<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If you had a brain, you ignored the 76ers over the last few days. You paid no attention to the tough words coming from Billy King, the president and general manager, or the demands of coach Maurice Cheeks. Allen Iverson's proclamations didn't matter, either, nor did those of Chris Webber, Samuel Dalembert, or on anyone else on the Sixers' roster. To get caught up in the posturing and hyperbole following an off-season with no trades, no notable free-agent signings, and perpetual rumors of the team's potential sale is utterly ridiculous. It's a tease. And it's usually followed by torturous results for those not sensible enough to keep their expectations realistic. That's why now, as the Sixers head to Barcelona for training camp to pursue something more than their 38-win, 44-loss 2005-06 season, it's time to watch and hope for better days. The time has come for mercurial players to employ cooperation and tenacity if the Sixers are going to be even worth mentioning this season. "With all the players, myself, Maurice, the coaches, it's accountability," King said on Thursday. "We've all got to be accountable for everything we do on the court, and we've got to realize it's going to take a team effort. The things we're talking about, rebounding and team defense, they're not easy. They're not the glamour things. But those are things it takes to win." The Sixers didn't have them last year, finishing 22d or worse in rebounding margin, points allowed and field-goal percentage. They rumbled and bumbled to an 8-16 record over the last 24 games and wanted no part of being held accountable for their surprising ineptitude. The only solace to be taken from all of that, it appears, is the fact that 10 players are back from last year's squad, which should breed some semblance of familiarity and understanding. There should be no confusion as to what Cheeks wants and what King will demand. It's not as if anyone is clueless with whom they're dealing. "It's what I do and what I say," a stern-looking Cheeks said, alluding to the stricter defensive principles the Sixers swear they're about to employ. "It's not an option of accepting it. It's what I'm going to do. Either you play defense or you don't. If you don't, you don't get a chance to play. I think that's where we have to go. That's going to allow us to win basketball games." There's a couple other things that will help, too. Following Cheeks' lead without hesitation would help, especially considering all the hard work he put in this summer to improve his coaching skills. And getting Andre Iguodala more involved offensively is an absolute must, even if it's at the expense of Iverson and Webber. Know this: While it may be the true the Sixers won't win games if they don't play defense, they're also not going anywhere if Iguodala doesn't become an integral part of their offense. Say what you want about Webber's lack of a post game and his occasional whining, but he's still an intelligent basketball player, a terrific passer, and a relatively unselfish individual with the ball in his hands. Defense wins championships, but points win games. Somehow, some way, someone other than Iverson has to be in attack mode. </div> Link
