MORE ATLANTIC TEAM PREVIEWS
• Boston Celtics
• New Jersey Nets

Heading into the start of the Knicks' training camp, NYKnicks.com is previewing each of the four other Atlantic Division teams as well as each of the five other NBA divisions. We continue our series with a look at the Philadelphia 76ers, a young team with much to prove in 2007-08.

By trading away Allen Iverson early in the 2006-07 season, the Philadelphia 76ers announced to the basketball world that they were going in a new direction. Now, they are on the hook to prove they made the correct decision, as they look to usher in a new era under the leadership of two Andres -- Miller and Iguodala.

Andre Miller, obtained from Denver in the Iverson deal, is a savvy point guard who excels at distributing the ball. Entering his ninth season, Miller has played for four teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers and most recently, the Nuggets.

Over those nine seasons, the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder out of Utah has averaged 14 points, 4.2 rebounds, and an impressive 7.6 assists-per-game. Last year, he ranked seventh in the NBA in assists per game with 7.8, ninth in assists-per-48 minutes with 10.1 and finished fourth in total assists with 625. He also ranked 16th in assists per turnovers with a 2.82 average and 20th in both steals (110) and steals per game (1.38). As if those statistics weren't impressive enough, his 7.6 assists average ranks 13th in NBA history.

Andre Iguodala, meanwhile, is a 6-foot-6 athletic phenom who demands attention when the ball is in his hands. In just his third year in the league, he led the team with 18.2 points per game, 40.3 minutes per game, 551 total free throws and 152 steals.

Last season, "Iggy" also averaged 5.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.0 steals-per-game, ranking second in the NBA in total steals, fourth in steals per game, fifth in minutes per game and sixth in total minutes played. A rising star in the league, Iguodala was one of only four players last season to average at least 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, putting him in company with Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Tracy McGrady.

Apart from these two centerpieces, the Philadelphia roster is filled with question marks. One of the biggest is Rodney Carney, the team's first round selection in the 2006 draft. In his rookie season, the former Memphis star averaged just 6.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. Yet when given the opportunity, he had his moments, scoring in double-figures 13 times over his final 28 games after doing so just five times in his first 39 games. Whether or not he is ready to emerge have a major impact on the Sixers' season.

	vs.
Monday, October 8 7:00 pm KNICKS vs. 76ERS (Preseason) Colonial Center Columbia, SC Wednesday, October 24 7:30 pm KNICKS vs. 76ERS (Preseason) Madison Square Garden TV: MSG Friday, December 7 7:30 pm KNICKS @ 76ERS Wachovia Center Philadelphia, PA TV: MSG Saturday, December 8 7:30 pm KNICKS vs. 76ERS Madison Square Garden TV: MSG Friday, January 25 7:30 pm KNICKS vs. 76ERS Madison Square Garden TV: MSG Friday, February 20 7:30 pm KNICKS @ 76ERS Wachovia Center Philadelphia, PA TV: MSG

At 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds, Samuel Dalembert returns as the starting center. The former Seton Hall standout has flourished over the last couple seasons, and last year averaged nearly a double-double with 10.7 points and 8.90 rebounds. He is also a terrific defender, ranking eighth in the league with 159 blocks and 11th with 1.94 blocks per game. Offensively, he finished the season 10th in both field-goal percentage (.541%) and offensive rebounds.

Kyle Korver represents Philadelphia's main deep threat. With a .430 shooting percentage from three-point range, he is a legit threat to drain a three every time he touches the ball behind the arc. Korver also led the league in free-throw percentage in 2006-07 with a .914 success rate.

An infusion of new faces in Philadelphia is headlined by a trio of promising rookies in Thaddeus Young, Jason Smith and Derrick Byars.

Drafted 12th overall, Young in another athletic rarity in the mold of Iguodala who will greatly benefit by playing behind "The Other AI" as a 19-year old. Smith was acquired in a draft day trade for Daequan Cook and is a sweet shooting two-guard out of Colorado State University. Byars, meanwhile, is a versatile player who can be slotted in as a number two or three, providing huge mismatches based upon the opposition's defensive alignments.

The Sixers are coached by Maurice Cheeks, who like Doc Rivers in Boston, is on the hot seat this season. Entering his third year as coach, he boasts just a 73-91 record in his first two campaigns, and time is running out on him to right the ship.

It won't be an easy task for Cheeks with a team that is clearly in rebuilding mode. Still, with players like Miller and Iguodala, he must find a way to integrate youthful exuberance along with his veteran talent in order to get the most out of his lineup.

HOW THE KNICKS MATCH UP VS. PHILADELPHIA While the Knicks are also a young team, their young guns, such as Eddy Curry and David Lee, have already established themselves in the league and are among the brightest young faces in the entire NBA. Philadelphia, on the other hand, is raw and unproven. New York also has depth at every position, whereas the 76ers have little ammunition off the bench. If Philadelphia goes for a physical game, the Knicks have more than enough depth to outlast the Sixers. As long as they can contain Philadelphia's pair of Andres, the Knicks will have a great opportunity to win each meeting.

PHILADELPHIA 76ers AT A GLANCE

2006-07 Record: 35-47 (3rd in Atlantic)

Head Coach: Maurice Cheeks

Key Additions: Derrick Byars (G-F), Reggie Evens (F), Herbert Hill (F-C), Ricky Sanchez (F), Jason Smith (C-F), Thaddeus Young (F)

Key Losses: Steven Hunter (C), Bobby Jones (F), Joe Smith (F)