Pressure on Sixers to win NBA title; Keve Aluma’s stellar summer league play; KJ Martin re-signs

Pressure on Sixers to win NBA title; Keve Aluma’s stellar summer league play; KJ Martin re-signs

is the pressure on the 76ers to win the NBA championship now that they have a third option with a max deal Ki Aluma has been the man for the summer Sixers and KJ Martin is coming back to the team we’ll talk about that and more next on lock 176 you are locked on 76ers your daily Philadelphia 76ers podcast part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day thank you for making lock on 76ers your first listen every day we are free and available wherever you get your podcast and on YouTube part of the lock on podcast Network your every day today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel make every moment more after the playoffs wind down the Sports Stop sporting like we want them to but this summer FanDuel is hooking up all customers with a boost or a bonus daily that’s right there’s something for everyone every day all summer long visit fanduel.com to get started hey I’m Keith pompe and this is my right-hand man John Mitchell we are the co-host of locked on 76ers we got a lot to talk to you about you know there’s been a lot of chatter since Paul George signed and his max contract where people are saying the pressure has to be on it’s unheard of to have a max player play being a third option like what are the 76ers doing so we’ll talk about that in the first segment the segment we have to talk about Ki Aluma this guy shooting 73.3% through four Summer League games now I get it I know it’s the summer league and you know it’s different from the regular season but we’re talking about a guy who played the last two years overseas and it’s kind of like unheralded player wasn’t but he’s taking the moment and the opportunity and he’s like running with so he’ll be we’ll talk based on him on the second segment in the third segment KJ Martin is coming back he’s agreed to resign a twoyear $16 million deal so we we’ll have a lot to talk about that but Mitch there’s been a lot of criticism of Paul George making that much money as a third option now we all knew that he was going to make all that money um I’m not 100% sure that he’s going to be the the third option right I mean I think it’s going to be fluid it could be something from day to day what have you but um do you believe that the pressure is on the 76ers now to win a championship because of the money he’s making absolutely absolutely um you if you give somebody $212 million um and you now have three players roster making 200 million plus we’re no longer talking about you know hey can we finally get past the second round for the first time since AI did it you know in in 2001 and you know you make we making mention of people calling not calling them out but just saying hey man the reality situation is when you pay that kind of money you got to get some serious bang for your buck I I mean you can look at it both ways you Boston Celtics what are they playing Drew holiday he’s their third or fourth option what he get 150 or something like that something in that neighborhood so you know but I but I did see that uh Brandon Jennings former Milwaukee Buck Brandon Jennings was on uh gil Gilbert aras’s podcast and he made reference to hey you know if you pay some you pay with his exact quote is y’all gave him 212 million to be the third option Philly better win the championship this year they better win the champ ship this year I don’t want to hear exped okay well that looks like people are watching people are paying attention and people are saying hey man you know and and I kind of agree with him man I mean you if you look at what they have Keith they have one guy on the roster who very easily had had he had not suffered a freak injury in February they they would have a two-time reigning most likely if Joel could have played met that 65 game threshold they would have had a two-time backto back MVP on a roster you bringing a multiple times Allstar guy who’s pretty much rubber stamp for the Hall of Fame and Paul George you had the most improved player by a long way in Tyrese Maxi so the table is set man you know um and I think the 76ers well I know the 76ers know it they know that you know I mean people may say yeah we got to get a second round no no no you got and and the and these guys aren’t spring chickens you know well at least one of them isn’t um and so I would say yes the pressure is going to mount the pressure is going to mount for them to be healthy and I have no problem with people saying putting that pressure on them I don’t yeah I mean the pressure is definitely there I mean I I don’t think I think the pressure would be there even if Paul George didn’t get the money he got like if Paul George got a three-year deal if he got twoyear deal whatever you’re bringing in a nine-time Allstar you’re bringing in a guy who will go down as one of the alltime great two-way players right so when you add in the money it also it takes it up another