It took just eighty-two million dollars for Philadelphia to secure a playoff spot:
Elton Brand signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, giving them the low-post presence needed to contend in the Eastern Conference.
The five-year Brand deal buys them a spot in the post-season, but the 76ers still look like a confused team; a muddle of youthful potential (at 24, Andre Iguodala is the only youthful 76er totally ready to play), and veteran ability (Brand is 29, and Andre Miller is 32).
Bench depth still looks like a terrible problem, especially down low: you don’t want Shavlik Randolph getting court time (actually, you probably don’t want the guy on your team*), and Reggie Evans offers his rebounding and absolutely nothing else.
It’s not all bad news: If you believe the hype, Louis Williams still has miles of upside (check his game log though: have you ever seen a clearer picture of inconsistency?); the Dalembert-Brand frontcourt will be potent; Thaddeus Young could well develop into a volume scorer; and this is the year we finally find out if Iguodala is a franchise player.
The verdict for ‘08-’09? If Philadelphia stays put, they’re not getting past the second round. But should they order in some bench help, they’ll be tough to beat in the weak East.
*Shavlik, a hyper-religious product of North Carolina, said of John Amaechi: ‘As long as you don’t bring your gayness on me, I’m fine.’ At power forward, for your 76ers: a total dick.
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Donnie, I’ll Give You Fourteen Dollars And A 2018 Second Round Pick « The Sport Count // July 12, 2008 at 9:38 pm
[...] doubt still reeling from Elton Brand’s relatively surprising move east, the Clippers took a punt that New York wouldn’t mind providing them with a cheap, inferior [...]
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