If you ask the experts the Philadelphia 76ers are the odds on favorite this season ... to finish dead last in the poorest division in the NBA. So you have to scratch your head when you hear more than a few Philly basketball fans say they are genuinely excited about the Sixers. Not that anyone is paying them much mind. It's much too early for Philly sports fans to think about pro basketball. The Eagles are in the midst of their Jeckle and Hyde routine and the Flyers have started a revival. The 76ers are easy to overlook with no big name box office draw.

But that's exactly what has some folks excited. The Sixers begin their first season in over a decade without Allen Iverson. That addition by subtraction is enough by Iverson detractors to give the Sixers a peek. The 6' mighty mouse created a love 'em or hate 'em atmosphere around himself. Those who hated 'em had all but turned off Philly NBA basketball.

Also gone are the escalating promises with diminishing returns. Management has given up on the superstar solution. There were no big trades in the off season. Their division rivals have progressed beyond the point where a few tweaks might win in a weak division. The general manager, Billy King, has changed his tune. With fans calling for his head for past transgressions. He is not telling you the Sixers will win today. He has admitted his short comings. He says the Sixers will rebuild. Something we fans have known for some time. They have embarked on a 3 year plan. The change has been welcomed.

The "me first" Iverson is gone. The new AI is an all around team player. It's not just his acrobatic slam dunks that make him exciting to watch. It's the unselfish passing, it's the shutdown defense, it's the rebounding. It's his soft spoken confidence and quiet demeanor that make him such a likable guy. But he's not the only one. It seems that character has become just as important as talent to the Sixers. Fan favorites Kyle Korver, Andre Miller, and Lou Williams are also character guys. The same can be said for this year's rookie class.The new Sixers are ready to bring their hard hats to work.

So the are plenty of reasons for quiet enthusiasm in Philly. People should be willing to watch albeit with lowered expectations. There is a chance to watch a team grow. With all its fits and starts.

There's no place to go but up.

76ers Rout Lakers for 6th Straight Win | The Sixers 1st sellout of the season. 20,577 fans. Hey it was the Lakers game. What'd you expect? For as long as I can remember its has been THE 'must see' game of the season. Kobe Bryant's return to Philly just spices it up a little. The conflicted mix of fans of which some come to cheer the Upper Merion native and others come to jeer the self-centered, wife cheatin', dirty playin', stinkin', jerk. But for many its the "Lakers Game". The 76ers opponent in the their last two finals appearances. Its the Hollywood "Show time" attitude that rubs this blue collar town the wrong way. There's only one home game a year. The place will be rockin'.

The 76ers were the hot team comin' in. Winning 5 straight. Chillin' on this 6 game home stand. Lookin' for the sweep. A goal that Iggy said would shoot for, but 4-2 was more realistic. But the nay sayers chimed in ... Its the Lakers ... Kobe will be smoking hot after his second suspension this season. Indeed that appeared to be the case. Kobe and the Lakers got off to a great start and led at half-time 57-51.

Call me crazy, but the game was never in doubt. Yea Kobe started off hot, but the Sixers where really focused on him. The Laker have been awash in injuries to key players. The Sixers were certainly the more talented than this band of misfits . The Laker were playin' over their heads in the final game of a four game road trip. The lead could not last.

The Sixers took charge in the 3rd period. Iggy was AMAZING! I'm not sure which move I liked better; (1) the behind the back reverse dunk in front on a defender or (2) the behind that back pass to Sammy on a drive to the basket. He drove to the basket hard and often. But you never know if its gonna be the pull-up jumper, the deft pass or the acrobatic finish at the rim. It makes him impossible to defend and incredible to watch. The box score line reads 45 minutes, 31 points, 3-3 from 3 point range, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Now the hype is more about the playoffs than the number one pick. The 'P' word is just that hype. The Sixers are on the road tonite against the Pacers for a reality check. But as luck would have it, Jermaine O'neal is out for this game. Win or lose ... the Sixers are worth watching these days.

Peter Vecsey reported in the New York Post this morning that Allen Iverson asked Billy King to trade him last Tuesday. Apparently he has confirmed this thru several sources. Philly media appears to be clueless to what's going on (Today's story on Philly.com was "Iverson, Webber hurt, may not face Wizards"). It appears that Billy King's house of cards will finally collapse with the removal of Iverson. According to reports Billy is frantically attempting to comply with the request and not only Iverson, but every member of the team is on the table. Billy's house cleanup so vehemently announced earlier this summer may finally be at hand. Sigh ... but it will not be enough to savage this season ... it won't be enough to save Billy's job. His hubris has been undeniable. To pretend last years team was talented enough to play in the NBA and repackage it again this season was foreseen as laughable. To expect AI to continue to leave his heart out on the floor every nite in spite of the team's glaring weaknesses is indefensible. Particularly after the talks of trading Allen in which he was vilified as the root of all the Sixers' ills.