notch the one thing that I will say is that we look at this and you say to yourself they gave Paul George all this money and again we all knew it was going to happen so I’m not criticizing them for that right but they don’t have a power for yeah they can’t afford to get a real good one so they gota hope and pray that Marcus Morris is like yeah I’ll come for the minimum like you know what I mean like that’s what they had that’s the option so it’s kind of like yeah it’s a lot of pressure but at the same time it’s one of those things where you say to yourself you’re like man this is cool but they don’t have a four I mean they don’t have I mean like KJ Martin but it’s KJ Martin a starter and and he’s more like a wing who plays Caleb not Caleb K KJ martinj know KJ Martin and then you know Caleb you know he’s a undersized guy but he’s 6’5 they’re talking about him nah they don’t have a power forward right so as far as yeah you could get away with that and and regular season for a little bit but what what’s going to happen when Julius Randle comes back what’s gonna happen with other people they’re too big for these guys to guard you know what I mean so they gotta get the money part is you know you got this is what you have to deal with you got these exceptions and that’s what they use and then you also have these minimum deals so now the the pressure is like who’s going to be the power forward because of you essentially got three max players and you can’t afford one so they got a hope and pray that Marcus Morris is decides to take a minimum deal and play for his hometown 76ers but I agree there is a lot of pressure like right now no one’s really talking about the uh Boston Celtics even though they won to chip right you know pringus is hurt but no one’s talking about them the New York Knicks people are like quietly talking about that that’s Keith that’s Keith that’s your that’s your that’s your undercover Squad I can tell who the Knicks yeah that should undercover squ you know what here’s the thing man like a couple years ago people thought they a know what the heck they were doing right they didn’t they didn’t they didn’t but then all of a sudden they got Brunson yep and and then it looks like they got his people around him I don’t know if they really my undercover Squad but what I do like about the Knicks is that I like that they have a identity and the one thing that I think that they have the Sixers don’t is that d word the defense and but but but but they also have youth yeah I say death I think they they got death too yeah they got that too but they also have a lot of players who fit the personality of the coach right right you know what I mean they have a lot of players like you look at them and it’s kind of like it’s kind of like college recruiting like right certain franchises or teams or colleges they want to go after certain types of players well they got these long athletic interchangeable players a bunch of them in that’re deep so yeah I do think that they’re better than the Sixers I feel like the Sixers are like when it comes down to the Knicks it’s kind of like the old head coming to the court Sixers are the old head but the Knicks are those young boys that don’t had no respect for the old head and like yo we trying to embarrass you old head it’s like it’s like a lion king scenario Yeah man so we we we we we gotta see if if they can hold back Simba in The Boys yeah was masafa bu since I sat with my kids to watch that but hey but you know what I mean you know the Nicks got to stay healthy too they do have a you know tibs will put that grindstone on his players and wear them out he did in Chicago but Nick nurse does the same thing too now yeah yeah they both play a lot of players man yeah again you know there’s one thing that unlocks there’s one number that unlocks this whole code 280 yeah a real 280 unlocks all the Cod look man let’s talk about this 28 real quick it was a dude from the barber shop I hang out at so they was debating one dude said Joel and beid was 260 pounds and he was like come on man I like they they they lump me into it they called me and I’m on this phone with this dude I’m like bro come on man go ahead with that man well that’s what they say I’m like come on man like he said 2 60 260 and he was adamant and we were like you believe that he was like yeah that’s that’s what they said on TV I’m like okay he hasn’t seen 260 since we were in the 201 you know what I mean exactly exactly 201 when he was in high school and college y listen we we can talk about that a little bit more but a guy who is under 260 keum we can talk about him a little back who’s impressing people in the summer league but right now let’s talk about fanu man I love me Sports I can’t wait for the Olympics to start because there’s nothing going on right now and I love them so much that I never want them to stop but they have reached somewhat of a love especially with the NBA Playoffs not being here so the sports aren’t just sporting like I want them to the fan d me keep the sports going whenever I