Needing to fill out their bench the Sixers brought back a familiar face, Rodney Carney. Carney spent last season in Minnesota playing for the Timberwolves. Last off season Carney was traded along with Calvin Booth by the Sixers in return for cash. Cash used to sign free agent Elton Brand.
The Sixers have always liked Carney’s athleticism, and they had a need for a relatively cheap and versatile forward to come off the bench. Carney is as good a choice as any, strong move by the Sixers.
Last season Carney averaged 7.2 PPG coming off the bench for Minnesota.
In an off season filled with apathy the Sixers have made a strong move. True it’s only a bench player but Carney also makes the Sixers more athletic. With the right system in place (and we hope that system is Eddie Jordan’s) the Sixers could surprise.
Athleticism was never the problem with the Sixers, taming it was. Sometimes they were guilty of being to aggressive, or being aggressive when the situation called for cold calculation. The hope is that Eddie Jordan can help focus that aggression where and when it’s most helpful, while also teaching these guys the importance of half-court Basketball.
I know the moves this off season have been disheartening at best but this is a work in progress. It can’t be done overnight and I can’t say that tough times aren’t still ahead for this team. However, one thing is for sure this team will be exciting to watch, and maybe that excitement can turn 2009-10 into an unexpected magical season.
For those of you who forget or aren’t familiar with Carney here’s a taste:
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-Mike Santa Barbara
