Bad move. They went for the name. Ratliff was solid, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with their chemistry. I look for them to drop about five of their next eleven or twelve before they find their groove, which won't be any more impressive than the groove they had going into this blunder. I give the deal a slightly-raised eyebrow and a yawn. Gascon ------------------ Sometimes I think I'd be better off dead. No, wait, not me...you.
This is a good trade for both teams. The sixers get even better defensively, while the hawks get a young center signed long-term. ------------------
If I did my 'rithmetic right, Philly's total team salary will be $37,407,161. If they don't resign Mutombo, I think they'll have have a real shot for Webber. Everyone's been saying how Webber wants to go to NY to be with Spree. Well, Webber's down with Iverson too, so if you take the friendship with Spree seriously, you have to take the relationship with Iverson seriously too. Of course, I don't really see Philadelphia not resigning Mutombo unless they do really poorly in the playoffs. But I don't think you can say the 76ers screwed themselves over after this season. ------------------
One question: Can Ratliff defend Shaq, Duncan or Wallace? Mabye wallace, but not the other two. Now what about Mutombo? The trade makes sense. You take your shots to win a title when you can. The east is so weak that Mutombo should guarentee them a trip to the Finals (barring any other eastern team making a major deal) and give them a shot against one of the western teams with a dominant big man. I like the trade. I hope it ensures that i don't have to watch a replay of the last two Finals, where 6-9 guys were trying to stop Duncan and Shaq. ------------------
Relativist...not sure if you twisted up you final comment, but I can see them not resigning Mutombo after the season if they have the opportunity to get Webber. I would rather have Webber than Mutombo on my team, a) he is a better player, and b) he is younger. But then you still have the C's of the west to contend with. Then again, other teams would have to contend with Iverson and Webber????? That is scary. ------------------ In the end there will be no judges...only witnesses to my greatness.
I think people miss the point a little bit if they are trying to get Webber. If the 76ers get Webber, they could still get Mutombo since they would have his Birds right. That would definitely make the deal worth it! ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . .
Oh man...are you serious??????? That is just flat out nasty! ------------------ In the end there will be no judges...only witnesses to my greatness.
No they wouldn't. Perhaps I was a little unclear. The $37 mil is Philly's total salary if they renounce Mutombo. Otherwise, he counts 150%against the cap until he's resigned. (right???) Unless he were to resign for the league minimum or something (I'll let you guys bicker over that one) Philadelphia wouldn't have the cap room to sign Webber. Once they renounce Mutombo, of course, they forfeit his Bird rights. A team with Iverson, Webber and Mutombo would be very scary. Then again, look at Portland. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Relativist (edited February 22, 2001).]
Question: Who is Philly's PF? What does their starting line up look like now? Rocket River ------------------
Tyrone Hill. F Tyrone Hill F George Lynch C Dikembe Mutombo G Iverson G McKie Eric Snow's injured; he was their PG. ------------------
eric snow recently was activated off the IL and is playing some. he should be starting as soon as he gets in game shape. ------------------ --TEX
I don't know, this is a very risky move for Philly. I guess its true that this is Croce's last year, so he wants to go all-out. But even if we forget about the next 2-3 years and think about this season, I'm not sure its the right move. When you have the best record in the league and your team is meshing together very nicely, why make a blockbuster deal to shake the team up? These deals are usually done when the team is underachieving, which the Sixers clearly are not. Mutombo is certainly more of a dominating presence than Ratliff is, but will Deke fit in there? Philly's going to miss Theo's energy and movement. Most of his points were off passes and put-backs, whereas Mutombo has the tendency to clog the paint on offense. He can't shoot, he doesn't move very well, and that may hurt the Sixer's half-court set substantially. Of course, he could be exactly what Philly needs to take it all this year, and it will be interesting to see how everything pans out. Does this mean its going to be a lot easier for Houston to nab Ratliff in the off-season? Azim da Dream ------------------ There's a very fine line between genius and madness. http://www.clutchtown.com
How? They could have simply renounced Mutumbo at the end of the year and not have to worry about doing a sign and trade with the Kings. If they would've gotten Mutumbo, it would've hurt our chances, however slim, at getting Webber. ------------------ www.swirve.com...The reason Al Gore invented the internet.
The bottom line is that any player, owner, etc. would rather be title favorites one season than playoffs and out for years to come. ------------------ Ceo of the Walt Williams fan club. Web site coming soon atheistalliance.org
