Tag: Sixers

Sixers trading Al Horford, picks to Thunder for Danny Green

New Sixers GM Daryl Morey made a splash early in his employment sending Al Horford, a first, and a second-round pick to the Thunder in exchange for veteran Danny Green.
The picks are a lightly protected 2025 pick and the second-round pick is the 34th pick in this 2020 draft.
The trade offloads the contract of Horford and gives the Sixers some perimeter depth with Green

New Sixers GM Daryl Morey made a splash early in his employment sending Al Horford, a first, and a second-round pick to the Thunder in exchange for veteran Danny Green.
The picks are a lightly protected 2025 pick and the second-round pick is the 34th pick in this 2020 draft.
The trade offloads the contract of Horford and gives the Sixers some perimeter depth with Green

Kendrick Perkins thinks James Harden is bound for Brooklyn or Philadelphia

Does James Harden fit in with the Brooklyn Nets’ plans for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving under Steve Nash?

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In a season that was weird for everyone, the Brooklyn Nets may have had one of the most chaotic 2019-20 seasons. But that pales in comparison to what happened to the Houston Rockets this week.

There have been reports of frustration on the part of Eric Gordon, Danuel House, P.J. Tucker and Russell Westbrook — the latter of which reportedly wants out of Houston.

There’s also been some chatter surrounding James Harden, with ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins leading that discussion.

“James Harden could be possibly joining the Brooklyn Nets with KD (Kevin Durant) and Kyrie Irving, or going to the Philadelphia 76ers,” Perkins reported while on ESPN’s First Take on Thursday.

However, Shams Charania of The Athletic — who was the first to report Westbrook wants out of Houston — is reporting Harden “remains committed to the Rockets and is ‘locked-in’ for the season.”

While Harden is always in the MVP conversation, he seems like an odd fit for Brooklyn with Irving and Durant in town.

Irving may have to play off the ball more than he normally has throughout his NBA career, but sharing the ball with perhaps the most ball-dominant player in the league in Harden, along with Durant, seems like it could create problems for at least one of the stars.

NBA agent survey: Nets not favorites to win East in 2020-21

Apparently, some NBA agents have reservations about the cast of players on the Brooklyn Nets’ roster — specifically, Kyrie Irving.

As much as the Disney bubble was a unique event that hopefully doesn’t happen again, it exposed the Milwaukee Bucks a bit. Sure, the Miami Heat were on an absolute tear, but usually the team with the best player wins any series in the NBA — which is exactly what happened in the 2020 NBA Finals.

So to question the Bucks as the top team in the East heading into 2020-21 seems fair. Especially with Kevin Durant set to return and play alongside Kyrie Irving. With those two in Brooklyn, how can the Nets not be the preseason favorites to come out of the East?

Yet, when The Athletic polled a cast of NBA agents, 12 of the 19 replied “No” when asked, “Does having Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Steve Nash make Brooklyn the Eastern Conference favorites next season?”

One agent said Miami’s the favorite, another still sides with the Bucks. The Boston Celtics also receive praise — as did the Philadelphia 76ers, somehow.

A couple cited injury concerns as being the problem in Brooklyn, which is fair, but even those two were among those to mention the personalities on the Nets roster as being part of the problem.

“I think KD, if he’s healthy, is the best offensive player, and I buy Nash,” another agent added. “But I give Kyrie two months before he’s a malcontent. So, no.”

One agent compared Irving for former New Jersey Nets guard Stephon Marbury, expressed that to be a problem:

“No. No. Hell no. You’re banking on the highest level of volatility. It’s an impossibility. Kevin Durant is probably the best player in the NBA but Kyrie Irving is a total loose cannon and he’s not doing anything to show us anything but that right now. That’s going to be difficult. I hate to comment on people I don’t really know, but Kyrie is entering his Stephon Marbury phase. You can see it. It’s there. Basketball is not a priority for him.”

And there was even doubt among the seven agents who think the Nets are the favorites in the East next season:

“On paper, yeah. But you’re going to be covering some interesting stuff. There’s some interesting personalities there.”

Steve Kerr reacts to Philadelphia 76ers hiring Doc Rivers as next head coach

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr is “excited” Doc Rivers is back in the NBA after being hired as the Philadelphia Sixers head coach.

After falling to the Denver Nuggets with a 3-1 series lead in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Clippers decided to move on from Doc Rivers as their head coach. However, it didn’t take the former Coach of the Year to find a new home.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to make Rivers their next head coach. The 76ers fired Brett Brown after getting swept in the first round of the Orlando Bubble playoffs by the Boston Celtics.

