- Andray Blatche of the Wizards is fouled by Samuel Dalembert of the 76 ers’…….
Andray Blatche of the Wizards is fouled by Sixers’ player Samuel Dalembert during the game played between the two teams. The 76rs’ would go on to win the game 104-89 . picture appears courtesy of nbae/getty images/ Thomas Rassmussen ……………


But the promise that was shone in the latter part of the season and into first round of the postseason has been nothing more than aberration for the most part this season. They’ve struggled on both sides of the ball and it can be said that there’s a lack of confidence from the team. But most of all it hasn’t helped that Elton Brand hasn’t brought about the presence and leadership sought as a perennial All Star. As alluded to before the sole responsibility of the team’s problems hasn’t stemmed from the lack of coaching ability of Cheeks. But the lack of a cohesive presence by the team on the court. Interim coach Tony DiLeo has been entrusted to lead this team now as the coach and it has to be said that he’s been entrusted with none too easy of a task at this juncture. If he’s to succeed then the team will have to respond and show a great deal of consistency. And for a first time coach with next to little coaching experience. It has to be said that his chances of success border on slim at best.
Elton Brand of the 76ers makes the jump shot over the outstretched arms of the Wizards’ Antawn Jamison. Brand would have a very good night offensively for his team on their homecourt scoring 27 points for the team. picture appears courtesy of ap/Tom Mihalek ……………
Cheeks may well have been shown a great disservice by the franchise and with General Manager Ed Stefanski and the fact that it was his decision to abruptly fire the coach. Surely he could’ve waited given the circumstances that the team found themselves ? They’d yet to see the team play with all of their main starters being on the court at the same time. But these decisions when made can never be reversed. Cheeks may well go on to rebound from this all and find himself in a new position at some time in the future. He’s well respected coach whose knowledge of the game is unparallelled. And he also has the respect of his peers as well as players around the league. So one can summize that he will find himself with a position of some capacity around the league.
Juan Dixon of the Wizards makes a gallant effort to deflect the ball away from Lou Williams of the Sixers during the game which the Sixers would go on to win 104-89. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/Tom Mihalek ………………
For their part the Sixers have proven to be something of a real disappointment to their fans and fans in general around the league. Much was expected of the team. Having made the postseason they gave a real accounting of themselves albeit that they lost in the first round. But there was much promise shown by the team and it was felt under the tutelage and leadership of Cheeks that they would do well this season. Alas with injuries prevailing and no real consisistency to their play. We’ve seen the team underperform to such an extent that their poor record seems a microcosm of the real underlying problems within the franchise.
Interim coach Ed Tapscott is on the sidelines as his Washington Wizards’ team takes on the Philadelphia 76 ers in a game played in Philadelhia. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Tom Mihalek ……………
And as much as we’d like to regale about the fact that the Eastern Conference doesn’t seem to possess a number of quality teams. It has to be said that one of the problems behind that may well be from the mere reason that many of the franchises therein have a nucleus of young players on their rosters. The inexperience is showing and at the same time the rigors of playing within the NBA has alredy began to set in. The Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the class of the conference. But where we see much of the competitive spirit being shown by the Western Conference week in week out. There you have the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers , San Antonio Spurs , New Orleans Hornets, Dallas Mavericks ,Utah Jazz and the Phoenix Suns. Comparatively one could say that the East doesn’t possess that sort of quality ?
GM Ed Stefanski introduces Tony DiLeo as the team’s new interim head coach for the rest of the season. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/Tom Mihalek …………….
Last night we saw the Sixers show a great deal of resolve in overcoming the Washington Wizards. Their win was encouraging for interim coach Tony DiLeo. And one would hope that with it comes a renewed passion by the players and the organization as a whole. And with GM Ed Stefanski make the decision that the franchise will now have to live and die with. It doesn’t bode well for the team where in the city of brotherly love the fans aren’t always enamored of their teams when it comes to their professionals sports’ franchises. For Cheeks who’s a well respected coach and admired by his peers , he’s well remembered within the city and much beloved as a favorite son.
tophatal ……………………………