By Josh Whitling, TalentedMrRoto.com
September 19, 2006 - 9:44 a.m.

2005-06 OVERVIEW

Will Andre Iguodala go above and beyond this season? (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

The Answer is still in Philly, but there is no shortage of questions. Such as…Will he be traded if the team has a rough first half of the season? Will Chris Webber play in 75 games and average nearly 39 minutes per game again this season? Or how about why the heck is their most athletic and exciting young player, Andre Iguodala, taking only 8.2 shots per game? Well, unless Webber stays healthy and AI2 becomes more involved in the offense, the Sixers will likely be well under .500 and miss the playoffs yet again, which may prompt GM Billy King to trade Iverson, even though he’s stated that he’s taken their star guard off the trade market. A lot can change between the off-season and the trade deadline.

In an interesting draft day move, the Sixers ended up with Rodney Carney – a slashing, versatile swingman much in the mold of Andre Iguodala. Had Carney been drafted by a team that actually needed a starting SF, the high school long jump state champ could’ve put up sound rookie numbers, instead he’ll be fighting an Ashton Kutcher look alike (Kyle Korver) for bench minutes. This is also a make-or-break season for talented center Samuel Dalembert, who has been frustratingly inconsistent throughout his career.

ADDITIONS:
Alan Henderson, F
Rodney Carney, G/F
Bobby Jones, F
Edin Bavcic, F

LOSSES:
John Salmons, G/F
Lee Nailon, F
Zendon Hamilton, C
Deng Gai, F

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP:
PG – Kevin Ollie
SG – Allen Iverson
SF – Andre Iguodala
PF – Chris Webber
C – Samuel Dalembert

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2006

The Sixers played Allen Iverson at point for most of last season, allowing him to top seven assists per game for the second straight year, but the plan this season seems to be inserting veteran Kevin Ollie into the slot and shifting AI back to the two. If it works out, look for Iverson to see a dip in assists (but also turnovers, if that’s your thing); although he’ll still see a share of ballhandling duties and will always be toward the top of the league in steals. A proficient sixth man will need to emerge, and Korver and Carney will likely vie for that role, as the winner will have plenty of fantasy worth. And if Ollie doesn’t pan out – which is what I think will happen -- the team will likely search for an option through free agency or the trade market, meaning a midseason shakeup could be in store for the Sixers.

KEY BENCH POSITIONS / POSITION BATTLES

Samuel Dalembert/Steven Hunter: Dalembert had a solid season last year, averaging 8.2 boards and an impressive 2.4 blocks per game in 26.7 minutes. But he tanked in March and April, averaging his lowest block and rebound numbers of the season in those two months. Meanwhile, Steven Hunter peaked later in the year after unusual circumstances surrounded his season. At the trade deadline he was traded to the Hornets, then failed the team’s physical, nullifying the deal. Hunter returned to a team eager to get rid of him and instead of sulking, Hunter played arguably the best basketball of his career after the voided trade. Dalembert will likely start and get around 30 minutes per game, which could translate into a best-case scenario of 10+ rebounds and around three blocks. But he’s failed to be consistent on a night-in, night-out basis throughout his career and suffers from frequent lapses in productivity. Hunter will push him for minutes and should be able to spell Webber and Dalembert while putting up excellent blocks per minute numbers. If Dalembert’s inconsistency carries over to this season, Hunter will step right in and be owned in most fantasy leagues, making him a great late-round flier if you’re looking for somebody with potential. Throw in the fact that Chris Webber’s lack of injury last season was an anomaly, a few windows could open for Hunter to be fantasy viable. Plus, a lineup with Iguodala, Hunter and Dalembert on the floor at the same time will riddle shooters with nightmares filled with incredibly long arms contesting every shot.

