Blogging With The Enemy (the early edition) with Liberty Ballers

by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Apr 2, 2010 8:00 AM EDT in General

The Raps don't face off against the 76ers until Saturday but we thought we would run Blogging With the Enemy one day early. A big thanks to Jordan at Liberty Ballers for responding to our questions for the second time this year. Make sure to check his site out, even if it's just to check up on Jason Kapono...

RHQ - Seems like it has been an absolutely bizarre season for the 76ers. What's the latest on the coaching situation? Is Jordan out when the season concludes and if so who would you like to see pacing the sidelines next year?

LB: The fans want him gone, management wants him gone, and the players won't come out and say it, but speculation is they want him gone as well. Jordan is a lame duck. Various sources have confirmed that he will be fired sometime after season's end. There have even been reports of management waiting until the end of the season, because they think bringing someone else in would win more games, and ultimately lose ping pong balls. I'd like to see Jeff Van Gundy coach the Sixers next year. I think he's a perfect fit, and rumor has it, the Sixers are interested.

RHQ - What impact, if any, has Jason Kapono had on the 76ers season. For the most part Raps fans were happy to see him go and now have a soft spot for Evans? In hindsight was this a good deal or a bad one for the Sixers?

LB: Kapono had little to no impact up until the recent two-game winning streak. Once Thad and Lou went down with injuries, EJ was forced to start Kapono. Sixers fans rejoiced when Kapono entered the starting lineup, believing he would help seal the deal for a top 5 pick. Unfortunately, Kapono's ability to stretch the defense actually opened up the Sixers offense and helped them win two games they shouldn't have - ending what we were calling Mission WTF (Wall, Turner, Favors). The dude can't win with Sixers fans, even when he plays well.

Big picture, the trade was a wash. We don't need either player. We weren't making the playoffs either way. I do miss Reggie Evans as a person, but not enough where I'd say it was a bad trade. It was probably better for the Raptors; however.

RHQ - What are the key's to a 76ers win against the Raps?

LB: Getting out in transition. If the Sixers get out in transition, I fear they'll win this game. (Keep in mind, I'm rooting for lottery positioning at this point.) There's a small chance Iguodala might not play, because he's been battling plantar fasciitis for the past month, but my gut says he plays. If Andre plays, and the Sixers get out and run, they'll have a good chance.

Oh, and if you are ever wondering if NBA players read any of the SB Nation blogs then try this story on for size! Love ZaZa!

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Comments

LOL

Mission WTF..that’s awesome

by HDave on Apr 2, 2010 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

I think we should name our mission to keep our draft pick Mission “Can Raptors Answer Prayers” (CRAP)as I have a bad feeling the Raptors are going to Maple Leaf out on us and end up in the playoffs but as first round fodder for a good team (which in this case is even worse then the Leafs situation but I digress).

by McGateway on Apr 2, 2010 12:25 PM EDT reply actions

That reminds me

A friend and I were talking about how the Raptors have gone into “Leaf” mode the past couple of seasons. The whole idea of trading away draft picks for the immediate future is straight from the TML notebook. Eventually though, it screws you over big time. The Leafs are facing the consequences right now

by HDave on Apr 2, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

In Italy we say: You cannot have the bottle full and the wife drunk

the win now mode was chosen to retain Chris “messiah” Bosh. Criticizing is way easier than doing and I do not remember you (or anybody on this site from the top of my head) ever preaching for buidling via draft picks if it meant risking Bosh not resigning.

by renato on Apr 2, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Um...

…actually. I believe I have mentioned building via the draft on a few occasions during the couple of years I’ve been a member of the HQ community.

by Posterized on Apr 2, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Drafts and such

It’s a little different from hockey because you have a robust minor league system and a lot of space on a team to put players (having 4 lines on offense and 3 usually for defense). I know what you’re saying about it, but with a team core that’s young and role players being older, you’re not going to see much time for draft picks and such if you want to win.

What matters more is what the Raptors do with their picks, which they’ve drafted poorly in the later rounds and had to trade away most of the time to free up space. There have been a lot of wasted picks with guys like PJ Tucker and Nathan Jawai

Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious

by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Apr 2, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Brand-Turkoglu

As mentioned in a thread from about a week ago, I think a Brand for Turkoglu + Reggie Evans deal would make sense for both Philly and the Raps if Bosh is not retainable.

Any Philly fans reading this thread??? If so, what would you think of this.

by JumpShootersRUS on Apr 2, 2010 8:32 PM EDT reply actions