As my coffee is brewing anticipating my study session on American Politics that I am so just looking forward to...(gasp) I had to fit in my debut post. So I’m going to lead it off like J-Roll, except I’m not reeling in 11 mill a year sitting court side at virtually every basketball game across the Philly area during the offseason.
If your one of those fans who gave up on Philadelphia 76ers basketball after the team decided to hire Eddie Jordan, who led the Sixers to a god-awful 27 win season in 2009 where the organization had to bring back "The Answer" just to boost ticket sales, and rocked some hefty braces and who is still getting paid 3 million dollars by the Sixers to coach high school freshman basketball in Washington DC. http://www.forbes.com/sites/bobcook/2011/12/06/eddie-jordan-the-worlds-highest-paid-youth-basketball-coach/ As well as after those long, grueling years of which we saw Randy Ayers, Mo Cheeks, Jim O’Brien, Chris Ford and even Tony Dileo on the bench, you might want to take a step back and in fact rethink your options.
Philly basketball is officially back on the map, and their much beloved head coach, the guru Doug Collins has his team #believing, and off to the best start (14-6, 1st in the Atlantic Division) since 2001 when the Allen Iverson led Sixers made it to the NBA Finals under Larry Brown.
This group is deceiving though, as there is no particular star thats lacing up the kicks on a nightly basis. The 2011-2012 Sixers are playing a completely team oriented game, and I must say...They are a fun group to watch. Although they have not had the most difficult schedule thus far, the Sixers have been straight up running opponents out of the gymnasium, and are about to embark in their toughest week of the season.
The Orlando Magic come into the Wells Fargo Center tonight, followed the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, the Miami Heat on Friday, Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, and the Los Angeles Lakers a week from tonight, so we will really get a better glimpse of what this Sixers team is all about. Personally, I think they are a legit threat. I see them as a three or four seed in the Eastern Conference, and if they don’t make it to the second round of the playoffs, I’ll be dumbfounded.
Adam Aron and Joshua Harris who were among the two that purchase this team over the summer have done a magnificent reviving this franchise, and has the city believing once again. They have slashed ticket prices, brought in a new public address announcer, organized some minor things and most importantly: THE TEAM IS WINNING, which is reeling more fans back in the seats...But, what this team desperately needs to propel itself into the top echelon of teams in the National Basketball Association is a star player that can be a force night in, and night out. The man that could make this franchise super again...Is Super Man him self, Dwight Howard, and it might just be able to happen.
The Magic have strung together some of the most embarrassing losses in franchise history as of late causing Dwight Howard to call out his team. You know #12 is not a happy camper, and I don’t see any possible way Orlando will have a chance at keeping the big fella. He has recently come out and stated that the Lakers, Nets, Mavericks, Clippers, and Bulls are on top of his wish list. The 215 isn’t listed among his favorite destinations, but boy would he be a perfect fit for this team
Ever since Allen Iverson has left, something has just been missing..The Sixers need that guy, and how could Dwight Howard turn down a sports craved city like Philadelphia with a really, really good team already in place? I mean damn, he’s already been welcomed by Jimmy Rollins, and Ryan Howard of the Phillies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib9xjdQFQO4 ) who know what its like to deliver a championship to this town. Why not follow in the footsteps of guys like Wilt Chamberlain, Dr. J, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Hal Greer, and Allen Iverson, and join a franchise with such a rich history?
This team is loaded with talent. Jrue Holiday is a top 10 point guard in this league, Jodie Meeks can shoot the lights out from beyond the arc, Thad Young, Lou Williams, and Evan Turner ball out off the bench (#NightShift), and Andre Iguodala is a star..Yes, I said it. He may be a little overpaid (13.5 Million a year) but he gets ridiculed in this city way more then he deserves. Not many players in the world can fill up the stat sheet and defend as well as him on every given night, putting him atop some of the best players in the NBA. So why not Dwight? How about you come to the city of brotherly love and join Halladay, Lee, Papelbon and Nnamdi as the latest stars to join this city? Athletes who have mastered the right mindset have come out publicly and said that they #Love playing here. With his personality and talents, Howard would be a near perfect fit barring he can stay healthy. Philadelphia would embrace the 6'11, 265 pound center as a god-like figure.. The next Wilt Chamberlain!
I know its a very slim chance, but the Sixers might have an opportunity to sign Dwight Howard. Spencer Hawes is in the last year of his contract making 4 million dollars, and if he continues his play, his asking price will be around the neighborhood of 8 million per. Andres Nocioni is getting paid 6 million a season to ride the pine, and score a couple of baskets in garbage time but his contract is done after this year. Last of all, Elton Brand is making 17 million dollars a year, and only has one more year left on his contract after this season. If the Sixers can somehow void his contract....Well, the money to sign Dwight Howard might be available. This is a move that if the Sixers can somehow pull off, will put them in the top ranks right up there with the Heat, and Bulls in the Eastern Conference.
It’s certainly easier said than done, and may be far fetched, but we can all hope and dream.. Cant we?
No comments:
Post a Comment