Allen Iverson's Substitute: Last season, the team had a fantastic fill-in for Iverson when he had to sit because of his inevitable bumps and bruises, but now that John Salmons is with the Kings, a shift in strategy will be in order. First round draftee Rodney Carney brings raw potential to the table and could pair with Iguodala to form a very athletic scoring combo, but that’s assuming that Ollie is capable of handling the point all by his lonesome. If Willie Green can step up and be the backup one/two guard for the Sixers, they’ll have a huge burden lifted off their shoulders and be able to play the rest of their players in their regular rotation, although Green has failed to perform during his NBA career and missed much of last season due to injury. Carney, Korver and Green are the players to watch in training camp, as one will likely emerge as fantasy worthy.

PLAYERS WE LOVE

Andre Iguodala: Hopefully your fellow fantasy owners will be disappointed by AI2’s lack of significant statistical improvement last season and see him as overrated because the long-armed specimen will improve this season. When he does, he’ll be among the fantasy’s most efficient scoring guards, the Slam Dunk Contest champion, a fantastic rebounder from the guard position and one of the best thieves in the game. His ability to drive and finish is ridiculous, and he has a much better shot than his numbers indicate, as I think he’ll hit around one three-pointer per game. For most of the 2006 season, it seemed like Iguodala was purposely holding back just to frustrate fantasy owners - for it’s clear the tools are there. He just needs to be more aggressive. If Iverson is ever traded, the floodgates will open for Andre, although perhaps Kevin Ollie will be able to find him better than AI did last year. Iguodala averaged a ridiculous 50 percent from the floor last season and could stay close to that number even if he took more shots per game. I have extreme faith in Andre this year, and he WILL end this season as one of the top-ten steals guys in the league. Mark my words.

Steven Hunter: See above. He’ll be overlooked on draft day and has that ‘upside’ thing you’re looking for in your final picks.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

Chris Webber: C-Webb posted his best full season since 2000-2001, including the first time he’s played in 75 or more games this decade. His 43 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the stripe certainly won’t help you, making those 20 points per game fairly inefficient, but most importantly the injury-riddled veteran will not have the same luck he had last year again. His imposing numbers will tempt somebody to draft him in the third or fourth round, but you should steer clear of Webber and choose somebody that is either more consistently healthy or has a higher upside. With Webber, the best-case scenario is a repeat of last season’s numbers, something you never want to pay for in a fantasy draft...you want improvement. Even if he is healthy, his minutes per game should diminish as his age grows, primarily because the Sixers signed capable backup power forward in Alan Henderson, who played a backup role in Cleveland last season.

Kevin Ollie: It seems like a good idea on paper: plug in a veteran, role-playing point guard into the lineup to allow the team’s superstar to assume his natural position. This creates mismatches when slower two-guards are forced to cover Iverson, plus he’s allowed to use his speed to create separation away from the ball. But just because you see the starting point guard tag next to his name, forget Ollie in your draft. He has never successfully manned a team, much less averaged more than 25 minutes per game for a full season in his ten-year career. Unless he experiences a late-career resurrection, the Sixers will likely be forced to shift to the two AI’s in the backcourt, leaving Kyle Korver and Rodney Carney to duke it out for minutes at the three. Speaking of…

Kyle Korver: I’m pretty sure he couldn’t even guard Kyle from South Park. The three is there, but he’s already gotten his crack at the starting job and lost it, meaning he’ll come off the bench this season. With the uber-athletic Carney challenging him for minutes, the team would be stupid not to look for the future and give the rookie a shot as a sparkplug off the bench. Paying for a one-trick pony whose minutes are jeopardized is about as smart as drafting an aging power forward who put up his best season in half a decade. Avoid Korver and Webber.

BOTTOM LINE

The Sixers will need somebody to step up this year, because Allen Iverson and Chris Webber have already played their best and won’t improve upon last year’s numbers. If it’s Iguodala, all will benefit, including those who live for the highlight reel. Hunter has the most potential off the bench, and Carney’s performance will be worth noting, as he has long-term fantasy potential written all over him. If the team can find a few more answers, they have the potential to be a playoff team in the East. Yet, if they’re stagnant, another disappointing season could prompt them to trade Iverson and build toward the future.

The views expressed by TalentedMrRoto.com represent only the views of the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA team.

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