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ShareSixers See Return of Some Their Big Guns
All eyes were on the Sixers practice floor Monday where Allen Iverson (right shoulder contusion), Glenn Robinson (right elbow synovitis) and Derrick Coleman (right fourth metacarpal fracture) returned. While it was just a shooting practice, the drills represented almost a full contingent of active players. Only Kenny Thomas, who played 41 minutes with 11 points and 12 rebounds the night before against Minnesota with a right thumb sprain, sat out.
“It was good to see all of them out there shooting,” Interim Head Coach Chris Ford said. “I would assume after today’s shooting practice we had, if there’s no soreness, both AI and Glenn will practice (Tuesday).”
Both Iverson and Robinson practiced on Tuesday and their status for Wednesday's game in New York is a game-time decision. Iverson has missed four-straight games, while Robinson has sat out the last two. Coleman, who had his cast removed on Feb. 22, was cleared for non-contact drills.
“I really just want to get my legs up under me more than anything,” the 6-11 center said after the workout. “It’s been difficult. More than anything, just sitting over there and not having an opportunity to (play). But, I went to the doctor today, he said I was progressing. So, hopefully in a couple of weeks maybe I can get back out there and try and see how I feel.”
Coleman has been sidelined since Jan. 23 when he fractured his finger and is hopeful that the Sixers will playing in the postseason.
“I think any team wants to get in the playoffs more than anything,” Coleman said. “But for us that’s what we are concentrating on. All we can do is play the cards how they’ve been dealt to us more than anything…We’ll just go out there and try to win as many games as possible to get into the playoffs. Then once you are in the playoffs anything can happen.”
With so many of the Sixers regulars out, one of the players who is taking advantage of his opportunity is second-year center Samuel Dalembert. Dalembert has been starting in Coleman’s place and has been maturing as a player.
“I think (Dalembert) is progressing a lot. The more Sam plays, the better he becomes a threat down there for us,” Coleman recognized. “His shot blocking ability, his timing on the ball, he still has trouble with that sometimes, but he is coming around. I think give or take a few years he can be dominant when he realizes the ability that he has more than anything.”
“It was good to see all of them out there shooting,” Interim Head Coach Chris Ford said. “I would assume after today’s shooting practice we had, if there’s no soreness, both AI and Glenn will practice (Tuesday).”
Both Iverson and Robinson practiced on Tuesday and their status for Wednesday's game in New York is a game-time decision. Iverson has missed four-straight games, while Robinson has sat out the last two. Coleman, who had his cast removed on Feb. 22, was cleared for non-contact drills.
“I really just want to get my legs up under me more than anything,” the 6-11 center said after the workout. “It’s been difficult. More than anything, just sitting over there and not having an opportunity to (play). But, I went to the doctor today, he said I was progressing. So, hopefully in a couple of weeks maybe I can get back out there and try and see how I feel.”
Coleman has been sidelined since Jan. 23 when he fractured his finger and is hopeful that the Sixers will playing in the postseason.
“I think any team wants to get in the playoffs more than anything,” Coleman said. “But for us that’s what we are concentrating on. All we can do is play the cards how they’ve been dealt to us more than anything…We’ll just go out there and try to win as many games as possible to get into the playoffs. Then once you are in the playoffs anything can happen.”
With so many of the Sixers regulars out, one of the players who is taking advantage of his opportunity is second-year center Samuel Dalembert. Dalembert has been starting in Coleman’s place and has been maturing as a player.
“I think (Dalembert) is progressing a lot. The more Sam plays, the better he becomes a threat down there for us,” Coleman recognized. “His shot blocking ability, his timing on the ball, he still has trouble with that sometimes, but he is coming around. I think give or take a few years he can be dominant when he realizes the ability that he has more than anything.”
