The Sixers had an identity once, it was called the AI era. And by identity I mean, everyone knew what the Sixers were. They were AI’s team, filled in with defensive role players. Larry Brown was the head coach, he was defense first, but knew his bread and butter was AI. It just worked, when they won games we knew why, and when they lost we knew the reasons. It was easy to figure out that team.
Every era comes to an end no matter how heart breaking it may be, everything eventually runs it’s course. The AI era ended with him being traded to Denver. If you remember, not many people were opposed to the trade of Iverson, Philly fans are smart and they knew it was time to move on.
Drafting Andre Iguodala was part one of moving on. After the trade of Iverson, everyone knew the “new” AI was being groomed as the next big thing. Building a team around him should have been the next logical step. However, the Sixers have wasted time and money on trying to find the quick fix. Whether it was Keith Van Horn, Glenn Robinson or Chris Webber, they all failed.
And now they’ve done it again, this time with a different GM and Head Coach.
Will this franchise ever learn?
Elton Brand is Keith Van Horn, Glenn Robinson and Chris Webber all over again. Andre Iguodala is Kenny Thomas right now, Iguodala is a talented player, but heavily over-paid. And now, the Sixers have regressed even further by bringing back an older and slower Allen Iverson.
When the Sixers drafted Iverson they eventually found the right head coach who understood what the team needed. Larry Brown knew that AI was going to score and do it often. He needed a team full of guys willing to be his supporting cast. Guys like Eric Snow, George Lynch and Tyrone Hill. It worked. Why? Because Brown built that team through needs, not wants. Sure everyone wants a “big” name, everyone wants a big scorer, and everyone wants to win, and win now. But look around the NBA, most of the time you flat-out can’t win that way. There are no quick fixes, there are no easy ways to win. It’s a process, it takes time and a little luck.
All good teams have an identity. The Sixers don’t and it doesn’t look like they’ll be getting one anytime soon.
-Mike Santa Barbara
*** Follow me on Twitter @Mike__SB ***
