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ShareJolovitz: New Era, New Allen?
As the Sixers begin camp at Coach K University, the one word that resonates above all others is NEW. A new coach, Jim O'Brien. A new style, emphasizing penetrating and dishing for the '3'. A new, tough attitude. New faces like top draft pick Andre Iguodala and veteran Corliss Williamson. Longtime point guard Eric Snow is out, and the new floor leader is none other than Allen Iverson. As Allen goes, so will go the 2004-05 Sixers.
Make no mistake, in the Sixers' universe, Allen is the IverSUN around whom all the planets revolve. Jim O'Brien realizes that shiny new parts, with a shiny new style, yet with a suspect engine, make a shiny new clunker. So he has put the ball in the hands of his best player, Iverson, and will ask him to lead, on and off the court.
At media day, Allen said all the right things, among them that he is better at taking orders than earlier in his career. After playing only 48 games in a turbulent 2003-04 season, AI sees this season as a second opportunity, a chance to shine his reputation to the levels of seasons past. For him to do this, he must lead in 2 ways. On the court, he will be the lead guard for the first time in his career, with Willie Green his wingman. Off the court, he must be the team leader as well, with the departure of Snow. Leading off the court means leading by example, something he has never had to do.
In Jim O'Brien's basketball world, it all starts with defense. Toughness, athleticism, and the ability to shoot the '3' have contributed to his success in Boston, and Billy King has put together a team in that image to help Jim in his return to his Philadelphia roots.
With Samuel Dalembert blossoming, and Willie Green now a starter, the Sixers are relying on a younger nucleus than in years past. I expect Willie to have a big year in Coach O'Brien's system, as he is athletic and can shoot the rock. Veterans like Aaron McKie return, as do Kenny Thomas and Glenn Robinson. If AI can adapt to his new role and distribute the ball to faces new and old, the Sixers have a chance to surprise some people this year.
Marc Jackson is healthy, free agent signee Brian Skinner is wealthy, and Corliss Williamson is wise, and their contributions will be important on both ends of the floor as well. Kyle Korver shoots his way into his 2nd season, and Ex-Celtic Kedrick Brown brings knowledge of the system as well. Veteran point guard Kevin Ollie returns, and is the scrappy type of player any team can use (and most have, this is Kevin's 3rd tour of duty in Sixerland and he has played with 10 NBA teams overall).
Last season is one which most Sixer fans would like to forget. Between injuries, coaching changes, and the lost season of AI, there was not much joy. Jim O'Brien says that he and Allen see eye to eye, which is crucial for the team to get in gear and stay there. Youth and experience must meet and gel, and it is Allen who is the POINT man for all of this.
The East has the Champs and the Pacers, and in Shaq Miami has the largest of human erasers. After that, the Sixers are one of many teams looking to find their identity and crash the playoff party. As the ball bounces at Duke this week, that is the goal. With Jim O'Brien leading the way, the questions will start to be answered. Can AI play the point? Are the youngsters ready? Does the Big Dog still have bite?
My guess is that the Sixers will be a better team than a lot of people think. A championship contender? No. But with hustle, a proven coach, and AI recharged, good things can happen. Of course, it could go the other way as well. One of the great things about sports is that as training camp beckons, all things are positive, and all things are possible.
I say a fond farewell to Todd MacCulloch, who was forced to retire with his recurring medical problems. Todd will be an asset to the Sixers at the broadcast mike and in the community. I have covered sports in Philadelphia for 20 years, and in that time I have never met a better person than Big Mac. Best of luck, Todd.
"The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Philadelphia 76ers organization."
Make no mistake, in the Sixers' universe, Allen is the IverSUN around whom all the planets revolve. Jim O'Brien realizes that shiny new parts, with a shiny new style, yet with a suspect engine, make a shiny new clunker. So he has put the ball in the hands of his best player, Iverson, and will ask him to lead, on and off the court.
At media day, Allen said all the right things, among them that he is better at taking orders than earlier in his career. After playing only 48 games in a turbulent 2003-04 season, AI sees this season as a second opportunity, a chance to shine his reputation to the levels of seasons past. For him to do this, he must lead in 2 ways. On the court, he will be the lead guard for the first time in his career, with Willie Green his wingman. Off the court, he must be the team leader as well, with the departure of Snow. Leading off the court means leading by example, something he has never had to do.
In Jim O'Brien's basketball world, it all starts with defense. Toughness, athleticism, and the ability to shoot the '3' have contributed to his success in Boston, and Billy King has put together a team in that image to help Jim in his return to his Philadelphia roots.
With Samuel Dalembert blossoming, and Willie Green now a starter, the Sixers are relying on a younger nucleus than in years past. I expect Willie to have a big year in Coach O'Brien's system, as he is athletic and can shoot the rock. Veterans like Aaron McKie return, as do Kenny Thomas and Glenn Robinson. If AI can adapt to his new role and distribute the ball to faces new and old, the Sixers have a chance to surprise some people this year.
Marc Jackson is healthy, free agent signee Brian Skinner is wealthy, and Corliss Williamson is wise, and their contributions will be important on both ends of the floor as well. Kyle Korver shoots his way into his 2nd season, and Ex-Celtic Kedrick Brown brings knowledge of the system as well. Veteran point guard Kevin Ollie returns, and is the scrappy type of player any team can use (and most have, this is Kevin's 3rd tour of duty in Sixerland and he has played with 10 NBA teams overall).
Last season is one which most Sixer fans would like to forget. Between injuries, coaching changes, and the lost season of AI, there was not much joy. Jim O'Brien says that he and Allen see eye to eye, which is crucial for the team to get in gear and stay there. Youth and experience must meet and gel, and it is Allen who is the POINT man for all of this.
The East has the Champs and the Pacers, and in Shaq Miami has the largest of human erasers. After that, the Sixers are one of many teams looking to find their identity and crash the playoff party. As the ball bounces at Duke this week, that is the goal. With Jim O'Brien leading the way, the questions will start to be answered. Can AI play the point? Are the youngsters ready? Does the Big Dog still have bite?
My guess is that the Sixers will be a better team than a lot of people think. A championship contender? No. But with hustle, a proven coach, and AI recharged, good things can happen. Of course, it could go the other way as well. One of the great things about sports is that as training camp beckons, all things are positive, and all things are possible.
I say a fond farewell to Todd MacCulloch, who was forced to retire with his recurring medical problems. Todd will be an asset to the Sixers at the broadcast mike and in the community. I have covered sports in Philadelphia for 20 years, and in that time I have never met a better person than Big Mac. Best of luck, Todd.
"The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Philadelphia 76ers organization."
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Though he hails from Bethesda, Md., Paul Jolovitz has been a Philadelphian since he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1983. He worked for PRISM Television 1985-1997. He has served as on-air host on 610 WIP since 1997. Jolovitz is also a professional stand-up comedian who has worked in Philadelphia, New York, and Las Vegas, among other places. Comedy runs in the family as his sister Jenna was a member of the famed Second City Comedy Troupe in Chicago. Jolovitz lives in Plymouth Meeting with his wife Amy.
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