PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

A lot going on with Philly Sports right now. Here's my take on the scene...

SIXERS-  GM Brian Colangelo had a press conference this morning to talk about several items, namely Ben Simmons' health, the Nerlens Noel trade Jahil Okorfor, and Joel Embid.

I agree with keeping Simmons off the court for the rest of the year. The Sixers aren't going anywhere this season. Why risk more of an injury? My concern is whether Simmons is going to need more surgery on his foot, a possibility which Colangelo did not rule out. As the team worried about Embiid's foot, could this be a lingering problem?

Despite Colabngelo saying he made the "best deal possible" regarding the trade of Noel, he got little back in return: a fringe forward, a center who will be bought out, and two second-round draft picks which mean nothing. Colangelo admitted he could've waited til the off-season to trade Noel, as he is apparently doing with Okofor, Or, if the Sixers didn't want to commit long-term to Noel, possibly giving him between $ 15-$20 million for five years, the team could've signed him for one year, see how he and Embiid played together, then either sign Noel next year or let him walk as a free agent. Noel and Embiid only played together for eight minutes this year.

The bottom line is that the Sixers are all about making money and not spending it.They will have tons of space under the cap soon. Let's see how aggressive they will be in free agency.  Noel could've at least been a good insurance policy in case Embiid breaks down. He is more athletic and a far better defensive player than Okafor.

The team also traded forward Ersan Ilyasova to Atlanta for little in return. Colangelo said that Ilyasova didn't fit into Philadelphia's long-range plans. I think it was another money issue.The 76ers gave their long-suffering fans some hope and excitement in January when the team won more games than it lost. Ilyasova was a big part of that run.Now the fans are left wondering if they need to go through more tanking.

Even though Colangelo denied lying or any sort of mis-informing Sixer fans of injuries- just to sell tickets- I think the Sixers management got caught lying too many times and had to come clean.The fans can't trust the front office now. Ironic when the slogan around town was "TRUST the process".Now it seem more like "Trust the PROFITS".

I wouldn't get my season tickets for next year just yet. Not only is it a [possibility that Embiid, Simmonds or both may need surgery during the off-season, but I can't give my money to an organization which thinks of it's fans so poorly.

It will be nice when the Sixers get to the point where they get a DeMarcus Cousins. The Pelicans feel he can play with fellow center Anthony Davis. Why couldn't Cousins play with Embiid? Why not trade Okafor to Savcremento- along with, let's say, the first round pick in 2019 which the Kings traded to the Sixers- and have an awesome front line? Keep Noel, plus a surging Suric, and all of a sudden you only need to build the guard position to contend.

The Sixers future looks bright with younger and rising players in the current roster, boatloads of high draft picks on the horizon, and tons of cash to burn in free agency.

Still, I can't see the team winning a championship any time soon. Despite all the assets, they will find a way to screw it up. After all, it's the Sixers.

Interesting note: I wore a Sixers hoodie out this week, and at least four people commented on the shirt, with either "Go Sixers" or "Trust the Process" on their lips. There is hope and excitement in the area for the Sixers. I wear Phillies and Eagles gear all the time, yet I don't nearly get as many comments . Fans want a winner so bad. They want to get pumped and see Sixers basketball get good again. Now it's time for Sixer management to step up, spend money, draft wisely and give the fans what they want, not keep kicking the can down the road and saying "Wait 'til next year."

EAGLES-

It looks like the Eagles will sign Jason Peters again, at full contract. Free agency is coming up in a few weeks. The Birds still need to clear salary cap space for their run. Expect Kelcey. Mathews, Barwin and Kendricks to go.

All kinds of rumors around regarding potential free agents coming to the Birds. DeSean Jackson still is lobbying to return to Philly. He is what the Eagles need so bad, a deep pass-catching threat, But I like Cleveland's Terrell Pryor, a converted quarterback,They still should draft a younger wide receiver they could slowly groom.

The combines start next week in Indianapolis. Rumors will abound about free agency. Pay special attention to the deep corner backs working out and the wide receivers.

PHILLIES-

In my opinion, I think the Phillies, of all teams, have the best shot at winning a world championship. The Flyers are bo where, the Eagles will need at least several years to fully contend. And the Sixers, although their future is bright, always seem to mess things up. The Phils have a core of young players on their roster now, plus more on the way in Lehigh Valley and Reading. The Phils also have tons of cash to spend in the years to come.If wise, the Phillies could contend for a wild card slot maybe next year?

It will be fun to have John Kruk in the TV booth this summer. He is a funny, honest guy, one who the typical Phillie fan can relate to, He has tons of stories and communicates in a down-to earth, easy to understand style.Matt Stairs looks like he may be a good hitting coach. If so, the Phillies organization  has a win-win situation.

Out of the entire crop of prospects, and there are many, including Crawford, Alfaro, Quinn and Williams. But the prospect who fascinates me the most is right-fielder Dylan Couzins. He has a beautiful swing, can hit 40 home runs a year, needs to walk more and cut down on his strikeouts, has a cannon for an arm and runs about average,

Hopefully veterans such as Michael Saunders and Howie Kendricks are merely holding down the fort until the kids start to ascend, full-force. Ideally, I would like to see the team trade both Kendricks and Saunders at the July 31 trade deadline, then finish the year with youngsters like Dylan Cozens. It gives the Phille fans reasons for hope and excitement and something to watch and look forward to.

The Phils have a problem, but a good one at that. There is going to be a logjam at triple A Lehigh Valley. While veteran players like Saunders and Kendricks bide time in Philadelphia, and the young prospects like Alfaro and Williams continue to develop  with the Iron Pigs, older prospects such as Cam Perkins and Brock Stassi have no where to go. Unless they make the major league roster, they will return to the minors, but sit behind the younger kids.

Stassi is attempting to make the big team as an extra outfield ( he is primarily a first baseman), while Perkins can play either first or the outfield.

If the Phillies play their cards right, with their budding young talent, and tons of cash to spend in free agency soon, I can easily see the Phils winning the next championship in the city. This year, get to .500. Next year, improve even more to maybe a wild card slot. In 2019 and 2020 the team contends for the division and playoffs. So, sunnier skies ar eon the horizon for the Phillies.