Lou Williams is convinced the 76ers are ready for a breakout season. Primarily because of the addition of power forward Elton Brand, Williams believes winning 50 games is a distinct possibility.
"It has to be (realistic)," Williams said. "You look at the roster and we really don't have to say much. The pieces are there, the mindset is there and we have the people to do it. We're going to set a goal and come out and try to win a bunch of basketball games. We've just got to go out and do it now." Team president Ed Stefanski, who worked for the Nets before coming to the Sixers in December, declined to go that far coming off a 40-win season and playoff appearance.
"Let's see what happens in the preseason," Stefanski said. "(Nets president) Rod Thorn used to do that all the time. He enjoyed that. I didn't listen to Rod's number -- I listened to Jason Kidd's. If J-Kidd would say it or Andre Miller wants to give us a number or Elton Brand, that's fine with me."
Still, Stefanski said he is pleased with the off-season progress, which includes signing veteran role players Kareem Rush and Royal Ivey to improve the Sixers' depth.
"I think we're real happy," Stefanski said. "I get back to that we have a plan and we're executing it, so we're happy. On paper, we've done some nice things. Paper doesn't play, so I don't know."
