A RealGM Interview With Ed Stefanski
Ed Stefanski gives RealGM a 'State of the Franchise' interview where he discusses his goals for free agency, the development of their young players and the overall direction of the team.
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Stefanski Clearing Cap Room
In an effort to create what everyone in the NBA wants -- more salary cap space -- the Sixers new personnel czar, Ed Stefanski, traded one of the franchise's most popular players Saturday.
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Sixers Salary Cap Situation Still Needs Work
Most of the hope surrounding the Sixers future has been based around the possibility of salary cap room next summer and the hope that the Sixers can use that cap room to make additions to the team through free agency.
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Sixers' New Direction Leaves Lots Of Questions
Tuesday morning, the Philadelphia 76ers relieved President and General Manager Billy King of his duties and replaced him with former Nets General Manager Ed Stefanski, a Philadelphia Native who played collegiately at Penn. The decision to replace King surely doesn't come as a surprise, even if the timing of it does.
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2007-2008 Season Preview: Sixers Going Young
The Sixers have officially entered their rebuilding phase this offseason. After trading Allen Iverson and buying out Chris Webber, Sixer fans knew that, inevitably, the team would have to bring in some younger talent in an effort to build for the future. The Sixers have taken the first step in that process.
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Summer League Analysis: Game 2, Vs. Detroit
They lost on a last-second 3-pointer from Mejia, but their stable of young players looked more comfortable around each other against Detroit. Williams has to make Carney and Jones feel like they’re a part of the game because they don’t have it in them to assert themselves otherwise.
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Summer League Analysis: Game 1, Vs. San Antonio
The Sixers have three draft picks from 2007 here and a few of their players from last draft (Edin Bavcic, Rodney Carney, Bobby Jones) as well as a few free agents trying to make the team. This short recap will briefly talk about each player and how they fared in their first action, against the San Antonio Spurs.
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30 Teams, 30 Days: Philadelphia Draft Preview (30th)
Assuming they addressed the needs for forwards earlier in the draft, they should focus on grabbing a solid addition to their backcourt.
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30 Teams, 30 Days: Philadelphia Draft Preview (21st)
While we already have Al Thornton penciled in to Philly with the 12th pick in the Draft, we can expect that they are looking to sure up their backcourt with a very dynamic scorer, or they can go with a big man who brings fundamentals to their limited frontcourt.
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30 Teams, 30 Days: Philadelphia Draft Preview (12th)
The biggest need for Philly is an athletic scoring forward who is capable of playing both the small and power forward positions.
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Former Philadelphia franchise exemplifies Culture
If the Sixers want to get back to putting fans in the stands and W’s in the win column, they should consider taking a look at the Golden State blueprint. What works for a former Philadelphia franchise might just work for the current one.
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Kingpinned? Sixers Royally Ruin Season
What separates a team like Orlando from the likes of the Sixers and other also-rans? The answer is Dwight Howard, the unstoppable man-beast in the middle. Imagine Howard in a Sixer uniform. Then imagine a starting five of Andre Miller, Iguodala, Rodney Carney, Howard and Dalembert.
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Lottery Lock Or… Playoff Bound?
The Sixers are now 5-0 in March after completing an undefeated homestand and beating the depleted Pacers. Even when the Sixers were losing, they were playing hard and together. Now their effort and camaraderie have paid off as they look toward the playoffs.
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Attack of the Andre's
With the allure of Greg Oden and Kevin Durant around the corner, the present was being mortgaged for the future (which isn’t a bad idea considering the present wasn’t that good to begin with). But then something happened to the Philadelphia 76ers, something nobody expected.
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Let The Kid Play
Louis Williams embodies everything that’s wrong with Billy King and the Philadelphia 76ers braintrust.
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Sixers Looking Like Lottery Lock
Sixer fans can look forward to the 2007 lottery, where they will likely have a very high pick at this rate. The other struggling teams in the NBA, such as Boston, Memphis, and Charlotte, have much more talent on their rosters than the Sixers.
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Iverson Still Getting No Respect
Allen Iverson gets no respect for the way he plays and he gets no respect for what he can do in the community. Say what you want, but Allen Iverson will still be Allen Iverson, even if that means paying for a funeral for a man who was shot over one of his jerseys.
