This year on December 25th, hoop fans will be able to un-wrap the gift of a salvaged NBA season. No more guessing as to whether or not LeBron will participate in a charity game. No more watching Euroleague Basketball to catch a glimpse of NBA talent. We will finally get to see NBA competition once again. Although this is something we should all be Tebowing over, Sixers fans in particular should look at this year as the beginning of something special.
The key to any successful franchise is its ownership. Take a look at the NBA squads that have been successful, and an ownership with a proven track record will surely follow. Just look at the overzealous Mark Cuban and what he has done with the NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks. That type of passion is something that has been missing from the Sixers’ front office since the departure of Pat Croce. It appears as though new Managing Owner Joshua Harris is going to bring that back to the city. During this stagnant off-season he has already vowed to bring Dr. J back to the team in some capacity, added esteemed Jeff Capel to the coaching staff and gave Hip-Hop, the mascot, a pink slip. Just wait until he can begin to make moves with the roster! This is a guy that knows this team needs to make changes from top to bottom and he’s not afraid to do it.
We can all play fantasy owner and dream up trades that would make the Sixers an instant contender (Elton Brand to any team is my favorite) but the current roster may not perform all that bad in a shortened season. The Sixers won’t be faced with the challenge of adapting to a new head coach like the LA Lakers. Nor will they have to worry about vital rookies adapting to a new system like teams who had lottery picks in this summer’s draft. Barring any unforeseeable blockbuster trades, the Sixers will be heading into this season with the same group of guys that finished last year on a hot streak. Add the fact that a 66 game schedule, with only 18 of those against the Western Conference, the Sixers are sure to luck up and avoid playing some of the top Western Conference teams this year. The last time the Sixers played a shortened season (1999 NBA Lockout) they improved from the 14th spot in the Eastern Conference to a six seed in the playoffs. Fans of the storied franchise can only hope for similar results come this season.
We can also look forward to a breakout season from point guard Jrue Holiday. Last year he averaged 14 points and 6 assists per game in just his second year in the league. His numbers were significantly better after the All-Star break and I see no reason for that success not to continue, especially under the tutelage of head coach and former All-Star point guard Doug Collins. If he can get the job done at the point without the help of a single All-Star on his team, it’s no telling what Holiday can do once he is surrounded by the right talent.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not ordering that we clean the rafters and make room for a championship banner anytime soon. Sure there are a lot of questions left unanswered as we prepare for this unique season to unfold. We don’t know if Andre Iguodala will finally earn his $90 million contract. It’s uncertain if Elton Brand will spend more time on the floor than the kids that sweep the court. Hell, we still don’t even have a mascot! One thing is for certain- as the franchise works its way back to the top of the Eastern Conference, this season will serve as an early milestone for how it will all come together.
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