Rivers will now roam the sidelines in Philadelphia, drawing up plays for Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

Following the news of Rivers joining the Sixers, Steve Kerr was asked about his former Pacific Division rival at Golden State’s offseason minicamp. In a post-scrimmage interview with Bay Area media, Kerr said he was “excited” Rivers is back in the league.

Kerr via Warriors SoundCloud:

I’m excited for Doc and for the Sixers. He’s a great coach, as I mentioned the other day, he’s great for the league. So I’m happy that he’s quickly back in the NBA. He’s important for the league and for the rest of the coaches.

During his tenure as head coach of the Clippers, Rivers squared off against the Warriors 27 times, totaling a record of 8-19. Rivers and the Clippers appeared opposite of Golden State twice in the postseason, each winning a series. In the 2014 opening round, Rivers and the Clippers advanced past the Warriors seven games. Before taking a trip to the NBA Finals in 2019, the Warriors eliminated the Clippers from the first round of the Western Conference postseason in six games.

Instead of matchup up with Rivers on the Clippers sidelines four times a year in the Pacific Division, Kerr will now only meet the championship-winning coach twice a season in the Eastern Conference.

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RJ Hampton says he hasn’t talked to Sixers, intrigued by Ben Simmons

Draft prospect RJ Hampton has not talked with the Philadelphia 76ers, but he is intrigued by the fit with Ben Simmons.

Possessing the 21st pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers have a couple of different ways they can go with this pick. One option is to bring in a point guard who can play with Ben Simmons and have him play more off the ball,

That is why New Zealand guard RJ Hampton is a guy who has been mocked to the Sixers in some mock draft projections. He stands at 6-foot-5 and he has a 6-foot-7 wingspan so his length is something that should interest general manager Elton Brand when the draft rolls around.

During a media session through Zoom on Tuesday, Hampton did say that he hasn’t talked with the Sixers yet. He has talked with a handful of teams that aren’t Philadelphia, but he is still intrigued about the possibility of playing with Simmons and causing a lot of problems for teams in defense.

“I think that would work out great,” Hampton said of the idea. “Ben Simmons is a long, lanky guard and I feel like I’m the same, well he’s quite taller than me, but at the same time, I feel like it would be a nightmare for offensive players going against two guards on defense with Matisse (Thybulle) too being a great defender. I definitely feel like it will be a great 3-guard setup.”

The Sixers will probably focus their efforts on a guy like Tyrell Terry who has interviewed with the Sixers thus far, but Hampton would be a guy who can run the offense smoothly. The defensive potential of Hampton, Simmons, Thybulle, and Josh Richardson should excite people. After all, the Sixers do want to build a very good defensive team. [lawrence-related id=37990,37987,37973]

Sixers, Flyers team up to use Wells Fargo Center as voting spot for election

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Philadelphia Flyers are teaming up to turn Wells Fargo Center into a voting spot for the upcoming election.

Currently, NBA arenas are not being used as the world is adapting to the current circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also an important time in the world as the general election is coming up fast in November and organizations are beginning to use these arenas as safe voting spots for that election.

The Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, who both occupy the Wells Fargo Center, have teamed up to use the arena as a spot for election activities related to the general election to be held in November.

“We thank our great partner, Comcast Spectacor, and the Philadelphia Flyers for their efforts in ensuring that the Wells Fargo Center is available to serve as a place where the Philadelphia community can safely exercise their right to vote,” said Sixers president Chris Heck via a press release. “The 76ers will continue to advocate for increased access to voting and use our platform to do good in our communities.”

This is a time where the world is looking for chance as social justice issues rise to the forefront of America. This is an important time for everybody to vote and let their voice be heard for the future of the country.

“In the face of the unique circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic, both our organization and the 76ers are pleased to be able to support the City of Philadelphia in its efforts to ensure full, fair, safe, and secure voter participation in this fall’s election,” added  Valerie Camillo, President of Business Operations of the Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center. “We applaud the NBA and the 76ers for their advocacy around this issue and are pleased to be able to make our facility available consistent with the City’s needs.” [lawrence-related id=37321,37318,37315]

Report: Ty Lue set his price to coach an NBA franchise again

The Brooklyn Nets are one of three teams who’ve been linked to Tye Lue, along with the New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers.

Depending on how things go with the Brooklyn Nets’ dream head coaching scenario, the could lose out on one of their backup options.

Pulling Gregg Popovich away from the San Antonio Spurs will not be easy, but he’s the Nets’ top priority.

If that process takes to long and doesn’t work out, they may miss out on the chance to court Ty Lue, who’s out there in the open, currently serving as an assistant coach to Doc Rivers on the Los Angeles Clippers bench.

