PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 15: President of basketball operations Daryl Morey participates in a press conference before a game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals at the Wells Fargo Center on December 15, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Tuesday was a busy day for the Sixers. They held press conferences for both Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. Our Mid-Day Show was there, and got to talk to Tyrese Maxey, Nick Nurse, and Daryl Morey. Something Morey told us is still rattling around in my brain.
Daryl Morey Showing Bravado
"We are going to be coming to take the title away from them (The Celtics)"
“I am a big objective data guy. We are right there in the conversation with a very small number of teams. Top 2, top 3, top 4. You have to give the Celtics their credit, they won the title. They are an excellent team and brought everyone back. They are the target. But we don’t feel like we give up anything to them, and we are going to be coming to take the title away from them.”
I love that. It is confident, but while also showing respect to the Celtics. He acknowledges they are a great team, and the team to beat. But he also shows that the team is not afraid of them. They feel like they are right there in that conversation. The question is, should they be?
Are the Sixers Ready To Compete With The Celtics
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Sixers added Paul George this summer. But they did more than just that. They also added Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, and Reggie Jackson. On top of bringing back Kelly Oubre Jr and Kyle Lowry. All joining the pre-exisiting Super Stars of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
That, on paper, is a great roster. Is is perfect? No. I would like them to add a true Power Forward at some point. Names like Marcus Morris and Dorian Finney-Smith have been thrown around, but they have not made a move yet. Eventually I would like them to do something in that regard though. They need a bit more size.
But other than that, I really like the makeup of the roster. The bench is maybe a bit long in the tooth with guys like Lowry, Jackson, and Gordon, but it is not like they are counting on those guys for big minutes. They are bench pieces, and guys who can bring veteran leadership.
In terms of what they will do next, Daryl Morey obviously didnt tell us his plan, but he did seem confident that the Sixers are not done. They have 2 more open roster spots, and Morey said he plans to eventually use them.
“We will have a open roster spot to start the year to keep ourselves flexible. We have thedraft capital that is better than all the top contenders in the league minus OKC. We are set up to continue to improve the team… Having both the draft capital, the ability to spend money, and the open roster spots to continue to improce the tewam is something we will be focused on.”
There are going to be more moves. It is just a matter of when. The Sixers have a tradeable contract in KJ Martin. That will let them fit in another semi expensive player into their cap. Then they will have that open roster spot, maybe to use in the buyout period to add another vet on the minimum.
They have to do it on the court. But this is a team that looks ready to compete. Their top 3 players will be better than almost any other teams 3 best players. But as we have seen in the past, championships aren’t won on paper. Daryl Morey is talking the talk, we will see if the team he put togehter can walk the walk. I like the bravado though.
Bob Cooney has been a part of the Philadelphia sports scene for more years than he wants to admit after 25 years in print media, and now in his seventh year at The Fanatic. Throughout the years, he has covered all sports from the World Series, multiple Final Fours and Regional Finals in men’s college basketball, to the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club and the 76ers. He takes his sports media knowledge and background to a new level by joining a conversation with the passionate fans of this great city. He writes about the Sixers, Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies for the Fanatic.
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