HoopWatch

After leading the 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001, Allen Iverson has failed to carry the Philadelphia 76ers to the playoffs for the past two seasons. They even traded for veteran forward Chris Webber two seasons ago, but the team instead went south in the standings. Iverson has even shifted back to his point guard role (the role he assumed on his rookie year), and he played his best last season leading the league in points per game at a high 33 per night production. Webber also played at least 75 games for the first time in years. But still Philadelphia failed to compete in the postseason. What was the secret to Larry Brown’s success in 2001?

Â

The key to that team was surrounding Iverson with a bunch of role players. Guys like Aaron Mckie, Raja Bell and Eric Snow (to name a few) were contented on doing the little things like rebounding, defending, boxing out, etc. They didn’t mind Iverson taking over 30 shots per game, and making just 13 or even less most of the time. They did the job defensively leaving Iverson to do the scoring chores.

In contrast, the 76ers’ roster these past two seasons has just been plain wrong. They added Webber, drafted Kyle Korver and Samuel Dalembert. The Sixers does not need another big time scorer in the mold of a Webber. They do not need Korver who is nothing but a three-point shooter. And Dalembert has been inconsistent throughout his career. Although drafting Andre Iguodala, Rodney Carney and Bobby Jones is gearing the team towards the right direction. All three are great defenders, long and extremely athletic. And Iguodala and Carney has the ability to score heavily for this team.

For them to be successful this season, Iverson would need to continue his scoring, but this time he should learn to distribute the ball well. Webber does not need to score that much anymore. He’s got to do the big man’s role, which is to rebound and block shots. His passing ability may not be utilized in this team. Korver should not log heavy minutes, although he may still start. His role would only be to spot up from the outside. He is a good three-point shooter and nothing more. He should not be the first option in offense, and should not take the three in fast break scenarios. He may want to shoot from the perimeter as well. Dalembert and Steven Hunter should continue to be the intimidating force inside the paint. They may combine for five blocks a night. Webber’s post-up game may come in handy at times.

Â

For the team to be successful this season, they need to run-and-run in offense and play good defense. They may want to adapt Phoenix’s run-and-gun style of play. The only difference is they have a lot of good defenders in this team. They have the quickness, athleticism and talent to finish on the break. Iguodala, Jones, Carney and Iverson are good fast-break finishers. This team should push the ball all the time. Dalembert, Shavlik Randolph and Hunter are also running big men, and these guys know how to finish. After all, Coach Maurice Cheeks knows the run-and-gun style well, him being a quick point guard leading the fast break during his Philadelphia playing days with Charles Barkley, Julius Erving and Moses Malone.

Cheeks may use a ten-man rotation. The starters would be Dalembert, Webber, Iguodala, Korver and Iverson. Iverson would reprise his point guard role once again. Kevin Ollie, the veteran point guard, has not been effective throughout his NBA career and may not be fit to take the backcourt general role. Willie Green should play both guard spots effectively, although I see him playing more of the point guard spot. Hunter will rotate with newly-acquired Alan Henderson to spell Dalembert and Webber at the 4 and 5 slots. Hunter may in fact play significant minutes this season given Webber’s health the past seasons. Last season was a rare and fortunate one for C-Webb. Carney and Jones, two good defenders, may play significant minutes as well, relieving Korver and Iguodala. Ollie and Randolph will play sparingly.

This should be Iguodala’s breakout year. If he is able to produce significantly across the board (points, rebounds, steals, field goal percentage, even blocks), we may see Philadelphia in the playoffs once again. He needs to raise that 8.2 (just 8.2!) attempts a game.

I still feel that this current line-up is not the final one. A lot of things happen during the season. There has been rumors that Iverson is in the trading block, with him failing to lead his team to the postseason wars. But for me, Iverson is still the answer. He is the core of this team. What has been wrong is the supporting cast surrounding him. The problem is not with Iverson, but in the team’s chemistry or the total lack of it. They just don’t have a system or a foundation right now. Two players just do not fit into this roster: Webber and Korver (It’s a must that they be traded). Cheeks should turn Philadelphia into a running team, and I don’t see Webber and Korver running beside Iverson. And like I said, they have the manpower and the defense to stop the opposing team.

Just picture this: Dalembert blocks the shot, opponent retrieves the ball and tries again, Hunter blocks the second attempt, Iverson picks up the loose ball, runs for the fast break with Iguodala and Carney at his wings, he then passes to Iguodala for the slam. He passes to Carney for the jam or he may want to finish on the next play. Philadelphia could also easily trap the opposing team’s backcourt given the speed, quickness and length of Iverson, Carney, Jones and Iguodala. Iverson and Iguodala have been in the top15 or even top10 in steals the past seasons. These steals can easily be translated to easy fast-break points. If they could do this, then we will see Philadelphia in the NBA playoffs, and even past the first round. (pics courtesy of bballone.com)