Noel was the 6th overall pick in the draft. You're looking for more than just a good defensive player, who puts up about 10 points and 7 boards a game. Embiid has to actually play to reach any potential. Okafor was drafted with the 3rd overall pick, and your already talking about trading him. Where is the evidence of how good Hinkie is at drafting?

Your point guard doesn't have to be a top 20 player, but you sure need one to help big men develop. Also need some veteran leadership on a team.

3 years into Hinkie's master plan, and the team is 1-26. Can't hide from that.
- MJL

I'm just not sure how you can evaluate his drafts as being 0/3 when we've seen Noel play 100 games, Okafor play 20 games and Embiid play 0 games. I guess we can close the book on Laughton too. What a terrible player the Flyers drafted. Hardly a 4th liner on a team with needs at forward.

Also, you can't really use traditional stats to evaluate Noel. Sixers defensive efficiency is pretty good when Noel is on the floor without Okafor. They also track shooting percentages of teams at the rim when Noel is in the game and his rating was 3rd best last season I believe. He put up historical defensive numbers for a rookie big man last year.

Noel 100%. He's better than Okafor by a significant margin right now. He's also more versatile. Okafor will need a specific set of players around him to be successful. Noel also won't cost as much to keep and he really seems to like being on the Sixers. He believes in the team. I've never gotten the sense Okafor wants to be here. Finally, I think Okafor would bring back a better package because he has the scoring ability other teams really covet. There will always be coaches who feel they can teach him and mold him into a good defender.
- PhillySportsGuy

Make it so -- got to defend, first, though the scoring is nice if they have it

But got to defend first. Think I saw Atlanta shot 61 percent from the field...Good Lord

Make it so -- got to defend, first, though the scoring is nice if they have it

But got to defend first
- AllInForFlyers

Their defense is what bothers me the most. I can stand watching a terrible offensive team that can ball on the defensive end. I just hate watching a poopty team on both ends of the floor.

Also, Jerami Grant is looking like a nice find by Hinkie. He's actually top 10 in the league in blocks (I think 7th). If he can continue to develop his 3 point shot, he could be really good. Would love to see the Sixers experiment with him at center for 5 minutes each game in one of those crazy pace and space lineups. It's hard to find the minutes with Noel and Okafor on the team, but still.

I'm just not sure how you can evaluate his drafts as being 0/3 when we've seen Noel play 100 games, Okafor play 20 games and Embiid play 0 games. I guess we can close the book on Laughton too. What a terrible player the Flyers drafted. Hardly a 4th liner on a team with needs at forward.

Also, you can't really use traditional stats to evaluate Noel. Sixers defensive efficiency is pretty good when Noel is on the floor without Okafor. They also track shooting percentages of teams at the rim when Noel is in the game and his rating was 3rd best last season I believe. He put up historical defensive numbers for a rookie big man last year.
- PhillySportsGuy

You've made repeated posts that you need a superstar to win in this league. You've also repeatedly posted that tanking, is the best way to get that. Can't really count Noel, as they traded for him. The last two drafts the Sixers have had the 3rd overall pick. Are you telling me you think there's a good chance that any of Embiid, Okafor, or Noel will be one of those superstars. Maybe, and it's a big maybe, Embiid might be, if he ever plays.

Noel is a nice player to have because he can run, defend, and is a decent rebounder, and he doesn't need the ball alot, but he's not a player you build around.

The entire reason to tank is for the draft picks so you can draft superstars. So far, 0-3 in that category. You can't tell me that there isn't any doubt about the future of the team, after 3 years of losing.

Laughton doesn't have anything to do with the Sixers. The Flyers didn't tank to draft Laughton.

Their defense is what bothers me the most. I can stand watching a terrible offensive team that can ball on the defensive end. I just hate watching a poopty team on both ends of the floor.

Also, Jerami Grant is looking like a nice find by Hinkie. He's actually top 10 in the league in blocks (I think 7th). If he can continue to develop his 3 point shot, he could be really good. Would love to see the Sixers experiment with him at center for 5 minutes each game in one of those crazy pace and space lineups. It's hard to find the minutes with Noel and Okafor on the team, but still.
- PhillySportsGuy

Anything they can salvage off this roster...they have to pull five or six guys off here who people can pretend can be part of the solution in the rotation, otherwise these last three years have been one big WTF

I don't know if I can get to six

You've made repeated posts that you need a superstar to win in this league. You've also repeatedly posted that tanking, is the best way to get that. Can't really count Noel, as they traded for him. The last two drafts the Sixers have had the 3rd overall pick. Are you telling me you think there's a good chance that any of Embiid, Okafor, or Noel will be one of those superstars. Maybe, and it's a big maybe, Embiid might be, if he ever plays.