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Pull The Plug
It has to be hard for an elite athlete to admit it's over. And even if an athlete that is clearly on empty could take personal inventory and look at himself objectively, only an idiot would walk away from $40 million. That's the predicament Chris Webber finds himself in.
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Apathy Breeds Hope
Nobody in Philadelphia is talking about the Sixers -- unless it's to take a quick shot at Billy King or dream about a kid named Greg Oden. But, we have news for all of you -- the Sixers aren't that bad and brace yourselves -- they are going to make the playoffs.
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Philadelphia 76ers: 2006-2007 Season Preview
As the offseason was about to begin, Sixer GM Billy King promised a change in the culture of the Sixers. Superstar G Allen Iverson and PF Chris Webber were late to Fan Appreciation Night, and change had to occur. Now, six months later, the Sixers have not altered much personnel-wise from the team that won only 36 games a season ago.
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King Corrects What Could Have Been A Disastrous Mistake
In yet the latest development of the Allen Iverson saga, Philadelphia 76ers President Billy King announced that Iverson’s name will no longer be bandied about in trade discussions for the remainder of the offseason.
Here is Dennis L. Silva's take on how the 76ers averted a potential disaster in trading Iverson.
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King Doing The Little Things
There was once a coach in Philadelphia who praised players for doing “the little things” on the court. This summer, General Manager Billy King is taking former coach Larry Brown’s mantra to heart.
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Gauging Iverson’s Value
There’s been no definitive trade rumor that substantiates Iverson’s exit from Philadelphia. However, all of these rumors do prove that other teams believe A.I. can be had for the right price…whatever that may be. Which leads to the most important question everyone wants to know – what is Iverson’s value?
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8 Possibilities For Philly At 13
The Sixers will pick 13th in what is described as a deep draft. Players with great NCAA pedigree like Shelden Williams and JJ Redick of Duke, Rodney Carney of Memphis may still be on the board, as may Tiago Splitter from Brazil. If the Sixers do decide this is the summer to begin rebuilding, a very nice role player can be had this season, possibly before Greg Oden in 2007?
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Trying To Learn From The Knicks
Fifteen months ago, the New York Knicks were at a crossroads as the NBA trade deadline loomed. The Knicks could have waited two seasons, let their contracts expire, and be under the cap and able to compete for players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Bosh when they become restricted free agents in 2007. This is an important offseason for the Sixers. When the summer is over and the moves have been made, will they be one year closer to salary cap freedom, or two years further away like this year’s Knicks?
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Where A.I. Could Go
Allen Iverson is not only coming off of one of his best seasons as a Sixer statistically, but also one of the best statistical seasons in NBA history. This fact has become highly irrelevant as Philadelphia finished the season with a disappointing 38-44 record.
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A Season Of Disappointment, An Offseason Of Change?
The road to glory for the Philadelphia 76ers will be a frustrating one for fans of the club. However, by taking care of the cap situation with a trade of Iverson or Webber and going with younger players, the Sixers can avoid an extended stay in mediocrity.
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King Sized Failure
Billy King's final act as GM of the Sixers will likely be jettisoning Allen Iverson in the off-season and instead of revolting, a lot of Philly fans will sit back and let it happen. You see, through it all, most Philadelphia fans seem to want to blame Iverson for the Sixers‘ woes.
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Sixers Appear A-OK In Standings And Stat Sheets
Even though the Sixers are just one game behind the Nets and Allen Iverson and Chris Webber are having terrific seasons, an alarming stat, one that somehow hides behind the standings and individual stat leaders, is that the Sixers are 6-12 against teams that are over .500. Surrendering 102 points per game and getting out rebounded 43-42 on average per game won’t cut it in this league. That’s why the Sixers are able to beat the bad teams and why they struggle against the good teams.
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Dalembert - A Fantasy Year
Fantasyland - the place where raw athleticism, senseless goaltending, bail-out fouls, and poor court awareness means little. Just ask Samuel Dalembert, who's making a considerable amount of noise in fantasy basketball circles right now.
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Cheeks Must Repair Roller Coaster
The play of the Sixers so far this season is like a roller coaster. Unfortunately, nobody is enjoying the ride. The latest loss at Atlanta put to rest the notion that this team’s rebounding, defensive and late-game shortcomings are behind them.
