IS GETTING ITS DRAFT BOARD READY
This afternoon at the Wachovia Center, the 76ers unveiled their new uniforms. They look very similar to the retro ones the team wore for a handful of games last season: red, white, and blue with the re-launched retro logo.
We're going to be adding video to Deep Sixer this season and in honor of the beginning of the year -- or at least one week from the beginning of it -- I attempted to take a video of today's uniform unveiling. I'm confident I captured about a minute of video, but whether it actually offers anything is another matter. But we're going to be doing it all year, so we must start somewhere (really bad video taking) and build it up (just kind of bad video taking). Even so, for those of you unable to attend, it's an idea of today's event. You can check it out in the video player along the side of the page. There are a few from last year's training camp, as well.
More than just seeing the uniforms, today was a chance to talk with forwards Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young, and Sixers General Manager Ed Stefanski. Sixers open camp next Tuesday at St. Joseph's University. There are a number of questions, none of which were answered at today's uniform unveiling, but it was a good warm-up to at least get some basketball talk going.
Brand looked healthy and said he felt healthy. He admitted he was not 100 percent entering last season, but said he believes both injuries are behind him (Achilles and shoulder). I believe he said he was healthy entering last season, too, so take from that what you will. When asked if he thought this season was a "do-over" year, he agreed. Last season was, for Brand, close to a disaster. He said the Sixers were flying under the radar, which was fine with him. Is there a way to be flying even below the lowest level of the radar? Because -- with the Phillies and Eagles on everyone's minds -- that's exactly where the Sixers currently are.
Young was also at the unveiling, modeling the red away uniform. He had a scar under his left eye from an Atlanta summer league, so it seems Young has been working on his game. He also commented about Brand's status -- they've been working out together at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine -- saying that Brand has been playing like "a monster" during their workouts. Young said he felt Brand was much stronger, in better shape, and more ready than when entering last season.
As the time before the start of camp dwindles, the questions are all the same: Will Elton Brand be as effective as he's always been? How will Eddie Jordan's new offense fit this team's pieces? Will Lou Williams excel as the team's starting point guard? How will Young and Andre Iguodala and Brand mesh on the court?
Those are just a few. But, yesterday, at least one was answered: The uniforms are cool. Check out the video if you get a second (and, of course, if it's posted correctly ...)
--Kate
The 76ers have invited four free-agent prospects to attend their training camp, which begins Sept. 29 at St. Joseph's University.
Shooting guard Dionte Christmas, guard Sean Singletary, and forward Brandon Bowman are all confirmed for the camp, while Sixers director of player personnel Courtney Witte said center Jared Reiner "should be there," and said there is a 99 percent chance he will be.
The Sixers currently have 13 players under contract for the 2009-2010. The NBA allows 15 players under contract, so there are two open roster spots if the Sixers so choose to fill them.
Christmas, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, graduated from Temple University, averaging 19.5 points per game during the 2008-09 season, his senior year with the Owls. Christmas, from Philadelphia Lutheran Christian, went undrafted, but participated on the Sixers/New Jersey Nets combined summer league team at the Orlando Pro Summer League in July.
Singletary, a 6-foot-0 guard, attended Penn Charter and starred at Virginia. Last NBA season, he appeared in 13 games with both the Charlotte Bobcats and Phoenix Suns. Singletary was the Sacramento Kings second-round pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
A 6-foot-9 forward, Bowman graduated from Georgetown University in 2006. He played in the NBA Development League for two seasons before spending last season with Telekom Baskets Bonn in Germany.
Reiner, a 6-11 center, attended Sixers camp last season, but was eventually waived. Reiner went undrafted out of Iowa in 2004, but played 19 games with the Chicago Bulls during the 2004-05 season and played the last 2 months of the 2007-08 season with the Milwaukee Bucks.
76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the Sixers have officially signed free agent swingman Rodney Carney.
Carney, who will start his fourth year in the league, played his first two seasons with the Sixers before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the deal that freed cap space for Elton Brand. Last season, Carney, 6-foot-7, averaged a career-high 7.2 points in 67 games for Minnesota.
