Around February 20, 2008, Head Coach Maurice Cheeks was given a one-year contract extension despite not making the playoffs in his two years as head coach of the 76ers. You are probably thinking, how a one-year extension makes such a difference. This extension gave Mo the confidence to coach how he coaches. He became more relaxed and let his players play. This one-year extension told Mo that the front office felt that he would be their guy at the coaching helm for the future and they would work out the details for longer terms later-on.
2. It’s Miller Time!!!
After the departure of Eric Snow, the Philadelphia 76ers did not have a “True Point Guard”. They had Allen Iverson. He’s still not sure whether he’s a point guard or a shooting guard. When Allen Iverson was traded at the mid-way point of the 2006-’07 season, their “True Point Guard” was acquired in Andre Miller. He is able to groom Lou Williams to be the next point guard of this team. He also makes everyone around him better. He is that point guard who can be compared to some of the greats of today: Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, etc. Miller has one more season left on his contract in Philly after this year, and then we will see what happens with him. They would be foolish not to re-sign this “True Point Guard”.
1. Young’ns
All I have to say is Lou Williams, Thaddeus Young, Jason Smith, Andre Iguodala, Rodney Carney, and Willie Green. The afore mentioned players all have four years of experience or less. They are all playing like players who are just being given a chance. When Ed Stefanski came in as General Manager, there were rumors that he told Mo Cheeks to play the youngsters or Cheeks would be looking for a new job. Cheeks much obliged and it’s paying great dividends for the team. Thaddeus Young is playing like a potential Rookie of the Year candidate. Many doubted this draft choice, but that was because they did not know much about this freshman early entrant. Now they regret that doubt.
Of all of the teams in this year’s NBA playoffs, one of the most dangerous will be this young Philadelphia 76ers team. They have the ability to and have already beaten every team in the Eastern Conference playoffs at least once during the regular season. Plus, don’t forget, IT’S A WHOLE NEW SEASON COME PLAYOFFS!!!!
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