Comparing the 76ers with Brand to Boston and Detroit: The numbers indicate that the 76ers are the better team

True, "by the numbers stat-wise, but many other factors enter the fray in determining if the Sixers are now the best in East...chemistry, injuries, and most importantly, Team Defense...DET/BOS fans from what I see/hear aren't making any massive assessments until a clearer picture emerges and season takes shape...Sixers made one good move, with more action from BOS/DET to come...it's all about if Philly can play upper echelon D like BOS/DET...time will tell...but, good "question" as you present it, it's fun speculating, just kinda early

I appreciate the feedback. Of course this is an opinion of a bias Sixers fan just looking for statistical evidence to argue that the Sixers will be better than Boston and Detroit. I can't wait to see next year what this team really looks like. I'll say they get a 3rd seed in the East, no worse than the 5th. I would say no worse than 4th, but I'm intrigued by Jermaine O'Neal on the Raptors with Bosh. You also have the Cavs and Magic... the East just keeps getting stronger.

interesting comparison but doesn't mean much... obviously getting Brand was a huge step, making the Sixers an immediate contender in the East... beyond what he will bring on the floor, i think he will be a great presence in this young locker room (and for the vet Dalembert who seems to need a cattle prod every once in a while)... he is a throwback NBA star bc he seems to bring it every night, he plays defense, and while he isnt afraid to take the ball in the low block (which is rare in itself these days), he is a team oriented player... i agree with another post that a Dalembert, Brand, Thad Young front court will play strong and athletic, especially on D and on the boards... BUT, for this team to really be considered elite they need to address the lack of perimeter shooting... i like both dre's a lot, but the iggy/miller backcourt just doesn't have enough range... who is going to hit the long jumper when the opponent takes away brand in the post by packing it inside and makes us play inside-out? i certainly don't have much faith in willie green... he is a streaky scorer who is very one dimensional bc that's all he can do... i know he is going to shoot and probably brick most times he gets a touch... i like lou williams off the bench and think he can help this team a lot with his energy and instant offense

That is some lame statistical comparing, though. You can't just compare the average points of starters who haven't even played together yet without comparing bench play and defense. I like the Sixers as much as the next Philly fan but this article is downright delusional

too early sure, but intention in my opinion by ZZ is it's fun to speculate...Sixer nation juiced, enjoy the progress to date...and who wouldn't want the "old school" intense rivalry back with C's and Pistons...well, C's more...ha

Thanks, orions. I'm just having fun thinking about the Sixers w/ Brand... this wasn't intended as "flawless statistical proof."

yup, I took this as pure fun on initial instinct when I jumped on

there trying to make like a fantasy team....zzz...

well, to the quality Sixer fans, any NBA town with a long history, posting well about Brand, the FO has some monet to spend by making a few realistic moves...sure though, true, it's fun to speculate sometimes, but not all the time...I only see some 76er Fans doing that, just like the upper-echolon Hostorical Hoop cities

"just like all other Strong NBA cities" I meant to say, Rumors fly around, scenarios, they want Josh Smith like a Dunkin D's larged ice coffee regular in hot ass Providence...and, Sixers have flexibility, C's do not, to double/triple a lot of other team's wishes

it's great about East isn't it? yeah man, it will be a wild season...like I said when Sixers first meant serious Business right before signing EB, team is on the move and on the rise...don't short change a possible 3rd seed for Sixers yet, could be higher as it's a lot to do with the jelling/chemistry for this young squad...a lot of FA left, and the Sixers and Toronto are out in front of the East pack in making key moves...DET/BOS still will have the cores, and yeah, both "older", but still saavy...Magic, always can never figure them out from Bo Outlaw days lol...I think that's what all the East Conf. fans want...to be able to match 8 for 8 with the west...all East teams mentioned by you, guesstimate here, can match 4 to 8 against West...also, I've seen a good amount of your posts re: other topics(Eagles, etc.)...you know what your talking about and make good points

I really love the deal. The Sixers can certainly make some noise in the East. My only concern is moving Iguodola to the two-guard spot. He hasn't shown me enough to prove he can be an outside scoring threat. Do you think the Sixers could trade Iguodola to get the sharp shooter they need to fill the two-guard spot or keep Iguodola at the two-guard spot and add a three point shooter to come off the bench?

Does anyone know if there any 3 point specialist free agents? We could really have used Korver next season, but his move was essential in picking up Brand.

I say start Willie Green at SG with Iggy at the SF and then move Iggy to SG when you want to give Thad Young minutes at SF.

have to start that at SF. kid is going to be a stud!

iggy will be better this year then he was last year. he is young and growing. plus there will be less pressure and more open looks for him now w/ brand on the floor.

Sammy
Brand
Thad
Iggy
Miller

Yea I think Thad should start over Green... I'm just not thrilled with Iggy at the SG spot. I still suppose Iggy and Thad starting is better than Green and Iggy.

Young WILL be a starter this season. Whos gonna stop Young-Brand-Sammy D? Won't need 3 balls when our post players own the opposition!!!

Teyshaun, Sheed, and Mcdysee

Reddicks available haha

I guess there is Childress. The Sixers have said they're interested.

