But his instincts and experience told him not to approach the status of 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks or anyone else in the organization that way. In the end, he gave Cheeks a 1-year contract extension. And now, at some point in the near future, he is ready to at least speak with Cheeks about the possibility of an additional extension.

Whatever was coming in last night's Game 6 of the Sixers' first-round playoff series with the Detroit Pistons would not change that. Stefanski, confirming his plans yesterday, described the work of Cheeks and his staff as "excellent" and a discussion about another extension as "a natural move."

"When I took the job [in early December], I didn't know Maurice, but I've been very happy with what I've seen," Stefanski said. "When I gave him the 1-year extension - and I know some people felt I should have done more - I felt it was a reward. I've been very happy since then, too.

"To me, it's only natural to sit down with him at whatever point our season is over and talk about things, see where his head is. And when I talk about him, I always like to mention the staff [assistants Jim Lynam, Henry Bibby, John Loyer and Bernie Smith], because they've done it together.

"A head coach needs X's and O's, and he also needs a relationship with the players, and this group gives you a little of both. Maurice has kept everyone together; the players like playing for him. I'm happy, but I don't want to say I'm completely satisfied, because we all can get better. But we're going in the right direction, and that's what's important."

It is virtually certain that Cheeks wants to continue in his current position, but even when he accepted the $2.5 million, 1-year extension through next season, he kept his options open. He declined the offer of an additional option year that would have included some financial guarantee in 2009-10.

Cheeks, by virtue of an improbable season that took the Sixers from a record of 18-30 to 40-42 and their first postseason berth in 3 years, has clearly earned a brighter future.

"I wanted to give him a chance, I wanted to get to know him," Stefanski said. "And we pushed the envelope, changing our style to play faster, playing the young kids. Again, I won't be satisfied until we win it all, but the season has been a success, no question. With the emergence of the kids - Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams, Rodney Carney and Jason Smith - we came along faster than anyone expected. What we've learned is, they're all NBA players at some level, whether as starters or in a rotation."

Stefanski is under no illusions. He fully understands that the next steps for his developing team could be harder. But he at least has some resources with which to work, including the No. 16 pick in the first round of the NBA's June draft and a little more than $11 million in space under the salary cap. With that, his primary objective is to somehow add a power forward who can be effective in the low post.

"I know that's easier said than done, but at least we have numerous options," he said. "It's too early to say who that player will be, or how we could get it done, but at least we're in the game. To me, we've got a perfect storm: We've got young guys who we know can play, we have some veterans who have embraced them and we have cap space."

He also faces the business of re-signing Andre Iguodala and Williams, the two restricted free agents.

"I would say, 'Thank God they're restricted,' because we have no intention of not matching any offer from another team," Stefanski said.

Iguodala rejected an in-season extension offer of $57 million from Billy King, Stefanski's predecessor. Whether he can now command anything close to that remains to be seen. In any case, the Sixers will attempt to complete their business in free agency and the trade market before attempting to re-sign Iguodala or Williams.

They cannot begin negotiations until July 1, and cannot formally sign them until July 9.

"We need to keep getting better pieces," Stefanski said. "The beauty of this is, young guys get older and [improve as] NBA players. We have to decide whether they can help us get to the next level." *