want all I have to do is open the app and dream up bets anytime I’m in the mood like The Whispers And this summer FanDuel is hooking up all customers with a boost or a bonus daily that’s right there’s something for everyone every day all summer long so do yourself a favor and head over to fanduel.com and start making the most of your summer FanDuel the official Sports best partner of Major League Baseball so tell me you watching Fox Sports or ESPN on your TV all day every day all day long you sometimes have to turn down a volume with all that shouting all that preaching and pontificating I understand what you need to do is make the switch to lock on sports today a free 24/7 Sports streaming Channel program for you every day to bring you the biggest stories without all the screaming and hollering lock on sports today brings you C Miss analysis opinions and news streaming 247 on YouTube or the free Amazon Fire TV channels at part of the locked on podcast Network your team every single solitary day do it today people definitely do it today so you know this guy KV Aluma has been lowkey the best player well second best player um lowkey best shooter on the 76ers team and um he’s been balling man the guy is shooting 73.3% um he can play he’s the he’s actually the backup center but he comes in and he LS power for it as well now the guy Tony uh Bradley who was with the Sixers before Luma has been out playing him and practice and that’s why he elevated to the backup bro yeah and now he looks like a guy who can help the Sixers like he should get a two way deal with them the way he looks I he’s phenomenal and the one thing is he’s Al to enough because they don’t need him as a center but he can step out he can hit shots right he’s playing really uh a Demona like they like in the fourth quarters clutch time he is like the power forward and is like balling last game they were struggling against Detroit in the fourth quarter he comes in and scores six consecutive points right he hits a three and then he comes in there blocks a shot gets a rebound the whole nine and then he gets a and one and then next thing you know they’re up seven points and the route is on Jeff Dalton hits a shot and then uh Ricky Council the fourth comes out and make some spectacular plays but I’m telling you he was the guy who started it he’s been real decisive um he always plays aggressive but his decisiveness is going up another level and the fact that he’s been overseas for the last two years enabled him to play alongside other bigs yeah we got 5050 that he was playing Power for Center that’s the benefit I think he’s a good he’s a good he you know he’s balling extremely well and I think he would be a good option as a two-way player if not well they don’t have the money outside of that but I guess it’ll be a solid option as a two-way player for the Seas no absolutely man I mean he’s just really coming to my attention you know digging into his past you know I mean even when he was at Virginia Tech he was you know he made the most noise in 2022 as a second Team all ACC player uh you know then he made that Trek overseas playing in places like Korea and Japan and and you know the point that that that you mentioned is he’s a guy who played a lot of played a lot of Center in college but did make the adjustment and the transition overseas playing alongside some seven Footers and youd like to see that because you know in that leg 69ine unless you know unless you’re going to the small ball Center that kind of designates you as you know as a center um as you know at 69ine so and they do need a power forward now where they going to get that the answer to that question from is beyond me but I do like the way he steps out can hit the three ball hit the three ball I mean you’re talking about a guy through those four games he’s played is is 22 or 30 from the field you know um and he’s shooting 55% from the three-point line so you know Kei I mean you know better than anybody summer league is a place where if you can find a diamond rough if you so happen to find one he more power to you and I like what I’m seeing from the kid man you know and and the fact that he is ahead of Bradley a guy who’s who’s had a taste and he hasn’t had a taste of the NBA so you know he’s going to um he’s gonna want to have the full get the full play you know what I mean he’s gonna want to get want to get the full three course meal five course meal whatever whatever the elite meal is now he’s gonna want that and um so hey just just keep it up young man um again this a summer leag but they are looking for players you know I’m sure he’ll gladly take a two-way deal I think now he catches somebody else’s ey but yeah I like what I’m seeing from him the way he’s playing he’s going the way he’s playing somebody has to be looking at I mean somebody has to he is balling dude I mean he’s really playing well um I mean we’re talking about the first game he shot five for five then then then another game he shot Seven for nine and then I believe the last game that they played the first