What the New Look Sixers Could Look Like

When the Sixers acquired center Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson last week as part of a four-team deal that sent Andre Iguodala to Denver and first-round pick Moe Harkless and last years top pick Nik Vucevic to Orlando it became pretty evident they were looking for a new image.

The Sixers replaced Iguodala and Williams with Bynum, Richardson, Nick Young, Dorell Wright.

So what does this mean on the floor?

It should be interesting to see what the Sixers do with Evan Turner and Thad Young.  Turner spent most of his time last season at the off-guard position, while Young has been used mostly as a power forward.

The Sixers original plan before they acquired Bynum was to use Kwame Brown at center and Spencer Hawes at the four spot.  Now with Bynum on board, the Sixers could still use Hawes and hope he can become a poor man’s Pau Gasol.   Young could start next to Bynum because coach Doug Collins likes to play him next to tougher, bulkier centers, and Bynum is certainly that.  The Sixers could go with the defensive-minded LaVoy Allen next to Bynum to give the team more toughness and size.  In 15 starts as a rookie last year, Allen averaged 4.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.5 blocks in under 19 minutes per game.  Then there is rookie Arnett Moultrie and athletic big man who is 6-11 and could flourish playing next to Bynum.

My guess is that Hawes starts the season at the four, and Young remains in his familiar role coming off-the-bench.

Over at small forward, the Sixers will need to replace Iguodala – who was as steady as they come providing 12.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 66 games last season.  Iguodala stepped his game up in the playoffs, but the Sixers brass nor their fans really ever believed he could lead the team any further.

So what’s left?

Well, the Sixers could move Evan Turner over to the three, Turner has similar size and skills and many believe that Iguodala was stunting Turner’s growth. Turner could flourish as a “point-forward” bring the ball up at times, much like Iguodala did during his time in Philly.  Last year, Turner averaged 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals in his 20 starts – those numbers should go up with Iguodala out of the mix.

However, there are more options.

Nick Young, Dorell Wright and Jason Richardson will all battle for the Sixers’ starting shooting guard spot and back Truner up at small forward.  Then again, there is always Thad Young – you could see the Sixers go big with Turner at the two, Thad at the three, Hawes at the four and Bynum in the middle.

The most likely sceniero is that the Sixers go with Jrue Holiday at the point, Richardson starts the season as the shooting guard, Turner replaces Iguodala at small forward, Hawes gets the first shot as the power forward and Bynum is the center.

Thad Young will replace Williams as the first man off the bench and get most of this minutes playing the four.  Coach Collins will have to ride the hot hand when it comes to using Nick Young, Wright and Richardson.

The Sixers also brought in Royal Ivey to back-up Holiday at the point, but don’t be surprised if Turner gets a break at the three, then returns to the game as the point guard for about 8-10 minutes per game to give Holiday a break.

The Sixers could go with the second unit of  Turner, N. Young, Wright, Allen and Brown.

While Iguodala was one of the most versatile players in the game, trading him away and getting Bynum gave the Sixers more depth and versatility then they had before.

My Starting Line-up:

PG – Jrue Holiday

SG – Jason Richardson

SF – Evan Turner

PF – Spencer Hawes

C – Andrew Bynum

Off-the-bench:

Thad Young – Will back-up at the three and the four, depending on the match-ups

Nick Young – Will play the role of Lou Williams, coming off the bench to provide offense

Dorell Wright – Will also play the role of Lou Williams, but could see more time as the back-up three.

LaVoy Allen – Will be used in a more consistent, yet similar role that he provided last season.

Arnett Moultrie – Hopeful that his play makes the Sixers find time for him.

Royal Ivey – Can’t see him playing more then 4-7 minutes per game.

Kwame Brown – Went fro Starting center, to DNP candidate.