The only reason I'd give the hawks half a shot is that they're really good at home.

I think there are probably 9 teams in the west better than Toronto or Washington.

I hope the Cavs play the hawks in the ECF...should be a great series

The top 4 contenders in order: golden state, Memphis, atlanta, cavs

Benny The Jet;1706726 wrote:They're at least 3years out. And that's only if their picks starting panning out. Noel isn't a star, and apparently they aren't thrilled with Embid and his work effort.

At least 3 years is out? Philly sucks and they will suck 3 years from now too.

gport_tennis;1706826 wrote:The top 4 contenders in order: golden state, Memphis, atlanta, cavs

It's Golden State and then the Cavs. No one else is winning a title this year.

sleeper;1706828 wrote:At least 3 years is out? Philly sucks and they will suck 3 years from now too.

Their whole plan is to draft one start caliber player and then have enough assets to trade for 1 more when then timing is right. Very similar to the rockets... If it works out, and they get two stars they will be s really attractive destination

gport_tennis;1706831 wrote:Their whole plan is to draft one start caliber player and then have enough assets to trade for 1 more when then timing is right. Very similar to the rockets... If it works out, and they get two stars they will be s really attractive destination

They just traded their best player for some trash draft picks and fillers. It's a terrible strategy and they will never make the playoffs in the next 10 years.

Their best player wasn't that good. Stats were artificially inflated by their pace. Unless your talking about KJ McDaniels....but he was leaving after this year anyways

gport_tennis;1706834 wrote:Their best player wasn't that good. Stats were artificially inflated by their pace. Unless your talking about KJ McDaniels....but he was leaving after this year anyways

Stats artificially inflated? Sorry but the 76er's are in competition with the Nets as the Oakland Raiders of NBA. They are terrible this year, they will be terrible next year and they will be terrible 10 years from now.

So about that whole Heat being contenders thing...
http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=12352792&src=desktop&rand=ref~%7B%22ref%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F%22%7D

Crazy news about bosh...hope he's okay. Only member of the Miami big 3 I liked

sleeper;1706835 wrote:Stats artificially inflated? Sorry but the 76er's are in competition with the Nets as the Oakland Raiders of NBA. They are terrible this year, they will be terrible next year and they will be terrible 10 years from now.

He get his 16 PPG by shooting 39% from the floor, 26% from 3, and 68% from FT...excuse me if I don't think he's a franchise talent

Even notable chuckers like Jennings and swaggy p shoot better than that

sleeper;1706829 wrote:It's Golden State and then the Cavs. No one else is winning a title this year.

Never count out the Spurs until they're actually out.

friendfromlowry;1706849 wrote:Never count out the Spurs until they're actually out.

They just aren't the same. I mean sure, they will probably win a playoff series but they aren't going to make it to the NBA finals.

Tony parker is not himself this year. He doesn't trust his body right now after the injury

sleeper;1706833 wrote:They just traded their best player for some trash draft picks and fillers. It's a terrible strategy and they will never make the playoffs in the next 10 years.

Well, I'm thinking that in 10 years, they might have a crew together that can win 32-34 games, which might be good enough to be #8 in the East if the balance of power between conferences doesn't switch during that timespan.

They are only 1.5 years into their extremely long term plan...takes patience and long term vision. I think in 3-5 years they will be really good.

Lol....Mullens 1st game back he received a double technical and was ejected in the 3rd qtr. Not a good start.

gport_tennis;1706880 wrote:They are only 1.5 years into their extremely long term plan...takes patience and long term vision. I think in 3-5 years they will be really good.

I admire your resolve and optimism. Especially since virtually everywhere I've read views on the trade deadline, they were considered losers and Hinkle's plan to constantly blow things up and start over with picks is being mocked to hell and back.

You guys should read this article about the 76ers and their long term rebuild. Their thought process and decisions make more sense after reading this. http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12318808/the-philadelphia-76ers-radical-guide-winning

They will most likely add 5 1st round picks in the next 2 years (3 this year and at least 2 next), + 4 2nd round players this year and at least 1 next year. Odds say that at least 1 of those players will be a star (my bet is either D'Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay from this years class). Now you've got a core 3 of Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel, and Russell/Mudiay. That's a pretty good core moving forward. They also will add Dario Saric at some point (the FIBA Young player of the year), and also have 3-4 other players stashed in Europe that may or may not add up to much.

76ers line up moving forward (next two seasons)

Back Court: Russell/Mudiay
Front Court: Embiid, Noel, Saric
4 other 1st round picks and 5 2nd round picks

That looks pretty good to me + they are also in a good position to make a blockbuster trade if any superstars become unhappy and want out of their current team (Davis, Cousins, waiters(LOL JK), etc)

The next 2 off-seasons will make or break Philly. McDaniels, Wroten and Noel were solid finds though.

...and I'm sure I'll get the typical comments, but how many centers can pull this off?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-Jb64IHndU

I wish at times, he'd get his head on straight. And I still think he would thrive on a quality team with a veteran star, until he's an established veteran himself.

Azubuike24;1707094 wrote:...and I'm sure I'll get the typical comments, but how many centers can pull this off?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-Jb64IHndU

I wish at times, he'd get his head on straight. And I still think he would thrive on a quality team with a veteran star, until he's an established veteran himself.

I don't think anyone is doubting his game. I said it before, I would take him on the Cavs easily. He just is a childish bitch.

Azubuike24;1707092 wrote:The next 2 off-seasons will make or break Philly. McDaniels, Wroten and Noel were solid finds though.

agreed, we won't have a good idea of who the 76ers are until after the 2016 nba draft

speaking of which, just noticed the lakers will have two (most likely) first rounders and 2 2nd rounders this year. Good chance for them to add 1 of okafor/russell/mudiay and maybe another center or PG this year in the draft