Roster as of MAY 2009 | ||||||||
| NO. | NAME | POS | AGE | HT | WT | COLLEGE | 2008 - 2009 SALARY | |
| 42 | Elton Brand | PF | 30 | 6-9 | 254 | Duke | $13,757,844 | |
| 1 | Samuel Dalembert | C | 27 | 6-11 | 250 | Seton Hall | $11,238,564 | |
| 30 | Reggie Evans | PF | 28 | 6-8 | 245 | Iowa | $4,640,000 | |
| 33 | Willie Green | SG | 27 | 6-3 | 201 | Detroit | $3,388,000 | |
| 9 | Andre Iguodala | SG | 25 | 6-6 | 207 | Arizona | $11,300,000 | |
| 12 | Royal Ivey | PG | 27 | 6-4 | 215 | Texas | $854,957 | |
| 8 | Donyell Marshall | PF | 35 | 6-9 | 245 | Connecticut | $797,581 | |
| 7 | Andre Miller | PG | 33 | 6-2 | 200 | Utah | $10,333,334 | |
| 50 | Theo Ratliff | C | 36 | 6-10 | 235 | Wyoming | $797,581 | |
| 4 | Kareem Rush | SG | 28 | 6-6 | 215 | Missouri | $797,581 | |
| 14 | Jason Smith | PF | 23 | 7-0 | 240 | Colorado State | $1,326,360 | |
| 16 | Marreese Speights | PF | 21 | 6-10 | 245 | Florida | $1,542,600 | |
| 23 | Lou Williams | G | 22 | 6-2 | 175 | $4,500,000 | ||
| 21 | Thaddeus Young | F | 20 | 6-8 | 220 | Georgia Tech | $1,968,120 | |
I was excited to see Brand sign with the Sixers. However I was disappointed to see how they decided to overhaul their style of play. Ending the 2007-2008 season with a respectable improvement, they didn't build on their progress. They tried to introduce a new Elton “Brand” style and it almost ruined the 2008-2009 season. I would consider trading Brand for the right fit. If not he better learn to fit in here. And go through the season without injury would be nice. 29 games isn't going to help anybody.
Andre Iguodala had a pretty solid season after a horrendous start. He was truly lost in the transition to whatever it was they were trying to do. He will be fine if they can get everything around him tightened up.
Andre Iguodala had a pretty solid season after a horrendous start. He was truly lost in the transition to whatever it was they were trying to do. He will be fine if they can get everything around him tightened up.
Andre Miller is still a viable Point Guard in this league, however I don't think 6.5 assists per game is going to cut it if you have plans to make noise in the playoffs. And he needs a reliable back up.
Thaddeus Young is the brightest star in this present roster. If he continues to mature as he has, he has All -Star potential. He appears willing to work hard at both ends of the floor.
Samuel Dalembert has regressed in my eyes. I thought he was becoming a reliable Center in this league. But 6.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game is unacceptable for a starting Center as far as I'm concerned. To make matters worse, he was their leading rebounder. Seriously, that stinks if you have big time goals.
Lou Williams brings a spark off the bench and he can score. Not a bad defender but could be better. He was the heir apparent Point Guard but that isn't going to well. If he continues to come off the bench and can play either Guard position well, he will be an asset.
Willie Green is Lou Williams part 2. Only he isn't as good at it. I don't know what you do here. You don't need 2 of the same type of role player.
The Rookie Marreese Speights had respectable campaign. If he can build on his first season he may be able to start at PF and help Dalembert return to his better days. Speights averaged 7.7 points (more then Sam) and 3.7 boards in just 16 minutes of playing time per game. Not to shabby.
Reggie Evans will probably be the one supplanted by Speights. Which is an upgrade at this point.
Royal Ivey is a Point Guard off the bench and that was pointless in my view.
Donyell Marshall filled a role off the bench and he contributed enough for me to want him back in the same capacity. He's cheap too.
Theo Ratliff gives you a front line defensive presence but his value is marginal at this point. He works hard and has a big heart but really, there has to be other options. Although if Dalembert was playing well, Ratiliff would be okay as a stop gap measure.
Do I need to comment on Kareem Rush? In fairness he only played in 25 games.
Lost in the shuffle was injured Jason Smith. Having him back would help immensely, assuming he picks up where he left off. He gives you flexibility down low. Wait and see on him.
Coach Tony DiLeo does not impress me even a little bit. He needs to go. He has no ideas nor does he possess an original thought.
The team overall needs to improve like yesterday. They average 97.4 points per game. They were 23rd in the NBA in points per game. Only 88.5 in the playoffs. Defensively they allowed 97.3. OUCH! At least they were plus in the differential right? Team D is not that good but not hopeless. Had they scored more and allowed the same it would change the perception in the positive.
As a team their rebounding was fairly good but you need more presence from the middle. Team shooting percentage was a decent 45.88% but their opponents shot 46.19% against them.
Look they were a .500 team that probably should have missed the playoffs. But they did salvage a terrible start.
If they can draft or sign a quality PG and more athletic rebounding big men next season may be interesting.
Keywords: Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, NBA, Philadelphia 76ers, Thaddeus Young