Noel is a nice player to have because he can run, defend, and is a decent rebounder, and he doesn't need the ball alot, but he's not a player you build around.

The entire reason to tank is for the draft picks. You can't tell me that there isn't any doubt about the future of the team, after 3 years of losing.

Laughton doesn't have anything to do with the Sixers. The Flyers didn't tank to draft Laughton.
- MJL

My analogy regarding Laughton had to do with sample size before making a judgement.

I think Embiid has a real chance. Noel can be a defensive star. I don't think you're valuing defense enough. Having a top 5 defensive center can make a bad defensive team average and an average defensive team great.

They can always package some assets to get the players they want too. It's not like Okafor and Noel hold little value. Just about every team would kick the tires on those guys if they were made available.

Anything they can salvage off this roster...they have to pull five or six guys off here who people can pretend can be part of the solution in the rotation, otherwise these last three years have been one big WTF

I don't know if I can get to six
- AllInForFlyers

If it makes you feel better, I'd be shocked if they aren't significantly improved next year. I always thought this offseason was the one things would start to take shape. The added pressure of Colangelo will only push this further ahead. I get the feeling ownership isn't going to wait forever for that Laker pick to transfer. If it doesn't come this year, it may be packaged with something else to help move the team forward.

If it makes you feel better, I'd be shocked if they aren't significantly improved next year. I always thought this offseason was the one things would start to take shape. The added pressure of Colangelo will only push this further ahead. I get the feeling ownership isn't going to wait forever for that Laker pick to transfer. If it doesn't come this year, it may be packaged with something else to help move the team forward.
- PhillySportsGuy

They have to do something for next season, man. It will be a borderline miracle for them to get to 9 wins, so these boys are likely going down in NBA history

My analogy regarding Laughton had to do with sample size before making a judgement.

I think Embiid has a real chance. Noel can be a defensive star. I don't think you're valuing defense enough. Having a top 5 defensive center can make a bad defensive team average and an average defensive team great.

They can always package some assets to get the players they want too. It's not like Okafor and Noel hold little value. Just about every team would kick the tires on those guys if they were made available.
- PhillySportsGuy

It was a really poor analogy. I think it's safe to say that Noel is not going to be a superstar. Okafor is a nice post player, but is he going to be a superstar? Embiid may never play.

It has zero to do with valuing defense. It has to do with your repeated statements that you need superstars, and the best way to get one is to tank. Regardless of how good of a defender Noel is, he won't be a superstar, and they need that superstar to get to where they want to get.

The Sixers are going to trade Okafor and Noel for a superstar? I know you know better than that. They'd have to get awfully lucky to get a player that is a late bloomer or an under the radar player that all of a sudden blossoms.

It's okay if Laughton just turns out to be a decent player, because the Flyers didn't tank to draft him, and they aren't putting the future of the franchise on the pick they got from tanking.

If you're tanking to get a superstar, and it's now 3 years in, and you still haven't gotten that superstar, you're 0 for 3. You don't have to tank and embarrass yourself to just get good players.

The entire idea of trading Holiday and MCW was to tank and get a superstar. Still waiting. Hopefully they accomplish that soon, because I don't think they can keep doing this.

They have to do something for next season, man. It will be a borderline miracle for them to get to 9 wins, so these boys are likely going down in NBA history
- AllInForFlyers

I'm afraid I agree. Their defense is just so bad each night. I still think they might be able to get some wins in the second half when the bad veteran teams start to fold up the tents. The Sixers are also incredibly young, so they should development into a better team by the end of the season.

Their biggest problem is that they have very few two-way players. They're constantly subbing offense for defense and vice versa.

Bill Meltzer: Wrapup: Flyers, Mason Slam Door on Canucks, 2-0
- bmeltzer

Watching the Wings/Canucks game. Wings killing them in faceoffs but Canucks killing them in shots. 1-0 game for the Canucks.

We do not play a high tempo game. These two teams do.

It was a really poor analogy. I think it's safe to say that Noel is not going to be a superstar. Okafor is a nice post player, but is he going to be a superstar? Embiid may never play.

It has zero to do with valuing defense. It has to do with your repeated statements that you need superstars, and the best way to get one is to tank. Regardless of how good of a defender Noel is, he won't be a superstar, and they need that superstar to get to where they want to get.

