With the Sixers' off season officially over as they flew to Spain this
evening, we got to hear from Allen Iverson and Chris Webber on what they project
for the upcoming season before they departed. And with the off season being so
long since they didn't make the 2006 playoffs, it may be a little rough getting
back into the routine.
There are so many pertinent questions to be raised, that it's hard to know
where to start. With the team practically staying the same, only four new
additions to the team and two departures, the basic dynamic remains. The
acquisition of Rodney Carney from Chicago in the first round of the 2006 draft
and Bobby Jones from Minnesota in the second round combined with free agents
Alan Henderson and Ivan McFarlin added both young and seasoned players to an
already age blended team.
The question for that topic would be whether or not Mo Cheeks' "culture
change" can occur with this line up. Placing much emphasis on the development of
their defensive end and rebound game this season appears to have a great agenda,
but can they back that up as a team on the court? Both Webber and Iverson are on
board with this focus and are critiquing their past performances to find areas
of improvement. Webber commented that he had been "reviewing the last five
seasons [of his career] specifically" with "particular attention to [his]
injury" in Dallas in 2002-2003 season. Iverson says that, " if I didn't believe
there was something I could do individually, then I would be hurting the team,
the franchise".
Whether or not management has made the same sort of commitment to improving
the team and working towards a championship has yet to be determined in my
opinion.
The team's trip to Spain may provide some "quality time" for the players to
prepare for the regular season and adjust back to competition with less
distractions. Iverson seemed a little unsure of the effects that the time away
from the States would have however, suggesting that tension may be a factor
within the team and that they "need to become a tight knit family and keep
things together in the locker room so it flows out onto the basketball court.
It's hard enough playing 5 on 5, but trying to play 4 on 5 is harder".
Iverson also appeared somewhat disheartened by all the trade talks over the
summer. He was not surprised to hear them because he's "been there before", but
still has a hard time dealing with the rumors, questions and all that follow
those kind of discussions. He is, though, happy to still be in Philadelphia and
with the 76ers remarking that he feels he is a Sixer at heart and he owes too
much to the fans and his teammates to leave. As long as he does his best, he can
look at himself in the mirror and "keep going 'til the wheels fall off". And I
think that Webber made the best point yet, that "The tougher it is, the better
the story will be when they do win".
