Philadelphia 76ers 2008-09 Season Preview
Written by Luke Knight
The Philadelphia 76ers made the playoffs last season for the first time in 3 years, finishing the season with a 40-42 record under Maurice Cheeks, who did a fantastic job getting his players to play within their limitations. The 76ers didn’t take their success last season for granted and knowing they needed to continue improving to be competitive in the Easter conference picked up Elton Brand, Royal Ivey, and Kareem Rush in the offseason while returning all of their major starters. Many think the Sixers are more than just a playoff team, but instead a competitor in Eastern Conference. Keep reading to see whether we think the Sixers will improve upon last year’s playoff season and contend for an Eastern Conference title, or stay in the second tier of teams in this grinding conference. Bet on the Sixers at Sportsbook.com to win the NBA title at +3500 odds.
Andre Miller is everything a coach can ask for in a point guard, which makes him one of the best in the NBA. Miller runs the ball so well that he makes players around him better. He takes good shots, plays solid defense, and finds an open man. In short, Miler is a pure playmaker. Miller is 32 years old and averaged 36.8 minutes per game last season, so it is important for the Sixers to have someone who can come in and get some quality minutes to keep Miller fresh and healthy. Royal Ivey will help with backup duties and ball pressure. Ivey has made a career of playing short minutes efficiently, as he only averages 0.7 turnovers per game. Louis Williams also could get some time at the point as he is a great scorer, but would have to show he has the patience and ability to find the open man to really improve the point position off the bench.
Andre Iguodala is one of the most explosive shooting guards in the league and is extremely dangerous in the open court. He is fast and has great leaping ability. He lead the Sixers with 19.9 ppg and thrived with Andre Miller feeding him last year. Willie Green will see time here off the bench, and is a solid scorer who will take the big shot. Green averaged 12.4 ppg and that is the most important thing for the Sixers, getting consistency off the bench. Kareem Rush, who started 15 games for Indiana last season, will also see time here. Rush has great range and good size and has decent skills on both ends of the floor. Williams will also get time here off the bench as he is a natural scorer.
Iguodala will get minutes here as Williams comes into his own at the 2 guard spot. Thaddeus Young, who shot .539 from the field in 74 games as a rookie, will thrive at this position. Young mostly played power forward last season, but the small forward is his best position. Young is only 20 years old, but seemed to come into his own last year. He played really well with and without the ball. He should have a big year.
Elton Brand can score, rebound, and play defense. Brand will not only be a great acquisition on the court, but also can provide leadership for second-year forward Jason Smith and rookie Marreese Speights. Reggie Evans will also get some solid minutes here. Evans does extremely well at getting putbacks, rebounds, and playing defense. He gives everything he has for as long as he is on the floor.
Samuel Dalembert had a big year last year and could easily have a bigger one this year. Dalembert was a factor on both ends of the floor and has always been a solid shotblocker. He is also improved and scoring and rebounding, which makes him dangerous. Brand’s frontcourt play should allow Dalembert to be even better this year, as long as he stays out of foul trouble. Speights should give Dalembert some backup help here.
Final Analysis
The Sixers are going to be a team to watch this season. They should repeat as a playoff team, but that doesn’t seem like it would be enough and with the talent they put on the floor, their sights should be set higher. Maurice Cheeks has his head in the right place and is looking to win the Eastern Conference. We have the Sixers taking 2nd in the Atlantic Division finishing behind only the Boston Celtics. The Sixers are going to be competitive in the Eastern Conference and figure to be a dangerous team for other East powers such as Cleveland and Detroit and Orlando, but we don’t have them winning the conference this season. The odds on the Sixers winning the East are at +1200 at Sportsbook.com.
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