The Sixers have gone through a lot of players in recent years as Sam Hinkie built a revolving door of a roster. That said, I was thinking about the recent Jrue Holiday rumors where the Sixers might pursue the former all star. I would sign up for that. Then I started to think about former players I'd love to see in the team jersey again (or the first time since they went through a few jersey changes).
I will also add that this is purely fantasy. I am not going to talk about how the salaries would work. A trade or a signing. I'm not talking about how realistic this is. It's a wish list that I can execute on NBA 2K. I'm just letting you know because I already know the upcoming comments…have mercy.
So, I'll present my players. Hey, feel free to give your names. No particular order:
Jrue Holiday
Okay, yes, Jrue's career once he was traded from the Sixers slowed down with injuries. Heck, the Sixers even got in trouble because they ended up sending "damaged goods" to the Pelicans. Dark times. However, Jrue is still a solid point gaurd who is only 26. I mean…come on now. I love TJ McConnell and the Sixers are thinking about Ben Simmons being the PG. But, if you want some immediate success or if the Simmons thing doesn't work out, I'd love to see Jrue back on the team. He was the first move to launch The Process. I think it'd be cool to see him accelerate this same Process. Jrue was also known as a decent defender, at least while in Philly.
He never wanted to leave Philly. Y'all remember when he gave a speech during the opening night for the Pelicans his first season on behalf of the Sixers? Shucks, Nerlens Noel was hype to play with him because nobody told Noel that Holiday was traded for Noel. Holiday's willing to come back home because playing with The Process is better than with The Brow and that creepy mascot. He's also a decent shooter as he's shooting 39.4 percent from 3 point range this season. I mean…you ain't gonna leave him but he's no Kyle Korver. Speaking of Kyle…
Kyle Korver
Korver has been a fan favorite in Philly (and basically everywhere else he's played). Sixers fans were the first to see this elite shooter in action. I think I feel in love during that triple OT game against the Celtics. This guy has now proven himself to be one of the best shooters of all time and having him space things out for Embiid and Simmons is such a turn on to me.
Ish Smith
Alright, there's no room for both Holiday and Smith. Smith was a really neat player when on the Sixers. You couldn't deny he connected to the fans. And, he's a decent PG. Definitely more of a backup unless the rest of the starters are really good.
Andre Iguodala
Oh, come on. Gold medal. MVP. All star. NBA champion. This is some hall of fame looking stuff. Considering the all-around game he has, he'd be a great compliment to Embiid. Can you imagine the defense? Okay, Holiday, Iguodala, and Embiid. Is anybody scoring on that? Iguodala is the risky one, however. Those knees…….bruh. He's on the wrong side of 30, but I think he would still be able to help out. His experience would be huge for the locker room for sure.
Thad Young
I loved Thad Young's game. High energy guy who…uh…I mean, he wasn't much of a shooter. Actually, he had some solid shooting seasons but his shooting percentage is all over the place. Look at these four numbers: 34.8, 27.3, 25, 12.5. That's his 3 point shooting percentages from 2009-10 to 2012-13. His last three seasons (including 2016-17) look like this: 33, 23.3, and 39.6. I mean…you just never know with this guy. Up and down. Meanwhile, his 2 point field goal percentage has never been below 48 percent. His game was around the rim. He took charges. In my dream scenario, if there wasn't a log jam with the big men, he'd be right in there. In the end, he's a mystery player even today that may be one of the last of his kind. You know, the "tweener". He's some sort of hybrid SF and PF but can't shoot…consistently. The NBA has changed since he showed up in 2007 (that's almost a decade!!!). But look…he was part of the Night Shift. Remember those days? That group was a fan favorite for sure.
