The
odd but amazing occurrence of the Philadelphia 76ers playing in the 2008
Playoffs managed to make the NBA Draft lottery a pretty stale story throughout
the city this week.  If you did
happen to catch it you would have noticed that the Chicago Bulls "lucked"
away the number one pick from the Miami Heat.  So just who will be available to the 76ers at number
16?  History reminds us that your
destined to draft a Rodney Carney, a Jiri Welsch, or a Nick Young type
player.  It also tells us you could
find a Hidayet Turkoglu or a Ron Artest there too.  However, I'm beginning my push for who I feel is the player
most apt to helping the Sixers advance further in next years post season. 

So
now I'll officially start the "let's make a move to get Kevin Love"
bandwagon.  Is $11M in cap room and
the 16th pick enough to swing a deal to move up?   It's the perception among NBA fans throughout the
country that power forward is a glaring need for them to address with their
pick.  Love produced as a freshman
with UCLA last year by using his soft jumper, exceptional passing eye, and big
body for rebounding.  All of which
would work in the league, but mostly it's his outlet pass that makes him the
right selection for the new "Running Sixers" of Philadelphia.  Love would play a perfect sidekick to
for a weaker center hero like Samuel Dalembert on the glass, then begin the
break with his signature sling to the sideline. 

Sure
they could use a back up point guard if Lou Williams is really a two.  Sure Kansas tower Darnell Arthur would
help them with size up front.  Sure
Joe Alexander proved to be a big game player during West Virginia’s run through
the NCAA Tournament.  But Kevin
Love is just what a team needs while playing in the East against Rasheed
Wallace, KG, and rising stars Al Horford and Chris Bosh.  He's tough, he's young, and has risen
his level of play at each stop along his career so far.  I only hope that David Stern won't make
a call to keep him out West where he was born.  So take at least a peek at this opinion Mr. Stefanski, and
remember to check the archives of Yardbarker to see that I was writing to Billy
King during this same time last year about doing what it takes to get
Horford.  But if you’re planning on
signing Elton Brand during free agency then forget this whole idea....