The middle of a season is always a good assessment point for a franchise. Forty-one games is an adequate sampling in order to evaluate an NBA team. With that being said, the Philadelphia 76ers team is tougher to figure out than an episode of Lost. (Seriously though, what the hell is happening with that show?)
The Sixers reached the midpoint of the NBA season with a record of 20-21. That is exactly on their pace of a 40-42 record that they achieved last year.
Expectations were definitely higher entering the season, you know, considering they had signed a player for a $80 million contract. The guy also happened to be a two-time All-Star.
What's the deal with Elton Brand?
The questions surrounding this team are stockpiling nearly as quickly as those in Lost.
Questions
Was the Brand signing a good move? Can he fit in when he returns? Will he ever return?
Time travel? Is Jack as crazy as Hurley?
How can a borderline Hall of Famer fail as a head coach, while a guy whose last gig was coaching a country that no longer exists, have success?
Where did those flaming arrows come from? Who did those lawyers really represent?
Will Thaddeus Young continue to blossom into a star, or will he just be a role player? Will Samuel Dalembert ever get traded? Will Willie Green ever be traded? Will anybody in the Sixers organization realize that Willie Green sucks? Will Andre Iguodala maintain his success when Brand returns? Can they keep shooting the three? Was the disappointing start a true indicator of the team or just a slow start?
Will Rose kill Bernard, or vice versa?
All of these are legitimate concerning questions but the most prevalent remains; what will the Sixers do with Andre Miller?
In a Jack Bauer voice, "I want answers now, damnit!"
Answers
*Always listen to Jack Bauer.
Upon his return, if it ever actually happens, Brand will prove he can work with this team. After sitting out for over a month, I think he is a smart enough guy to adjust his role accordingly but still maintain his star status. Unless Andre Iguodala takes a flaming arrow to his chest, Brand should be back within the next week.
I'm stupefied with the time travel bit. It is yet to be seen from a craziness standpoint, but I think they are both approaching a Ron Artest-level crazy.
Reggie Evans is crazier than them all.
Typically, when new General Managers enter their job, they want their own guys managing the helm of the team. Mo Cheeks, was never Ed Stefanski's guy, and I think that was clear by the only one-year extension Cheeks received over the summer. Twenty-three games in Cheeks' case was not enough of a sampling, but change was made regardless. The brilliant player just never lived up to those standards as a coach. Really, it would be hard for anyone to expect him to.
What is still confusing is the promotion of Tony DiLeo from assistant GM to head coach. His last coaching job was for West Germany. I couldn't even locate that on a map. Seriously, though, is Stefanski really considering keeping this guy around past this year? I know this is the answer section, but that one remains puzzling.
The flaming arrows emerged from Shaq's ass. Kobe, tell us how it tastes. The lawyers represented Kobe Bryant. I kid.
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