Philadelphia Sixers Need a Premier Big Man to Contend in Star-Studded East

Currently three games over .500, the Sixers have come a long way since starting the season 3-13. Coach Doug Collins deserves much of the credit for getting all of the Sixers' young talent to develop some sound team chemistry.

But is that enough to compete with any of the Big Guns in the Eastern Conference playoffs?

The Heat have Miami Thrice, the Celtics have the Boston Three Party, the Knicks have Amar'e, Melo, and Chauncey, and the Bulls have Derrick Rose, who basically counts as three people.

The Sixers, on the other hand, have no real superstar to carry the team. They have several talented up-and-coming players (Jrue Holliday, Lou Williams, Thad Young and Jodie Meeks) and Elton Brand. Brand leads the team in points (14.7), rebounds (8.4) and blocks (1.3), but the Sixers sure could use a young, dominating, game-changing big man to help them challenge some of the NBA's stacked teams.

Salary cap aside, who are some big men that would make a huge impact in Philadelphia? If it were possible, here are 10 big men (5 from the pros, 5 from the draft, some more realistic than others) that I would love to see in a Sixers' uniform in 2011-2012.

No. 10 JaJuan Johnson, Purdue

6'10" 220lbs.

The forward/center from Purdue averaged 20.5 points per game this past season with 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.


No. 9 John Henson, UNC

6'10" 210 lbs.

Sophomore John Henson will declare by Saturday if he's entering the Draft, and if he does, he's likely to be an early pick. This year he scored 11.7 points per game, collected 10.1 rebounds, and blocked 3.2 shots a game. He blocked 5 or more shots in a game 11 times this year.

No. 8&7 Marcus and Markieff Morris

Marcus: 6'9" 235 lbs. 

Markieff: 6'10" 245 lbs.

It would be nice if the Sixers could get a Draft One Twin, Get the Other Twin Free, deal. These Philadelphia natives would make a good fit playing in front of their home crowd.

Marcus averaged 17.2 points per game and 7.6 rebounds, while Markieff had 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds.

No. 6 Kenneth Faried, Morehead St.

6'8" 225 lbs.

Kenneth Faried is a rebounding machine. His 1,673 rebounds earned him the title of the No. 1 rebounder in NCAA Division I, shattering Tim Duncan's previous record of 1,570.

Granted, Faried did play in the Ohio Valley Conference, but showed in the NCAA Tournament this year that he can still dominate the glass against major conference teams; he gathered 17 boards against Louisville and 13 against Richmond.

He averaged 17.3 points, 14.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a game this season. 

No. 5 JaVale McGee,Washington Wizards

7'0" 252 lbs.

In his third season with Washington, McGee is averaging 10.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks. While not a superstar per say, McGee's blocking prowess could provide some intimidation down low for Philadelphia.

In a game against Chicago this season, McGee blocked 12 shots.



No. 4 Al Jefferson, Utah Jazz

6'10" 280 lbs.

Jefferson is averaging 18.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game for the tanking Utah Jazz this season. He's recorded 34 double-doubles this season.



No. 3 Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves

6'10" 260lbs.

Love is the only ray of hope for the lowly Timberwolves (17-60), but if they have a firesale soon, the Sixers will gladly take him off their hands.

Love is an almost guaranteed double-double every night. He's averaged 20.2 points and 15.2 boards a game and recorded 64 double-doubles this season.

No. 2 Blake Griffin, LA Clippers

6'10" 251 lbs.

Not only would the Blake Show dramatically improve the Sixers' front court, it would also more than likely pack the stands every night with fans hoping to see his electrifying dunks.

Griffin's averaging 22.4 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. He's recorded 59 double-doubles this year and has thrown down 193 dunks, 24 shy of the league leader, who would also look great in a Sixers' uniform . . . 

 

No. 1 Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

6'11" 265 lbs.

Call it a pipedream, but if the Sixers had this man in the middle, they would be a fearsome force in the East. If Dwight Howard wants out of Orlando once his contract is up and the Magic decide to deal him early, I would hope that the Sixers would make an offer for him. His $17 million contract is of course a problem for the Sixers' payroll, but this is totally hypothetical anyway.

Howard is having a career year this year: 23.2 points, 14.1 blocks and 2.4 rebounds per game.

If he did come to Philadelphia, who would be the more favorite Howard: Dwight or Ryan?

Philadelphia Phillies Open Season Against 'Affiliate' Houston Astros

The Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies have exchanged so many players in the years since Ed Wade left Philadelphia and became the GM in Houston that the Astros are virtually a farm team for the Phillies.

The Astros play in Class AAA-and-a-half and willingly send up stars to Philadelphia and accept the contracts of underperforming major leaguers.

Several of these players that have traded places—Eric Bruntlett, Geoff Geary, Pedro Feliz, Randy Wolf, Brandon Duckworth, Billy Wagner and Chris Coste—are on neither team this year.

Former Astro Brad Lidge is starting the season on the DL, but the other former Astro, Roy Oswalt, is ready for another prime season. The Astros have three former Phillies in their starting rotation this season and will open the season with former Phillies pitcher Brett Myers on the mound.

