Zoo's Views: Holiday's role needs to expand

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Thursday, April 28, 2011
Posted: 3:40 p.m.

By Marc Zumoff
CSNPhilly.com Contributor

Give the ball to Jrue.

Shortly after Dwyane Wades surprisingly callow vanity dunk Wednesday night in the Heats series-clinching Game Five win, the 76ers offseason began. It follows a year which gives Sixers fans hope; a vibrant coach in Doug Collins who transformed the culture, educating a young nucleus that played hard and tried to play the right way. But its widely acknowledged that this club, if its to improve, has to make some alterations. Those changes should, in this opinion, revolve around a new paradigm.

Give the ball to Jrue.

While point guard Jrue Holiday will turn 21 on June 12, the view from here says hes ready to take the responsibility. Next year will be his third as a pro. More importantly, his second season was a full 82 games as a starter under Collins, one of the games great teachers. He is mature, a willing worker, smart and possesses the demeanor of a leader. He also played impressively well in his first playoff series, not only going about his business with calm and posting good numbers butwith the exception of Game 5hitting big, late-game shots for the Sixers in their only win and in two of the other close losses.

Giving the ball to Jrue will obviously have a rippling effect. For the most part, Collins has given the responsibility of leadership and late game possessions to Andre Iguodala, who has provided mixed results. If Iguodala is to remain with the team, shifting these responsibilities to a player who is more than six years younger will take some crafty maneuvering by Sixers management. Personally, Id like to see Iguodala remain with the club, slotting him into a role with limited offensive responsibilities yet still allowing for his defensive contributions, athleticism and all-around skills.

That said, Iguodala, along with just about any other player on the roster, can be traded. What the Sixers will be looking for, along with about half the leagues teams, at least, is a big man who can block shots, rebound and bring a physical presence (who would be like free agent Samuel Dalembert back in a Sixers uniform?). They will also be on the lookout for a big shooting guard who can stretch the floor, with all due respect to Jodie Meeks who emerged as a wonderful surprise in a breakout season.

The Sixers still have their first round pick (No. 16) as well as a second round selection (No. 50 from New Orleans) which might afford them the opportunity to take a flyer on a big man in need of development. And while the leagues uncertain labor future clouds the picture as it relates to trades and free agency, deals can be made up to the June 30 expiration date on the current collective bargaining agreement.

Suffice it to say, it will not be easy to fill both slots, but that looks to be the Sixers goals nonetheless. But whatever they do, whoever they trade, whoever they sign, it has to be done with one thing in mind: giving the ball to Jrue.

E-mail Marc Zumoff at mzumoff@comcastsportsnet.com

Related: Finger: Moves Sixers must make this offseasonDespite loss, Sixers' young guards bring promise

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