"Rodney Carney is a player that we feel will mesh extremely well with out current personnel and in the up-tempo style of play that Coach Jordan will continue to implement this season," Stefanski said. "We think that Rodney is one of the most athletic players in the league who has the ability to stretch the floor and we are happy to have him back."
Carney's signing gives the Sixers 13 players under contract, training camp opens Sept. 29 at St. Joseph's.
--Kate
ESPN.com has compiled videos of the top 23 moments in Michael Jordan's career. Charles Barkley and the Sixers show up at no. 19. (Video below)
The 76ers have invited former Temple star Dionte Christmas to training camp, which opens at the end of this month at St. Joe's. Christmas, who went undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft, played with the Sixers/Nets combo team at the Orlando Summer League in early July.
Sixers General Manager Ed Stefanski said it looked like Christmas would accept the offer to come to the Sixers training camp. Stefanski said the team will officially add a few more guys to the camp roster by the beginning of next week.
--Kate
David Aldridge is reporting that former 76ers star guard Allen Iverson is about to sign a 1-year deal for $3.5 million with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Aldridge is reporting that the deal is expected to be finalized in the next 24 to 48 hours and would include incentives that could up the deal's value. Iverson, who last season fought a back injury and played sparingly for the Detroit Pistons, had been lately linked to a possible deal with the Grizzlies and was earlier said to be considering the Charlotte Bobcats and coach Larry Brown.
--Kate
The 76ers have agreed to terms with forward Rodney Carney, this according to a source familiar with the situation.
Carney, 6-foot-7, has agreed to a 1-year deal. Previously, Carney spent two seasons with the Sixers: 2006-07, 2007-08. In July of 2008, Carney was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he played last season.
In his 3-year career, Carney has averaged 6.5 points and 2.0 rebounds a game.
--Kate
At the end of last week, someone had mentioned to me that they'd seen a Nike commercial with Andre Iguodala. I had yet to catch the video, but this afternoon I saw it, and then found it on YouTube.
It's a Nike ad specifically for Foot Locker (I believe). It includes Iguodala (as Chief Blocka), Mo Williams (as Fog Raw), Kevin Durant (as Velvet Hoop) and Rashard Lewis (as Ice-O). I guess, together, they are the "Hyperizers" and the ad is debuting their new single, "Don't Criticize (Hyperize)." You can even make the beat your ring tone. If you dare.
Say what you want about the Ad/Video, but it's huge for Iguodala to be featured in a Nike ad campaign. Here's the link if you haven't seen it and want to check it out. I hope you're internet connection is faster than mine because my computer is still trying to open the video. Click here: Andre Iguodala's Nike Ad.
--Kate
The 76ers have signed free agent center Primoz Brezec.
“We feel that Primoz will provide us with additional size and depth in the front court, but just as beneficial is the wealth of experience he brings to the team not only on the NBA level, but internationally as well,” Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski said.
Brezec (7-1, 255) has appeared in 321 games with 214 starts across seven NBA seasons with Indiana, Charlotte, Detroit and Toronto. For his career, he has averaged 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 19.0 minutes per game while shooting 50.0% from the floor and 70.6% from the line.
Last season, Brezec played for Lottomatica Virtus Roma of the Italian League. He started the 2007-08 season with the Bobcats before being traded to the Pistons and then the Raptors.
Brezec’s best season came during the Bobcats inaugural campaign in 2004-05. He averaged career highs of 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 and 0.76 blocks in 31.6 minutes per game while ranking 13th in the league with 3.1 offensive boards per game.
