B.J. Mullens’ weekend at Sixers Court?

It has officially turned into the B.J. Mullens’ weekend here at Sixers Court.

While I certainly didn’t wake up Friday morning with the intention of posting about Mullens on back-to-back-to-back days, that is exactly what I’m doing (or about to do).

The Sixers, who brought Mullens in for a workout yesterday, just might take Mullens if they feel he’s the best player available.  That is, provided he is available when the Sixers pick at 17.

“We don’t expect him – from a probability standpoint – to be available at 17, but we have to be prepared,”  said Courtney Witte, the Sixers’ director of player personnel, per Kate Fagan of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  “Our philosophy has always been to look for the best player available.”

The Pistons have told Mullens that he’s their pick at 15 if Mullens is still on the board.

“I’m just trying to get a workout in and get my name out there, even if they’re looking at a guard,” said Mullens. “I want to get every team to talk about B.J. Mullens.”

So, let’s fast forward to Thursday night and say that both Mullens and UNC point guard Ty Lawson, who is the player most mocks have the Sixers selecting, are available when Philadelphia is on the clock.

Should they take the best player available (regardless of position) … and wait until Mullins is ready?  Or should they draft the best player (Ty Lawson) at their position of need (point guard)?  (Note: other PGs, such as Ricky Rubio, Brandon Jennings, Jonny Flynn, etc., will be off the board when Philly picks.)

Unless there were a huge difference between the best player overall and the best player at their need position, it makes more sense to me to select the best player that fills a need.

Then again, perhaps Witte is bluffing and trying to prevent other teams with their sights on Lawson from moving up to 16 to get in front of the Sixers.  Or, maybe GM Ed Stefanski intends to do what it takes to bring back Andre Miller.

In either case, I would prefer the Sixers lock up a point guard with pick 17, especially if Lawson is available.  (Disclaimer: I’m also a UNC fan so I’m perhaps a little biased with Lawson.)

Mullens does have an interesting story though.

Mullens, who spent several years living in shelters with his family, said “It doesn’t get worse than that, I don’t think. … When I get lots of money or whatever it’s going to be, (I’m not going) to blow it, because there are people out there that wish they had $10 in their pocket. I was like that one day.”

While that statement makes it seem exactly as though Mullens has his priorities straight, it makes me wonder even more when (some of) his weaknesses are considered to be things like “doesn’t always play hard,” “work ethic” and “questionable intangibles,” according to DraftExpress.com.

Only 96 hours to go before Sixers’ fans question Ed Stefanski’s … um … genius.  Oh wait, that’s happening every day.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to say Happy Father’s Day to all Dads out there.

Tags: BJ Mullens