<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Now, that was a miserable year. For the 76ers, it was one of those rare seasons, one of those mystifying, Murphy's Law, now-what-the-heck-is-wrong kind of years. It happens, and, unless you're the Clippers, the Cubs or the Washington Generals, you figure it's a passing phase. Trouble began in Philadelphia last May, when coach Larry Brown stepped down. Candidates to replace Brown treated the Sixers job the way Julia Child treated skim milk, and Philly got stuck with Randy Ayers. The team made a bomb of a trade for Glenn Robinson, fired Ayers after just 52 games and sat idly by as a feud between interim coach Chris Ford and star guard Allen Iverson bubbled. All the while, folks in the franchise smiled and pretended to be happy for Brown, who led the Pistons to the championship. But the Sixers' fortunes are changing. They're wearing smiles for themselves now. They're not championship contenders, but if you're looking for a team that could be the surprise of the season, take a long look at Philly. With the Nets dismantled and uncertainty surrounding the Celtics, Raptors and Knicks, the Sixers could win the realigned Atlantic Division and grab the No. 3 spot in the East playoffs. The optimism starts with new coach Jim O'Brien, a local guy and a perfect fit -- he is adept at giving players freedom while maintaining authority. In Boston, he handled Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker and managed to squeeze a trip to the Eastern Conference finals out of them. In Philadelphia, he will have to do the same with Iverson and Robinson.</div> <div align="center">Full Story</div> This article was written by Sean Deveney a staff writer for Sporting News. As a Sixers fan, I found this article very interesting. It defiantly gets me even more anxious for this upcoming season, and it also gives me more of a positive attitude about this team. If you're a Sixers fan, I'd suggest you read this article. However, this disturbed me just a little... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jim O'Brien's plan is simple: Give the ball to Allen Iverson, and get out of the way.</div> I don't think that will cut it anymore... What do you say?
With AI nearing thirty although still my favorite player by far I dont see this game plan of having AI jack up 25 shots a game and try to carry the team on his back working any more. In the Olympic qualifing rounds when AI was surrounded by actual talent former coach Larry Brown said he felt sorry for AI not having this talent and not being able to show it all in Philly do to that fact. Well now AI has more than enough talent to show his true ability as a PlayMaker and as a on and off the court leader. His experence in the Olympics has definitly helped his approach to handling the media which he will face after every win and lose. His speed is going down now do to him approching 30 and past injuries catching up to him so he will soon in the near future lose something many people consider his biggest strength unless he can pull a Darell Armstrong and completely rehabilitate his injuries or in some way compensate for them his game will lose one big demention meaning he will need to handlke the ball more and pass more. If he needs to pass more with young talentlike Green, Dalembert, and Iggy now surrounding him as well as other young talent like Korver and Salmons and a good mix of veterns in Mckie, Williamson, and Jakcson, he will be in a good position to not have to jack up as many shots. His ball handling skills will need to improve this season for him to have any hope of becoming known as an elite POINT guard. Though I am optamistic about this season and do think that we will some what easily cruise to the division crown. While reading this article I found it intresting when he stated<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">All the while, folks in the franchise smiled and pretended to be happy for Brown, who led the Pistons to the championship.</div> I definitly know what he means by that I for one will admit that is the way I felt. I do think that we are a finals contender considering the talent in the east and do believe we have as good a shot at making the finals as any other team in the east outside of the Pistons do.
I think they meen give aI the ball and get out of they way meaning,he is goiung to have the ball all of the time,whether he is shooting or passing. But the other Sixers will get theirs to,AI isnt the scorer he used to be and I think he knows that,his assist have gone up almost every year so I wouldnt worry about AI jacking too many shots.
Iverson next year will more than likely have a break out year. Im thinkin hes very determined to win a ring before he retires. I know we've all heard this alot but i just think the Olympics taught him alot and also fired him up for the season. I honestly image that he'll be in the league for another 7 years also unless injuries become of him. He loves the game of basketball and i think he'll be the next Karl Malone and play til hes an old man. But back to the subject....Iverson will go up in PPG and APG next year because i know hes going to try his hardest to win that ring. Im hopin im right but only time can tell i guess. Thats y i cant wait for this season to come and I cant wait to watch Iverson in action and in his Sixers uniform once again.
i think the sixers are gonna do well this year now that they aquired big nasty and finally got rid of snow, coleman, and mckaskil,. I know willie green and sam dalembert are gonna play better and igoudala was a nice pick.
