Why would Noel walk away from the Sixers after 5 years if the team is starting to contend and the Sixers can offer him more money than any other team?
- PhillySportsGuy

Maybe the Sixers won't be starting to contend. This plan is not a guarantee. Other teams might be able to offer more money. It's 5 years from now. That's a bunch of ifs. How do you know that will be the case?

In my opinion, even if Embiid recovers, Embiid, Okafor, and Noel is not a good front court mix.

At the end of the day, it's still bad luck. If things break the right way, we could have had Russell and Porzingis, and maybe even Jerian Grant and Kevin Looney to add to a healthy Embiid/Noel, etc. They could still have done the Stauskas trade. And they would have a lineup with Noel, Embiid, Russell, Grant and Porzingis with Staukas and Looney coming off the bench.

Or they could have drafted Wiggins instead of Embiid, and Okafor. And had the same lineup but featuring Wiggins, Okafor and Noel. Though in truth, if they had Wiggins they would have probably had a better record and not gotten Okafor.

My point is, they are experiencing some bad luck. I think the process is still the right way to go, but it will take a little longer.
- TheGreat28

I don't see it as bad luck, I see it as the draft.

I don't know if that is bad luck, or if it's just the way the draft works. It's no different than any other league. What teams are picking where, what players are picked or fall to you, etc. That's the fork in Hinkie's magic plan. His plan has as much chance to fail as it does in succeeding. At some point, he has to start actually putting a team on the court. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Nerlens Noel to become Chris Bosh like, as I read earlier. Not from you. Sixers need some shooters and perimeter players. It's a 3 point league.
- MJL

What does succeed mean? Does succeed mean make the playoffs, win a championship or just contend for a championship?

Even with a core of just Okafor, Noel, Saric, Grant, Stauskas and Covington, I still think they could develop into a 4-6 playoff team in about 3 years by just organically growing.

Back to hockey, I back re-read some of the discussion on the state of the Flyers D, current and future. Here are a couple of thoughts.

1. I think a lot of posters are undervaluing Luke Schenn. He has value in the league, and to the Flyers. Berube really killed a lot of guys confidence with his juggling, Schenn among them.

2. AMac's contract is a little long, but the salary at this point isn't far off. If he's put in the right role, and left alone, he can become a better valued asset.

3. Hextall has to figure out a way to blend the rookies in over the next 2-3 years. Realistically, you can only bring 1-2 rookies in a year, and 2 is risky.

4. I would personally put Provorov and Sanheim in juniors for another year, and start the other guys with the Phantoms. At the TDL or shortly before, I'd look to bring up Ghost and maybe Morin, and move 1 or 2 of the current dman.

If you can bring up at least Ghost to finish the year, and maybe Morin if the stakes are low (meaning, not in the hunt for a playoff spot), then you could potentially bring in Provorov and/or Sanheim next year, and maybe Hagg a year after that.

Even if they can trade Schenn sooner, i.e. training camp, I still go with this plan.

Maybe the Sixers won't be starting to contend. This plan is not a guarantee. Other teams might be able to offer more money. It's 5 years from now. That's a bunch of ifs. How do you know that will be the case?

In my opinion, even if Embiid recovers, Embiid, Okafor, and Noel is not a good front court mix.
- MJL

They won't all play together at the same time. The idea is to take BPA and work things out later. Countless teams have passed on the better player early in the draft due to fit only to regret the decision later.

If all 3 develop into good players, there isn't a shortage of NBA teams that would be interested in a talented 7-footer in his early 20s.

What does succeed mean? Does succeed mean make the playoffs, win a championship or just contend for a championship?

Even with a core of just Okafor, Noel, Saric, Grant, Stauskas and Covington, I still think they could develop into a 4-6 playoff team in about 3 years by just organically growing.
- PhillySportsGuy

Let me ask you a question. Did they need to tank and trade some of the good players they did to become 4-6 playoff team? What is the objective of Hinkie's tank? To become a 4-6 playoff team?

They won't all play together at the same time. The idea is to take BPA and work things out later. Countless teams have passed on the better player early in the draft due to fit only to regret the decision later.

If all 3 develop into good players, there isn't a shortage of NBA teams that would be interested in a talented 7-footer in his early 20s.
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree, which is why at some point, as I've said a number of times, they'll likely have to make some kind of trade. Especially if Embiid recovers

Back to hockey, I back re-read some of the discussion on the state of the Flyers D, current and future. Here are a couple of thoughts.