| Date | Away | Home | Time | National TV | Local TV | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, Oct 28 | Philadelphia | Orlando | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- |  |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Milwaukee | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Philadelphia | New York | 7:30 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Tue, Nov 03 | Boston | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Nov 06 | New Jersey | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sun, Nov 08 | Philadelphia | Detroit | 1:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Mon, Nov 09 | Phoenix | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | NBATV | -- | |
| Wed, Nov 11 | Philadelphia | New Jersey | 7:30 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Nov 13 | Utah | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sat, Nov 14 | Philadelphia | Chicago | 8:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Nov 18 | Charlotte | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Nov 20 | Memphis | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Philadelphia | Cleveland | 7:30 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Tue, Nov 24 | Philadelphia | Washington | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Nov 25 | Philadelphia | Boston | 7:30 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Atlanta | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sun, Nov 29 | Philadelphia | San Antonio | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Mon, Nov 30 | Philadelphia | Dallas | 8:30 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Dec 02 | Philadelphia | Oklahoma City | 8:00 PM ET | NBATV | -- | |
| Sat, Dec 05 | Philadelphia | Charlotte | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Mon, Dec 07 | Denver | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Dec 09 | Detroit | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | ESPN | -- | |
| Fri, Dec 11 | Houston | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Mon, Dec 14 | Golden State | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Dec 16 | Cleveland | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Dec 18 | Philadelphia | Boston | 7:30 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sat, Dec 19 | L.A. Clippers | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Tue, Dec 22 | Philadelphia | Washington | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sat, Dec 26 | Philadelphia | Utah | 9:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Mon, Dec 28 | Philadelphia | Portland | 10:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Dec 30 | Philadelphia | Sacramento | 10:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Thu, Dec 31 | Philadelphia | L.A. Clippers | 9:30 PM ET | TNT | -- | |
| Sun, Jan 03 | Philadelphia | Denver | 8:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Tue, Jan 05 | Washington | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Jan 08 | Toronto | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sat, Jan 09 | Philadelphia | Detroit | 7:30 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Mon, Jan 11 | New Orleans | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Jan 13 | New York | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Jan 15 | Sacramento | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Mon, Jan 18 | Philadelphia | Minnesota | 3:30 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Jan 20 | Portland | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Jan 22 | Dallas | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sat, Jan 23 | Philadelphia | Indiana | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Mon, Jan 25 | Indiana | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Jan 27 | Philadelphia | Milwaukee | 8:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Jan 29 | L.A. Lakers | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sun, Jan 31 | Philadelphia | New Jersey | 6:00 PM ET | NBATV | -- | |
| Wed, Feb 03 | Chicago | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Feb 05 | Philadelphia | New Orleans | 8:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sat, Feb 06 | Philadelphia | Houston | 8:30 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Tue, Feb 09 | Minnesota | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Feb 10 | Philadelphia | Toronto | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Tue, Feb 16 | Miami | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Feb 19 | San Antonio | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sat, Feb 20 | Philadelphia | Chicago | 8:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Tue, Feb 23 | Philadelphia | Golden State | 10:30 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Feb 24 | Philadelphia | Phoenix | 9:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Feb 26 | Philadelphia | L.A. Lakers | 10:30 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Mon, Mar 01 | Orlando | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | NBATV | -- | |
| Wed, Mar 03 | Philadelphia | Atlanta | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Mar 05 | Boston | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sun, Mar 07 | Philadelphia | Toronto | 12:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Tue, Mar 09 | Philadelphia | Indiana | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Mar 10 | Charlotte | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Mar 12 | Cleveland | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sun, Mar 14 | Philadelphia | Miami | 6:00 PM ET | NBATV | -- | |
| Mon, Mar 15 | New York | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Mar 17 | New Jersey | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Mar 19 | Philadelphia | New York | 7:30 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sat, Mar 20 | Chicago | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Mon, Mar 22 | Orlando | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | NBATV | -- | |
| Wed, Mar 24 | Philadelphia | Milwaukee | 8:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Mar 26 | Atlanta | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Tue, Mar 30 | Oklahoma City | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Mar 31 | Philadelphia | Charlotte | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sat, Apr 03 | Toronto | Philadelphia | 1:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Tue, Apr 06 | Detroit | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Wed, Apr 07 | Philadelphia | Miami | 7:30 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Fri, Apr 09 | Milwaukee | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Sat, Apr 10 | Philadelphia | Memphis | 8:00 PM ET | -- | -- | |
| Mon, Apr 12 | Miami | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM ET | NBATV | -- | |
| Wed, Apr 14 | Philadelphia | Orlando | 8:00 PM ET | -- | -- |
