NO LET UP
Head Coach Jim O’Brien was a little apprehensive on how the team was going to react as they returned to two-a-days. But after the morning session, he was pleased.

“It was a solid practice, we continue to grow,” O’Brien said. “We didn’t put anything really new in, but we’re tracking in the right direction.”

The 76ers return on Thursday night for an evening practice.

FITTING IN
A lot of pundits have said that the 76ers selection of Andre Iguodala in the ninth spot of this year’s draft was one of the best moves of the 2004 Draft. Iguodala, who came out after his sophomore season at Arizona has demonstrated the poise of a more veteran player.

“After yesterday’s practice one of the staffers, either Jack or Dick, said that they were very impressed with Andre,” O’Brien repeated. “He was one of the few guys that they mentioned because he does so many little things well. I met with Andre before practice and I said, ‘there are a lot of guys that can either shoot it or dribble or there are defensive specialists or big guys, but you have a way to impact on a number of areas of the game.’”

Iguodala averaged 9.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in his 135 contests for Lute Olson. At 76ers practice, he has been playing behind Glenn Robinson and Kyle Korver at the small forward position.

“We said all summer that Andre will find a way to make the staff give him minutes,” O’Brien said, referring to Iguodala’s 10.8 points and team leading 5.8 rebounds in Summer League play for the Sixers. “I think he’s a gifted kid.”

“I feel very comfortable,” Iguodala said. “When I’m out there I feel very confident I know what’s going on, just watching and learning. When coach speaks, I’m paying attention just staying focused. As long as I’m focused I don’t have a problem at keeping up.”

One of the biggest differences between the college ranks and the pros has been the physical play.

“In Arizona we ran a lot and it’s the same concept here getting up and down the floor. That aspect is the same, but guys are a lot stronger and guys are a lot smarter, playing ball because they’re more experienced and they’re veterans. That’s the biggest difference,” Iguodala said. “I saw Marc Jackson knock somebody’s head off because they didn’t call a screen out. He just took somebody out.”

LET’S GET PHYSICAL
One area that the Sixers have improved on in the offseason is size and depth in the front court. The addition of Brian Skinner, Kedrick Brown, Corliss Williamson, and Andre Iguodala as well as the healthy return of Marc Jackson has made for a competitive training camp.

“I really like how physical we became with the moves that Billy (King) was able to make this summer,” O’Brien said. “To be able to get Corliss and Brian and Andre and Kedrick, these are all meaty guys that spend time in the weight room, and they hit people.”

Skinner, who is making his second go around with Philadelphia has been one of the more physical bodies out there, a presence that will only help guys like Samuel Dalembert develop faster.

“Brian is strong. People say, ‘is he undersized to be a center?’ he’ll knock you on your butt, which is what I am looking for,” O’Brien said. “And we’ve got quite a few guys who will do that. Having Brian will make Sammy a much better player because he is not going to get any more physical competition this side of Shaquille O’Neal than Brian Skinner. Brian Skinner is going to put his body on you often.”

MUSIC TO HIS EARS
To tell a three-point shooter like Kyle Korver that he has the green light to launch a long range shot at any time is nothing but music to his ears. Korver who quickly became a Philadelphia fan favorite, aims not to disappoint in that category.

“I really like (O’Brien’s) philosophies offensively and defensively,” Korver said. “There’s a few things I need to keep on working on, I know that. I feel pretty good about the way things are going so far.”

Korver finished the 2003-04 campaign ranked 22nd overall and second among rookies for three-point shooting, knocking down 39.1 percent of his attempts, 81-207.

“He’s the only three point specialist that we have. Other guys can shoot it at a high accuracy, but he gets it off at very high speed with tremendous accuracy,” O’Brien said. “I stopped practice at one point of the day today, he was in the fast break, and I just told everybody that if you’re on Kyle’s team that you have to have a sense as to where he is offensively at all times.”

Korver understands that his play on the perimeter is only going top help the other guys on the team.

“It’s going to open it up more for guys like Allen and Willie and Andre and Aaron and whoever else is going to drive down the hole. I think that’s what Coach O’Brien is trying to do by saying that.”

Best of all, or worst of all for Sixers foes, Korver is settling into his role.

“This year I feel a lot more confident and comfortable and not just anxious like I felt all the time last year,” Korver said. “I am just ready to play.”