The Sixers are going to trade Okafor and Noel for a superstar? I know you know better than that. They'd have to get awfully lucky to get a player that is a late bloomer or an under the radar player that all of a sudden blossoms.

It's okay if Laughton just turns out to be a decent player, because the Flyers didn't tank to draft him, and they aren't putting the future of the franchise on the pick they got from tanking.

If you're tanking to get a superstar, and it's now 3 years in, and you still haven't gotten that superstar, you're 0 for 3. You don't have to tank and embarrass yourself to just get good players.

The entire idea of trading Holiday and MCW was to tank and get a superstar. Still waiting. Hopefully they accomplish that soon, because I don't think they can keep doing this.
- MJL

I think we should just agree to disagree because you simply aren't understanding what I'm saying.

AMac wasn't really replaced by Manning, tho. His EV minutes went to Gudas and Medvedev. Schultz's ES minutes are down significantly, too, thanks to the above two guys playing well and MDZ absorbing a heavier workload.

Manning essentially replaced Luke Schenn as least-minutes-getter, and Schenn took over Grossmann's minutes.

It's an overall improvement.

Except that logic is extremely flawed basically you are saying:

Gudas and Medvedev > AMac > Manning > Schenn

So AMac should still be dressed over Manning which would be a bigger improvement then Manning over Schenn (which I disagree with). In reality AMac should still be dressed and AMac is an overall improvement over Manning.

The only reason AMac is down is due to cap constrictions. Manning will get claimed, we lose a tradeable piece. He is no price but would be a decent depth guy for a PO team. Gagner will be activated soon and there is no point of having 8 Dmen up. If we deal a dman or 2 AMac will be back up with the big club.

Watching Pens-B's for the second time this week

Pens...I wasn't worried about them too much early in the year, but with Letang and Fluery out and them still not scoring, I just might have been wrong not to worry

Something just isn't right with that squad. They should be scoring. Their defense is weak, fine. But they should be scoring more goals than this

Not that I want them to, but still

I think we should just agree to disagree because you simply aren't understanding what I'm saying.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's false, I understand exactly what you're saying, and what you have been saying. What I'm saying is directly in response to your repeated statements that you need a superstar, and the best way to get one is to tank. 3 years in and there is no progress, and no evidence that Hinkie's plan is working. It has nothing to do with waiting for player to develop. Embiid may never play, and there are questions about his attitude and work ethic. Okafor and Noel aren't likely to reach superstar status.

They still have some more chances, and hopefully they get some luck and have the right players available, and make the right choices, but it has to happen soon.

That's false, I understand exactly what you're saying, and what you have been saying. What I'm saying is directly in response to your repeated statements that you need a superstar, and the best way to get one is to tank. 3 years in and there is no progress, and no evidence that Hinkie's plan is working. It has nothing to do with waiting for player to develop. Embiid may never play, and there are questions about his attitude and work ethic. Okafor and Noel aren't likely to reach superstar status.

They still have some more chances, and hopefully they get some luck and have the right players available, and make the right choices, but it has to happen soon.
- MJL

Never mind. You got it.

Morin has the Gordie Howe Hat Trick

Morin has the Gordie Howe Hat Trick
- Jsaquella

Did he win his fight

Did he win his fight
- 3flyerkids

Don't know. Phantoms up 5-3

EDIT and win 6-4

wow caps beat tampa after being down 3-0. they are serious this year. not many ga

Watching Pens-B's for the second time this week

Pens...I wasn't worried about them too much early in the year, but with Letang and Fluery out and them still not scoring, I just might have been wrong not to worry

Something just isn't right with that squad. They should be scoring. Their defense is weak, fine. But they should be scoring more goals than this

Not that I want them to, but still
- AllInForFlyers

They look like a (frank)ing train wreck. It was such an awful game by the Pens. The Bruins made them look so bad.

Did he win his fight
- 3flyerkids

Prob a good one it was Liam Obrien. Morin tuned him up I hope

They look like a (frank)ing train wreck. It was such an awful game by the Pens. The Bruins made them look so bad.
- Jsaquella

Pens really are just a bunch of wussies skating around.

Pens really are just a bunch of wussies skating around.
- Just5

Toughness not a factor. Just really awful play in general

George Richards ‏@GeorgeRichards 1m1 minute ago

.@68Jagr on Huberdeau passing away from him tonight: "And he chose Willie Mitchell. It's time to retire. Bye. I'm done after this one.''