Sixerfanforlife

With training camp upon us, it is time to focus in-point on the 2007-2008 76ers squad, many have predicted that the 76ers season would end up at a similar rate as to last season.

But, as it is evidenced, with the potential of the players and their past NBA career, there is infact, a legitmate starting 5 that can play defense, and it would bring back the days of the 2000-2001 76ers squad. Everyone remembers, we had Dikembe Motombo/Theo Ratliff (both of them, at the time were HOF bound) defensive centers. We had George Lynch and Raja Bell, Bell most notably is a key-player for the Phoenix Suns. We can re-create that chance, we can re-create that team.

I have studied the 76ers players, 1-by-1, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and latest scouting reports. And there is indeed a lineup (Can Maurice Cheeks use it?) that will allow us to regain the journey, on the road, back to the NBA finals.


Starting Lineup:

C: Samuel Dalembert (Why: Samuel Dalembert has always been one of the league’s established shot-blockers (when healthy of course), but he’s also been foul-prone. According to the Sixers.Com scouting reports, Samuel Dalembert has improved his individual defensive capabilitys, most notably, he has developed a “low-post” game. This will be the most crucial area for 76ers fans to watch for. If Samuel Dalembert is: A: Offensively coordinated B: Defensively efficient C: Confident, then the road to the finals is starting to open up.

PF: Steven Hunter (Former Starter: Chris Webber) Steven Hunter, during the last 20 games of the season, showed offensive prowlness, averaging around 12/5. This season, Steven Hunter has apparently worked hard on his rebounding and developing an even nastier game offensively. While the low-post offense from Steven Hunter will be most appreciated, the thing that 76ers fans will like about Steven Hunter, is that, like Samuel Dalembert, Steven Hunter can block shots. If Steven Hunter and Samuel Dalembert can re-work the success that they did against the Chicago Bulls, then they have a great chance to help us win some basketball games.

SF:Rodney Carney (Former Starters: John Salmons, Kyle Korver, Matt Barnes) Clearly, Rodney Carney, even in his rookie year is better then the 3 fore-mentioned. Rodney Carney is memphis’s all-time leading 3pt scorer, and one of the most efficient forwards in college basketball. Rodney Carney will be expected to take his game to a whole-nother level, as he will be asked to help Andre Iguodala cover guys like: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade….Eh, I’m not gonna scare this rookie anymore, but the point is clear, Rodney Carney will be asked to do everything this season, and the scary thing?: He can do everything. Carney will be a big part of this basketball team, in particular, defensively.

SG:Andre Iguodala (Former Starter: Allen Iverson) Andre Iguodala will be asked to participate in his 3rd full season, and here’s an interesting fact: He has never came off the bench in his career. Andre Iguodala is one of the game’s finest athletes, but that’s not all he is, he has a deadly perimeter game, great inside scoring game, and a finesse defensive player. Typically, like 76ers rookie Rodney Carney, Andre Iguodala has a chance to be one of the game’s greats. And if these two, break-out, we’re gonna be breaking out too.

PG: Allen Iverson (Former starter:Kevin Ollie) Allen Iverson will be moved BACK (Argh, Mo should’ve kept him there in the 1st place) to the point guard position this year. Averaging 33 PPG and 7.8 APG, Allen Iverson continues his natural dominance and is continuing to show his passion for our great game. In his 11th NBA Season, he’s only came off the bench 4 times in his NBA career. (I’ll edit this article, by giving you his season stats, and the actual games in which he came off the bench: Note: No, not in the Chris Ford fued, AI decided not to play that game). This year, Allen Iverson will be passing to, not limited too: A (Hopefully) offensive efficient Samuel Dalembert, a thriving Steven Hunter, an aggressive Andre Iguodala, and a young Rodney Carney.




Overall: This lineup can play defense, but it’s also a very explosive offensive unit. (By keeping Chris Webber out of the lineup, see how we can spread the ball? EH, Webber SUCKS). This lineup, in a class by itself, can dominate the weakened eastern Conference, Miami is older, Detroit’s done, Chicago’s not yet ready, Indiana doesn’t have fire power. We can easily win this Eastern Conference. Of course, that’s if it all goes according to plan, and since 2001, since when has that happened?

Sadly, never.

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Chan

Webber and AI were the league's leading scoring duo last year. Hunter and Dalembert won't do much on offense. Carney is still unproven. No firepower.

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I know I contradicted myself/look I don't need that now.

BEEZ

What are you talking about. Chris Webber will start, AI was never at the 2 last year, he was always a the 1. I do agree with Carney starting but thats just by default almost.

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I have no clue!

Sliccat

He's talking in the hypothetical.

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mini_iverson213

interesting....
C-webb will start and hunter wont thats 4 sure
even if ur projected lineup seems good (it may as well be) maurice cheeks may think otherwise.
Im fairly new to the sixers (been following them for about a year now) but to me trading webber would be a good move. We have stephen hunter to fill his spot at power forward in and we could benefit from maybe another good offensive (or maybe even defensive) player. Not saying that anyone on our starting team is bad...

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Kunlun

I agree that the Sixers should have Hunter start in place of Webber, but I don't think that Webber will take well to that idea and will refuse to play if it happens.

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Go SiXeRs!!

BEEZ

So you put both of your foul prone, limited offensively Centers in the starting lineup and things will be better?

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I have no clue!

Kunlun

It worked well last season.

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Go SiXeRs!!

Sliccat

Better than injury prone, defensively limited Power Fowards, maybe.

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Ruff Draft

That would be the key line-up if Webber was gone. However he isn't going to come off the bench for anyone in this point in his career.

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"I'm not just saying we are going to do it my way, I'm just saying we are going to do it the Championship Way."
-Michael Curry

BEEZ

What games were you watching? When Hunter started playing more, Dalembert played less.

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I have no clue!

Kunlun

When Webber was injured Hunter and Dalembert started next to eachother for a few games. We won more than we lost.

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Go SiXeRs!!

BEEZ

They played exactly 3 games together while Webber was out, Sixers went 1-2 Hunter avg 27.9 minutes while Dalembert avg 24.4 in those 3 games. So Im not sure of what you are talking about

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I have no clue!

Sixerfanforlife