The Bottomline for the 76ers

Can you compare the second half of last season to the success of the entire 07/08 season?

You can't. Too many factors come up before and during the regular season, especially with this team. Based on the way the Sixers played last year, you would think they would be a lock to make the playoffs.

But given how young this team is, is it really possible to make the playoffs? I think this team has potential, but the non-homer kiddo sitting on my right shoudler says it's not. Has a team of 20 year olds ever made the playoffs?

Will Andre Iguodala continue to shine and play at the pace he played to end last season? Will Samuel Dalembert learn consistency? Will Andre Miller show signs of age? Can Reggie Evans really rebound the ball? Is Carney a starter in this league or is he more of a track star in the wrong sport? Can Korver improve on his defense?

Everything is being judged on paper right now. On paper the Sixers are one of the worst if not the worst in the conference. I really like our team, just not for this season. Next year or the year after that we'll really see what this team is made out of. BK is doing things the right way. Build around defense, rebounding, passing and players who hustle every game. Will our draft picks turn out to be players in that mold? It's all on paper, we don't know.

The bottomline is BK is solely depending on the development of four rookies to take this team into the playoffs. The Sixers lacked depth last year to the point where it cost them game after game. BK is bringing in big men for a reason. When Shav got injured last season, BK really had no plan for the PF position. He lucked out by Steven Hunter doing an admirable job filling in. Joe Smith was a god send. He single handedly won the Sixers several games late last year by his leadership, presence and jump shot. BK traded for a rebounder in Evans that seems to be a good fit but what can we really expect from a guy that's never averaged more than half a game's minutes in any season.

Sixers fans look to last season as a sign of hope. Objective fans look at last season as a debacle, one that turned from obtaining a superstar in the draft to something meaningless. I'm somewhere right in between. Last year they found a niche that has not been seen in a long long time. We obtained a point guard with a winners mentality that got everyone involved. On one hand it was Andre Miller that cost us a draft pick, but on the other hand it showed us exactly what a solid point guard can do alongside team first players.

While I believe the Sixers will have a horrendous season (33 to 36 wins), I really believe this team will show signs of life. While some fans will be displeased with the win total, true Sixers fans will really enjoy this season. Fans such as myself have been dying to see their team reach back to respectability. Lets face it, we lost that when AI was here. Not that it was solely his fault, but our team was undisciplined, a mess, and even a joke. Speaking frankly, we (Sixer fans) cannot be quick to evaluate this team in October and November. This season is for two things only: to build chemistry and gain experience for the future.

What's different about this season? We have a direction. With such a young team the only way to go is up. Sure there will be fumbles and growing pains along the way, but it's completely natural. This roster will show glimpses of what is to become, but consistency will be the nail in the coffen, especially in the fourth quarter.

BK has a plan, I can feel it. I predict the Sixers will be right in the high lottery this season, but will I be mad to see them make the playoffs as an 8th seed? Never. I'm just ready to get back to watching 'smart' basketball. A team that plays with discipline, fundamentals, hustles and shows heart, which is exactly THE component to any successful franchise. It may not be this season for our Sixers, but it's coming along from the players BK is building around. The team is being rebuilt around defense and passing, which brings a smile to my face. How many times the past 4 seasons did we wonder what our identity was? We had none.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. It's there. Unfortunitely this is a slow moving train that won't see the prize for a little while longer.

Bring on the season baby. This Sixer fan is ready. Are you?

LETS GO SIXERS!