Ten Second-Half Sixers Predictions and Signing Ricky Council IV

Iron clad as usual.

1. It will get weirder before it gets better

They’ll win a few they’re not supposed to win and lose a few more but overall things (still) won’t feel right until the big guy is back. There also exists the slightest of margin for error given how close the play-in threat is, which is awesome for a team walking wounded now.

2. More reinforcements

The Batum/Roco/Melton trio must eventually show proof of life and having all appendages intact.  Feels like Melton hasn’t played since the playoffs and Roco continues to be 3 weeks away.

3. Cam & Buddy continue to show and prove

Cam to a lesser extent probably due to K-low being in the building but I fully believe Buddy will continue to thrive and keep tearing shit up while he’s still getting himself comfortable.

4. K-low changes a few things

I wouldn’t put much into what he’s going to bring on the court at this age (you can read below about exactly what to expect) but having that guy with that regular season and playoff pedigree at practice and in the locker room with Mad Max everyday won’t do anything but help.

Kyle Lowry A Maniac, But A Very Helpful One

5. 3-7 race is going to be wild

No locks in there at all and to be honest, no team that I trust to run away with anything. Knicks had an inferno of a January but I expect them to fall down to earth and as we have always seen, there’s at least a few more runs left in the rest of those teams before this thing gets sorted for good.

6. Nick Nurse continues to work his magic

I trust him. He doesn’t have much to work with at the moment but he’s been creative as hell so far and he’ll need to rely more on that, especially on the defensive end.

7. BBall Paul victory tour

Planning on it.

8. Tsunami Papi returns to October form

Will be a huge step in the right direction if Oubre levels out in the right way, especially on the offensive end.

9. Jo Jo rises like a Phoenix before season’s end

We know how this ends, just like we knew it was the MCL. He genuinely believes in this team, loves the hell out of Maxey, and maybe, just maybe will be a bit pissed off that he’s disqualified from MVP race.

10. The youngins will continue to mean so much

Regular season and playoff KMJ and RC4, my heart is in your hands.

Hang Out With Us Thursday Night at Stateside, An In-Person Ricky

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MIKE’S CORNER - SIGN RICKY COUNCIL IV

Every week, Spike or Mike will write a column here about something they care about. This week is Mike’s turn, and he’s writing about the Rights To Ricky Council.

I've made my Internet Bones begging and pleading for 10-day contracts. For cycling through the debris to find diamonds in the rough who may eventually contribute. I love due diligence. I love when the margins get worked. Bring a guy in, see if something clicks, see if there's a role for him on the cheap.

So when it was announced that the Sixers had signed Darius Bazley, who’d been dominating for the Delaware Blue Coats after fizzling out in OKC, to a 10-day contract, I got that momentary rush of good feelings and possibilities. 

Darius Bazley is exactly the kind of guy I would want them to take a flier on! A former first-round pick -- still somehow, in defiance of earth's axis, just 23 years old – who has never learned how to shoot (kink engaged), and who has scaled up a position to switchable center to make up for that shooting deficiency. He's always had a knack for rim protection as a big long wing, and now that's the most attractive part of his game as an athletic small five -- Bazley is averaging an impressive 2.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game on the season in Delaware. We've seen Nick Nurse try KJ Martin at the five for his shorthanded Sixers, now for the next week and a half he'll have a longer, more defensive-minded option back there to deter shots at the rim when Bball Paul isn't locked in to Nick's satisfaction. (AU ed. note: NOT cool with this) 

But why am I not happy about it? (Well of course I am happy about it, I'm only human. But why am I not more happy about it?)

Because they have to sign Ricky Council. There's another roster spot open, there's no magical buyout Bismack Biyombo coming. Andre Drummond is trapped in Arturas Karnisovas's office. Mo Bamba is too tall to cut. 

Ricky Council IV has been a breath of fresh air for this team and fanbase. With nearly every wing on this team injured for weeks on end, Ricky stepped out of two-way Siberia and played massive minutes for them. He carried them to a harder-than-it-should've-been win over Washington. He hit enormous free throws in Cleveland to take down a white-hot Cavs team for one of the best wins of the season. He's athletic as all hell, he plays with a ridiculously high motor, he can (surprisingly for a player of his archetype) create his own shot, and he has an incredibly enticing ability to draw shooting fouls. Most importantly, he's improved his outside shot -- speeding up his release and cleaning up his hands to the tune of 40% on six threes a game in the G. Signing him to a team-friendly four year deal is important Working the Margins for a team that has very few players under contract going forward, and will continue to shell out pick packages to acquire high-end talent. There's only so many times you can hit on 35-year-olds at the minimum.

The other reason to sign him – and I'm wading into intangible waters here – is because it would be good for the team. Not even because guys seem to like Ricky – which they do, which they should. But because Daryl Morey's reputation as a cold-hearted binary code asset accountant has become solidified in too many NBA circles. And when you're counting on that Last Big Piece to come here to nestle gloriously between Maxey & Embiid and make these Sixers a clear contender, you can't have people thinking you suck shit! 

Because of James Harden (and to a lesser extent Patrick Beverley), too many people think Daryl is a liar. That he doesn't give a shit about his players, about chemistry, about anything except the percentage a spreadsheet spits out for how much championship equity they have. Only a precious few of Brandon Ingram, Jrue Holiday, Kevin Durant, OG Anunoby and (pick your favorite from next season of Starhunter) are going to actually become available. We want those few to consider Philadelphia, and not dismiss it as an option because of a Daryl reputation that isn't true. Or is only partially true. Or isn't more true than pretty much any other NBA front office.

And though signing Ricky Council to a long-term rookie contract won't solve all of Daryl’s problems, it could help on the margins. And that's what the 14th roster spot is for. Get Ricky under a real contract, post on socials how happy his teammates are for an undrafted free agent getting guaranteed money, and solidify a team culture where if you play your ass off, you get paid. 

Sign Ricky. Love, The Ricky.