It’s the year 2013 and there is no stronger Instagram trend in this day in age than #throwbackthursday (that’s social media speak for posting a picture of a past event to let all of your followers know that your hair did look different in 2004). When I first heard what #throwbackthursday was, or #tbt for short, the first thought that came to my mind was “2010 NBA Draft.” I know, it seems like a weird first thought to have about anything, but I assure you my doctor told me I was alright.
Anyway, I would like to take this Thursday, this #tbt, to revisit one of the more important moments in the last 5 years for this franchise, the 2010 NBA Draft. I will be your metaphorical Doc Brown on this journey to the past and back to the future.
Anyway, I would like to take this Thursday, this #tbt, to revisit one of the more important moments in the last 5 years for this franchise, the 2010 NBA Draft. I will be your metaphorical Doc Brown on this journey to the past and back to the future.
June 24th 2010: Draft Night
He asked me what day it was, and I told him it was June 24th. I swear, David Stern actually asked me what day it was and I’m not trying to reference Mean Girls or anything.
Anyway, the 76ers had the 2nd overall pick; one pick shy of being able to pick franchise changing talent John Wall. The Sixers had just drafted Jrue Holiday the previous season, but we had no idea if he would pan out yet. He had a decent rookie season, averaging 8 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.6 rebounds a game, but John Wall was this draft’s premier talent. If we had landed that pick, who knows what the 76ers would have done with it, but alas, it was just a pipe dream.
What we did have though was the 2nd pick in a decent enough draft class. We had a young point guard in Jrue Holiday, an expensive, but decent commodity in power forward Elton Brand, and Philly’s second best AI in Andre Iguodala. Drafting a shooting guard or a center made the most sense at the time. In what seemed like a great pick at the time, the Sixers chose Ohio State Alum Evan Turner.
Turner is a solid player, no doubt about it, but he is not the type of player you select with the number two overall pick. Philadelphia did finish the season with a playoff berth and Turner did end up with decent rookie statistics, 7.2 points, 2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. However, Turner has failed to develop into what the 76ers envisioned him being: a franchise player whom would lead Philly to multiple division titles.
Meanwhile, Indiana selected a relatively unknown shooting guard from Fresno State by the name of Paul George. George experienced a breakout season in 2013 and led the Pacers to within one win of the NBA Finals. I know hindsight is 20/20, but it stings much more when a player selected later is more successful than the guy you picked up.
It was a decent draft for post players as well. Derrick Favors, DeMarcus Cousins, Greg Monroe, and Larry Sanders were all taken in the first round and have proven to be solid pieces for their franchises in the years to come. Meanwhile, we are uncertain if Turner will be back after this season, as he is near the end of his contract and could possibly be involved in trade rumors.
That’s the thing about the NBA, and all sports for that matter: no matter how much of a sure thing a player seems at the time of the draft, there are too many variables involved to know for sure if a certain player will reach his potential. Not many people saw Paul George reaching the levels he has been playing at lately and not many people saw Turner becoming just a role player for the 76ers. But don’t let this ruin your #throwbackthursday. Cheer up, go onto Instagram and start liking some pictures of your friends going to the beach 10 years ago and know that better times are coming for the Sixers.
By: Dan Goggin
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
He asked me what day it was, and I told him it was June 24th. I swear, David Stern actually asked me what day it was and I’m not trying to reference Mean Girls or anything.
Anyway, the 76ers had the 2nd overall pick; one pick shy of being able to pick franchise changing talent John Wall. The Sixers had just drafted Jrue Holiday the previous season, but we had no idea if he would pan out yet. He had a decent rookie season, averaging 8 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.6 rebounds a game, but John Wall was this draft’s premier talent. If we had landed that pick, who knows what the 76ers would have done with it, but alas, it was just a pipe dream.
What we did have though was the 2nd pick in a decent enough draft class. We had a young point guard in Jrue Holiday, an expensive, but decent commodity in power forward Elton Brand, and Philly’s second best AI in Andre Iguodala. Drafting a shooting guard or a center made the most sense at the time. In what seemed like a great pick at the time, the Sixers chose Ohio State Alum Evan Turner.
Turner is a solid player, no doubt about it, but he is not the type of player you select with the number two overall pick. Philadelphia did finish the season with a playoff berth and Turner did end up with decent rookie statistics, 7.2 points, 2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. However, Turner has failed to develop into what the 76ers envisioned him being: a franchise player whom would lead Philly to multiple division titles.
Meanwhile, Indiana selected a relatively unknown shooting guard from Fresno State by the name of Paul George. George experienced a breakout season in 2013 and led the Pacers to within one win of the NBA Finals. I know hindsight is 20/20, but it stings much more when a player selected later is more successful than the guy you picked up.
It was a decent draft for post players as well. Derrick Favors, DeMarcus Cousins, Greg Monroe, and Larry Sanders were all taken in the first round and have proven to be solid pieces for their franchises in the years to come. Meanwhile, we are uncertain if Turner will be back after this season, as he is near the end of his contract and could possibly be involved in trade rumors.
That’s the thing about the NBA, and all sports for that matter: no matter how much of a sure thing a player seems at the time of the draft, there are too many variables involved to know for sure if a certain player will reach his potential. Not many people saw Paul George reaching the levels he has been playing at lately and not many people saw Turner becoming just a role player for the 76ers. But don’t let this ruin your #throwbackthursday. Cheer up, go onto Instagram and start liking some pictures of your friends going to the beach 10 years ago and know that better times are coming for the Sixers.
By: Dan Goggin
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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