For his part Iverson has been admirable. Earlier this season Stephen A. Smith foretold of this day, but his version called for a very public and nasty divorce. As a long time Sixers fan, I remember the Charles Barkley era. Sir Charles had no compunction about throwing anyone under the bus. It was a loud & mean spirited and damaged the image of both Charles and the franchise in the eyes of many Philly fans. I am certain it has contributed to the reason Philly fans scoff at pro basketball. The fact that the 76ers are the last major franchise to actually win a championship curries no favor.

But Iverson has not been a cancer publicly. Can you really blame 'em for wanting out? Have you seen what this 6' wonder does when he's on the court? The difference in size of the bodies he crashes into? The quickness he exploits that any 10 year veteran would envy? Have you seen it? You can say many things about AI, but you can say he is not still talented and you can't say he doesn't care about winning. That's a Philly thing isn't it? We want our athletes to care about winning ... not just the money and accolades.

No, AI has repeated the mantras of teamwork and loyalty to the franchise. But for some reason many still cling to the image of that brash youth 2 years removed from high school in his rookie season. Like Barkley I will miss him, but wish him the best. I hope he finds that elusive ring that Barkley never did. And I will cheer that day he is inducted in to the NBA hall of fame. I feel many of today's youth share those sentiments for the little giant.

Don't get me wrong ... I love the fact that Mo is giving the young bucks more playing time. I love the fact that Iggy scored a triple-double against Milwaukee. I loved the team efforts on the recent road trip against the Clippers, Suns and Sonics. Rodney Carney has been a pleasant surprise with his savvy defense, crisp picks and the opportunistic thee ball. He may be sidelined for a bit with a hand injury that changed the dynamics of the Bucks game when he exited. I'm sure Mo did not plan to play Kevin Ollie as he did in the 4th.

The spin doctors are tellin' us that its been a great effort ... playing without Webber, Hunter and AI.

But you have to win more of these games! Hello fellas, in the NBA the game is won in the final stanza. You can't beat anyone, not even the Bucks (losers of 3 straight and 7 out of their last 8 games) without showing up in the fourth quarter. 4 for 17 from the field ain't gonna cut it. Where's the attitude? AI is the only player with ice in his veins in the fourth. Is this a Philly Thing?

The enigmatic swingman must continue to step up. The Triple double was nice, but getting fouled late in the fourth on that drive to the hoop ... with the game in the balance ... was what I need to see. Iggy has been a nice kid and an all around good team player, but that's not what's needed. He needs to make his presence felt in the fourth, like Mello did in his game here. He needs to be even more aggressive in the fourth. We need to see that rim shattering dunk, we need 'em to call for the ball, we need 'em to not just take the shot, but MAKE the shot.

Right now their play is good, but its not enuff.

Basketball Season is coming ... do you care? Well if you're from Philly the answer is no. First and foremost, this is a FOOTBALL town. When the Eagles are in contention (and perhaps when they're not), the sports thermometer in Philadelphia rises and falls with the Eagles. So Philly's lack of interest in basketball is not a shocker here. Traditionally, the Sixers and Flyers have a month or more before anyone notices their season's have started.

I hear plenty of people say, "Pro Basketball has gone down hill". I think that's a little disingenuous. Did you see the NBA playoffs last year? Did you see D. Wade set a record for 30 point games in the finals. Did you see the amazing rodeo ride of the Dallas Mavs. Did you miss that Suns vs Mavs playoff shoot-out? How about the Clippers going deep in the playoffs? Neither the Spurs or the Pistons (both pre-season favorites) made the finals. NBA basketball is a solid product. It's not your Michael Jordon's NBA. It has moved on. There are many exciting players ... world wide exposure. And last year displayed that element of sports that fuels popularity. The feeling that any one can win it in a given year.

Unless of course you live here in Philly. Here, if the Sixers are not doing well, BASKETBALL SUXS. In Philly they are predicting another poor year for the Sixers. With no blockbuster trades, draft picks or free agent signings the off-season did little to change that perspective. Billy King must feel secure at his job or is it that he wants to show us how smart he is. He wants to roll out the same team that could not guard a midget in a phone booth last year and hope they will improve. So he can say "I told you so".

