Some observations on a few recent developments in the Philadelphia sports world:
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• Two weeks ago in this space, I spotlighted three point guards the Sixers were likely to take in the NBA draft. So, naturally, Philly selected a player whose name didn't appear on any of the mock drafts I considered for possible Sixers picks.
Jrue Holiday, a 6-4 point guard from UCLA, was projected to go as high as the top 10, and the Sixers — who chose 17th overall — didn't have him in for a workout because they assumed Holiday wouldn't be available when their turn came.
Honestly, though, I'm not thrilled with the Holiday pick. Yes, he was the Gatorade National High School Player of the Year in 2008, but his numbers at UCLA were not terribly impressive (less than 9 points per game). I will concede that he was playing out of position for the senior-laden Bruins — fellow draftee Darren Collison was the incumbent point guard — yet I'm tired of the Sixers drafting guys based on raw ability rather than performance.
Sure, Holiday may turn into an NBA star, but even the club admits he won't contribute much this coming season. And if they don't re-sign Andre Miller, they'll have to bring in another veteran point guard as a stop-gap because Holiday isn't ready.
This was an exceedingly deep draft for point guards, so I'm a bit disappointed the Sixers didn't go for one of the NBA-ready players like Ty Lawson or Eric Maynor, both of whom were still on the board when they selected.
• I have a somewhat different perspective on the Flyers acquiring defenseman Chris Pronger from Anaheim.
At first, I wasn't happy with the deal, because I thought the club gave up too much — 25-year-old forward Joffrey Lupul (who wasn't one of my favorites, though he did score 25 goals); 19-year-old defenseman Luca Sbisa, who's probably going to be a quality NHL player for a long time; two first-round draft picks; and a conditional third-round choice.
But as I've read about the trade and thought it over, I've come to believe it might be exactly what the team needs on several levels.
First, the 6-6 Pronger, a likely Hall of Famer, will add skill and depth to the team's blue line. Even at age 34, he logged a ton of ice time this past season for the Mighty Ducks (one of the more embarrassing nicknames in pro sports) and didn't miss a game. In 2008, Pronger led Anaheim to the Stanley Cup championship.
Second, Pronger's toughness is well-documented, and the Flyers last season were notorious for letting opposing players skate around the crease unmolested — one of the reasons they surrendered too many easy goals.
Third, I think Pronger will bring some valuable intangibles to the Flyers — the kind that could take this talented, underachieving club to the next level. His leadership ability is unquestioned, and Pronger's presence could help the team's young captain, Mike Richards, mature in his role.
The 2008-09 Flyers also had the disturbing habit of not going hard for 60 minutes, and then making excuses for their lackluster play. Blowing a 3-0 lead at home in game six of the NHL playoffs against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Penguins exposed that weakness in a glaring way.
If nothing else, having Pronger in the Flyers' locker room should change that lackadaisical attitude in a hurry.
Paula Wolf, a sports enthusiast who uses a wheelchair because of rheumatoid arthritis, is a staff writer for the Sunday News. E-mail her at pwolf@lnpnews.com.
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