Philly fans concerned about Sixers this season

Is it ever too early for drama in the NBA? For the Philadelphia 76ers, (or any Philly team for that matter), it is never too early for controversy.

Not even one regular season game has been played yet and Sixers fans are already beginning to voice their opinions.

Fans are opinionated about the departure of former Sixers owner Pat Croce. Croce was a fan favorite in Philadelphia and most fans, especially season-ticket holders, enjoyed the energy Croce brought to the First Union Center in South Philly.

Fans are upset about the lack of loyalty that Coach Larry Brown and Sixers general manager Billy King have showed to players the likes of Theo Ratliff, and most recently George Lynch who was recently involved in a tri-team deal that sent him to Charlotte for forward Derrick Coleman. The Sixers also acquired guard Vonteego Cummings and forward Corie Blunt from Golden State. This from a team who released forwards Jumaine Jones and Rodney Buford, essentially two no-named Sixers who found ways to contribute when it counted. For their efforts they found themselves on different teams.

More importantly, Sixers fans have showed great concern in regard to the number of injuries that the 76ers are taking into the start of the regular season. Starting point guard Eric Snow is expected to miss at least three months, after having successful surgery on his left thumb. 76ers' team physician Jack McPhilemy assisted in the operation, in which two pins, five screws, and a plate were inserted into Snow's thumb. Snow injured the thumb in a preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs on October 16th.

Luckily for the Sixers, second year point guard Speedy Claxton is healthy again and looks as if he will make a selfless contribution to the team. Claxton will share Snow's minutes with the newly acquired Vonteego Cummings, who has to prove to Larry Brown that he is capable of playing his style of basketball.

Also out due to injury is the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year, Aaron Mckie. Mckie could be absent from games for up to a month, nursing a right shoulder injury. Mckie had exploratory surgery on the shoulder on September 25th, and more than likely will start the beginning of the season on the injured list. The Sixers will need newly acquired guard/forward Matt Harpring to work even more productively than he has in the preseason. Harpring will share minutes with second year guard Raja Bell, who won over the hearts of Sixers fans with a scoop shot that led to the 76ers only win in the NBA Finals last year.

The most damaging injury is to NBA MVP, and Sixers franchise player, Allen Iverson. Iverson had arthroscopic surgery on his aching right elbow on September 25th to remove fragments of bone from the elbow. Iverson could miss up to as much as the first three weeks of the season. However, the Sixers' "ironman" could be in the line-up a week into the season.

With all the injuries, trades, and front office moves, its no wonder why the fans are concerned. You have to sympathize with the fans for wanting a little stability with a team that went to NBA finals last year. You all know the old proverb: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The Sixers fixed it anyway, and they want the fans to support it. Question is how do you support a team that goes 1-5 in the preseason? Unfortunately, the 76ers have to wait at least a week for "The Answer" to return. So its up to the supporting cast to respond to this question.

They will have their first opportunity to do so tomorrow, when they travel to Minnesota to tussle with Terrell Brandon, Kevin Garnett and the rest of the Timberwolves. Hopefully, the Sixers play with more tenacity and enthusiasm then they showed in the preseason. Otherwise, it could be the longest 82 games in the history of Sixers basketball. Not to mention, the largest pill 76ers fans will have ever swallowed.

"Talk is cheap -- This is a Philly perspective"