Basketball Season is coming ... Whether or not we care. Philly just won't notice it until after Thanksgiving.

Amy Webb's article in today's Inky "Digital Diet" provides interesting insight into the print vs digtal media debate. In short, Amy concludes that you can be just as informed by getting all your information online as you can with traditinal media. However, there is nothing like the textural aspect of the physical world. Not suprisingly (at least to me) was the local media (print and telivision) is lagging behind the mainstream with regard to on-line presence.

Nobody is as busy as Billy King these days. This Wednesday we will begin to see the fruits of is labor to make good on his promise to ... "Do whatever it takes" ... to make this franchise competitive.

Bobcats Top 76ers for Fourth Straight Win.

The Sixers finish the season losing 3 out of 4. The season that began as the coronation of the Mo Cheeks era ended with resounding thud. A tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing ... Billy King is not so different than William Shakespeare's Macbeth .... with his plans falling apart at his feet ... the faithful calling for his head.

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death.

We all feel the hollowness of Billy's charge.

"We didn't make the playoffs. I've got a lot of [bleeping] work to do, and this is some [bleep] that is a distraction to me. Am I pissed off? You're goddamn right I am. Is that what you want to hear? You [bleeping] heard it.''

We are waiting for the curtain call.

Bobcats Top 76ers for Fourth Straight Win.

The Sixers finish the season losing 3 out of 4. The season that began as the coronation of the Mo Cheeks era ended with resounding thud. A tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing ... Billy King is not so different than William Shakespeare's Macbeth .... with his plans falling apart at his feet ... the faithful calling for his head.

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death.

We all feel the hollowness of Billy's charge.

"We didn't make the playoffs. I've got a lot of [bleeping] work to do, and this is some [bleep] that is a distraction to me. Am I pissed off? You're goddamn right I am. Is that what you want to hear? You [bleeping] heard it.''

We are waiting for the curtain call.

Come on Philly sports fans. What do you think? Is the Inky sports page one of the best? The writers seem to applaud our passion as much as they deride us for our naivete. What 'bout the brass Stephen A. Smith? The smooth dressing scribe turn TV star. Is he hip to the sports scene or just hype? I have commented in the past that Stephen A has phoned it in at times.

Is David Aldridge really the NBA lapdog he appears to be. I don't think anyone questions the clear headed voice of Don McKee. But what about Phil Sheridan? Since Bill Lyons' departure has the sports page been insightful ... provocative ... or are they simply repeating the message of the day being floating into the ether on the zillon outlets for sports media today?

From my view, there is a bit of 'me too' journalism from the Inquirer. But I do a bit of traveling for my living and I read the sports section. For my money, the Inky is one of the best. Maybe we take that for granted?

Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/19/2006 | The Inquirer ranked among nation's top sports sections

About a month ago the venerable Steven A. Smith wrote an article proclaiming the Sixers a Mediocre team. I thought it was to harsh at the time. Much too early to tell what Mo's squad really looks like. The Sixers annual left coast road trip was a true test of character, I argued. Some of Larry Brown's teams gelled on the 7 game grind, other teams have tanked. We learned a little bit more about all of them. So what happened to the 05-06 team ....

AI wins 4th League scoring title after a cameo appearance in the first quarter against the Hawks, in which he scored 16 points before being rested for the remainder of the nite. AI finishes the season with a 30.7 ppg average. There's an old saying that you are the company you keep. If that's so what does this say about Allen; the only players ever to win 4 or more scoring titles are Wilt, the Iceman and MJ (yes this company is so distinguished we don't need to list their full names). 'nuff said 'bout dat.

Some folks were hoping that the Bulls would prevail over the Pacers. A Bulls win would have meant the 6th seed for the 76ers and a date with Boston. But that was wishful fan thinking. There's not much of a chance the Pacers would lose on Reggie Miller's final regular season game after 18 years. Beside when was the last time the Bulls did us any favors. Wasn't it the Bulls that cost Philly home court advantage the last time they went to the finals?

So, Detriot is the next stop. The play-offs hasn't started yet and the cliches about its intensity are already getting old. Coach OB's post game press conference was all about how the regular season performance doesn't matter. "Throw it down the drain". The Sixers are running TV promotions about "The Play-Offs". Sports talking heads are talking about the Piston's defensive intensity .... think about it ... do you know anyone more intense on the basketball court than Allen Iverson?

Exceprt from Sixers Journal