DDD:What level of success could the Sixers hope for by adding Brand?

[tk76-]

Lets Say the Sixers add Brand without giving up more than $'s and filler.  The window for Brand and Miller to play at a top level is only 2-3 years.  during that time Iguodala and the rest of the Sixers young guys should be improving.  What could we expect over those 3 years?

50+ wins? almost definitely in at least 1 of the next 3 seasons, maybe all 3---Odds: 95%
2nd Round Playoffs?---Odds 95%
Conference Finals?---Odds 50% (for at least 1 appearance)
NBA Finals?----Odds 15%
Championship?---Odds 6%

Lots of variables- especially upside of players like Young, Speights and Lou is hard to know three years down the road.  However it turns out it would be exciting, and the team would still be good even after Miller and Brand as long as they were replaced with other good vets.

[Skates]

Absolutely are a 50+ win team and at least into the second round for the next several tears.  How much farther they go depends on adding the missing pieces - shooters and a new PG.

[tk76-]

I would thing Getting Brand would lead to an extension for Miller- unless a good FA was available.  I would much rather Miller be leading a playoff run than Hinrich.

[Stanford]

I think the %s are that high as long as everyone buys into a good defensive philosophy, like Boston. Pierce, Allen and KG don't win a thing without that defense.

[DuckyNinja]

Ya know, the first D really doesn't make sense when ya do it 

For those that don't know, DDD was Duck's Daily Discussion over on Philaphans, a conversational thread I started creating every day last January just to get people to check the board because the Sixers were in the middle of their ridiculous losing streak.  I'm honored tk.

And really, adding Brand would only be a piece to the puzzle.  Everybody would still need to stay relatively healthy, and they would definitely need to upgrade their bench, at least at the 2/3, because Green and Carney won't cut it.  The percentages are all a bit high until they do that.

[jemagee]

Does Brand fit into an uptempo offense or do the sixers redeisgn the system to fit brand?

[tk76-]

I think the %s are that high as long as everyone buys into a good defensive philosophy, like Boston. Pierce, Allen and KG don't win a thing without that defense.

I would think defense would be a given with this roster.

Assuming Brand is fully recovered, he will be a great defensive presence next to Sam.  He boards, blocks and is quick enough to use for traps.

I also expect Iguodala and Young to be one of the best defensive swing combos in the NBA.

Miller will always have problems against amall/quick PG's, but he will have a great amount of help.

It would be great to keep Evans, but I expect Smith and Speights to be decent defenders with time, and Carney could become a high level defender.

[DuckyNinja]

Does Brand fit into an uptempo offense or do the sixers redeisgn the system to fit brand?

The Sixers only played uptempo some of the time.  Miller-Green-Iggy-Evans-Dalembert didn't play anything resembling uptempo.  So they really wouldn't need to redesign anything.

[jemagee]

The problem with that starting line up is that 2 of them were bench players...you add brand you got a starting line up with 3 guys who can run pretty well, a great point guard to make the good passes and brand.

Neither Green Nor Evans should be starting a single game with a healthy roster next season

Sixers also were better, perceptively, when they played up tempo, they always seemed to be playing from behind with the two backups starting.

Yo dabods, you now anywhere i can find pace/efficiency numbers for different lineup combos?  Does it even exist?

[tk76-]

...they would definitely need to upgrade their bench, at least at the 2/3, because Green and Carney won't cut it.  The percentages are all a bit high until they do that.

I don't know if they will have all that many reserve minutes to worry about.  I expect Thad and Iguodala to eventually account for 65-70 of 96 available minutes at 2/3 (that still leaves some time for Thad at PF.)  Add 10-15 mpg for Lou at scoring guard and maybe you have 15 minutes left for Carney, Green and whatever 3 pt specialist they bring in at a low salary.

[Stanford]

I think the %s are that high as long as everyone buys into a good defensive philosophy, like Boston. Pierce, Allen and KG don't win a thing without that defense.

I would think defense would be a given with this roster.

Assuming Brand is fully recovered, he will be a great defensive presence next to Sam.  He boards, blocks and is quick enough to use for traps.

I also expect Iguodala and Young to be one of the best defensive swing combos in the NBA.

Miller will always have problems against amall/quick PG's, but he will have a great amount of help.

It would be great to keep Evans, but I expect Smith and Speights to be decent defenders with time, and Carney could become a high level defender.

But it was team defense that won a championship for the Celtics.

Jem, is this the kinf of thing youre looking for?
http://www.82games.com/0708/0708PHI2.HTM

[tk76-]

Does Brand fit into an uptempo offense or do the sixers redeisgn the system to fit brand?

I guess it depends on how well he recovers from the Achilles, but he had good lateral quickness, even if he's not an open court player. 

We need him to be able to trap and rebound on defense and throw good outlet passes.  I'm optimistic that he can help the team get out running.  I would expect them to again lead the league in dunks.

[tk76-]

But it was team defense that won a championship for the Celtics.

If they have good invidual defenders, what specific concerns do you have about their team defense?  Schemes?  Poor fit?

I expect this team to be able to trap, rebound and intimidate in the paint. 

I don't know if they could play the Celtics style of defense, but they might be just as effective by forcing more turnovers and create pace.

[TheGuiltyParty]

The addition of Brand could mean that this team could contend in the East as soon as this upcoming season if Thad continues to develop the way he has. That said, I don't think Brand will see it that way and will probably look at Miami as having a better chance with him. I really hate the Heat.

[DuckyNinja]

The addition of Brand could mean that this team could contend in the East as soon as this upcoming season if Thad continues to develop the way he has. That said, I don't think Brand will see it that way and will probably look at Miami as having a better chance with him. I really hate the Heat.

Yea, but how does Brand get to Miami?