The Sixer Sense
Fansided

NBA Centers Are Still A Key Piece To The NBA Championship

By Bret Stuter

Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers owner Joshua Harris (L) introduces Jerry Colangelo (R) as special advisor before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers owner Joshua Harris (L) introduces Jerry Colangelo (R) as special advisor before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Real Strategy

Now, I have not had a heart to heart conversation with Bryan Colangelo, and even if I did, his awareness of what he tells me ends up in this article would prevent him from revealing the truth of his intentions to me – or to any media right now.

The only facts we can rely upon today is the track record of Bryan Colangelo.  In my three part expose, I investigated the pattern of his moves in Toronto.

In part I, we examined his moves of trades among other NBA teams.  We examined his willingness to engage multiple players and trade picks for players in a hope to recapture their former magic.  His pattern of trades can be reviewed in the link above.

In part II, we looked at his history of free agency retention or signings. This article did a deep dive into the Colangelo willingness to share the wealth.  The results were concerning, as the free agency strategy appears to have been completely reactionary or whimsical, and did not pass the litmus test of recognizable strategy needed to be a team builder.

In part III, we looked at his NBA draft history and how he used his limited options in the NBA draft.  We looked at where he focused those picks.

While the points certainly do not lead you to a unanimous consensus, I believe the key element with significance is the fact that his first pick of the 2006 NBA Draft was used on 6′ 10″ Italian center/power forward Andrea Bargnani.   Colangelo immediately made Bargnani the center to pair with then power forward Chris Bosh.  Clearly the center is a position Bryan Colangelo values.

So why give the green light to moving the center?  How do you start bidding wars?  How do you get teams to react to the moment, versus dictate the terms? You start the bidding process.  In that auction like environment, while we sit back and determine what the value is, the true market makers are setting the price of any of the two centers out of our earshot.

But ultimately, it’s the value that resides in the mind of Bryan Colagelo which is the ultimate value.  I would not believe any of the current Philadelphia 76er centers go at a discount before this NBA draft. Colangelo is uncovering who are potential trading partners down the road, information which may become quite valuable as the 2017 NBA trade deadline approaches

Next: Sixers Center Dilemma