2007 NBA Season Preview - Philadelphia 76ers

A Look at the Upcoming 07-08 Season

Philadelphia 76ers
'06-'07 Record/Standing: 35-47 (.427); 3^rd in Atlantic Division
'06-'07 Postseason (if applicable): n/a
Coach (Record): Maurice Cheeks, 3^rd season (73-91), 7^th season overall
Key Additions: SF Thaddeus Young (draft; 1^st round, 12th

overall); F Jason Smith (trade; Miami); PF Reggie Evans (trade; Denver)
Key Losses: C Steven Hunter (trade; Denver)

It's hard when you watch one of your favorite teams trade their top player to another team. It's the situation that presented itself to the Philly fans when the Sixers traded franchise face Allen Iverson to the Denver Nuggets. But in order for both Iverson and the Sixers to move forward, they needed to part ways. Now, the Sixers are younger and looking to give more responsibility to players that have never had it before. This is the "sink or swim" method; either these guys will step up and play well, or they will crumble under the pressure of the role and just wilt away. The two Andres, Iguodala and Miller, will be the first to control the play of the team. Miller will run the offense, while Iguodala gets a chance to be the man, a role he has not really had since being at the University of Arizona. They have roleplayers on the team, guys like Kyle Korver and Samuel Dalembert, that should give the team a little more consistency on the court.

Can this team find the leader they need to replace the dynamic, yet sometimes troublesome Allen Iverson? Is this going to be a case of addition by subtraction for the Sixers? Can the two Andres lead this team through the Eastern Conference and take control, or is that expecting too much from two players that have never been able to step up in this point in their careers? Where does head coach Mo Cheeks look for veteran leadership when this could be one of the youngest teams in the league? Their rotation is stock full of unproven talent; can someone step up and give good contributions? How will players like Reggie Evans and Kyle Korver deal with regular minutes?