Category: Philadelphia 76ers Blog

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Sixers, Mo Cheeks agree to contract extension

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has agreed in principle to a contract extension with Head Coach Maurice Cheeks.  Per team policy, terms of the agreement are not disclosed.

“Since my arrival, I have been evaluating every aspect of the organization and I believe that Coach Cheeks deserves a great deal of credit for developing our players, putting them in a position to succeed and showing improvement every day,” Stefanski said. “Coach Cheeks has done a very good job of installing an up-tempo brand of basketball that puts this team in a position to succeed on a nightly basis and we are excited about the future under his direction.”

Cheeks was named the 21st head coach in franchise history on May 23, 2005 and has posted a 96-122 (.440) mark during that span and has a career record of 258-261 (.497).  Prior to joining Philadelphia, he posted a mark of 162-139 (.538) in three-plus seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, helping them reaching the playoffs in each of his first two seasons there.  Cheeks spent seven seasons as an assistant coach for the Sixers, working under head coaches John Lucas (1994-96), Johnny Davis (1996-97) and Larry Brown (1997-2001), with whom he helped guide the Sixers to a 56-26 (.683) record and an Eastern Conference title.

Wolves host Sixers Tuesday

Minnesota returns to action tonight after a five-day layoff, battling the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers at Target Center.  Tip off is set for 7 PM.

Philadelphia comes into the Target Center on a five-game winning streak, defeating Washington, Miami, the LA Clippers, Dallas and Memphis in that stretch.   In the two teams’ first meeting back on Dec. 12, 2007 the 76ers got the best of the Wolves, hanging on for a 98-94 victory.  Philadelphia used a strong first-quarter (28-21) and a near triple-double from center Samuel Dalembert to withstand Minnesota’s late charge.  Al Jefferson led the way for the Wolves with 22 points and 11 rebounds.  Sebastian Telfair dished out 11 assists in defeat while Rashad McCants and Antoine Walker added 15 and 14 points respectively off the bench for Minnesota.

The Wolves swept Philadelphia a year ago, and have beaten the Sixers in six of their last 10.  Eleven of the teams’ last 16 meetings have been decided by five points or less.

Minnesota leads the all-time series by a 19-16 count and has won five of six at Target Center, the lone blemish an 86-84 setback on Jan. 22, 2006.

The Sixers come into tonight’s came with a record of 23-30, currently putting them in a tie with New Jersey for the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed.  The Wolves sit at 10-41.

Herbert Hill has left knee surgery, out 8+ weeks

Philadelphia 76ers forward Herbert Hill underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee yesterday afternoon. The procedure was performed by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, NY.

The successful surgery revealed a recurrent lateral meniscus tear and scar tissue in the left knee.  Hill will begin a rehabilitation program within 7-10 days and it is expected to last approximately eight weeks.

More information on Hill’s status will be made available as it is received.

Knicks handle Sixers in New York

It wasn’t a pretty game, but Friday night in Madison Square Garden the New York Knicks, thanks to a balanced scoring effort and a good game from Zach Randolph, beat the Philadelphia 76ers 89-81.

For the Knicks, who have played well lately, Jamal Crawford (just 6-of-19) had 18 points and 5 assists. Zach Randolph (8-of-12) had 16 points and 15 rebounds. David Lee (6-of-8) had 14 points, Nate Robinson 13, and Eddy Curry 11.

For the struggling Sixers, Andre Iguodala (10-of-20) had 24 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals, Willie Green (just 5-of-13) scored 13 points, Samuel Dalembert 12 with just 5 rebounds, and Andre Miller had 10 points with 6 assists.

Both teams struggled from the free throw line and three-point range. The Knicks controlled the glass. And they had 22 assists, while the Sixers only totaled 14.

“I just think, right now, we are playing again with a lot more trust,” said Knicks president and head coach Isiah Thomas. “We have good shot distribution. Everyone feels a part of the game.”

Randolph was especially impressive. “He had a nice offensive game,” said Sixers head coach Maurice Cheeks.

Iguodala recognized Crawford’s scoring ability: “Crawford is good. He can shoot.”

Crawford continues to nail tons of tough, off-balance, outside jumpers, often with time running out on the clock. It’s an impressive skill.

Fred Jones didn’t play for the Knicks. He has flu-like symptons. Also, Stephon Marbury is out for a long time after surgery.

The Knicks are now 10-14 at home. And the Sixers have now lost 7 of their last 8 road games.

New York now heads out West for a five game road trip. They face tough competition and could rack up several losses.

Only the Miami Heat are lower than the Knicks and 76ers in the Eastern conference standings.

Iverson’s son OK after fall, surgery

The Rocky Mountain News reports: Allen Iverson was playing with plenty else on his mind. He had missed practice Monday and Wednesday (the Nuggets were off Tuesday) because his 4-year-old son, Isaiah, had fallen off a stool early Monday morning and suffered what Iverson called a “big gash under his mouth” that needed plastic surgery. “He had hands in his shirt, and it was a high stool,” said Iverson, who said there was lots of blood and his son must go back to the doctor every other day in the next week. “When he fell, he couldn’t brace it. . . . (It was tough because) my wife had to go through what she went through and my kids and (Isaiah) having to go through it. The toughest part was when they sedated him. . . . I was just mentally out of it.”

Trade! Sixers get Giricek, first rounder, Jazz get Korver

InsideHoops.com NewsWire: Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the Sixers have acquired guard Gordan Giricek and a first-round pick from the Utah Jazz in exchange for guard Kyle Korver.

“We are excited about acquiring a player of Gordan’s ability, as well as an additional asset in the form of a first-round draft pick,” Stefanski said. “This move will provide us with increased salary cap flexibility this off-season and also allows us to continue our evaluation and development of the young talent we have on this team.”

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76ers finally boot Billy King, hire Ed Stefanski

Years after many expected, the Philadelphia 76ers have finally fired general manager Billy King, and have replaced him with Ed Stefanski, who had been the Nets general manager for the last nine seasons.

King seemed to be content building the 76ers around players that are nice, but not true building blocks. Allen Iverson was never really surrounded with anything close to top talent, and the current Sixers basically have to build around Andre Iguodala, who is a budding star but isn’t expected to ever be a top-tier superstar.

The team is in full rebuild mode — or at least they should be — and Stefanski is a good hire.

Check the regular non-blog portion of InsideHoops.com for more details about this news.

No S.Nash for Team Canada

The Associated Press reports: Canada still has a chance to play in the Olympics, but shouldn’t expect any help from Steve Nash. The Phoenix Suns star said Sunday night he probably would not play for the Canadians next summer even if they land a spot in the Beijing Games.

Nash hasn’t played for Team Canada in several years, since becoming a Phoenix Sun.