Start hanging around 76ers president and GM Billy King and coach Maurice Cheeks and you’ll begin believing this team can do the unbelievable – win more games than it looses.
King and Cheeks were in rare form in a media sit-down, each accenting the positive about the Sixers.
Both suggested that last season’s 17-9 record in the final 26 games was no aberration. Cheeks and King feel there is no reason why the momentum can’t continue this season.
They were very persuasive. Still, it will take more than positive thinking and talking to totally convince others that the Sixers will be a competitive team.
The first instinct is to think how in the world will the Sixers even match last year’s total of 35 wins?
Everybody else in the Atlantic Division has made much higher profile moves. The Sixers’ big move was acquiring rebounding machine Reggie Evans.
That won’t scare teams as much as Boston adding Ray Allen, KG, and the underrated James Posey.
Or seeing Toronto add to its perimeter game by signing Jason Kapono and strengthen its depth by trading for Carlos Delfino
Or even the Nets bringing in Jamaal Magloire, not to mention Zach Randolph coming to the New York Knicks.
King emphasize that old-phrase that “games aren’t played on paper.” Both King and Cheeks seemed genuinely optimistic.
It’s easy to see that this type of positive attitude could rub off on the players. There is no doubt that the Sixers not only don’t believe the low preseason forecasts that they are reading and hearing. The team seems interested in proving others wrong.
It’s such a positive environment that it may get the fans fired up. Yet it’s too early to waver. This is still a team that talent-wise, doesn’t measure up with most teams in the Eastern Conference.
King talked about traits such as teamwork, playing together, displaying an undying work ethic.
There is not doubt that all three could make a big difference. Still, it’s difficult to get past that the alleged talent gap between the Sixers and many Eastern Conference teams
Right now, we’ll stick with our original assessment that the Sixers will be hard-pressed to improve last year’s record. We reserve the right to change our mind and it may happen after a few more conversations with King and Cheeks.
« Dalembert Exercising Caution | Main | Getting a Foothold on Dalembert's Injury »
Sixers Brass Positively Optimistic
Philly.com discussions are intended to be civil, friendly conversations. Please treat other participants with respect and in a way that you would want to be treated. You are responsible for what you say. And please, stay on topic.
These boards are monitored by Philly.com staff. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us in our sole discretion and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. Personal attacks, especially on other board participants, are not permitted. We reserve the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions.
Copyright © 2006-2008 Philadelphia Newspapers L.L.C. All Rights Reserved.
Author
Marc Narducci is in his 23rd year as a sports reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The 2007-2008 season will be his first as the 76ers beat writer. For the past two seasons, Marc had been the backup writer for the Eagles. Over the past few years Marc covered the NBA, NHL and Major League baseball as well as writing on sports media. Prior to covering professional sports, Marc was a long-time high school sportswriter for The Inquirer's South Jersey section.
Search
About
This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on September 28, 2007 9:49 PM.
The previous post in this blog was Dalembert Exercising Caution.
The next post in this blog is Getting a Foothold on Dalembert's Injury.
Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.
Movable Type 3.35
Comments (8)
I cannot believe that they think we can win with out any help. Billy King and Maurince Cheeks need to be traded!
Posted by Jerry | September 29, 2007 9:09 AM
Posted on September 29, 2007 09:09
I'm not sure they're going to do all that well this year, but they are FINALLY going about it the right way --- developing & working with good, young players.
They took their shots in 2001 & 2002, but after 2003 they should have traded Iverson & not taken the players [read: contracts] such as Webber & others who were higher priced complimentary players.
I'm looking forward to watching them this year.
Posted by yobill626 | September 29, 2007 1:21 PM
Posted on September 29, 2007 13:21
I may be in the minority, but I join with Mr. King and Coach Cheeks.
I just loved the performance of the post-Iverson Sixers.
I see no reason why the spirit of the second half of last season can not carry over. In fact, I believe it will...and I believe the Sixers will make the playoffs this year.
Teamwork, playing together, and displaying an undying work ethic certainly will be main ingredients for such success. However, I'd add another one which I believe I saw applied last year as well...inclusion. As much as possible, keep everyone involved.
Good luck, Sixers!
Posted by Ed Rosenberg | September 30, 2007 7:16 AM
Posted on September 30, 2007 07:16
hahahahaha, billy king is the gm. they won't win isht.
Posted by shakes | October 1, 2007 2:51 PM
Posted on October 1, 2007 14:51
I disagree that the talent gap of the Sixers is that far off from other teams in the Eastern Conference. We dont have a bonafide superstar, but neither does 20 other teams in the NBA. We do have a collection of lottery and first round draft picks who may lack experience but not skill (Iguodala, Carney, Young, Smith). Lou Williams was National High School Player of the Year who would have been a first round pick if he had not come to the NBA straight from high school. Derrick Byars was considered a first round pick by most experts prior to the draft and the Sixers were fortunate to get him in the second round. In my opinion, we have the BEST group of young talent in the NBA.
Posted by Aaron Barkley | October 1, 2007 3:35 PM
Posted on October 1, 2007 15:35
Aaron Barkley = Billy King.
Posted by Sid | October 1, 2007 4:58 PM
Posted on October 1, 2007 16:58
I feel so un-enlighten when I read some of the comments some of you people put on here... who might I add probably know as much about basket as those morons on that morning sport radio show... is Mo the best coach in the NBA... probably not, but he's no where near the worst of the bunch... I have not been happy with some of Billy King’s signings... Not personnel wise, but the amount of money and duration of there contracts. Draft wise Billy has done very well since taking over the rains from Coach Brown. Now will the Sixers make the playoffs...? I don't think they will, but they may prove me wrong... I don't believe for one minute that they won't be competitive or entertaining... so Jerry, Shakes and Sid... Get a Clue and learn something about the game before making such assigned statments.
Posted by SixersEnforcer | October 2, 2007 10:17 AM
Posted on October 2, 2007 10:17
Hay SixersEnforcer, Eye thing May bee ewe shood lurn too tok inn inglish befour ewe righting sutch a tuff sowndeeng statment. Itts two haard too no wut ewe arrrgh saeeng.
Posted by ejookayshun | October 2, 2007 11:16 AM
Posted on October 2, 2007 11:16