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Numbers Don’t Lie
So far in this young season, the Sixers are fun to watch and also fun for opponents to play against. The numbers back up this notion. AI and company have put up more than stellar offensive statistics all while allowing opponents to do the same thing on the other end of the court.
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Thin Bench’s Hefty Contribution Exposes Flaws
The Sixers earned their fourth consecutive win last night thanks in part to great production from the two key members on a not-so deep bench. Lee Nailon, a veteran free agent whose signing with Philly didn’t steal many headlines, found open spots and hit jumper after jumper en route to a season-high 21 points, while John Salmons added 14 points and 4 assists.
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Sixers Breakdown Shocks Home Crowd
After a fabulous start in which Allen Iverson and Chris Webber showed critics that they at least for the first night of this season could play together – and do so productively – the team’s lack of fundamentals cost them a game they deserved to win.
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M.O.B Squad, Salmons Will Determine Fate
So rather than questioning Iverson once again, completely writing off Webber as a contributor, or not believing in the growth of Iguodala, Korver and Dalembert, the real spotlight should be on the M.O.B. squad.
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Blue Days, Less Green Await Injured Sixer
Willie Green injured his knee in a pick-up basketball game and it should be a valuable lesson for all professional athletes. Green, who will be out six to nine months, not only potentially cost himself the entire season (one in which Green was expected to see more consistent playing time), but he also more than likely coughed up the $20 million contract Billy King was about to sign off on before the injury occurred.
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Sixers Spot in Crowded East
This Sixers team should definitely be an improvement from last season, but do not expect to see that show up in the win-loss column or in a high postseason finish.
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Sixers Cap Tied Up For Years To Come
To no surprise, Billy King has decided to commit to the youth of the 76ers’ organization. The Sixers reportedly signed center Sammy Dalembert to a long term deal in the range of $50-60 million. This comes just a week after the announcement of the team’s signings of Kyle Korver for $25 million and Willie Green for $20 million. Both were for six years. King kept his word, as he repeatedly vowed to keep the young trio in town, no matter how much other teams offered.
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Off-Season Outlook
Dalembert is the number one priority for the Sixers, and the future of this franchise rides on his return to Philadelphia. His signing will set the tone for the rest of the Sixers off-season moves.
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Sixers Questionably Add Long-term Project
And with the 45th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select…an undersized two guard who can't shoot, pass or play defense. Excuse me, I mean the 76ers select Louis Williams, guard, South Gwinnett High School.
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Sixers Off-season Preview: Don't Expect A Roster Overhaul
Don't expect a rookie to come in and make a big presence next year. The Sixers' first-round pick went to Denver in the 2002 three-way deal that brought Kenny Thomas to town from the Rockets. That pick then was sent to New Jersey and dealt again to the Raptors. Cross your fingers for a second round steal at No.45.
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The Right Hire Brings Mo’ Expectations
Billy King made a mistake and quickly acknowledged it. After just one inconsistent season, King fired 76ers head coach and Philly native Jim O’Brien. And as quick as the door hit O’Brien on the way out, King named his successor in former Sixers hero Maurice Cheeks.
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AI Leads Sixers Back to the Playoffs….But There’s Still Turmoil
Is there turmoil in Philly this off-season? There can’t be. Not after the Sixers returned to the playoffs, AI played MVP ball and Billy King brought in a second all-star to run with AI. Well, unfortunately turmoil and Philadelphia sports always seem to find each other.
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Pistons Take Sixers’ Best Shot
For years, the rap on Chris Webber has been that he’s not a clutch player. It began in college and continued with the Kings and it played out in Philadelphia on Sunday, when Webber launched an ill-advised three-point shot in the waning seconds of overtime, helping the Pistons to a critical 97-92 victory.
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Sixers Full Of Question Marks
Allen Iverson is nicknamed The Answer, but his team is full of question marks.
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Can Webber Excel With Iverson?
Will Iverson and Weber be able to mesh for Philadelphia to win a championship in the next few years?
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Poor Defense Could Haunt Sixers Season
The Sixers hold the key to their playoff destiny with or without Webber.
