Well, I got my first look, in-person, at the new, young and hungry Philadelphia 76ers. The team promises hardwork, grittiness, and some other intangibles. They mention nothing about winning. Don’t wanna over promise, that’s clear.

I’ll start with the superficial good stuff. Andre Iguodala has been hitting the weights and looks like he’s in amazing shape. His shot is looking good, he’s still attacking the basket, and he had 6 assists. The arena has been updated some. The old light bulb scoreboards are gone - replaced by all digital, full-color signage. The design wasn’t so hot, but that’s a minor thing. Korver was back on the court, shooting as often as possible.

Now the not so good. Jason Smith is not ready. Calvin Booth got zero rebounds in 19 minutes of play. If Samuel Dalembert is out for any extended period of time then the Sixers are in serious trouble. Of Sammy’s five years in the NBA, in only two did he play all 82 games. Andre Miller did not look good.  He’s never had a good looking shot, but it was really flat and bad. There has been a ton of talk about Louis Williams. I have to say that he is not ready to run the team. His shot is erratic, his decision making is far from good. There were several plays late in the game, when the game was still in the balance, where he made some really poor choices. I thought he was gonna get pulled. Mo Cheeks just called a timeout, talked to him and the madness continued.

So, 3 losses to undermanned teams. Utah is next, then Boston.

Preseason game 3 stats

Still no real news. Is it gonna be like this all year long? I’m afraid so.

• A story on Delawareonline about Herbert Hill, really? –>Hill trying to show he belongs in the middle of plans for 76ers
• Ed Snider claims to be eager to watch young team develop – what else can he say at this point? –>Snider backs King; eager to see young team develop
  
• Nets coach doesn’t knock Sixers team after near loss. What else can you say when you lose to one of the worst teams in the league–>Nets’ coach isn’t knocking Sixers
• Hoops Fantasy calls out Louis Williams as hot –>Preseason Stars-Who’s Hot
• Louis Williams wants to be like Iverson, the coaching staff does not –>Williams fighting for scoring role with Sixers

Guest writer and first time NBA game watcher Roger Estes reports from the 2nd preseason game.

The Sixers didn’t give up without a fight in their pre-season home opener against their rivals from across the Delaware: the New Jersey Nets. Following a sleepy first quarter the Sixers came alive to take the lead by sometimes as much as 5 points after trailing by 18. It was a night for some serious balling!

There was a guy with a pony tail that came in late in the game for the Sixers to cause quite a stir. When he would go for a lay-up he would shake the ball in ten different directions before he shot. Although this technique did not result in a single field goal, it did draw a lot a fouls. If this guy could just make some of his foul shots Philadelphia would be unstoppable! Apparently, many people agreed with me on this. On the way out my girlfriend and I overheard at least two people proclaim that if the Sixers play the whole season the way they did at the end of the game they “might actually win this year”. (Final Score: 90-91)

In an exciting game the 76ers lost in overtime to the New Jersey Nets. Of course, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, and Nenad Kristic were all sitting out - so let’s not lose perspective.

The good news: Louis Williams went off for 33 points, and he scored all of these in the 2nd half alone. Shavlik Randolph returned to action.

The bad news: Bostjan Nachbar killed the Sixers for 35. This doesn’t speak well for the defensive team that we are supposed to be building here.

Preseason game 2 stats

One down, 89 more to go. The Sixers lose the preseason opener to a team without a real center. Curry traveled back to New York after an MRI revealed a tear in his shoulder somewhere.

Things I noticed that worry me: #1. Andre Miller led in shot attempts. #2. Almost half of the 92 came from the guard positions, and 14 of those from the free throw line. #3. Despite 20 turnovers by the Knicks, the 76ers only scored 15 points off turnovers. I thought this young team was gonna run? #4. The 76ers shot 11.1% from the three-point line, 11.1% - while giving up 33.3%!

Good stuff: #1. Even on rebounds, led in blocks, steals, and forcing turnovers. #2. Louis Williams had 16 points, with 8 of 8 from the free throw line in just 23 minutes, with zero turnovers.

Preseason game 1 stats

ESPN box score, recap, and photos –>NBA scoreboard

vs.

Preseason finally kicks off tonight in Columbia, South Carolina versus the New York Knicks. Curry may not play because of an injury in practice yesterday. Marc Narducci of the Inquirer reports that 76ers claim that they are raring to go.

Sixers Depth Chart

It’s really pretty amazing how hard people are working to find a story on this team.

• From NBA.com, interview with Pat Williams the GM from the 83′ 76ers –>One on one with Pat Williams
  
• Hoops World speaks highly of Louis Williams, I have my doubts that he’ll even average more than 12 minute a game–>Louis Williams is ready to shine
  
• Shavlik Randolph interview in the Duke Chronicle –>Catching up with Shavlik Randolph
• Blazersedge does a team by team preview, “All signs point to this team continuing to trend downwards.”–>NBA Preview Nets and Sixers