<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">[IMGR]http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/kelly_dwyer/01/27/sixers/t1_iverson.webber.jpg[/IMGR]At the season's midway point, the 21-21 Philadelphia 76ers appear to be on the right track. They've won three of their last four, leaving them only two games behind the New Jersey Nets in the Atlantic Division. Allen Iverson is having a career year, averaging 33.5 points and 7.4 assists while showcasing a remarkably efficient shooting touch from the floor. Playing on one healthy leg, Chris Webber is somehow providing averages of 19 points and 10 rebounds, while youngsters like Samuel Dalembert, Andre Iguodala and Kyle Korver continue to develop under universally-recognized players coach Maurice Cheeks. It should be noted that the preceding paragraph represents the absolute apex of potential optimism when discussing the 76ers. From a more pessimistic standpoint, this franchise is surrounded by dark clouds in regards to their mismatched collection of talents and egos and the fact that in the years to come, this team won't be getting any better, younger or cheaper. The Sixers, as presently constructed, are a flameout waiting to happen. Not that Philadelphia seems to care anymore. Frustrated with a team that has given the city but two 50-win seasons in 19 years, the Sixers faithful appears to be dwindling in numbers. Though Iverson's presence encourages the best road attendance numbers in the NBA, their home turnout is down about 25 percent from the average of 20,560 they reeled in during their 2000-01 Finals run. Even putting aside the prohibitive costs of taking in a live game, it's hard to blame the fans for staying home. Yes, Iverson wills his body to compete like few others, but the team's defensive limitations lie in stark contrast to the blue collar crew that managed to take a game from the Lakers in '01's championship round. This makes for a volatile situation, because when the shots aren't falling, the Sixers tend to get their tails handed to them. Finger-pointing follows, such as when Webber took his team to task last week after a 28-point loss to the Wizards. Cheeks admitted that something along the lines of "loud exchanges" emanated from the Philly locker room, exchanges that may have included a few choice words sent in Iverson's direction. Nice to see a little fire from C-Webb; surely with his career winding down he must have been exhorting his teammates to put something together defensively long enough for him to make one last long run through the playoffs ... right?</div> <div align="center">Source</div> As much as I hate to say it. It’s really hard to dispute anything this guy said. The 76ers are pretty much stuck in neutral until Allen Iverson decides to retire, and/or Chris Webber’s contract expires, which ever comes first. This team cannot start building for the future until they clear out some cap room, and with the fourth highest pay roll in the league, a lot of that coming from Iverson and Webbers contracts, the 76ers are stuck with no where to go. They cannot trade Iverson without risking getting shunned by Sixer fans, but at the same time you cannot go anywhere unless you trade him. I just don’t know any more. BTW: Props to AI2AI888 for locating this article.
Exactly what I've been saying all this year... something has to change. The sooner we get started rebuilding the better. These years of mediocrity are not only wasting AI's prime, but valuable time for our youngsters to develop and improve. I'd much rather go through a period of rebuilding right now than mediocrity... atleast then we will have a clear cut direction to go in. Right now we're at a fork in the road... only Billy doesn't see the path to rebuilding, only the path to wasting another five years in mediocrity.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Psycho Drama:</div><div class="quote_post">I say either get rid of King and promote DiLeo or get another GM altogether.</div> Nah, man. The Sixers need to get better through the draft. There's this prospect out their named Justin Smith. Dude is drawing Jordan comparisons like crazy. If the Sixers team him up with Iverson not only will they make the playoffs for sure, but they'll be contenders in the East. Hopefully he declares.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">Nah, man. The Sixers need to get better through the draft. There's this prospect out their named Justin Smith. Dude is drawing Jordan comparisons like crazy. If the Sixers team him up with Iverson not only will they make the playoffs for sure, but they'll be contenders in the East. Hopefully he declares.</div> You dumb man.
justin smith? MJ comparison? thats weird because ive never heard of him. i checked nbadraft net and his name isnt even there. lol. if he's from high school, remember that david stern made the rule that no high schoolers can be drafted into the nba anymore? lol. i just did a google search on justin smith and this is what i came up with : apparently he is a defensive end for the bengals
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phiLA:</div><div class="quote_post">justin smith? MJ comparison? thats weird because ive never heard of him. i checked nbadraft net and his name isnt even there. lol. if he's from high school, remember that david stern made the rule that no high schoolers can be drafted into the nba anymore? lol.</div> Your missing the joke. Re-read this thread, and use logical thinking? Come on now you can do it lol. Here is a hint look at Psycho Drama name on myspace.
^oh! ahaha! i get it now. lol. psycho drama playing for the sixers. hmmmm........ he's going to be a beast. haha.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iguodala:</div><div class="quote_post">The sixers could really use zach Randolph a trade could help</div> That was really random. Zach Randolph of all players in the league where did that come from? I don?t think adding Randolph and subtracting Webber would put us in any better a position to win if anything we get worse, because Randolph is no where near the passing big man that Webber is and is often injured/inconsistent. I think we need to bring in some better defenders if anything maybe a pass first point guard, move AI back to the two, and Dre to the three.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iguodala:</div><div class="quote_post">The sixers could really use zach Randolph a trade could help</div> The Sixers could really use Duncan, Garnett, Shaq, Kobe, T-Mac, VC, Ray Allen, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, etc. A trade could help.