1. I think a lot of posters are undervaluing Luke Schenn. He has value in the league, and to the Flyers. Berube really killed a lot of guys confidence with his juggling, Schenn among them.

2. AMac's contract is a little long, but the salary at this point isn't far off. If he's put in the right role, and left alone, he can become a better valued asset.

3. Hextall has to figure out a way to blend the rookies in over the next 2-3 years. Realistically, you can only bring 1-2 rookies in a year, and 2 is risky.

4. I would personally put Provorov and Sanheim in juniors for another year, and start the other guys with the Phantoms. At the TDL or shortly before, I'd look to bring up Ghost and maybe Morin, and move 1 or 2 of the current dman.

If you can bring up at least Ghost to finish the year, and maybe Morin if the stakes are low (meaning, not in the hunt for a playoff spot), then you could potentially bring in Provorov and/or Sanheim next year, and maybe Hagg a year after that.

Even if they can trade Schenn sooner, i.e. training camp, I still go with this plan.
- TheGreat28

I agree with pretty much everything. Although when you have 7 NHL top 6 defenseman, there is competition for playing time. I have no issues with how Berube handled the defense last year.

Let me ask you a question. Did they need to tank and trade some of the good players they did to become 4-6 playoff team? What is the objective of Hinkie's tank? To become a 4-6 playoff team?
- MJL

No, but he has 7 first round picks over the next 3 seasons along with pick swaps with the Kings next year and the year after. He has enough cap space to sign two max free agents next season or the season after.

He's put himself in a position where he really just needs to find a superstar to go with this group and it could contend for 10-15 years.

He also has lottery ticket Embiid. Might not amount to anything, but could still be elite at some point.

I agree, which is why at some point, as I've said a number of times, they'll likely have to make some kind of trade. Especially if Embiid recovers
- MJL

Ok, so why even say anything about the 3 big men? It's like me saying the Flyers will be in trouble if Sanheim, Provorov and Morin all develop into #1 dmen because the Flyers won't be able to afford them all. What a disaster.

No, but he has 7 first round picks over the next 3 seasons along with pick swaps with the Kings next year and the year after. He has enough cap space to sign two max free agents next season or the season after.

He's put himself in a position where he really just needs to find a superstar to go with this group and it could contend for 10-15 years.

He also has lottery ticket Embiid. Might not amount to anything, but could still be elite at some point.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm aware of all that. None of that guarantees anything. That's a factor that some Sixers fans don't want to accept as a possibility. He needs more than one superstar. Don't know if Embiid will ever play, Okafor and Noel may just be good players. To be clear, I also see the flip side of it. His plan could develop into a dynasty team. I think it's 50/50.

Ok, so why even say anything about the 3 big men? It's like me saying the Flyers will be in trouble if Sanheim, Provorov and Morin all develop into #1 dmen because the Flyers won't be able to afford them all. What a disaster.
- PhillySportsGuy

Bad analogy. There's no problem with 3 #1 defenseman in an NHL lineup. The NBA is a perimeter and shooting game. It's a 3 point league. They need a better mix in the front court. There is only so much room in the paint. Yea, one could be a bench player, but is that what you're looking for out of a top 10 pick? Sixers need some shooters, and players that can score off of the dribble.

Why would Noel walk away from the Sixers after 5 years if the team is starting to contend and the Sixers can offer him more money than any other team?
- PhillySportsGuy

Aldridge just left a good team that could pay him more then the Spurs but he left to go to a better contender.

David West left 11.5 million on the table to go to a better situation.

What does succeed mean? Does succeed mean make the playoffs, win a championship or just contend for a championship?

Even with a core of just Okafor, Noel, Saric, Grant, Stauskas and Covington, I still think they could develop into a 4-6 playoff team in about 3 years by just organically growing.
- PhillySportsGuy

Somehow I don't trust you and the things you are "organically" growing, mister.

I'm aware of all that. None of that guarantees anything. That's a factor that some Sixers fans don't want to accept as a possibility. He needs more than one superstar. Don't know if Embiid will ever play, Okafor and Noel may just be good players. To be clear, I also see the flip side of it. His plan could develop into a dynasty team. I think it's 50/50.
- MJL

Yes, there is no guarantee he creates a dynasty. I can just about guarantee that he creates a good team though.