uh summer league I mean NBA Summer League game in Vegas he shot eight for 10 like yo this isn’t a fluke man like you know you have it one game five for five like oh okay the other game you know seven for nine you like but then when he comes back with another one now he did have one tanker one one game where he didn’t shoot the ball particularly well just one but three out of four where he was like Unstoppable come on man yeah it’s crazy it’s crazy like and I like the idea he knows he knows when to roll out to the three-point line and be that escape bow for guard he did that with uh McCain yesterday a few times he rolled out and was made himself available and and hit the shot uh so yes it’s hard not to like what you’re saying from him um and you know like you said he’s long he’s springy um he he runs the floor and you know and a guy who needs to be paying NOS to that it’s paying attention is a Dem boner because you granted you s you sign a contract but this is the NBA man we’re not looking for they’re looking for guys who are game ready I’m not saying that uh this this kid Aluna is is is ready right now but this is this is this is audition time you know this is audition time and um and we’ll talk about that a little bit in some other things maybe a little bit more when we get back from talking about eBay Motors passion driving patience the formula for winning championships is also what keeps your ride or die alive eBay Motors has everything you need to maintain your vehicle and level it up to Peak Performance supercharges roof racks exhaust kits LED LED headlights and more whether you’re into speed power or style eBay Motors has you covered with over 122 million parts for your number one ride or die you’ll always find exactly what you’re looking for and with eBay guaranteed fit your part is guaranteed to fit your ride every time will your hard earned cashola back because with eBay Motors you’re burning rubber not cash with all the parts you need at the price you want it’s easy to make your car the MVP and bring home huge significant victories so keep your ride or die alive at ebaymotors.com eligible items only exclusions apply eBay guaranteed fit only available to us customers now I want to talk about two people first I want to talk about KJ Martin then I want to talk about Z Smith a little bit just throw him out there a little bit throw his name Z who yeah Z Smith had a sighting yesterday when somebody yeah now here’s the thing about uh KJ now KJ signed with the 76ers for uh two years $16 million um I think that this is one of those situations where is a wait and see they can’t trade him until January but everybody was under the impression that they would sign this guy so they can get somebody you know in the $8 million raise they could trade for I think they could still do that but and I think that’s still an option that they really would like to do um but they have to wait until January so now it’s up to him to he can do two things he could prove to them that I deserve to stay or he’s just a chip for them for the trade deadline like they to upgrade the team yeah if I’m him I I don’t know how comfortable I am with that situation because it’s one of those things where I don’t even know if I want to get a spot and I’m probably not going to get a crib I’m talking about you know what I mean I’ll probably leasing month to month or whatever it is or something for like six month lease or what but um you know but let’s say this he is he does play hard he does um he’s under siiz at 66 they say he’s a wing but he plays more of a power forward position now I don’t know if he’s a starter on this team but he’s the only real and he’s not even the real one but he’s the only legitimate power forward I mean or I don’t I mean he’s undersized but he’s the only Power Forward option that have right for to bang with people so I guess bringing him back is is cool but it’s also one of those things where you know that they’re gonna be looking to move yeah you know yeah well you know it’s kind of um it’s it’s I think it’s a good situation for him I think he got paid above his Market value I do um and and and I think what has to happen we what is not imperative what what needs to happen for him is for the 76 to have a lot of blowouts right you know if they can you know if they can get some blowouts and he can get you know he can get guys off the floor and they can go to a hybrid roster and he can pad his stats so he can get some numbers behind his name and um I mean you know obviously Scout will be paying attention and letting them know but if that happens and he can start padding his numbers and his trade value goes up you know somebody will say what’s you know Kenya’s boy is out there balling um I like him I like I mean we kind of like him for his high flying abilities athleticism um those things he’s you know is he I see him right now still as as Fringe rotational you know he’s a guy who um um and and the fact that we are talking about him as the only real powerful on the roster or he plays like powerful because