There will be a few other familiar faces on the Astros roster as they come to town, looking to continue their four-game win streak against Philadelphia.

Who are they, would you want any of them back, and will any more Astros and Phillies trade places this season?

Former GM Ed Wade: The Man Behind the Curtain

No one, and I mean no one, was sad when Ed Wade left town and went to Houston (except maybe Astros fans).

Some would even say he's done more good for the Phillies since he got the job in the Houston. He gave us a lights-out Brad Lidge and a revitalized Roy Oswalt and even agreed to eat up $11 million of Oswalt's contract.

Wade's mentality is build for the future, and he voraciously gobbles up prospects. Phillies fans rarely give him credit for the prospects he kept in the system: Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Pat Burrell, Shane Victorino, etc.

Little-known fact: Current Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. also interviewed for the Astros GM position, but they went with the more "experienced" Wade.

Little-known fact No. 2: Wade began in Philadelphia's PR department in the '70s and moved to Houston's PR department before coming back to Philadelphia as the eventual GM.

Sergio Escalona, PitcherSergio Escalona pitched in 14 games for the Phillies last season, compiling an unimpressive 4.61 ERA. The Phillies sent him down to Houston in January in exchange for a promising prospect, second baseman Albert Cartwright.

Both players are beginning the season in the minors.

Nelson Figueroa, PitcherNelson Figueroa was part of the trade that dealt ace Curt Schilling to Arizona in 2000. Thanks a lot, Ed Wade!

Figueroa bounced around the league and then back to Philadelphia for a forgettable 13-game stint, and he is now reunited with Ed Wade in Houston for the 2011 season. Figueroa is listed as the Astros' fifth starter.

Jason Michaels, OutfielderIf you thought the Phillies had outfield problems this season, remember when Jason Michaels was a fixture in our outfield? (Also, remember when the ball popped out of his glove in Atlanta and went over the fence for a home run? Video on YouTube's  baseball blunders trailer)

Brett Myers, Pitcher

Brett Myers struck out 180 batters and went 14-8 with a 3.14 ERA last season with Houston. If he can stay healthy/out of trouble, he'll continue to be a decent pitcher for the Astros.

From the looks of it, apparently he left his razor behind in Philadelphia.

J.A. Happ, Pitcher

J.A. Happ is one of the former Phillies that I wish we could have held on to, but swapping him for Roy Oswalt and $11 million cash is an offer you can't refuse.

Happ showed promise in 2009 with Philadelphia, going 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA and 119 strikeouts. In his only start against Philadelphia last season, Happ got the victory, allowing only two runs in six innings.

Michael Bourn, Outfielder

Michael Bourn would have also been a good player to keep if possible, but there's always a chance Ed Wade will deal him back to Philadelphia.

Of course, we did get Lidge's perfect season and a World Series ring in exchange for Bourn, so I won't carp too much, but I'm sure the Phillies wouldn't mind having him in the outfield this season. Bourn won a Gold Glove in 2009 and 2010.

His batting average isn't the greatest, but when he gets on base, he can fly. In three seasons with Houston he's swiped 41, 61 and 52 bases respectively.

Houston-Philadelphia Trades in 2011?
Ed Wade has until July 31 to help out his former club again this season. Ed, we wouldn't mind taking right- handed Hunter Pence off your hands. The 27-year-old RF hit .282 last season and cranked 25 home runs with 91 RBI.

2011 Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Reasons Why They Will Win the World Series

Last season, the Phillies overcame an onslaught of injuries and offensive lack of production and earned the best record during the regular season, but they succumbed to the Giants in the NLCS.

This year, they re-signed Cliff Lee, making them appear to have the best team in the bigs (on paper), but after injuries to Brad Lidge and Chase Utley, do the Phillies still have what it takes to win the World Series?

I believe the answer is yes, and here are five reasons why:

Three of the Four Aces Will Win 20 Games Apiece

Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels will continue to mow down NL batters, but Cole will be the only one without 20 wins. The lack of run support that Cole typically receives will continue in 2011, and coupled with suggestions that he might be back to his 2009 form, that causes me to cross him from the list.

Oswalt pitched an incredible 7-1 with a 1.74 ERA in a Phillies uniform last year and will hopefully keep that pace going. Halladay will continue to be an unstoppable force, and Lee will pitch the way he did in Seattle last year, forgetting about his World Series performance for Texas against San Francisco

Joe Blanton Will Pitch Sub-4.00 ERA and Win 12 games

You heard it here first. Joe Blanton has been having a good spring and will carry that success into the season. He's pitched 28 innings in six games and has only given up 10 runs. While Joe's career ERA is 4.30, he'll barely squeak under 4.00 this year.

At least, the Phillies really need him to have a low ERA, because if he can't make it at least six innings every game, with our bullpen, the Phillies could be in trouble.

Raul Ibanez Will Make Up for the Offensive Void Left by Jayson Werth

Raul Ibanez is having a solid spring. He blamed his slow start last year on not having enough time to get ready last season because of injuries.

