State of the Sixers; Ed Stefanski

Before we go into the Sixers, and the problems this dissapointing squad is facing, the real question is:

Does anyone care?

This season, the Sixers are averaging 13,00 fans, which places them 25th in the league. Teams like the Clippers, Bucks and Wizards all have better attendance then the Sixers. you can blame it on the economy, but its not like Philadelphia is the only place getting hit. You could blame it on the Phillies world series win, but they havn't played in months. You could blame it on the Eagles, but up until last week, they were dead in the water.

No, blame it on this- the Sixers suck.

What a dissapointment this season has been. Its not good that about 35 games into the season, everyone is wishing they could redo this off season. Anyone wish that we had Josh Smith instead of Elton Brand? Good thing we kept this group together and signed Iguodala for 80 million dollers. First round pick Marresse Speights? Started 2 games.

The Sixers tried to turn it around with the firing with Maurece Cheeks, and inserting Tony Dileo as head coach, who by the way, has never coached an NBA game. When the Sixers fired Cheeks, they were 9-14. With Tony DiLeo as coach, they are 4-6, which is around the same winning percentage. So the coach wasn't the problem.

The Sixers are struggling on the offensive end. They are 25th in the league at scoring, averaging about 95 points per game. Their defense is better, as they are 14th in the NBA, giving up 97 points. Many people say they they are having trouble adjusting to having Elton Brand in the line up, saying that they can't run like they used to. But they are 2-6 with Brand in the lineup, and 11-14 with him in it. Thats almost double the winning percentage with him in the lineup. But even with it doubled, they are still a sub .500 team with Brand. Everyone expected them to compete for the top 4 spots in the East. Now, they are 5th- in the Atlantic Division. The New York Knicks blew up their season, trying to get Lebron James in 2 years- and still are ahead of the Sixers.

The Sixers better hope this is just a mirage, and the Brand-Iguodala combination works. Because they are stuck with it- for 6 years. It will be hard to trade Iguodala, and even harder to trade Brand. For all the praise Ed Stefanski got last season, all he really did was trade Korver- most of the team that made that run was built by Billy King. Lets look at Stefanskis moves, giving them a plus or minus:

1) Trade Korver: Did develop Young, but now leaves the Sixers looking for a outside shooter

Overall: Even

2) Sign Elton Brand: We have to base it on so far, and so far, all the move has done is tie up the Sixers cap for the next 6 years. It could change, but right now....

Overall: Minus

3) Sign Iguodala: The Sixers did have to resign him, but they gave him way to much. They now have Young and Iggy at the same position, and you coudl argue that young is almost as good. Iguodala can't shoot, and with Brand down low, thats what the Sixers need.

Overall: Minus

4) Signing Kareem Rush, Donyell Marshall and Royal Ivey: Have they done anything at all this year?

Overall: Minus

5) Sign Lou Williams: This was a good move. He signed a good young player for a reasonable deal (5 Million a year).

Overall: Plus

6) Draft Speights: Its only about 35 games into his rookie season, but he does look good so far. But where does he play? Brand is the 4, and hes not a 5.

Overall: Even

7) Fire Cheeks: Way to early to do it, and has no provided a spark at all. DiLeo is not the long term answer, leaving the Sixers looking for a coach in the off season.
Overall: Minus

Thats 2 evens, 2 plus and 4 minuses. This Sixers off season was the big one. They traded Iverson to get to this point- grossly under the cap, ready to sign a big player. The Sixers didn't trust Billy King to make that call. But could he have done worse then Stefanski?

The season is still young, and the Sixers rebounded last year to get to the playoffs. But after all the hype and the exctiement, its hard to imagine this team finishing higher then the 7 seed- at best. And the more the season plays out, and the less people come, and the less people stop to care, the question has to be asked: Is this Stefanski's fault?