Re: SIXR17.htm

["JLyell" <jlyell@concentric.net>]

This could actually happen.  Iverson is not a point, & Stackhouse could be
moved or play the 3.

- ----------
> From: David A Wickerhamby way of wickerhd@nyslgti.gen.ny.us (Dave
Wickerham) <aw623@freenet.buffalo.edu>
> To: celtics@mpath.com; celtics@hillel.com; celtics@igtc.COM
> Subject: SIXR17.htm
> Date: Tuesday, June 17, 1997 8:31 AM
> 
> 
> Ahh the smoke keeps coming.....
> 
> *********************************************************
> 
> 
> 
>                       The Philadelphia Inquirer Sports
>                                       
>                            Tuesday, June 17, 1997
>                                       
>                                       
>                         Sixers may sharpen the point
>   They are interested in drafting a guard who will add size and defense
to
>                             complement Iverson.
>                                       
>    
>                             By Stephen A. Smith
>                            INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
>                                       
>    
>    With Allen Iverson spearheading their backcourt -- and future -- for
>    at least the next several years, the last thing the Sixers might need
>    to grab in next week's draft is a point guard.
>    
>    But they haven't ruled out the possibility.
>    
>    Looking to entertain offers of trading down from their No. 2 slot, the
>    Sixers said it's still possible they will end up with multiple
>    first-round picks on June 25.
>    
>    If that happens, don't be surprised if Colorado's Chauncey Billups or
>    Bowling Green's Antonio Daniels ends up a Sixer.
>    
>    ``Obviously, it's a long shot,'' Sixers coach Larry Brown said. ``But
>    as the draft approaches, you never know what a team will be willing to
>    offer to get the No. 2 pick. . . . If we're fortunate enough to be in
>    position to grab one of those guys, we'd certainly entertain it. It
>    fills one of our needs.''
>    
>    As spectacular as he was in his rookie-of-the-year season, Iverson
>    also was erratic. He pushed the ball unnecessarily, shot poorly in
>    stretches, shot too much, and faded away from the team's offensive
>    structure. But that wasn't his most glaring deficiency.
>    
>    Generously announced as being 6-foot-1, Iverson is a guy who
>    physically cannot match up with bigger guards in the NBA, Brown said.
>    That's where Billups and Daniels come in.
>    
>    Billups is 6-foot-3; Daniels is 6-4. Both are considered the best
>    point guards in the draft, and they also have the athleticism to go
>    with their size and the defensive ability to play either guard spot.
>    Both believe they are compatible backcourt mates to Iverson.
>    
>    ``Especially me,'' said Billups, a second-team all-American sophomore
>    who averaged 18.5 points per game in two seasons with Colorado. ``I'm
>    the best point guard in the draft. My scoring and defensive ability
>    makes me believe that. Plus, I'm big and athletic enough to get the
>    job done from either guard spot, which is a plus for Philly. I could
>    help out both Iverson and Jerry Stackhouse.''
>    
>    Daniels' feelings are the same.
>    
>    ``I feel I'm the best as well,'' said Daniels, who averaged 24 points
>    per game in his senior season at Bowling Green. ``I can shoot, pass,
>    assist, and play defense with the best of them. I've proven it time
>    and time again. With me by Allen's side, we'll run all night long.''
>    
>    Brown, who thinks Stackhouse is a natural small forward, wants a two
>    guard with perimeter skills, but also someone to spell for Iverson.
>    Stanford's Brevin Knight and Kansas' Jacque Vaughn were often
>    mentioned as the best two point guards in the nation during last
>    season's national-title run.
>    
>    ``But both are small like Iverson,'' Brown said. ``Both are quality,
>    capable guards who look to run a ball club. I like that. But I need
>    size, and picking them would be a problem because of how either of
>    them -- with Iverson -- would match up with bigger guards.''
>    
>    Brown believes Daniels would have the same problem. A slim 190 pounds,
>    Daniels has a physique that conjures questions about how he'd size up
>    defensively against opposing guards. No such questions exist about
>    Billups.
>    
>    ``Billups is a strong 202 pounds,'' Brown said. ``He can shoot, he can
>    run a team, and he can play with the best of them, physically and
>    athletically. I like him a lot, and I would certainly have to give him
>    strong consideration.''
>    
>    Notes. The Sixers are bringing in five players for workouts and
>    interviews this week. Colgate forward Adonal Foyle and Texas Tech
>    center Tony Battie will be in town this morning. High-schooler Tracy
>    McGrady, from Mt. Zion Christian Academy in Durham, N.C., and Kentucky
>    guard Ron Mercer will be here Thursday. Michigan forward Maurice
>    Taylor will be in on Friday.
>    
>      _________________________________________________________________
>                                       
>    Philadelphia Online -- The Philadelphia Inquirer, Sports -- Copyright
>                            Tuesday, June 17, 1997
>