Player profile: http://www.nba.com/playerfile/josh_childress/

willie green sucks especially as a starter, thad young is going to be a superstar and will start this season...iggy is going to have a lot more open looks now with a legit scoring threat down low so he should be knocking down more outside shots but the addition of a 3 pt shooter is key but in no way should they get rid of iggy, hes too good a defender and has the ability (especially now with brand taking a huge load off his shoulders) to be a stud in this league

I think the people calling for a trade of Iguodala for a true SG and 3 point threat is crazy. Iggy's defense, hustle, and all around skill set is too good to let go. He does have to work on less turnovers though: the Detroit series was a turnover debacle.

Yes trading Iggy wouldnt be a good thing at this point. I think someone like an Eddie House who can come off the bench and knock down some 3's would be a great addition. Im sure they will work out some sort of lower level trade to create a little space and try to sign someone like an Eddie House .

8 different teams in 8 years... why the hell not.

Don't you guys see something in that statistic? there's one matchup that we lose every time, 2 guard. Getting a legit 2 guard would be a hell of a lot better than what we have now. If we get a legit 2 guard, I say we are the team to beat in the east.

Well unless you know of a way to unload Ollie/Evans to clear up some cap space...that just aint happenin!

Ollie isn't on the team anymore. Also, Evans stock went up since his playoff performance. Also, Chicago has a plethora of SG. I still say Evans and Green and a couple of picks to Chicago.

I still say they should try and sign and trade with ben gordon somehow

Watch out for the Knicks! On paper we should be getting the #1 draft pick next year

This can be a good team if they can sign Josh Smith

Dalembert
Brand
Smith
AI
Miller

Thats a hell of a defensive starting line up. Philly fans deserve a good basketball team. Now we need is the Knicks to get back on track.

yes please try to get ben gordon i like the way he plays hes the type of player philly can use

Hey, Naldy, we should start a campaign to bring ben gordon to Philly!!!!!!!!!!!

> The question on everyone's mind is can the Sixers compete with the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics?

NO.

Clearly the numbers are going to drop for guys like Iguodala and Dalembert. Maybe even for Brand. There's always some role adjustment when players of Brand's caliber get worked into the system. Pierce, KG and Ray Allen all saw drops in certain areas so they could play together. I'm sure if you took their previous season averages and added them up, they would've been the most ridiculous team on the planet.

This makes no sense. It combines Elton Brand's LA touches with Philly's touches. With Brand on the same team as these guys, you only have one team's worht of touches, not one team's PLUS one players' touches. In other words, Emost of Elton's 20 ppg have to take away from others'. By the logic in the article, if we scored 95 ppg last year, we will score 115 ppg this year, and anyone who knows a little about basketball knows taht wont happen.

The article wasn't meant to say that the team is gonna score 115 ppg, it was meant to look at the matchups the Sixers have with other teams of the east

Like I said before, this was just suppose to be fun, not "flawless statistical proof."

2 bad they arent better

On paper many thought the Lakers were the better team, too. When Philly is able to put it alltogether and win. Then they can be called a better team. As for now, Boston is the team to beat

Philly should aim to win more than 50% of their games before anything, baby steps.

While looking at starter's stats alone knowing they don't mean much, Brand's addition will change the Sixers in so many ways positively it's ridiculous. Offensively: his command of double-teams gives Iggy and Young many open looks. Iggy doesn't need to be a 3pt threat but if he gets consistent from 15-17 ft WATCH OUT, Brand will also open passing lanes for Miller and give them a potent pick n roll game(Stockon n Malone style), he'll give Dalembert mad offensive rebound/putback opportunities as long as he doesn't get carried away with 3 second violations. Defensively: Add his rebounds with Dalembert's 10.4 and whatever Young will get and you take away the opposition's 2nd chance opportunities. His 2 blocks added with Dalembert's 2.5 blocks will keep opponents from excessive lane driving which will give Iggy confidence guarding other teams top players on the perimeter. His addition will make the Sixers compete with Bostion and Detroit on paper but they have to gel. Those teams still have advantage with depth because Willie Green and Reggie Evans scare nobody. They need to clear up cap space(By getting rid of those two) and establish a more potent bench. This all depends on what other teams will do(Atlanta's not give up Josh Childress if they lose Josh Smith, but I would love to see them pull a sign and trade to bring him here). Who would be opposed to Lou Williams and the MIN 2nd rounder to Cleveland for Daniel Gibson(40% 3pt) and also signing Theo Ratlif and/or Robert Horry for added leadership??

the first step is to sign iggy. the rest will fall into place. iggy even with brand here is the face of the franchise and will be untill he leaves

With Brand getting a huge contract... what will they be able to offer Iguodala? I bet he wishes he would have taken that $57 million back in October.

Its all up to iguodala..hes gonna get many more open shots with elton brand here so he better be workin real hard on that jumpshot

it was better when the original guys where still around. Iverson,Hill, coach Laprry Brown. But I guess the new team will make it better, just practice

Their bench can't keep up with the Celtics.

They dont need to keep up with the other teams bench the sixers have a yung team thats the hole reason for the sixers run last year energy boston needs to keep up with the sixers yuth

i think lou williams and speights will do just fine against the 40 year old cassel and p.j. brown

yea i mean if you want to argue stats that means that the eagles should have gone 19-0 what determines whos a better team is who wins the battle for that inch which separates the losers and the winners (any given sunday, greatest movie ever!)