This year, with a full spring under his belt, Ibanez should hit close to the numbers he hit in 2008.

Ben Francisco Will Have a Career Year and Hit 20+ Home Runs
Ben Francisco has been waiting for his moment in the spotlight, and after his prosperous spring and Domonic Brown's injury, Francisco will take advantage of his opportunity to play right field on a regular basis and will hit 20-plus home runs with 75-plus RBI.

Ryan Howard's Offseason Changes Will Propel Him to a 40-Home Run Season

Ryan Howard changed his stance this offseason so that he's closer to the plate. He'll have a better time hitting the outside pitches, and hopefully will lay off the ridiculously low-and-away slider this season.

His injury towards the end of last season interfered with his usual end-of-season offensive surge. This year, with better plate mechanics and an injury-free August, Howard should be back to hitting 40 home runs.

World Series or Bust: Opening Day Assessment

The Phillies opened the 2011 season Friday with a dramatic come-from-behind win against the Houston Astros, thanks to a walk-off single by pinch hitter John Mayberry Jr.

The Phillies' offense in the first eight innings was eerily reminiscent to the stagnant offensive output in 2010, but in the bottom of the ninth, the Phightin' Phils were reborn. The Phillies can only hope that this comeback, fueled by small ball, will ignite the Phillies' bats for the games to come.

After an offseason of uncertainty, injury and speculation, what can we take from Opening Day?

The Phillies Will Need at Least Four Runs Every Game

Like I said in the title, the Phillies, despite having one of the greatest rotations ever, will not be able to rely on Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels to pitch complete game shutouts every game.

Roy Halladay, who pitched four complete game shutouts in 2010, was on pace to do just that going into the third inning. He tantalized the crowd with grandiose thoughts of an Opening Day perfect game, mowing down the first eight batters. Then, Houston RHP Brett Myers stepped to the plate and hit a single up the middle. (Myers later got another hit, but Phillies fans shouldn’t have been surprised at his batting performance. Remember the 2008 playoffs against C.C. Sabathia?) Halladay’s pitch count rose to 101 pitches when the sixth inning was protracted by a misplay byWilson Valdez. Halladay left after six, striking out six, walking none, and giving up five hits and one run.

Charlie Manuel sent in J.C. Romero to get the first batter in the seventh, but instead, Romero gave up a single. David Herndon came in to replace Romero, but he didn’t fare any better. He gave up another single, followed by a triple by speedster Michael Bourn. A sacrifice fly by Angel Sanchez brought Bourn home and gave the Astros a 4-1 lead.

The middle relief proved that it is the weakest link for the Phillies. They will need to have enough offense each game to make up for any runs the bullpen will allow.

Carlos Ruiz Is Still "Cloooootch"

Carlos Ruiz continued to show that he is effective under pressure, or maybe that he only works under pressure.

Senor Octubre's only hit of the day came in the ninth inning with two runners on base. After  hitting a line drive to left barely foul, Ruiz hit a single in between third and short to load the bases and set the stage for a dramatic comeback.

Jimmy Rollins Batting Third in the Lineup Works

Jimmy Rollins batted 2-for-4, including a single to lead off the ninth inning.

Ryan Howard followed with a single. Rollins then showed he still has wheels and stole third, allowing him to score easily on Ben Francisco's single.

A Solid Bench and Playing Small Ball Will Fuel the Team's Success

Did you notice how confident John Mayberry Jr. looked while pinch hitting at the ninth? This guy came to play. After the game he said he had been intently watching every pitch by Astros' closer Brandon Lyon so that he'd be ready to hit if needed. He then placed the game-winning line drive perfectly over Michael Bourn's head (he may need to give the kid at the beginning of the clip some credit for the good luck).

Also coming off the bench, Ross Gload had a nice pinch hit single.

The Phillies playing "small ball" in the ninth is what won the game. Fundamental baseball may be a better way to describe it, but in a game where the wind was keeping the ball in the park, the Phillies got it done with single after single, six total in the ninth innning.

Rollins had a key steal, which could have caused more damage when the Astros' catcher made an errant throw to third. Howard probably should have gone to second on the play, but the Phillies still got the job done.

 Ryan Madson Belongs as the Setup Man

No question, Ryan Madson needs to continue pitching in the eighth inning. Charlie Manuel made the right decision by labeling Jose Contreras as the closer to replace Brad Lidge.

Madson dazzled in the eighth inning. He forced Carlos Leeto ground out and then struck out the next two batters.

Danys Baez came in to pitch the ninth, and allowed one hit and an intentional walk.

Ben Francisco's Glove and Raul Ibanez's Bat Cause for Concern?

Ben Francisco atoned for missing a line drive in the sixth inning with an RBI single in the ninth, but his range in the outfield has me somewhat concerned.

Raul Ibanez went 0-for-4 today (with an RBI sac fly) batting behind Ryan Howard. The Phillies need Ibanez to backup their cleanup hitter or else Howard will never get any pitches to hit.

(imported from bleacherreport.com)