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**Coatesvillain** · 08-18-2005, 04:28 AM

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PHILADELPHIA -- Kyle Korver has been busy this summer. The 76ers small forward visited China with Basketball Without Borders, hit the sea on a cruise with his family and took trips to Seattle, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. At the same time, he found ways to work on his game and stay in shape -- so much so that new head coach Maurice Cheeks used the 24-year-old as an example for the free agents participating in a three-day minicamp at the team’s practice facility this week.

"Kyle’s in better shape than a lot of these guys here and that’s what I pointed out to them," Cheeks said. "A guy who doesn’t have to be here and is here, and in better shape than some of the other players, is a credit to him. I think some of those guys have to look at him and see a player who’s here who doesn’t have to be here and in the shape that he’s in now."

By the end of last season -- one in which Korver averaged 32.5 minutes a game -- he had dropped some weight. Since then, the 6-7 shooter has added about 15 pounds, now standing at or a bit over his natural playing weight of 210 pounds.

What he didn’t do -- on the advice of his agent and friends and coaches -- is play a lot of basketball. A restricted free agent at the start of July, Korver recently put the finishing touches on a five-year contract that will pay him roughly $24 million.

Originally, the deal was for six years, but the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement allows restricted free agents with two years’ experience to sign for a maximum of five years.

Korver signed the re-worked agreement after Wednesday’s morning session at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. While awaiting the new contract, however, he stayed off the court.

"You’ve got to be careful," he said. "It’s a fine line. You don’t not work hard. You don’t sit back and wait ‘til it’s all done. You’ve got to do your thing, but at the same time, it’s a big deal."

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Korver averaged 11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists last season. In former coach Jim O’Brien’s system, his ability to shoot the 3-pointer was a highly valued asset. Korver led the league in 3-point conversions with 226, tying Quentin Richardson.

Korver, however, wants more.

"Individually, I want to be someone who has more things run for me like pick-and-rolls, more plays besides just coming off one screen or coming off a double screen or just spacing out," he said. "I want to be a bigger part of the offense and whatwe’re trying to do."

Under O’Brien, Korver started 57 games, but his role under Cheeks has yet to be defined. There’s one school of thought that suggests Korver, with his sharp-shooting ability, might be more effective coming off the bench.

That’s partly the fuel motivating Korver in the offseason.

"I want to start," he said. "I want to play the whole game. That’s what every basketball player wants to do. I’m a team player, though. Whatever coach decides is best for the team, that’s what I want to do.

"But for me, personally, I want to play. I think I can play the position as well as anybody else if not better. I feel that what I can bring is much different than what anyone else can bring. I feel that when that’s on the table, when that’s out there as an option, that gives us our best squad.

"At the same time, if someone works harder than me this summer, if someone’s in better shape, if someone’s doing better things, they should start. But if that’s not the case, I expect to."

Whatever Korver’s role, Sixers fans can expect his contribution this season to be significant.

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**Max Payne** · 08-18-2005, 09:01 AM

I know many of you guys will disagree with me but the whole reason I liked Korver as a starter aside from his marksmanship was his tenacious defense. At first, when I went to watch Sixers games, I really thought he didn't have the foot speed to stay on his man but I was proven dead wrong. He's a great defender who hustles all the time and was a nightmare combo with Iggy for opposition perimeter players.

I too, would love to have Finley on this club, but he doesn't play any defense and that would ultimately come back to haunt the team.

Melo's Answer · 08-18-2005, 11:20 AM

I would have to disagree with you there Korvers D was what lacked last season all though i will give him he improved tremendously towards the end of the year but I think you had it right when you said you didnt think he had the foot speed bc that is where he was getting hurt the one thing he was good at on defense was strippin the ball if there was a clutter or inside but i always dreded when someone got Korver one on one without help side because it was usually a bucket but i think he realized that last season and worked on his speed in the offseason and i expect him to keep his improvement as for now lets leave the lead Scorer to Iggy

jhammer22 · 08-22-2005, 11:00 AM

No offense Route I-76, but you should really use punctuation. It would make it much easier to read your posts.

I thought Korver played decent defense. He has a good attitude and work ethic, that's for sure. I'd like to see him get his 30 minutes next year. He sure can shoot the rock.

phillyfan99 · 09-04-2005, 10:53 PM

i think korver is going to have a good year, i also think his d will be a little better but not by much, but like jhammer said he has a great attidude and will be willing to put the work in to be better on defense

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