Not only is Lue a top option for Brooklyn, but he’s also been linked to the Philadelphia 76ers — who fired Brett Brown after getting swept in the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs — and the New Orleans Pelicans — who fired Alvin Gentry after the organization missed the playoffs.

While Lue is still working for the Clippers, it appears he already knows what he’s looking for, monetarily.

According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Lue wants $7 million per season from the team that hires him as head coach. Pompey also reported he could settle on a price as low as $5 million.

Major Nets head coach candidate ‘intrigued with’ Sixers opening

The Philadelphia 76ers have joined the head coach search with the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans.

With Kevin Durant in Brooklyn alongside Kyrie Irving and a roster filled with talented pieces, whoever takes over head coaching duties for the Nets on a permanent basis is being handed a contender right away.

But, the Nets aren’t the only team with an interesting roster looking for a new head coach this offseason.

Alvin Gentry’s time in New Orleans is over, which means the Pelicans are looking to pair the right head coach with Zion Williamson.

On Monday, the Philadelphia 76ers moved on from Brett Brown after they were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

Whether it’s the Nets, Pelicans or 76ers, one name has popped up with each of these coaching vacancies: Ty Lue.

Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer linked Lue to the Sixers job on Monday, reporting both sides “have mutual interest.” And while Lue is “intrigued” with the position in Philly, he “expects an offer from the Brooklyn Nets.”

Former Warrior Alec Burks tallies double figures in scoring in Sixers vs. Celtics Game 4

In game four of the Sixers series against the Celtics, former Warrior Alec Burks tallied 13 points in 30 minutes off Philadelphia’s bench.

As the Golden State Warriors begin a crucial offseason that includes a top-two NBA Draft pick, the rest of the league is focusing on the postseason action at Disney World.

With the worst record in the NBA at 15-50, the Warriors were left off the playoff picture for the first time since 2012. With no postseason hoops on the Bay Area’s calendar, Warriors Wire is checking in on former members of Golden State inside the Orlando Bubble.

On Sunday, former Golden State swingman Alec Burks suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Boston Celtics in game four of their Eastern Conference playoff series.

After failing to register over nine points in back-to-back games, Burks tallied double-figures in scoring off the bench for Philadelphia. The veteran wing notched 13 points on 6-of-16 shooting from the field in 30 minutes. Burks added three boards, two blocks, an assists and a steal.

Following an impressive stint of long-distance shooting in the seeding round, Burks went cold from beyond the arc, shooting 3-of-16 in Philadelphia’s playoff series against Boston.

Along with Burks, all five of the Sixers’ starters recorded 10 or more points in game four. However, it wasn’t enough to save Philadelphia in the series. Kemba Walker filed 32 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field in the Celtics’ route to a 110-106 victory over the 76ers.

Boston’s game four victory sealed their series sweep, ending Joel Embiid and the Sixers’ 2019-20 campaign. Burks will now join his former Golden State teammates on the outside of the Orlando Bubble.

Watch highlights from the final game of the Boston vs. Philadelphia series via YouTube:

Other ex-Warriors still active in the first round of the playoffs include Andre Iguodala, Quinn Cook, JaVale McGee and Chris Boucher.

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Former Warrior Alec Burks logs 22 minutes off the bench in 76ers’ Game 2 loss vs. Celtics

In the Sixers first-round playoff matchup against the Boston Celtics, former Warrior Alec Burks tallied nine points in 22 minutes in Game 2.

Although Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson have been eliminated from playoff contention since March, former members of the Golden State Warriors have been involved with postseason action inside the Orlando Bubble.

While Steve Kerr and Bob Myers focus on preparing for the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Warriors Wire is checking in on former members of the Dubs at the Disney World playoffs.

On Friday, a guard that started the season in the Bay Area, suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Boston Celtics in round one of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. During game two of the series, Alec Burks logged 22 minutes off the bench for Brett Brown and the Sixers.

The former Golden State swingman tallied nine points on 3-of-10 shooting with a lone 3-pointer. Burks also added three boards and two assists.

To lead the Sixers, big man Joel Embiid recorded a game-high 20 points on 7of-20 shooting from the field with 13 rebounds. Despite Tobias Harris adding a double-double and two other Sixers scoring in double-figures, it wasn’t enough for the Celtics.

Kemba Walker scored 24 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the field on the Celtics way toa 2-0 series lead over the Sixers.

Watch highlights from Boston’s game two win over the 76ers via YouTube:

As they try to capture their first win of the 2020 NBA Playoffs, Burks and Sixers will be back on the floor on Sunday at 10:00 A.M. PST against the Celtics.

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