The 76ers believe they are ready to be a factor in the Eastern Conference. To do so, they'll have to keep their core group healthy, especially power forward Elton Brand, get off to a good start, and go from there.
"There's definitely some tough teams in the East, but I think we can compete with all of them -- I know we can compete with all of them," Brand said. Signing Brand means the Sixers finally have a low-post scorer -- and a 20- and 10-player -- who should command a double-team, thereby allowing his teammates to get better offensive opportunities.
Assuming head coach Maurice Cheeks continues to start Andre Iguodala at shooting guard and Thaddeus Young at small forward, the Sixers will also be bigger and more athletic than they were a year ago. With Andre Miller again running the point and Samuel Dalembert in the middle, the Sixers have an improved starting group.
The bench is also deeper and more experienced, with the signings of Theo Ratliff, Kareem Rush, Donyell Marshall and Royal Ivey to minimum-salary deals. That's a significant upgrade from last year's group that featured Calvin Booth, Louis Amundson and Shavlik Randolph.
The biggest question about the Sixers is perimeter shooting. They were the worst three-point shooting team in the league last season. Rush is an above-average outside shooter, but Iguodala is mediocre, Young is unproven and guys like Lou Williams and Willie Green tend to be inconsistent from downtown. If the Sixers can't knock down jumpers, opposing defenses will be able to sag down on Brand and make it tougher for Iguodala, Miller and Williams to get to the basket.
With no expectations to even make the playoffs a year ago, the Sixers rode a strong final three months to a surprising postseason berth. They're expected to reach the playoffs this season and probably earn home-court advantage in the first round. That means other teams won't be taking the Sixers for granted anymore.
"This year's a little different," Iguodala said. "Nobody's really looking past us as they did in the past. It's almost every night teams are getting back to that stage where, 'We've got to go into Philly and we've got to get this win. They're a good team.' Teams are going to bring their 'A' game. You've got to be on point pretty much every night."
COACHING STAFF: Head Coach -- Maurice Cheeks, 8th year overall, 4th with Sixers (275-272). Assistants -- Jim Lynam, John Loyer, Jeff Ruland, Aaron McKie.
LAST SEASON, REMEMBERED: 40-42 (3rd in Atlantic), lost in six games to Pistons in first round of playoffs.
THIS SEASON, PREDICTED: 48-34 (2nd in Atlantic), plus advancing to second round in the playoffs.
POSSIBLE CHANGES, PREDICTED: If the Sixers struggle from the perimeter, Andre Iguodala could move back to small forward, Thaddeus Young could go back to coming off the bench and a shooter like Kareem Rush or last year's starter Willie Green could move into the starting lineup.
