clinton's weblog of the present and near future

I decided today to adopt a new cause and that is finding a way to convince the Sixers they need to trade up and draft Ricky Rubio in next month’s NBA Draft. In case you’re not aware, Rubio is a point guard from Spain. He’s 18 and has been playing in their Pro League for four years already. He’s the next big thing to hit the NBA and the Sixers need to make a move to get him because, right now, they suck.

Andre Miller is going to sign somewhere else, which leaves them with one legitimate guard, Lou Williams. Work out a way to trade Andre Iguodala to Memphis for the second pick in the draft and take Rubio. I understand that it won’t be easy to do, but it’s a move they have to make to become relevant again. Rubio is a dynamic offensive force that can do everything, including shoot from the outside. Right now, the Sixers have no one that can do that. Put him together with Williams and their back court is young and explosive. Put them with Thaddeus Young and Elton Brand and the Sixers can win games despite starting Samuel Dalembert at Center. By the way, if you’re keeping score at home, Dalembert has three years left on his contract and will make over $11 million next year.

Rubio, as mentioned, has already been playing professionally, so even at 18, he should have no problems adjusting the pressure of playing in front of a half empty Wachovia Center. In fact, he might even be able to sell more tickets. Who would the Sixers rather have on billboards, Rubio or Iguodala?

In the next few days, I’ll attempt to start a campaign of action intent on convincing the Sixers to act now to get Ricky Rubio and dramatically change the direction of the franchise.

Here’s a Rubio highlight reel, I’d suggest turning down the Skynyrd.

It looks like Andre Miller is still a Sixer. Leaving last night’s game early couldn’t have helped improve his value. The Knicks on the other hand worked out two trades, getting Larry Hughes from the Bulls and Chris Wilcox from Oklahoma City. Have you noticed that they’re not even hiding the fact that their only goal as a franchise is clearing cap space for after next season to sign Lebron James. Half the league started doing this a year and a half ago. The Knicks at least are up front about. I wonder if this is what the league intended (multiple teams tanking for three+ years to sign a superstar) when they instituted their impossible to calculate cap. Now imagine if the Knicks don’t sign a superstar after next season. I know they probably will, but lets say something happens and it doesn’t work out. You’ve wasted the decade chasing a chance that got away.

Orlando, Houston and Memphis three-wayed a deal that sends Rafer Alston to the Magic and Kyle Lowry to Houston.

Sacramento completed an inconsequential deal, this time involving Minnesota. What was interesting is that they almost traded Andres Nocioni, whom they acquired yesterday, to Boston. But the length and finances of his contract killed negotiations in the end.  I’m still upset at the Kings for taking Sam Cassell from Boston. Who’s going to come off the bench, take bad shots and turn the ball over in the playoffs?

Interestingly, there was some Shaq to Cleveland discussions, but nothing materialized.

There will continue to be a few more deals that leak out involving 9th and 10th men on non-contenders. But I’m done worrying about that for now.