Sixers' GM: No untouchables

When Ed Stefanski was asked yesterday about reports that have swingman Andre Iguodala involved in possible trades, the 76ers president and general manager did not rule out anything.

"I won't talk about trades or rumors," said Stefanski, who formerly was the general manager of the New Jersey Nets. "I will say that we're very active in talking to teams throughout the league, and we're listening to any option to improve the basketball team. When I was in Jersey, and here, I don't think there are untouchables.

"Anyone can get traded in this league, and we've seen it over and over. But we don't trade a player unless we get value back, basketball-wise."

Iguodala, who turned 26 yesterday, has been linked to a deal that would bring Tracy McGrady and his expiring $23 million contract to Philadelphia. More recently, ESPN.com. reported that the Sixers and the Cleveland Cavaliers were talking about Iguodala.

After the Sixers practiced yesterday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Iguodala didn't appear to be fazed by the situation.

"You get asked about it by family and friends," he said. 'What's going on?' 'What can happen?' There are a lot of different scenarios that can come up, and 95 percent of them are just rumors. I think the most important thing is, wherever you are at that moment in time, you'd better give 100 percent of your time and focus on the job you have."

Iguodala, who first was asked about the trade rumors Wednesday before the Sixers dropped a 91-88 decision to the Bucks in Milwaukee, said then that the team's lackluster performance made everybody vulnerable to changes.

The Sixers (15-30), who host Kobe Bryant and the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers tonight, came out on the losing end against Milwaukee after Iguodala missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer that would have sent the game into overtime.

The way the Sixers went down in that game was all too familiar.

"There have been so many games that we've been right there and so many different ways that we haven't been able to get a victory," Stefanski said. "With the record we have now, obviously, you have to listen to everything. We're all accountable - the coaching staff, the players, myself. The team we have here we believe has talent. We are at times underachieving. We have to get that together."

Clearly, coach Eddie Jordan is feeling accountable. He was asked how he has been sleeping lately.

"I don't sleep at night," Jordan said to laughter. "My wife asked me this morning, 'Where did you sleep when you came home?' Well, I said 'Pretty much on the floor in the family room watching the game again.' It's hard to sleep. But after years in the league, you get used to it. A power nap here and a power nap there. It's hard on you."

Jordan and his team have a lot on their plate tonight, facing the Lakers (35-11) while trying to prevent a three-game losing streak.

The Lakers, who are coming off road wins against Washington and Indiana, will be playing the sixth game on a seven-game trip. They are 3-2 with a win over New York sandwiched by losses to Cleveland and Toronto. They end their trip Sunday at Boston.

Notes. Iguodala and several of his teammates loaded shoes they are donating to the 76ers' shoe drive into the van of team mascot Hip-Hop yesterday after practice. All fans attending tonight's game are encouraged to bring a pair of new or gently worn shoes to be donated to Soles4Souls, a nonprofit organization that facilitates the collection and donation of shoes to those in need worldwide.