Aldridge just left a good team that could pay him more then the Spurs but he left to go to a better contender.

David West left 11.5 million on the table to go to a better situation.
- J35Bacher

Aldridge stayed with Portland for 10 seasons. If the Sixers aren't good in 10 years, I will be ok with Noel leaving

Yes, there is no guarantee he creates a dynasty. I can just about guarantee that he creates a good team though.
- PhillySportsGuy

He could've had a good team without the tank, that's the point. So if the tank doesn't result in more than that, it's a failure.

No, but he has 7 first round picks over the next 3 seasons along with pick swaps with the Kings next year and the year after. He has enough cap space to sign two max free agents next season or the season after.

He's put himself in a position where he really just needs to find a superstar to go with this group and it could contend for 10-15 years.

He also has lottery ticket Embiid. Might not amount to anything, but could still be elite at some point.
- PhillySportsGuy

Those picks have so many stipulations with them.

I know they have the cap space but I wonder what would entice a premium superstar to sign here. As the years keep coming all teams will have money moving forward. The cap will keep going up. Look at what mid level guys got this year in FA.

I agree with pretty much everything. Although when you have 7 NHL top 6 defenseman, there is competition for playing time. I have no issues with how Berube handled the defense last year.
- MJL

Disagree on Berube. It's one thing when you have a top 6 and players like a Schultz or CC that clearly were signed to perform 6-8 roles. It's quite another when you are simply bouncing guys back and forth from the press box to the ice, and seemingly (based on player's quotes at the time) not giving them the right level of feedback as to why, or more importantly, what they need to do.

AMac, Schenn and MDZ all suffered in my mind because of how they were handled.

Manning for me is a good role player to have as that 7th guy to fill in the odd game here or there when one of the top 6 players goes down. Sucks for him, but in reality he doesn't have the upside of the top 5 prospects and I want them playing.

Bad analogy. There's no problem with 3 #1 defenseman in an NHL lineup. The NBA is a perimeter and shooting game. It's a 3 point league. They need a better mix in the front court. There is only so much room in the paint. Yea, one could be a bench player, but is that what you're looking for out of a top 10 pick? Sixers need some shooters, and players that can score off of the dribble.
- MJL

I can't explain this anymore clearly to you than I have. Sixers aren't going to keep Okafor, Noel and Embiid if all three prove to be healthy and good. They can always move one for a PG or whatever position they need.

All they are doing now and next year is evaluating all three. Why make a rash decision now when they are all under team control for 3-5 more years?

He could've had a good team without the tank, that's the point. So if the tank doesn't result in more than that, it's a failure.
- MJL

its a tankless job

Manayunk Mike ‏@MikeManayunk 2m2 minutes ago

Byfuglien to #Flyers per DM from Eklund. 🔥🔥🔥 #HiHaters



And here we go.

Does DM mean "direct message"?

I can't explain this anymore clearly to you than I have. Sixers aren't going to keep Okafor, Noel and Embiid if all three prove to be healthy and good. They can always move one for a PG or whatever position they need.

All they are doing now and next year is evaluating all three. Why make a rash decision now when they are all under team control for 3-5 more years?
- PhillySportsGuy

Actually, I don't know that this is true. They could easily rotate the three between the PF and C positions playing 30 minutes a game. It will likely depend on the return that you'd get.

Imagine if Okafor and Embiid become true superstars and Noel is an all-star caliber DPOY candidate. You'd need back an all-star caliber (or higher) wing or PG. PG are relatively easy to come buy, whereas bigs are much harder to find. I could see them keeping all three for a couple of years until the day of reckoning comes when you have to resign all three.

He could've had a good team without the tank, that's the point. So if the tank doesn't result in more than that, it's a failure.
- MJL

How? Holiday, Hawes, Turner, Young is not a good team. They had no cap space to sign anyone meaningful and they owed the Magic/Heat several picks due to earlier trades.

Part of the reason Hinkie tanked was because the picks were protected. If he finished outside the top 8, those picks would have gone to the Magic one year and the Heat another. Instead, they just had to transfer 2nd rounders.

They were also a 30 win team when he got here.

Manayunk Mike ‏@MikeManayunk 2m2 minutes ago

Byfuglien to #Flyers per DM from Eklund. 🔥🔥🔥 #HiHaters



And here we go.

Does DM mean "direct message"?
- MBFlyerfan

Yeah, but I'm sure it's bullpoop.