Sixers 2008 Draft Center

Cheeks optimistic as Draft approaches

Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Maurice Cheeks is staying very optimistic about the Sixers off-season plans. Cheeks will be heading into his fourth season at the helm of the Sixers, but is coming off his first season in which he led the team to the playoffs.

The Sixers will be drafting just outside the lottery at No. 16 during the June 26th Draft. Cheeks says he has been following the pre-draft workouts closely and looks forward to the upcoming draft.

“I’m always optimistic about the draft, we just have to wait and see what’s out there,” Cheeks said.

Cheeks says that he will give his input on certain players and make sure the organization knows what his needs are for the team, but the final decision will be up to President and General Manager Ed Stefanski.

“I’ll just say what I like to help our team, and they will see if that is available,” Cheeks said. “If not they will get the best player available.”

As for whether he would like a more proven player over someone who would be considered a project Cheeks brought up Thaddeus Young, whom the Sixers drafted No. 12 last year while expecting him to be a few years away. To the contrary, Young supplanted himself into the starting line-up half way through the season on the way to being selected as a Second-Team All-Rookie selection.

“Circumstances brought Thad onto the court,” Cheeks said. “Initially he wasn’t in the mix, but as the season progress he started playing more. I’m not opposed to it that’s what practice is for, when you see guys out on the floor and see how they compete.

“Thad was a guy all season long who competed, it didn’t matter who he played against.”

For now Cheeks will continue provide his input on certain players and how they would fit into his up-tempo system. But there is no doubt that he looks forward to the upcoming season where he hopes to build on the progress from last season’s playoff run.