Philadelphia 76ers: What's Next?

Elton Brand was just introduced as your starting power forward for the next five seasons, but this team constructed as it is just isn't good enough to get by the Celtics in the post season.  So the question remains....What's next Mr. Stefanski?

Last year during the playoffs should have been a real eye opener regarding Andre Iguodala.  How can you consider signing him long term?  He's a dime-a-dozen "athlete" who can't shoot and doesn't really have a position. 

When it came down to making your own shot in a half court game, he disappeared.  Granted, he was the only offensive threat on the court, but when Brand attracts that double team in the low post, do you really want Iguodala spotting up? 

Iguodala is not a good defender, he racks up stats against the bottom third of the league, and is awful from beyond the arc.  The Sixers need to figure out that he is not the answer at shooting guard and he needs to be part of a sign and trade.  Bring in a typical two guard who can dribble twice and pull up for a 15 footer or set up beyond the arc and (excuse the Pacman reference) make it rain. 

The next set of business is either locking up Andre Miller, who is in the last year of his contract, or finding a replacement.  Miller is one of the few true point guards in the league and was the most valuable player all year for the Sixers, including the playoffs. 

Rumors have it he is unhappy in Philadelphia, and he wants to go back out West after his contract is up. However, the addition of a two time All-Star might just change his mind.  True point guards are extremely tough to find and it would be a shame to let one of them walk away. 

Shaun Livingston is probably expendable after the Clippers just signed Baron Davis.  He is coming off a very serious injury in which he would probably have to sit out all of the 2008-2009 season. That being said, you can't argue with his 6'8" size and ball handling ability.  Not sure what it would take to get him, but it might be worth exploring as a possible replacement for Miller. 

Folks in Philadelphia haven't been this happy since Moses Malone, but please don't stop with this move Mr. Stefanski.  We have a real chance in 2009 to challenge for a ring and be competitive for a long time.

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