"Young" & "Brand" New: Elton, Thaddeus Lead 76ers with New Hope

The San Dova 2008-2009 NBA Season Preview

An unexpected charge in the Playoffs, the maturation of former high school star Lou Williams, the resurgence of Andre Miller's play and the surprise contributions of one-and-done lottery pick Thaddeus Young made the Philadelphia 76ers the new new-kids-on-the-block. It was expected that Andre Iguodala, the star swingman, would be requesting a high-dollar contract extension, merited or unmerited; he was going to stay regardless, but Elton Brand's defection from the Los Angeles Clippers to the East Coast have made the Sixers true playoff contenders and serious Eastern Conference adversaries.

The Sixers have many strengths, but it always starts from the top when it comes to improvement. Iguodala is going to have to improve his shooting to be the threat that the team believed he could be back in 2004, with Allen Iverson and Chris Webber. His ability to defend and slash are well-documented, but his streakiness will either make him an overpaid second banana or a poor man's Pippen (the player to whom he is most compared), and even then, he doesn't have the handle to warrant that as a fair comparison. Look for A.I. to show up and improve.