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| Bynum will be doing this for Philly next year. (Getty Images) |
I. How they finished 2012: It took a Derrick Rose injury, but the Sixers were one hot-shooting night away from the Eastern Conference Finals.
Think about that. I'm not exaggerating or kidding here, the Sixers just needed one night where the ball fell a little more often than it usually does in the cylinder for them to knock off the mighty Boston Celtics in Beantown and advance to the conference finals to face the Miami Heat.
The Sixers started last season hotter than a pistol, but after the All-Star break, they completely fell apart. The most alarming stat was their abysmal record in close games, 5-10 in games decided by 5-points or less.
II. Needs entering the offseason: How do you radically overmake a team that's not good enough to swing for the fences with and not bad enough to blow up? They were stuck.
They needed to add shooters most of all. Their offense was incompetent at times. They really needed to add an upgrade down low, as they had very little in the way of a post presence.
They had a good team, but not a great team, and the ability to take a big step forward seemed too much of a challenge.
III. The Draft: The Sixers were reportedly sold on Arnett Moultrie with their first pick, but instead opted for talented forward Moe Harkless. Yeah, he won't be joining the team, but we'll get there.
They also sent a first-round pick to Miami to pick up Moultrie. They got two talented forwards in one draft, and while it took an extra pick sent out, it added a couple of nice pieces. Plus, you know, they used Harkless in that trade they made. Speaking of...
IV. Free Agency: They added some pieces here and there. Nick Young they got for cheap. They added Dorrell Wright in a trade. They re-signed Spencer Hawes, and then added Kwame Brown. After amnestying Elton Brand, they planned to start Hawes and Brown. Really, they didn't make their team dramatically differe...
KABOOM.
The Sixers traded Andre Iguodala on Friday for Andrew Bynum, and dramatically altered the course of the franchise. For years, the Sixers hae needed a go-to offensive player, and have struggled down low. Bynum changes all of that. He's the player they've needed.
They send Iguodala out, which has been on their minds for well on three years off and on. It's a huge change in outlook for the team, but a necessary one. Bynum brings injury and personality concerns to the roster, but he's well worth the risk.
The Sixers finally swung for the fences and made a move.
V. Overall grade and accomplishments: A
The Sixers are daring to be great. They needed to make a move and they made it. They traded their best player for a player who can make more of an impact. The Sixers said they were waiting for the right move to come available. They made the move. That's more than a lot of teams in purgatory do, and now they have a chance to improve in a big way. How good can they be? They're not title contenders, but they got better in an East that got worse overall. Great offseason for Rod Thorn and company.
