Right now, even with Iverson's stellar play, the Sixers are a mediocre team. So my question is, what should the Sixers do to become a decent playoff team again?
There defense the 76ers are not the team they where in 2001. In 2001 the Sixers had great defensive minded players like George Lynch, Tyrone Hill, and Mutombo. Back in 2001 we had not only the mvp, but the 6th man, coach of the year, and defensive player of the year. Not to mention how weak the east was a few years ago. Our down fall began when we traded away George Lynch then things just got worst Mckie got injured we had to get a league excemption for all our injuries, and its all down hill from there.
Well first of all, stay healthy. One big reason we didn`t make the postseason last year because we weren`t 100% healthy. The 76ers also need to see if they can get anything for Robinson. Maybe they`ll buy out his contract at the end of the year for cap relief. Another idea for Billy King is too wait until the trade deadline when hopefully the Big Dog is healthy. Philadelphia has a great chance of making the playoffs because what are younger players are showing. Korver so far has to be one of the best shooters in the NBA so far. It`s almost shocking when you see him miss a 3. He also has stepped up on his defense. I was saying today to my friend how you always see him take charges in the lane from guys 5 inches taller than him. He also is very aware of whats going on on both sides of the court. Andre is already 4th in steals in the league. He can really fill up a stat sheet. Willie Green might be getting better and better as the season goes on. Marc Jackson is just a beast down low and well offensive minded IMO. If the 76ers keep up their good chemistry and scoring, they WILL make the playoffs.
Another thing that made that team grea was the vetern leadership we had on it coming off the bench, and in the starting lineup now our starting lineup more than 3/5 of it at times are under 30 years old. We also had a set game plan that season with no injuries aside from George Lynches in the playoffs after that season the injuries to key players caused us to fall out of title contention. Then our team went into rebuilding mode.
Mutombo. Defensive player of the year...kept guys from scoring in the paint, and with Iverson, it was one of the best offensive players & the best defensive player, on one team. Reinforcement on both sides of the ball...and that's what the Sixers have lacked since then.
Defense. Heart. Luck. You gotta ammit that there was some luck involed in that finals run. I mean, one person that could score (maybe 3 if you count McKie or Mutombo) and the rest of the players were in their prime and were great defensive players. When is the next time an NBA team will win with TYRONE HILL as their starting power foward?!? That team had a bunch of below average players and they turned it into a championship team. There is no player in that starting lineup (besides AI) that is averaging more then 5 points per game right now. The run could have ended on the last second shot in game 7 of the 2nd round with Vince Carter for the win. The game also could have ended if Glenn Robinson got that shot off a little quicker. Coach of the Year: Larry Brown MVP: Allen Iverson 6th Man of the Year: Aaron McKie Defensive Player of the Year: Mutombo Eastern Champs: Philadelphia 76ers:
Defence and Good attitude and Playing Hard every night. If they had someone to help the answer they couldve pulled it off.
