David Stern hopes the Sixers make the playoffs and miss out on the No. 1 pick

He wants lakers or celtics to get that pick / thread

 

Well we know the sixers won't be getting the no 1 pick.

 

fricken rigged

 

On paper yes, it looks like the Sixers are openly tanking just as a year ago when Morey traded Lowry, and didn't resign Dragic that it look like the Rockets were at that point tanking as well.

I wouldn't be surprised if for some reason the Sixers aren't even close to being the worst team in basketball next Spring. Just like Morey, Hinkie is on overdrive recreating their roster by turning it over to producing value contracts that can be turned into something great, and young players with the potential upside to really be special.

If you look at the players drafted this year, can you think of two players with higher upside at their position than Nerlens Noel and Michael Carter Williams??? Maybe Oladip at the PG position, but I think that risk of converting him to a PG comes at an even higher risk for the #2 pick in the draft (which has shown to drop in value in a year or two given the high salary the #2 pick gets).

Also keep in mind that he was able to get both of those two players OUTSIDE OF THE TOP 5... which means.... lower salary, and higher value assuming they pan out.

Lasty, the Sixers have both their pick and the Pelicans(a team that could fall fast in a competitive West) pick next Summer which they could use either for themselves or use as a competitive offer for a All-star player in trade....

If either one of these young players (Noel or MKW) look like a future stud, dont be surprised if a player like DeMarcus Cousins is drawn to try and sign with them in free agency here in the future.

I dont think that the Sixers will be making a surprise run to get the last playoff spot, but dont be surprised if they look better than expected. This team will be one of the better young up-and-coming teams in the East within the next two years I would be willing to bet on that much.

 

Closed door lottery pick. Cavs with first round picks, how close?

 

In the NBA, if you have a star, you become attractive. The Rockets prior to the acquisition was is desperate pursuit mode for a star...Heck they were even willing to gamble with a Gasol, Nene combo... And then from thin air, OKC GM Presti lost his mind after his Thunder just came off a finals appearance and decided to sell James a year before he had to make any decision. And no one really expected James Harden to be this special of a player.

There was a reason why Howard wanted no part of the Rockets during the 2011-2012 season. He didnt want to be the anchor for a rebuilding process, but instead wants what every superstar really wants...the best chance at winning. the addition of James Harden provides him with youth and the chance to sustain a winning goal for a while. This is why Houston was more attractive than most other spots this offseason for Dwight.

Finally, Morey was a magician in his relentless pursuit of a star. He picked up a player and then off loaded them all for the sole purpose of getting a star. He was tremendously lucky to get James...but he made so many shrewd moves to get the team younger, athletic, and valued players like Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin. To expect Sam Hinke to be able to replicate the success that Houston had is just hope...

The Sixers need that star player. In my honest opinion, it has to be #1 draft pick. But lets all be honest here...the race for the #1 pick is between the Lakers and the Celtics. David Stern has commissioned Adam Silver to follow through on his vision of the NBA. Its really why i firmly believe that next years draft(while extremely talented) will be exactly like what we expect.

 

basketball reasons

 

Orlando Magic are getting that #1 pick

 

Probably saying that because he doesn't like their blatant tanking attempt

 

David Stern just gave the throat-slit sign to Sam Hinkie. The Philly Enquirer might as well just run with the tombstone that the Chronicle gave the Astros way back when.