-
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images
Elton found Philadelphia freedom, and as the 76ers' low-post anchor, Brand is expected to show the East's most dynamic young team how to get it done when the game slows down in the postseason.
| ANALYST | PREDICTION |
 J.A. Adande ESPN.com |
ATLANTIC: 2 | EAST: 5 Brand addressed their biggest weakness (half-court offense), so now they're a lock for the 2nd round of the playoffs. Beyond that, it depends on how much they learned from Detroit in the playoffs last season. |
 JonBarry ESPN.com |
ATLANTIC: 3 | EAST: 6 Elton Brand claims to be as healthy as he's ever been. The Sixers came on late last season, but the team still lacks bench depth. Brand and Iggy are good enough to get them a spot in the playoffs. |
 ChrisBroussard ESPN Mag |
ATLANTIC:2 | EAST: 5 The Sixers seem to have everything except great outside shooting: an inside-outside tandem in Brand and Iguodala, a PG in Andre Miller, shot-blocker Samuel Dalembert and athleticism (Thaddeus Young, Louis Williams). Probably at least a year away from being real contenders. |
 RicBucher ESPN Mag |
ATLANTIC: 3 | EAST: 5 I've always seen Elton Brand's stats as more impressive than his actual importance to his team winning. If he makes this Sixers' squad one of the four best in the East, I may have to reconsider. |
 ChadFord ESPN.com |
ATLANTIC: 2 | EAST: 3 With Elton Brand and Andre Miller as veteran anchors, young players like Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young and Louis Williams should thrive. They have enough firepower to represent the East in the Finals. |
 JemeleHill ESPN.com |
ATLANTIC: 2 | EAST: 5 Brand gives this young, athletic team stability and a half-court offense in the postseason. Still think they're a year away from serious contention, but I wouldn't be surprised if their success was accelerated. |
 JohnHollinger ESPN.com |
ATLANTIC: 2 | EAST: 3 It's a Brand new day in Philly thanks to last season's late resurgence and the free-agent heist of Elton. The Sixers remain desperate for outside shooting, but with rising stars like Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young and Louis Williams, get used to them being a factor. |
 JalenRose ESPN.com |
ATLANTIC: 2 | EAST: 3 Elton Brand will be a huge problem for opponents and an All-Star. Andre Miller is the most underrated point guard in the game. Andre Iguodala has developed into a star, but they will need Samuel Dalembert to anchor the paint on defense. |
 ChrisSheridan ESPN.com |
ATLANTIC: 2 | EAST: 5 Probably the most improved team in the conference, but outside shooting -- one of their two main weaknesses last season -- remains a question mark until we see whether Louis Williams can knock 'em down in the 40 percent range. Rotisserie players: Get Thaddeus Young. |
 MarcStein ESPN.com |
ATLANTIC: 2 | EAST: 5 For all the concerns about their lack of outside shooting and dealing with high expectations, you have to believe that Elton and his new crew have a real shot at winning 50 games. I do, anyway. |
| |
TOTAL ATLANTIC: 2.2 | Standings EAST: 4.5 | Standings |
Team Strength: Transition offense
The Sixers are a blur in transition, which is why it's so important to avoid live-ball turnovers against them. It all starts with Andre Miller. Yes, he's 32 and out of shape, but he's also one of the best transition players in basketball. He throws the alley-oop as well as any player in history, has an outstanding array of short bank shots that he can hit on pull-ups, and almost never makes the wrong decision.He has plenty of teammates to run with him. Andre Iguodala is a fearsome dunker and a strong ball handler himself who can generate many of his own transition opportunities, while Louis Williams is among the league's fastest players and creates odd-man advantages with his speed, though he can get wildly out of control.
Up front, Thaddeus Young is a combo forward who is among the league's most promising young players. He went completely under the radar last year, but he's a good athlete who can handle the ball and finish with either hand around the rim, adding another transition threat. And up front, Samuel Dalembert is one of the league's speediest big men.
| STARTERS | RESERVES |
 Andre Miller | Point Guard 6-2 | 200 | Age: 32 Hollinger profile |
 Louis Williams | Guard 6-2 | 175 | Age: 21 Hollinger profile |
 Andre Iguodala | Shooting Guard6-6 | 207 | Age: 24 Hollinger profile |
 Willie Green | Guard 6-4 | 201 | Age: 27 Hollinger profile |
 Thaddeus Young | Small Forward6-8 | 220 | Age: 20 Hollinger profile |
 Kareem Rush | Guard 6-6 | 216 | Age: 27 Hollinger profile |
 Elton Brand | Power Forward 6-8 | 254 | Age: 29 Hollinger profile |
 Reggie Evans | Forward 6-8 | 245 | Age: 28 Hollinger profile |
 Samuel Dalembert | Center 6-11 | 250 | Age: 27 Hollinger profile |
 Marreese Speights | Forward6-10 | 245 | Age: 21 Hollinger profile |
Bust: Louis Williams
I don't think his numbers will improve significantly from last season. Barring an injury, Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala are both going to play big minutes, and because this team should be winning a lot, there might be less opportunity to play guys who aren't the starters. Williams will play; I just don't think he'll play more than the 24.7 minutes per game he averaged after the All-Star break last season.
... Elton Brand has some all-star left in him?
ESPN The Magazine's NBA Preview hits stands October 22. For more, go to espnthemag.com.
Tom McGinnis: "With Sammy fouled out, the Sixers go with a lineup of Elton, Thaddeus, Iguodala and Williams with Miller inbounding."
Todd MacCulloch: "I think you look for Andre here, Tom."
Tom: "Miller does look for Iguodala, but LeBron is on him like glue; they get it to Elton at the top of the key. Brand is double-teamed and finds a streaking Williams driving to the bucket ... Louis elevates and throws it down! ARE YOU, KIDDING, ME! Sweet Louis willed his way to the basket and melted the Snowman in his tracks. Sixers win!"
Todd: "You betcha."
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Andre Iguodala is getting paid like a franchise player. Now the 76ers need him to take the franchise to new heights.
Maurice Cheeks
Experience: 7 years Record: 275-271
Playoffs: 5-11
NBA titles: 0
Coach's profile
Philadelphia made a strong run late last season based mostly on great teamwork and defensive intensity. Both often come as a result of an ego-less team. Maurice Cheeks now has to get even more from his team while managing both a bona-fide star in Elton Brand and a player with a star's new contract in Andre Iguodala.
The Sixers thrived under a "low expectations" banner, but now look like legit threats for a conference title. Cheeks will look to last season's champions for a blueprint on how to stick together and defend every night.
Comments
You must be signed in to post a comment