A Sixers Situation
Philadelphia Inquirer Sports Columnist Bob Ford writes about the Eagles, the Phillies, the Sixers and the Flyers.
A Sixers Situation
Bob Ford, Inquirer Sports Columnist
Well, say this for the Sixers. They weren't boring as they went into the offseason. In fact, that's one nutty hospital that Ed Stefanski and the boys are running over there for Mr. Snider.
The Sixers were only moderately interesting as they dragged through a 41-41 campaign, with neither free-agent savior Elton Brand nor coach Maurice Cheeks getting successfully to the right side of the hyphen in the 2008-2009 season.
They saved all the interesting stuff for the very end, when they unfurled an unprofessional effort in Game 6 against Orlando, then came apart in some of their postgame comments and couldn't even hold a team meeting that included, well, the whole team.
After the game, Theo Ratliff, who was an afterthought during the regular season but was employed as a hackster against Orlando, suddenly felt empowered to blast the coaching staff for not having the team ready. Been that way all season long, Ratliff said. Nice having you around again, Theo.
Andre Iguodala said he planned to sit down and give his thoughts to Ed Stefanski, who seemed surprised that Andre believed personnel decisions and the like were in his job description. Asked if coach Tony DiLeo should be back, Iguodala said it was something that had to be discussed. No kidding. He really said that.
Andre Miller, who might be the best player on the floor every night for the team, didn't show for the team meeting the day after the Orlando disaster. He said, through his agent, that he didn't know the meeting was mandatory. That seems unlikely, and a little weak as an excuse for a veteran, but maybe it was just how the free agent began to say goodbye.
It doesn't seem possible that DiLeo will return as coach given the circumstances. It also doesn't seem that certain DiLeo wants the job and you could hardly blame him. Unless the Sixers find a way to unload Sammy Dalembert -- who is a liability now and will be a bigger one upon Brand's return -- this team is a schizophrenic blend of wasted athleticism and lapsed fundamentals.
Stefanski said he will look for a guard in the draft, hopefully one who can be relied upon to serve as the three-point counterbalance the team needs in its one-dimensional halfcourt offense.
This is a team in real turmoil, with very difficult decisions to make. It's never a good sign when a franchise is more interesting off the court than on it.
I don't know WHAT is wrong with this team. It is obvious they have "pieces," but that is all they have. Dalembert has never done what he is paid to do, dominate as a center in the NBA. He can't hold his own with the frontcourt premier players, he can't score except on a put back and he doesn't understand why everyone sees him as "the problem." Andre Miller and Theo Ratliff look gone, Iguadola, Williams and Young are the only above average players on the roster, and we have only ONE pick in the upcoming draft. If Stafanski can get a center, a point guard and an electric player who will be "The Man," in crunch time; he should win executive of the year.— southern eagle fan- This mess is all on Stiffanski. What a job he's done so far...— Grazman
- Igglegreen, Young, Speights & Williams were the very players who didn't contribute much in the playoffs. If one of the three had a great playoff series, the Sixers might have wone the series. Speights was a rookie, but it was the second time around for Young and Williams. Neither of them raised their game. The Andres were the only two who contributed consistently. I agree with you about Willie Green. He is not an NBA starter.— Duracorr
- sixers organization spent a lot of money for nothing. they spent a million dollars for Kareem Rush who plays mostly garbage minutes, Elton Brand, the guy who everybody thought would take us to a whole nother level was ineffective at best. They gave Dalembert tons of money he doesn't deserve. The point is, we were all blinded by our playoff run last year, which I think was a fluke. And we wasted a lot of money for this mediocre team. I wish they'd listen to us, long suffering fans. It's been 26 years of wasted potential. I hope they don't waste the core of this team. Oh yeah, who's in favor of bringing back Allen Iverson if miller bolts? Just a Thought.— DESPERATEFAN
- Iggy looks great on the break but fools you into thinking he's a great player. Sammy blocks a shot once in a while and you think he has "promise". Like the entire team they make you think there's promise there. NO, they are a bunch of nice situation/role players now and into the future. The NBA winners have smart veterans combined w/ star players who subordinate their games to "the cause". Iggy wants to be a star but has no clue. The NBA is strictly about having STAR players who blend and good role players who cooperate and blend.— stoneman
- Iggy looks great on the break but fools you into thinking he's a great player. Sammy blocks a shot once in a while and you think he has "promise". Like the entire team they make you think there's promise there. NO, they are a bunch of nice situation/role players now and into the future. The NBA winners have smart veterans combined w/ star players who subordinate their games to "the cause". Iggy wants to be a star but has no clue. The NBA is strictly about having STAR players who blend and good role players who cooperate and blend.— stoneman
- What did Theo and Igs say wrong what games were you watching Bob DiLeo was totally overmatched and way to soft for the NBA game dumb mistake after dumb mistake. He would not even yell at the refs he belongs coaching a girls team— arocketsa
Dileo back to front office and Collins to couch...johnnyu
