76ers: Another Questionable Move?

[golfermatt91]

If signing Calvin Booth to a contract was a way for the Philadelphia 76ers to improve their team they are definitely going in the wrong direction. They traded away their backup center in Steven Hunter for power forward Reggie Evans, and now with the signing of Booth its almost definite to say that GM Billy King had no idea what direction he wants to take this franchise. Booth, who had played eight seasons in the NBA making stops in Washington, Dallas, Seattle, Milwaukee, and now with the 76ers, will have major responsibilities at being the backup center also playing some minutes at power forward. Booth has never been a big contributor to any team he has played for and to think he will come into Philadelphia and be a difference maker might be an understatement.

Last season while playing with the Wizards, Booth averaged 1.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 44 games. Not much from a guy that the 76ers sought after to bring contribution to their existing team. The logic behind this move is still a mystery to many, but if you are wondering if this makes any basketball sense the answer is no. The reason being is the 76ers literally gave their season away when they failed to make any significant moves that could impact their current team. Booth being on the roster is an insurance policy just in case Samuel Dalembert fails to recover from his leg injury. The 76ers knew they didn't have much of an option when they traded away Hunter for Evans and felt the best available player out there was Booth.

What was King thinking?

Booth will not contribute much to this 76ers team, and to think that he could be an insurance policy to anyone on this roster is a complete joke. King is not the best GM in the league but his latest moves have been questionable, and also makes many people wonder what direction this team is heading in. King made the move for Evans and counter with Booth, but overall this team has not improved since the end of last season.
If you take a look at the 76ers' current roster they are lacking depth and true experience at the big man position and they definitely need more productivity from skill players in order for this team to be competitive. King's moves will definitely place more pressure on Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala to produce more and carry this team considering the lack of productivity that they will receive from their big men.

Shavlik Randolph will play a major role, but another guy that will have to step up right away is rookie Jason Smith. Smith had a productive summer league and will have to step in and be productive if the 76ers are going to be competitive in the Eastern Conference. Smith is an athletic big man who can shoot the basketball, but is not your conventional defender who can match up with your typical big man in the East. With the East being bigger than ever and every team being more athletic, the 76ers could find themselves overmatched each night they take the floor.

This 76ers team is fairly young and experience will play a major role if this team plans on being in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. They have good young guards who can create enough offense to make them competitive, but where they will lose the majority of their games is on the post where they will be dominated because of their lack of depth.

King stated last season that this team has turned the page on what this team's identity was, and a new era will be instituted for the future. But what do you call getting Evans and Booth? Aren't both moves considered more of a setback than an addition to this team? To say that this team will be better than their 38 wins would be lying to every passionate 76ers' fans who continue to believe this team will be better year after year.

The reality is this team is not heading in the right direction and sooner or later someone will have to pay for these nonchalant moves. King is the man making the moves and will have to pay eventually for his lack of ability to understand this team's real needs. Media day is right around the corner for this team and to think the outlook of this season is positive would be saying that this team has a clear shot at making the playoffs which is not true. This team has done nothing to improve, and relying on their skill players to lead this team each night is too much for them to handle especially during a long 82 game season.

[Bondsaway]

Wonder if they'll be able to GIVE tickets away for a 76ers game?
Its official, the Knicks have been replaced by the 76ers in running a basketball franchise in the ground.............

[golfermatt91]

Yes I agree... The 76ers will not be going anywhere for awhile...