<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Maurice Cheeks' first night as the 76ers coach last season turned out to be a sign of things to come in a forgettable season. The Sixers had a seven-point lead with 1:08 left. The game was theirs, or so they thought. Just like that, Milwaukee tied the score in the final seconds of regulation, then won going away in overtime. Back home, Jim Lynam, hired to be Cheeks' right-hand man, watched on TV what would become the first of many defeats. Lynam had left the team in training camp because of a medical issue, and didn't return until this summer. Lynam knew Cheeks' frustration. He had coached Cheeks for a year and a half with the Sixers, then became his top assistant during Cheeks' 3 1/2 seasons as Portland's coach. He knew Cheeks always had wanted to coach the team for which he played point guard for 11 seasons, helping the Sixers win the NBA championship in 1983. And Lynam knew how painful it was for Cheeks to see his first season fall apart with numerous unexplainable losses, and the 8-16 finish that knocked the Sixers out of playoff contention. "I'm going to say this real carefully," Lynam said. "If you tried to lose that [first] game 10 straight, you'd win all 10. That's how bad that first one was. And that became a portent of things to come. Each little [loss] nicks at your confidence. ... I said to Maurice one time during the season, just trying to give him a little confidence, 'You've lost four games you couldn't lose if you tried.' He said, 'Four? How about 8 or 10?' "I think that's what happened. It just steamrolled. What are you going to do?" This is what Cheeks said the Sixers are going to do this season: They're going to play defense. They're going to fight for rebounds. They're going to hustle after loose balls. And Cheeks has promised to get tougher with a team that guard Allen Iverson said might have taken advantage of the coach's laid-back demeanor. But will it be enough to reverse a 38-44 record? The Sixers open tonight against Atlanta at the Wachovia Center. They then play six of their next eight and 22 of 32 games on the road. By Jan. 9, when the Sixers return from their second West Coast trip, they could be buried in the Atlantic Division standings. If that's the case, Cheeks' job could be in jeopardy. Nevertheless, Cheeks is going to succeed or fail by coaching his way. "I want this season to be more like myself and the way I played," Cheeks said. "I want more of a disciplined game, more of a defensive game. That's what I want our team to reflect. I'm not going to deviate from that. I'm putting my stamp on it by saying this is what we're going to do -- rebound the ball, play defense and play as a team. "That's where our focus has to be." </div> Link
I have said this repeatably on this site, I believe that Cheeks is one of the better coaches in the league. I love how he treats his players as equals and with respect. I like his approach, although some people may disagree, I feel eventually it will get you results. We are off to a good start this year, hopefully it continues.
<div class="quote_poster">GameFace Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I have said this repeatably on this site, I believe that Cheeks is one of the better coaches in the league. I love how he treats his players as equals and with respect. I like his approach, although some people may disagree, I feel eventually it will get you results. We are off to a good start this year, hopefully it continues.</div> I agree with you, but Coach Cheeks personaility may be a double sided sword for this team. You have to want to play defense, and playing defense definitely requires discipline. Cheeks is a players coach but I question his ability to displine the 76ers when they need to be yelled at. Hopefully this season this team improves. In my opinion they haven't shown much change so far, despite the good start to the season.
<div class="quote_poster">Air Fresh Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I agree with you, but Coach Cheeks personaility may be a double sided sword for this team. You have to want to play defense, and playing defense definitely requires discipline. Cheeks is a players coach but I question his ability to displine the 76ers when they need to be yelled at. Hopefully this season this team improves. In my opinion they haven't shown much change so far, despite the good start to the season.</div> At the end of the day you have to have the right personnel on the court, if you don't of course your not going to see the result.
