In the first day of free agency in the post-Billy King era, it is made blatantly apparent why there is a post-Billy King era. I find it very difficult to believe that King would have had wherewithal to accomplish the feat pulled off by his predecessor yesterday. Ed Stefanski, the new Sixers GM, was able to trade Rodney Carney (who was made expendable), Calvin Booth, and a future #1 draft pick to Minnesota for a cap exemption. Why would he “sell” the Sixers top draft pick two years ago and a future draft pick? Well, because he knew he would be able to woo the best free agent on the market away from the Wrong Coast back here to the Right Coast.
There has been Elton Brand talk for the Sixers for many seasons now, but never did I think that it would happen. And, while the lead stories in the news today will focus on the debacle that is the Clippers, what will probably be missed is just how great of a move this is for the rising Sixers. John Hollinger explains why this makes the Sixers a true contender in the East as soon as this year and definitely by 2010.
So, for the second straight major sport free agency period, the hands-down best player on the market has chosen Philadelphia. It is strange to think that this city still has never seen a game with either Asante Samuel or Elton Brand in the home team’s uniform, yet those two players have this town buzzing.
Even though I choose not to watch the NBA for many reasons, I am a Philly sports fan and am real excited about this pickup – the Sixers are a contender as long as AI can learn how to shoot. However, I don’t think that you can compare Brand’s signing with Asante Samuel. Brand will have a much more dramatic impact on the team, not only because there’s only 5 players on the court instead of essentially 22, but also because he’s a veteran on a team of youngsters – as long as the chemistry works, look for the rest of the Sixers to show some real improvement. Samuel’s a nice signing, but I really don’t think that this improves the Eagles in a dramatic fashion (I hope I’m wrong).
I spent all last season wondering why they weren’t trading Andre Miller, and now I’m glad they didn’t. Out of nowhere, the Sixers have a really strong starting 5 of Miller, Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Brand, and Dalembert. With Lou Williams, Willie Green, and Reggie Evans coming off the bench. Green and Evans are guys you absolutely hate to see in your starting line-up, but love them off the bench. This is by no means a championship caliber team, but they’ll be able to hang with just about anyone.