Sixers Notes | Cheeks has gone back to the basics

For 76ers coach

Maurice Cheeks,

the 2006-07 season has become a matter of staying patient and positive and continuing to teach and constantly review with his young players to get them out of the doldrums.

The Toronto Raptors shot 54.2 percent from the field yesterday in their 104-86 win over the Sixers, hurting their opponents in particular on shots off screen-and-roll plays. Afterward, Cheeks said it was a matter of going back to basics, even if the team has played 38 games.

"They scored in a variety of ways off the screen and roll," he said. "They spread the floor with different guys out there shooting the ball. It's kind of like we've got to go back to basics, of teaching guys how to guard the screen and roll, how to guard the post."

The Sixers have to do something. They allowed 100 or more points for the 20th time this season and are 2-18 in those games. They allowed an opponent to make half of its shots or better for the 14th time, and are 3-11 when that happens.

There have been changes since the season began, with stars Allen Iverson and Chris Webber leaving, and Andre Miller and Joe Smith arriving. So starting over could help.

"I've never looked at it like that," Andre Iguodala said. "We brought in two new guys, and we're still working on things to get adjusted with them. So it's like a whole new process, but I don't really think we're starting all over again because the majority of guys are still here."

Toronto's

Andrea Bargnani,

the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft, entered the game averaging 10.4 points but managed just five yesterday on 2-of-8 shooting.

The 7-foot forward from Italy has become a favorite of Toronto coach Sam Mitchell.

"Andrea is doing fine," he said. "The thing we always liked about him is that he's a hard worker. He really makes a conscious effort not to make the same mistake over and over again. Very rarely do I have to keep reminding him of the same thing over and over again.

"He's very quiet. It took me awhile to understand that if you say something to him, he'll just kind of look at you, but he kind of gets it. He doesn't say much."

Sixers forward

Kyle Korver

has announced a competition involving artists to design a logo for the Kyle Korver Foundation.

Korver said the competition is open "to students and aspiring artists of all ages so they can share their talents and vision to create an image" for his foundation.

Entrants can submit their logo designs digitally or in hard copy, but they must do so by the Feb. 16 deadline. Entry forms and more information on the competition can be obtained on the foundation's Web site, www.kylekorver.com.

- Joe Juliano