NBA: The Philadelphia 76ers: A Telling Season

The Philadelphia 76ers: A Telling Season

By Clayton A. - A. Ruley

The Sixers are going into this season with virtually the same team as the one that went to the Eastern Conference Semi-finals last season. For most teams and in most seasons, you encourage this; too often you see teams getting disbanded before it is time (i.e. Chicago Bulls). Now though it’s because of the team failing to bring in those pieces needed to go and win the championship and that is not good.

If the Sixers are to contend for the title this year it will take a balanced, together team of players who know their roles and won’t take yes for an answer on defense.

To succeed this year would be a testament to the Sixers pride, talent, and coaching. If they slip it will be because while everyone got better chemistry and talent wise we stayed the same maybe gotten worse.

The rift between head coach Larry Brown and star Allen Iverson has taken its toll on the team. Instead of training camp being about getting back into shape, seeing old and new teammates, and accumulating themselves to the system new or revisited, the team has to worry if their two most important pieces can fit together. When added to the fact that their deemed liabilities on the court are still here, can we expect the same team to produce 49 wins this season?

The answer is no if the Sixers as a team keep the same mentality on the court. The Sixers led by their "superstar" have to do the extras to win. We know they play phenomenal defense but we need more equal scoring, more equal defense and rebounding and not just from those ones deemed to be leaders and up and comers but everyone who steps on the hard wood.

We know that although the team didn’t on the surface show the damage, the team was hurt by the actions of Allen Iverson on and off the court. On the court his passion for the shot has killed the chemistry needed to succeed in the next level of NBA competition. You can say that one single person carried the Sixers to the playoffs if you want (I don’t agree) but it’s the team that will take you through the tough times. If you can’t depend or believe in your teammates in the regular season you won’t do it in the playoffs, and teams will key on your team’s weaknesses and capitalize. Nobody has every won by himself or herself; do you think the trend will change now?

Now know that Iverson is not the only problem just one of the biggest. We need stability at the small forward and a scoring threat from the center or power forward position. As much as I like the Theo Ratliff and Tyrone Hill combination neither is a top rated scorer. So either you grab a better defensive center or power forward (to offset their offensive woes) and let all the guards do the scoring or you package a couple of decent players for one great player (i.e. Portland and Shawn Kemp). Whatever the choice this current lineup has already played to its potential so you’re running out of time and opportunity.

To put it simple make a decision: if you have no talent, get some, if you think you have the other pieces you just need a better leader, get one. The time for complaining is over either you change the team or keep it for better or worse.