THOD: December 2007

The post below will be famliar to the loyal readers of THOD. However, due to recent events, I tought appropriate to re-post. My only question is, why now? Why allow him to make the huge trade, make 3 first round draft picks, and sign free agents, only to can him after a predictably bad start? Oh well, better late than never. At least the new guy can be responsible for the Andre Miller trade.

**********

Tonight, as we take a respite from bashing the Phillies and enjoy a big win over a division foe, I would like to discuss the greatest of all kings. No - for once, I am not talking about Burger King, despite the incredible job he does on the chicken sandwich. Tonight, we will highlight the incredibly strong season of Sixers president and General Manager William King. Let's examine the stellar moves, transactions, and decisions BK has made thus far:

After trading our franchise player, one of the greatest players ever to wear a Sixers uniform, the direction of the franchise was clear - trade the best player, get some draft picks, and take advantage of the Sixers very high lottery pick and be well placed for the most talented draft class since, LeBron, Mello, and D-Wade. But no, apparently I was wrong. Instead of writing of this season, getting the young players some much needed time, and drafting Oden or Durant, the Sixers managed to achieve, once again, mediocrity. the Sixers are 28-27 since the trade, including dramatic come from behind wins over powerhouses like the Celtics and Bobcats. Many of the teams the Sixers were battling with for the bottom pick a few months ago understood that taking some lumps now will pay dividends in the future. The Celtics' Paul Pierce missed 30 games this year. 4 other starters also missed considerable time with terrible injuries, such as bruises and the flu. Similarly, the Bucks best players and recent top picks - Michael Redd, Charlie Villanueva, and Andrew Bogut have missed a combined 73 games this year. For the record, the Celtics and Bucks right now have the best chance of getting picks 1 and 2.And the Sixers - Well, Andre Iquodala, easily the best player on the team, has been complaining for weeks that he is exhausted, not feeling well, and has been suffering from back spasms. So it only makes sense to shut him down, right? Hell no - why do that when he can play 75 games. Why rest him when the four year veteran, who has started 239 games in his career, can get valuable game time experience?

Speaking of experience, it is obviously crucial to get players like Iguodala, Miller, and Korver as much time as possible. There is absolutely no reason to find out of guys like Louis Williams (9 mins. a game), Bobby Jones (6 mins. a game) and first-round draft pick Rodney Carney (16 mins. a game) can actually play. (Especially someone like Williams, whose contract will be up soon) Why find out of they can play when they can just join the long line of players BK has dropped, only to see them become above average players somewhere else (Raja Bell, Bruce Bowen, Matt Harpering, etc).

Finally, if anyone thought the Sixers would just cave in and let the losses mount, your were sorely mistaken. The coaching staff and management didn't take one minute off - they were sure to adjust the line-up every chance they had to take advantage of match-ups, kept all starters in even when down by 20 points, and managed to have a winning record over the passed 50+ games.Congratulations to the big Billy K. Once again you have been successful at achieving what is obviously your yearly goal - mediocrity. You have a team that is not good, that wont get a impact player at #11 in the draft, and have no salary cap relief for the next few years.

So go ahead - pat yourself on the back and keep telling yourself that you are proud that you won so many games. Tell yourself that it is great that we were only a few games out of the playoffs. Tell yourself that we are better off winning 33 games and getting the #11 pick than we would be if we lost a few more and had a top 5 pick.I'm sure next year will be the year that you make your big moves and return the Sixers to the playoffs. I cant wait to be the #8 seed and get pummeled by the Heat. Thanks Billy!!