Posted: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 4:47 PM | 39 comments |
 
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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

 

 

 

Posted by Kate Fagan @ 4:47 PM  Permalink | 39 comments
39
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:10 PM, 09/23/2009
    I wish they had just used the old fashioned 80s era design, thrown in a blue alternate with red lettering next season and called it a day.
    buddyspitz
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:49 PM, 09/23/2009
    Hmmm ... honestly, if they had gone back to the "retro" uniforms of the 80's, I would have been happier. These uniforms, both home and road, are close to what the Sixers wore in the 80's, but to the extent that they are different, they are inferior to the 80's uniforms. In any case, unless the uniforms are eyesores (like the early 90's uniforms), most people won't notice them as much as the quality of play (good or bad). (P.S. Nice to read a Sixers post without a dozen posts proclaiming disaster or indifference for the upcoming year ... I guess I read this one at the right time.)
    Statman
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:07 PM, 09/23/2009
    It really doesn't matter what they wear. If Iguodala is the number one scoring option then its a wrap. 40 wins at best.
    flyguy3
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:07 PM, 09/23/2009
    It really doesn't matter what they wear. If Iguodala is the number one scoring option then its a wrap. 40 wins at best.
    flyguy3
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:20 PM, 09/23/2009
    If only they could get Dr. J, Andrew Toney, and Moses Malone back too.
    mjb
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:22 PM, 09/23/2009
    I had such high expectations last year. They are much more modest this year. Should be interesting.
    borntosuffer
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:40 PM, 09/23/2009
    The new uniforms are horrible. They should have chosen the mid 80's home and away (Barkley era), they were the best looking uniforms. The road blue "PHILA" from the 60's would have look good for an alternate. The Sixers still can't get it right! All in the name of merchandising sales, the retro jerseys would have been new to a younger generation. :(
    jojotr44
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:11 PM, 09/23/2009
    I can live without the White one, kinda bland and boring, just like the team. But I do like the red one. It is a classic look. I am glad they went away with the black.
    Pat c
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:18 PM, 09/23/2009
    I can't believe the low-quality nature of this video and unveiling. They fired their marketing director and it really shows!
    Fozzie27
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:23 PM, 09/23/2009
    I mean they are not going back to the old uniform when they have to modify it????? The Sixers like the Eagles will never get when it comes what fans want and the tradition of the old uniforms.
    mjskenal
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:42 PM, 09/23/2009
    wait, i can't tell - the away uniform looks like the LA clippers, the home uniform looks like the LA Dodgers, have the sixers moved? What happened with keeping the early 80s look? Why do they continue to experiment and 'interprit' what a modern version of a surefire classic should look like when teams like the Celtics, Bulls, Knicks, Lakers and (Reborn) Pistons keepo the same look they've had for years? Thes uniforms look like practice uniforms at best.
    dpcoz
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:43 PM, 09/23/2009
    the red one is nice. I hated the black one. The white one is a little eh, but whatever, I like the road jerseys alot.
    CallerNo9
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:47 PM, 09/23/2009
    Who cares? College basketball is a million times better.
    chrissmith
  • Comment removed.


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About John Mitchell
John Mitchell is in his first year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.

Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.

ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI

Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.

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