Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The Sixers bring back Rodney Carney

With the Phillies in the thick of a pennant run and the Eagles about set to kickoff, I wouldn't blame you if you forgot we have a professional basketball team here in Philadelphia. To be fair, the Sixers have done little in the last few months to catch our attention and get us excited about the NBA season that begins in less than two months. In fact, pretty much all the Sixers have done in the last 4 months is stock up on bench players. After picking up Primoz Brezec and Royal Ivey this offseason, the Sixers have grabbed yet another bench player that we are at least all familiar with.

Rodney Carney, who started his career with the Sixers, has come back to Philadelphia, signing a contract to play with the Sixers this season. Carney, who spent two years in Philly before being traded to Minnesota to make room for Elton Brand, is only 25 years old and actually still has some upside. He has averaged 6.5 points while playing 16.7 minutes per game in his career. Carney can't shoot from outside but rather is another slashing small forward/shooting guard type much in the mold of Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young. While he is a redundant player, I'm more confident with a guy like Carney coming off the bench than a Willie Green or Royal Ivey.

With the signing of Carney, the Sixers now have 13 players under contract for next season. That means that one of the following roster players will have to be stashed on the injured list or let go:

Guards:
Jrue Holiday
Andre Iguodala
Willie Green
Lou Williams
Royal Ivey

Forwards:
Elton Brand
Thaddeus Young
Jason Kapono
Marreese Speights
Jason Smith
Rodney Carney

Centers:
Samuel Dalembert
Primoz Brezec