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Statement Game: Webber Silences Critics With Dominant Performance
The Sixers have a big mountain to climb, no time to waste, and a long list of upcoming opponents who are just as desperate to win as they are.
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Sixers Lose To Kings In Webber’s Debut
Despite the best efforts of the Philly faithful to pray for a happy beginning to the Chris Webber Era, the Sixers could not hold on to an early double digit lead and wound up losing to the visiting Sacramento Kings, 101-99.
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Webber Comes To Philly
One day the Sixers are stuck in relative mediocrity. The next, they’re a force in the Eastern Conference. What a difference a player makes. Especially when that player is Chris Webber.
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Sixers Lose To Champs, But Gain Some Perspective
The Sixers had to put their three-game winning streak on the line against the defending world champs, who by the way, have been red hot the last two weeks. The results were not pretty as Detroit won convincingly, 93-75.
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A.I. Drops 60. Sixers Officially A Quality All-Around Team
How ironic that on the same night that Allen Iverson casually dropped 60 points on the Orlando Magic, it also became clear that the Sixers have evolved into a quality all-around team, capable of winning games by doing the little things that often go unnoticed in the box score?
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Opportunity Knocks For The Sixers
With the Eagles season officially over and the NHL lockout making people forget about hockey, the Sixers have finally claimed center stage in the Philly sports scene.
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CAP RELIEF
At the end of the season, the Sixers salary cap situation is headed for some much needed relief. Glenn Robinson and his enormous contract finally come off the books.
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Sixers Return Home And Lose To Red Hot Blazers
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Release, ROTATION, Splash!
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Sixers Collapse Versus The Knicks, Sign Of More Problems?
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The Philadelphia 76ers State of the Team Address:
“Out With the Old,
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Dr. Larry and Mr. Brown
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The Missing Piece to the Puzzle?
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LIKE RODNEY SEZ: NO RESPECT!
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ALL ABOARD THE SIXER BANDWAGON
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YAWN... ANOTHER WEEK, THREE MORE WINS
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Catching Up
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Like the Old Saying Goes: ''When It Rains…It Rains Like a Bastard!''
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Lets make a deal!
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Can The Sixers Land A Big One?
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New Improved Sixer Column, Take One
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To the Lifeboats, Gilligan!!
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Midseason Extravaganza: Part One
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Midseason Extravaganza: Part Two
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No Theo? No Problem.
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The Trade… and Other Stuff
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Slow News Week
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Bitter Rivalry Wanted
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The Ship Will Right Itself… Guaranteed
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Have they returned?
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Let the Second Season Begin!
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Road Warriors Take the Lead
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Sixers Dispose of Pacers
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Raptors Down, Bucks to Go
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Analyzing" the Series
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Finally!
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How to Sneak Into the Eastern Conference Finals Without Really Trying
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Larry Brown inherits a crop of hard-working players but a crop that unfortunately lacks the imagination and exceptionalness to become great. 
All year long people criticized Rashard Lewis because of the contract Orlando gave him last summer, but he has paid dividends for the Magic this postseason.
Mike Dunleavy and Danny Granger had nice seasons, but they appear to be in that limbo between being good and being bad enough to get help in the lottery.
Billy Knight will be remembered more for his blunders than his successes.
Rudy Gay positively broke out this season and is the Grizzlies' focal building block moving forward, that is unless they land the number one overall pick.
The Bulls were thought to be a talented young team expected to take their collective game to the next level but instead played like a young team with less talent than anticipated.
Maybe it was the green hue that has been sprinkled on the league this season, or Atlanta’s losing record, but there didn’t seem to be a matchup Boston couldn’t exploit before this seven-game relationship began.
Who should the fans blame for the Nuggets sweep at the hands of the Lakers? George Karl barely runs an offense and the team doesn’t focus on defense. However, the answer to the question lies in the team's front office.
The Lakers' offense is synergistic; the Nuggets are a ticking time bomb with no semblance of offensive cohesion.
For the first time since the Run TMC days, three Warriors averaged 20 points a night and by winning 48 games, it was their highest win total since 93-94 when they won 50.
The winner of this series can be patient, if ambitious. The loser has no choice but to examine the possibility of upheaval.