Some little insights you might enjoy

Again, not many news on Sixers’ side, uh?

Yes, no blockbuster trades at the horizon, no all star signings, apparently.

Still I managed to get some info that I wanted to share with readers. 

No breaking news or anything shocking, I warn you.

But still it’s important to make some things 100% sure.

So here is what Sixers4guidos just learned:

NEGOTIATIONS WITH ANDRE MILLER

Few days ago Stefanski said that Sixers were in “sign-and-trade” mode.  No updates since, so that should give us an idea about the situation with Andre Miller and the likelihood of his return.

= no Andre Miller in 2009/2010 (not good news, to me).
 
COMPLETING THE ROSTER

The fact that Sixers are looking for three more players to round out the roster, and reach 14, is confirmed: Stefanski said “a guard, a swingman and two big men”. 

No direction about specific skills they are looking for in those players (off/def minded, young/vets, specialists etc), but Stefanski has a list of players at those positions he is keeping his eye on in regards to the team’s needs.

(I hope Calvin Booth didn’t make the list, same for Kevin Ollie)

MAKING THE SUMMER LEAGUE AND SPLITTING THE TEAM WITH THE NETS

As coach Jordan said in Orlando, this particular instance worked for Philly and New Jersey because Sixers and Nets have many links and various relationships.  Coach Frank followed up by saying, “In these economic times, look, you’ve got to be fiscally very responsible and I think you just have to be prudent in the decisions you make”.

“Every group is different. This worked for us and Philly and it made sense, and who knows what the future holds.”  So there was basketball thought and a financial component that Sixers took into consideration. 

(still doubtful about the effectiveness of the decision, from a mere bball perspective I mean, but whatever, no big deal. That’s why it’s called SUMMER League, after all)
 
ABOUT JORDAN & DALEMBERT RELATIONSHIP AND THEIR RECENT CONVERSATION

“There wasn’t ever anything that needed to be cleared up between them”, it’s said, nor was there any animosity between the two. It was a good chance for them to meet face-to-face and they both came away with optimism. 

Jordan said that everyone is going to start with a clean slate – Sammy included – but if players are unable to fulfill or accept the roles that are defined for them, he will hold them accountable and make necessary adjustments. 

(Good news. Still amazed by how can anybody talk to Sam for three consecutive hours… shoulda have taped that, LOL) 

THE ELTON BRAND SITUATION

Brand is cleared and has been working out this off-season both in Philadelphia and Los Angeles and he will be ready for the start of training camp.  A story on his off-season will be up on Sixers’ official site soon. 

(cool. Few talked/talk about Brand, if you noticed. I think he will bounce back and have a good season)
 
INT’L SCOUTING (OR LACK THEREOF)

Courtney Witte recently returned from New Zealand for the Under 19 championships. While it can’t be said anything about bringing in a non-american player this season, if there is a player available that Sixers’ scouts think would fit, they would certainly pursue him.

(Euro Championship 2009 will start in Poland this September, Sixers will keep an eye on the event for sure.

BTW I’ll try to cover it on Sixers4guidos 2.0: let’s just hope the next int’l Sixer will fall in the Nocioni/Scola/Kleiza rather than the Rentzias/Giricek/Bavcic category…)