Could the Sixers really be up for Sale?

Executive: Sixers not for sale ... The things that pass for news during the off-season. In a Boston Globe article yesterday, a well-informed but unknown source says Comcast has been shopping the Sixers franchise around for the last 2 months. Could this be sour grapes in Beantown 'cause of the ill-fated AI trade. What are the chances this thing is true? Could the precipitous drop in attendance prompt speculation from the corporate bean counters? The team is worth more than double what they paid for it. Why not take the money and run? Maybe Mr. Roberts is tired of the trade AI debate.

Not likely.

Could a confidentiality clause keep employees from spilling the beans ... for two months?

Not likely.

And what about a suitor? Could the return of local management to the Inquirer have inspired some other local Joe to dream of owning their own team. Heck perhaps Pat Croce has been prompted to come back to secure that championship ring. Okay, that one would be too go to be true. But ya see how these thing just grow out of thin air? People start talking ... the possibilities are measured .... It could happen right?

Not likely.

Sixers Off Season - Is That All there is

I thinks it's a Peggy Lee Song:
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

That's what the talking heads are asking about the Sixers' off season. In his weekly column, Steven A. proclaims "Stuck in neutral: 76ers are a hopeless mess". Frank Martin says "If Iverson stays, 76ers will stay the same" at Delaware Online. The theme has repeated itself like a bad summer rerun. Nothing has changed in 76er land this off-season. Kings has not made good on the promise to "change the culture" of the team. The trade 'em or keep 'em debate rages on.
All I have to say is "What did you really expect". Everybody has an opinion about what's wrong with the Sixers. The truth is no one can tell you how to fixed it. You can't change a problem years in the making in one off season. That's what you wanna hear. That's what the media wants you to believe. That's the fairy tale that sports fanatics live on. But it aint true.

We're all looking for something drastic this off season. We wanna see things happening. So trade AI (not so easy), Sign a big free agent (like who), Make a killer draft pick (like who), do something

big!

I don't think it can be done.

Don't mistake motion for action my friends. The summer is not over. Keep dancing ... break out the booze ... have a ball. There will be time enough to complain ... to see if that's all there is.

Stop the Presses: King says Iverson off table in deal

Late Breaking News: King says Iverson trade is off table in deal!
This is neither good news or bad news. It is was it is. It is the reality of the Sixers plight. King was ready and willing to trade his biggest chip (he still may do so). But not just for the sake of doing something ... just to do something ... anything. But if the rumors we heard were true (and we know some were not) teams were playing King for a sucker. The contracts involved, the Salary cap, the NBA trade rules and a poor talent pool all conspired to make a great deal for Philly nearly impossible.

King's proclamation may still prove to be a negotiating ploy. But it makes sense at this point in time. Whether you think the Sixers should build around AI or blow it up. You have to admit there are not a lot of options out there. The are no "no brainers".

Think about it from Billy's point of view. If he blows up the team. The Sixes stink for a few years and he gets fired. Some other guy may or may not reap the rewards. If he sticks with AI he keeps fannies in the seats. His bosses get paid. He gets paid and he just might get lucky and catch lightning in a bottle. So if you take his POV it's a "no brainer".

Salmons finds permanent home in Sacramento, but we still think he's stupid

So what ... Salmons finds permanent home in Sacramento, but we still think he's stupid. This would be great news if he was as talented as everyone thinks he is. John hasn't realized this yet. So he takes the option for the fattest contract (but not that much lucrative than the Suns deal). Philly Fans have seen enuff to know that he doesn't have IT (whatever you think IT is). So it was silly of him to opt for anything less that a shot at a ring.

Stupid is as Stupid does.

Stupid is as Stupid Does: Salmons opts out of deal with Raptors

Johnny Salmons opts out of deal with Raptors. There is no consolation in I told you so on this one. We all knew Salmon's decision making process was suspect. Let's see. Your agents come to you and says 'let's turn down offers from one of the best and one of the worst teams in the league' I can get you a better deal!'. Duh.... Okay.

I suspect his agent does not have his best interest at heart. It only serves as a barb thrown at Billy K. Salmon's is now an unrestricted free agent and the Sixers get nothin' for 'em. It would not be the first time an agent used one of his clients to leverage another (Agent Joel Bell is also the agent for Randolph and the rookie Bobby Jones).

AI Press conference - Wake me when its over

Iverson: No answer to obvious questions What did you expect? What could there possible be to ask Allen Iverson that has not already been asked? What's the point. Talk about your non media event. This is out of AI's hands. This is all hyperbole before the trigger gets pulled. Please stop asking how he feels (It Suxs). Please don't tell whether you think he should go or not (move on). Please don't expound upon another rumor (lies, deception, and more damn lies).

Please wake me when its over!

Boo Whoo: Webber still feels unappreciated over flap at final home game

Phil Jasner reported today that "Webber still feels unappreciated over flap at final home game". Webber was quoted as saying "It's over, but if you want the truth, I was made to be a scapegoat". No Chris ... If you want it to be over, don't talk about it. Philly fans do not want to hear it! The nature of your contract means you will be in Philly for awhile and if you want to maintain your sanity you will zip it. We don't care who's at fault, we don't care if your ego has been bruised, we wanna know it's not gonna happen again. Fall on your sword and take one for the team.

Do we want the truth? We can't handle the truth! We need to be placated if you expect us to come see you next season. What planet are you from?

Salmons could be on his way out

I know I said that Billy has a tuff road to travel in this off-season and that there were no 'no brainers' out there. Well after furter review ... there is at least one. Johnny Salmons. Mo Cheeks said he was suprised by his play. Commentators have hailed him for his potential. Fans think he stinks. I recall a couple of games where Johnny took it apon himself to win the game ... taking all but two of Philly's shots in the last 7 minutes of the game. We lost.

So here's a no brainer ... sign and trade John Salmons for anything you can get. He maybe a better player somewhere else, but not here.

Please let the AI debate end

Jack McCaffery says "With A.I. set to go, King, 76ers at peace". I think I am at peace. I think AI is a great player with a lot of gas left in the tank. But I can live with a trade. Not because I think we would be better off, but because the "trade 'em / don't trade 'em" debate will be over ... Philly sports fans will have to find another dead horse to beat.

Big Ben won't ring in the home of the Liberty Bell

Big Ben Wallace has signed with the Bulls and the Pistons have tapped Nazr Mohammed to fill his shoes. I don't know about you, but I don't like Wallace enough to pay him $60 million! Perhaps Billy K felt the same way. $60 million over 4 years ($15 million per year), that's a lot for a player over 30 and a career free throw percentage of 41.

... I have to remember that free agency this year aint what it used to be ... BTW, The Bulls are really mixing it up this off season. I can't help but think that team chemistry will suffer.

Gentlemen start your engines!

Gentlemen start your engines. The 2006-07 season shuffle has begun. Free agency began yesterday and Billy King is signaling he means to make good on his promise to change the culture of his team. Exhibit A, King has made it known that he covets Ben Wallace. The defensive stalwart from the Pistons has made noise recently that he could leave the motor city if the right deal comes along.
Meanwhile, Billy has made qualifying offers to his own restricted free agents; Green, Salmons, and Randolph. I would be surprised if all three are back this year, but it allows King more trading chips. Michael Bradley and Matt Barnes, GONE! The 76ers have too many forward in the fold already.

Come on Billy ... let's make a deal!