[quote[When I first posted about this on an earlier thread I recall the Sixers were giving up 2 points per game on average on their differential, a loosing team ranked 18th in the league. Well, they are now only giving up 1.54 pts. a game Randy- in the time that they lost Korver and started playing the young players they have improved that much. They're still ranked 18, but improving rapidly.[/quote]
First, Thad has been starting at POWER FORWARD, not SF. His increased playing time is more a result of Cheeks benching Reggie Evans than the Korver trade.
Second, if Cheeks needed Korver to be moved to realize that Young could play, that's a problem with Cheeks, not a problem with Korver.
Third, the Sixers are 7-13 since the Korver trade, a .350 winning percentage. If that gets you giddy, then your expectations are really low. It bears mentioning that they were 14-17 before the trade (.451, a better winning percentage). It also bears mentioning that while the Korver has been on the court for the Sixers, they've been outscored an average of 1.0 points per 100 possessions. When he's been off the court, the Sixers have been outscored on average of 2.8 points per 100 possessions. And that's with Korver being injured, and playing the worst stretch of games in his career. Only you would define the Korver trade as helping the Sixers play.
Fourth, before this recent 3 game winning streak, the Sixers were 4-13 since their trade. 4 wins in 17 games. If you're that fickle that a 3 game winning streak means the team has turned from god awful (4-13) to good, then you need some help.
Fifth, I might point out that of the three teams the Sixers just beat, none of them have a winning record. It includes the worst team in the league in Miami, who was also down their second and 3rd best players (Marion and Haslem). It includes the 5th worst team in the league in the Clippers, who are down their best player (Brand). And it includes the Wizards, who are down their best player (Arenas), and who's second best player (Butler) got injured and had to leave the game. All 3 games were at home. They recently lost to the NY Knicks.
Yippee. I'm practically jumping for joy.
Only recently, did Cheeks put Reggie Evans on the bench and start Jason Smith
Um..Rick, you really should start watching the games. Of the 6 games Evans has been on the bench, Young has started 5 of them at power forward.
the Sixers have started to play a lot better statistically. So much better that I am worried about them making a run at the playoffs
7-13.
Rodney Carney who Dabods thought was a bad player, is doing a good job as a pressure defender and a finisher on the break.
If his positives, at 24 years old in April, are that he's a good pressure defender and can finish on the break, then yes, he stinks. He's one of the dumbest offensive players I've ever seen. Hence why he's shooting 37% on the year and has more turnovers than assists for his career. And for a guy who's 6'6" and has more leaping ability than probably anyone in the league, his 1 rebounder per 8 minutes is laughably bad.
I think that Igoudala is a top 10 2 guard now. I think Louis Williams will become a top 10 point. I think Thadeus Young could become a top 10 SF
Ok. First, Iguodala has played SF all year. Literally, every game he's started at SF. Second, Williams is so far away from a top 10 point guard that's a ridiculous prognostication. Young's the only one I can see, and at 19 he's still got a long way to go.
And even if all 3 of them reach that status (which I highly doubt), 3 players are are in the top 3rd in the league are not enough in the NBA.