he’s not um sizewise uh so so he has he needs to look at it as an opportunity you know it’s it’s obviously a contract that they sign him to um and I think it’s a smart move by darl Mo you know it’s a smart move so you can you can you can dagle this guy and when you can possibly move if there’s some takers then you do so but um it’s it’s an interesting contract um and obviously he doesn’t solve their problems have power forward but he’s you know he’s it’s the best they have right now and obviously they they do see something in him they do see something in it yeah yeah they see something but the thing is let’s see what the Cleveland Cavaliers seeing zier Smith now for y’all who don’t know and I’m pretty sure a lot of you do you know Z smth was the guy who the Sixers got back and the trade when they traded Mel Bridges they drafted Mel 10th overall and uh they traded him to the Phoenix Suns because Brett Brown because Brett Brown thought he was who yeah but see that was the biggest joke because Brett Brown was just doing his job Brett Brown didn’t want to make that trade who he compare to put the pressure on was the excuse me the 2018 draft but Brett Brown said he he uh REM Ka leard poor man ka yeah so now you know this Z Smith and Tyrese Max are both from the same state they used to work out together growing up Ty Maxi went to the same high school as Z Smith before Tyrese maxley came out zier Smith dad Billy Smith was the best basketball player in school history wow yeah so they’re like connected um but but anyway so you know we all know his career has been first of all he he had lofty standards to live up to in the first place after Brett Brown said what he said yeah and and um and then that he was acquired in the trade for the guy who would have was the missing lean would have been a missing leak for a Sixers team but we go on and he struggled you know he had he had sickness he had injuries um but you know he averaged 12 points last year for the Cleveland 12.4 for Cleveland’s gague team he shot 35% on three I mean uh um he he he uh he averaged 1.3 steals but his dunk has been the highight of the summer league yeah far so I wish the guy luck um I mean you he’s a guy that you want to see you hope and pray that he can make it back into the NBA yeah and the 13 games he played as a sixer in the NBA are the only 13 games that he’s played in the NBA that’s it that’s it hasn’t smell so I commend the brother for still trying to give it a try um but it’s still a uphill battle for him yeah I mean it was an absolutely spectacular dunk it was um it was it was a lowbudget if you haven’t seen it was lowbudget at Anthony Edwards dunk uh late in the season late over Collins late in the regular season but um yeah I think that uh you you wish him the very best you know I mean in Philadelphia he’s he’ll always be remembered as a guy who I mean quite honestly if if if he had never been traded for if you think about it Paul George might not even be here right now about it you know they may have you know Mel Bridges may have completely blossomed here in Philly um and uh so so who knows but you know you you are glad because you know they just he just a guy that got traded for he was he was just a pawn in the chest came um the 76ers liked him better than Mel Bridges at the time and they dealt for him um and again you know he he he took ill but you hope that you you wish him the very best move forward yeah yeah best yeah you do you do look y’all we want to thank y’all for listening today right but before we let you go we want to talk about what lock on has launched and lockon has launched the first ever National Sports 247 streaming Channel on YouTube and now is also available on Amazon Fire TV in the free Fire TV channels app locked on sports today is here for you 247 covering top sports stories of the day with the local Experts of lock on plus our national shows covering every League find locked on sports today now available in the free Fire TV channels at so for Mitch and would like to say have a blessed day and have a blessed week and uh make sure you watch your sis Sixers play the night against the Portland Trailblazers and you can see Ki Aluma Ricky Council and and Company give out give try to get them the business I think he 25 I got I got kiwi for 25 tonight yeah what call gota get Jered gota work on his uh get his shot down a little bit yeah I’m not really concerned just because he’s a shooter I think it will come it will come yeah but all right y’all peace out now have a good one y’all stay cool

Locked on 76ers cohosts John Mitchell and Keith Pompey agree that the pressure is on the 76ers to win an NBA title this season with Paul George receiving a maximum salary to be a third option. They also rave of Keve Aluma’s standout play for the Sixers summer league team.They conclude this episode talking about KJ Martin re-signing with the Sixers and mentioning the nasty dunk by former Sixer Zhaire Smith.Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
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