New logo will not change mediocre Sixers

By: Anthony Antinore

Posted: 7/3/09

Last week the 76ers unveiled their "new" team logo for the 2009-10 season. Well, it's not really new considering it's the same logo worn by the 1983 championship team, but it does serve a purpose.

Over the last few seasons the Sixers have been a very mediocre franchise. The team has made the playoffs three out of the last five seasons, but only had a winning record once, not to mention the weak Eastern Conference competition the team has been accustomed to.

To help mask the team's recent lack of success, the organization brought back a symbol of greatness by introducing the new retro logo. The red, white and blue insignia will remind fans of Julius Irving, Maurice Cheeks and the rest of the 1983 championship team.

However, no matter how the team's jersey changes, it will not fix the on-court problems the team will face during the upcoming season.

Going into the draft, the Sixers' biggest need was in the backcourt, specifically the point guard position, considering Andre Miller's likely departure out of the city after the team was bounced by the Magic in the first round of the playoffs.

The Sixers acted on their resounding need at the one-guard position by drafting Jrue Holiday from UCLA with the 17th overall pick.

Although Holiday never played point guard in his only season at UCLA, Sixers management feels he is a very raw talent that can be molded into either backcourt position at the professional level. Holiday's 6-foot-3 frame and quickness has allowed him to exceed on the defensive end, something head coach Eddie Jordan has preached to his teams in the past.

Upon graduating high school, Holiday was the most sought after recruit in the country.

But last year at UCLA, Holiday averaged a pedestrian 8.5 points and 3.7 assists per game. His numbers obviously aren't staggering, but he is still just 19 years old.

Nonetheless, Holiday is more of a project rather than an immediate fix for the Sixers in 2009-10.

The biggest problem the Sixers have faced over the last couple years involves Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young. Yes, they are the team's youngest, most exciting players, but they both are built for the small forward position. The Sixers want these two on the court at the same time, so Iguodala will most likely play a lot of two-guard along with Willie Green.

Acquiring Jason Kapono from the Toronto Raptors will add a new 3-point dimension to a team that was dead-last in 3-point percentage last year. Kapono is a nice addition, but will come off the bench for the team due to deficiencies in the rest of his game.

The backcourt is still very weak if Miller doesn't resign, and the frontcourt presents even more questions marks this year. With Elton Brand healthy again the power forward position is occupied. It will be interesting to see how Brand is able to bounce back after a rough shoulder injury. Even before the injury, Brand did not seem to fit in with the team's run-and-gun style, and the team will bring back all but one starter this year.

Unfortunately, the team will also be bringing back Samuel Dalembert again this year at the center position. That is a little harsh, but the man is extremely high-maintenance for very little output on the court.

His offensive game is virtually nonexistent, especially in the low-post.

On the defensive end he is above average, but in the NBA you better have an excellent defensive game if you average 5.8 points per game.

Regardless, Dalembert will be starting at the center position, with an occasional spell from Brand when the team wants to go with a smaller line-up.

Other than the lack of camaraderie, the team also lacks a sense of urgency to win.

No one on the team has the killer instinct that can take control of a game.

Iguodala demonstrated some clutch play last year, but will have to continue to improve his shot for when opponents double-team Brand.

Well, there it is. The rest of the offseason should be quiet with most of the team's money taken care of by Brand and Iguodala's monster contracts. My prediction for this season in early July: your Sixers will make the playoffs, lose in the first round and ruin their chances at a lottery pick in 2010. But maybe I'm just being negative.