Was The Trade Of Green And Smith A Good One For Sixers?

Now that we all have had time to react to the latest trade by the Philadelphia 76ers, let’s analyze the move. First by a show of hands, who is saddened by the departure of Willie Green? Oh, by the way, friends and family of the aforementioned former Sixer, we ask that for you refrain from raising your hands.

Let me backpedal first. I don’t have anything against Green. To me, he is an average NBA player that I can see making a difference/contribution on a few teams. According to Philly.com, 76ers head coach Doug Collins said about Green, that “he may be one of the best pros this franchise has ever had.” Whoa, those are some pretty big words of hubris about Green, considering all the greats that have played here, but then again, who am I to disagree with Coach Collins?

Unfortunately, for the past seven years, he was on a team that didn’t need him. For his sake, along with Jason Smith (also included in the deal), hopefully being dealt to the New Orleans Hornets and playing with a perennial all star like Chris Paul will benefit both of their careers.

With all of that out of the way, join me in welcoming Darius Songaila and Craig Brackins to the city of Brotherly Love. Now I know what you’re thinking…”Who are they?” or better yet, “Who cares?” Fortunately, I am here to answer both of those questions for you.

The “who are they” is a very simple question to answer. They are both big men, which is something this team needs. Songalia is a serviceable player, his game isn’t flashy nor is it very exciting. He is a coach’s player and most importantly, his contract expires after this season. Brackins is a rookie (first round pick), so the book is still out on him. But with Collins at the helm, I’m confident he will develop into something of worth.

Now on to the “who cares” equation of this discussion. Hopefully, everyone does. Now don’t get me wrong, this deal is far from the type of move that makes a cellar dweller into a contender. Nor should we expect Brackins to turn into a star, if he does that’s GREAT, but that is highly unlikely. The reason why you should care about the move is simply because it shows that the Sixers organization was not happy with who they already had on the roster.

They have made a few moves during the off-season, getting rid of a few players that did not represent the direction that the team wanted to head in. In my opinion, all the moves being made resemble what former Phillies GM Pat Gillick did when he arrived in town.

Gillick traded away players that were important to the team’s success. He had the foresight to know that in order for the team to make the next step that those particular guys had to go.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not calling guys like Green or Sam Dalembert “cancers” or “bad guys” who will be a detriment to your team. The point I’m trying to drive home is that the new Sixers’ braintrust of new head coach Doug Collins and new team president Rod Thorn is looking to create a new “air” in the locker room. By bringing in outside guys that are not familiar with the lack of success around here, an ideal shown by Songalia and Brackins being the latest acquisitions, the Sixers’ way of doing things for the last few years may no longer exist.

Apparently, we are now embarking on is a new era in Sixers basketball. An era that hopefully will be filled with a bunch of victories instead of a slew of losses. With all of the moves that the organization had made this off season, you would have to be a fool not to be able to visualize a change.  Again, I am not saying that the team is about to win a championship, but I can say that I am confident (the first time in years) that they want one soon. I am 100% sure that Rod Thorn and GM Ed Stefanski refuse to continue down the same road. I am confident that they will work their tails off to turn this franchise back into the proud organization it once was.

Remember Rome was not built overnight. In fact, it may have been easier building that historic empire than it will be turning this franchise into a contender. At least we know they are making moves trying to get better.

It has to start somewhere right?