has to show- Range on his Jumpshot/Scoring

Andre Iguodala can’t even justify his own, overpaid contract, which literally makes him an upper echelon player in the NBA. Despite continuing to show improvements in all facets of his game, Iguodala is an above average player getting paid like a star. While his stats put him right up there as a top 30 or 40 player in the NBA, for a player that doesn’t do anything ‘great,’ that contract is pretty hefty. There is no doubt that this contract came from the Elton Brand signing, which quickly represented the Sixers’ willingness to go for a championship within the next 4 to 5 years. What Andre Iguodala must show this season, unless he wants to be a quick target from Philly fans, is that he is not just a run and gun scorer. Iguodala is being paid like a top scorer, and must display improvements in his ability to shoot with range and efficiency. If Iguodala develops a consistent mid range jump shot with range out to the 3 spot, Iguodala will certainly justify such a contract. The Sixers were, however, in no position to lose a player of his caliber. All things aside, it is good to have Iggy back in the fold. With Elton Brand giving the Sixers a true post presence, Iggy will have all the opportunities in the world to become a premiere scorer. With wider lanes, less double teams and less pressure, Iguodala is in prime position to make the All Star team this year, which his contract basically suggests he will be, but we all know that is all dependent on wins and losses.

Likely 2008 NBA Stats- 20 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals

Louis Williams- Has to show- Point Guard Instincts

There is no doubt, at all, that the biggest key to the Sixers’ season revolves around a budding star in Louis Williams. With Andre Miller continuing to stress that he will not stay in Philadelphia after this season, all eyes will be on the incumbent Louis Williams. Is LouWill a combo guard or a natural shooting guard? Will Louis Williams performance force the Sixers’ front office to trade Andre Miller? After receiving a very fair contract extension, we will certainly find out where Louis Williams stands in his development. Regardless, Louis Williams is the first player coming off a very good bench and a premiere candidate for sixth man of the year. Williams is primed and ready to jump into the spot light as a house hold name in the NBA. While Williams showed an improved handle and ability to find the open man last season, Williams still has ways to go until he becomes the starting point guard for the Sixers, especially with Iggy getting a large contract to be the SG and an emerging star at SF with Thaddeus Young. Despite the challenges to being a point guard, Louis Williams is a natural born scorer and an integral part to a Sixer playoff run.

Likely 2008 NBA Stats- 14-16 points, 5 assists, 1 steal

Willie Green- Has to show- Consistency

Every offseason Sixer fans demand to see consistency from Willie Green. A good scorer from the perimeter, Willie Green has shown flashes of being a solid starting NBA two guard. Unfortunitely, those streaks of brilliance are far and away thrown off by long patches of inconsistency and poor defense. Willie Green has potential to be an excellent option off the bench, it is a shame, however, that a player like Willie Green cannot possibly succeed in such a role. Willie Green is a rhythm player, therefore needing more touches to get in the rhythm of the game and thus be effective in the offense. With such a deep bench and the additions of Ivey and Rush, Willie Green is on the way out looking in at this point.

Likely 2008 NBA Stats- 2-3 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound

Forwards

Thaddeus Young- Has to show- Mid range game

Everyone couldn’t have been more impressed with the rook that took the world by storm once inserted into the starting lineup. Thaddeus Young was a huge factor in the second half surge that took the Sixers to the playoffs in 2007. With his elite defense, ability to finish around the hoop, run the court and play to his strengths, Thaddeus Young put up averages of 12 and 7 as a starter and looks to build upon those numbers in 2008. What was most impressive for such a young rookie last year was Thad’s ability to play the game to the best of his strengths, which was using his athleticism and wingspan to crash the rim, scoring off putbacks and in transition and playing defense on the perimeter. Although he showed a natural ability to hit big shots from the key, Thad’s biggest area of improvement must be his mid range shooting. As Thad moves from power forward to his natural position at small forward, he must continue to do all the things that allowed him adjust well to the challenges of the NBA. Thad is the key to the 2008 season, as it is his progress and development that’ll make the Sixers a playoff team to a championship team. How long will that be? I don’t know about you, but I’ll put my money on Thad.

Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block

Kareem Rush- Has to show- 3 point shooting

Another one of Ed’s FA signings, Kareem Rush was brought here for one reason, to shoot the three. Similar to Ivey, and with a smooth stroke, Rush is in another excellent position to thrive on a team that needs shooting. Kareem Rush will idol Kyle Korver’s role on the Sixers a year prior, providing a spark with his long range jay and a steal every now and then. Rush is in a great position because of the player in front of him. Although Thaddeus Young showed excellent strides last season, no one is quite positive as to how many minutes Young will ever put forth for an entire season. Enter Kareem Rush, Thad’s lone back up who could get more minutes than any other back up on the bench other than Louis Williams. Rush is another player on the bench that could become an instant fan favorite with Philly fans.

Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 6-7 points

Elton Brand- Has to show- Durability

The Sixers finally obtained their superstar in Elton Brand, a defensive minded power forward who is arguably a top 15 player in the NBA. Last season the Sixers went as far as their post play took them. Without a legit post threat, the Sixers were in a large hole every game as opposing teams used their lack of a post presence to their advantage. Although starting Thaddeus Young at the 4 spot helped with their fast break, when it came to the playoffs where the half court offense is almost required, the Sixers did their best to manage with Reggie Evans. Elton Brand gives the Sixers a legit threat in the paint that will command double teams and open up the entire game plan for the Sixers. With so many athletic wingmen and a pass first point guard, the addition of Elton Brand should lead an offense that is aggressive and physical to say the least. The only area Elton Brand needs to improve upon is durability, and to earn the contract he received. As Elton Brand goes, so do the Sixers.

Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 19-20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, 4 assists

Marreese Speights- Has to show- Hustle

Lets be frank… Despite how good Speights looked in the Summer League, he will receive ample playing time this season due to being the back up of Elton Brand. Speights’ playing time will most likely come during garbage and/or the latter parts of the season when Brand will need more time off to get ready for the playoffs. Still, one cannot simply ignore the skills displayed last Summer. Speights showed incredible athleticism, an incredibly smooth mid range jumper, the ability to finish with both hand and excellent ability to rebound and block shots from the weakside. In other words, Speights has all the tools in the world to succeed in the NBA along with excellent frame, size and wingspan. Due to receiving ample playing time, Marreese Speights must show the effort and hustle he displayed in the Summer League. Why? Due to the depth of our front court, Speight’s role will be to hold on his in the paint and play defense.

Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block

Reggie Evans- Has to show- Leadership

In my opinion, Reggie Evans can be saved until the playoffs. He is an absolute lock to make this roster due to the youth on the roster, and his physical play, combined with the fundamentals of Elton Brand, has a great chance of rubbing off on Marreese Speights on how to play the game (which is huge). I’ll admit, I was against bringing Reggie Evans in for Steven Hunter…. But shit was I wrong… Reggie Evans, with the way the Sixers play, is the life and soul of this team. His leadership is an absolute must for our roster because he symbolizes how the Sixers should play. With the Sixers size advantage, athleticism, defense and rebounding, Reggie Evans should show our youngsters a thing or two about the life of the NBA. Evans, ironically, almost single handedly carried us in the playoffs against Detroit, and he is a perfect bench player to have on any team trying to make a run in the playoffs.

Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 3 points, 2 rebounds

Centers

Samuel Dalembert- Has to show- Role

Last year WAY too much was being asked of Samuel Dalembert… to the point where the Sixers turned him into a jump shooting big man that stayed clear of the paint. Not happening this year. With Elton Brand commanding double teams, Samuel Dalembert should be primed and ready to catch any kind of lob or pass headed his way for an open bucket. What I want to see out of Samuel Dalembert is a more defined role for the offense and defense. Instead of staying outside on offense, Dalembert should focus on centering around the paint and looking for the lob or dish around the hoop, period. On defense, where he should shine, Dalembert should, like on offense, stay in the paint and simply look to rebound and block shots. Dalembert should have a huge year defensively for the Sixers, and this should be his primary concern. No more long bombs from the perimeter. Dalembert should get plenty of looks from a slashing Iggy, double teamed Elton Brand or on the fast break.

Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 9-10 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks

Theo Ratliff- Has to show- Energy

Theo Ratliff has been brought back to do one thing, provide energy off the bench and spell Samuel Dalembert in case of foul trouble. Not much is expected of Ratliff, but one thing is for sure, he was a fan favorite in Philadelphia and should get a ton of rousing applauses from the fans. In fact, I would be shocked if he doesn’t get a standing ovation each time he runs onto the court this season. People say he’s oft-injured and he certainly is, but he definitely looked pretty good albeit horrible front court last year in the playoffs when he played for Detroit. If he gives us half of what he gave us in 2000-2001, our front court should simply be nasty, and not fall off a bit when Sammy D takes a few minutes off to relax on the bench.

Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 3 points, 4 rebounds, 1.5 blocks

In total that is about 102 points per game, exactly where I expect the offense to be around this season.

In summary, the Sixers have excellent wingmen, a top 10 point guard in my opinion, one of the best front courts in the NBA as well as one of the best benches in the entire NBA.

Wins 56.