Elton Brand will give the 76ers a player down on the blocks

Last year the Philadelphia 76ers went to the playoffs to take on the Detroit Pistons. A tall order for a team that had not been to the playoffs in quite a while and for a team that was not loaded with established stars.

The Pistons had a simple strategy for victory. There was no inside game for the 76ers. No dominant player on the box to force a double team. The strategy was to stop Andre Iguodala and make someone else beat them.

Andre Miller tried and at times succeeded, but eventually there were too many Pistons and too few 76ers.

The 76ers decided to find that person down low first and did they ever. Elton Brand, a sure double double guy, signed with the 76ers in the off season. It was a blockbuster deal for a team that was already a young improving playoff team.

Everyone was excited.

Coach Mo Cheeks wanted more. What good was drawing a double team down low if there were no outside shooters to take advantage of that?

Andre Miller liked to drive. Andre Iquodala is more of a slasher. Mo wanted some shooters.

Hello, Kareem Rush. Hello, Donyell Marshall. We haven’t seen them unload through the first three preseason games, but the intimation is that we eventually will. Marshall, who grew up in Reading, has said he came, in large part, to play for his hometown team. Rush said he came because the Sixers needed what he could bring.

Rush drained a career-high 102 threes with the Indiana Pacers last season, profiting from coach Jim O’Brien’s green-light offense. Despite that, he saw a brighter opportunity with the Sixers.

source

Now if Philly faces a strong team in the playoffs they will have the full assortment of weapons to throw at them.

Photo source Newscom

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Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo Sports lists his early trophy winners. Also included are NBA Obsessed views.

MVP: LeBron James, Cleveland. If you had any doubts about his sheer force, all you had to see was what the Cavaliers looked like without him on the floor for 5½ games. Without LeBron, the Cavs wouldn’t win the Big Ten. Seriously, he’s been playing on a level unseen in the sport in years. One of these years, he’s going to threaten Oscar Robertson’s feat of chasing a triple-double average for the season. source

NBA Obsessed view: Triple Double? Average a Triple Double? Big O did it in a different generation, so it is hard to compare. Most players never even get 1 Triple Double.

“Every year he has promised to come back better, and he’s done it again,” Cavaliers forward Donyell Marshall said.

Clearly, the Team USA experience has broadened James’ perspective on greatness. He’s used the time with the best players in the world to become a better shooter, and more determined defender. Like the Magic Johnsons and Larry Birds before him, James takes the time to add something to his game every offseason. That used to be the norm in the sport, but James is bringing it back.

NBA Obsessed view: One great thing about LeBron is his willingness to get better. This helps separate him from others.

Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant, Seattle. Everyone knew he was an extraordinary talent, but lately Durant has shown flashes that simply leave you breathless. The next Jordan? Only LeBron was so good, so fast.

NBA Obsessed view: When they compare you to the incomparable LeBron, what more needs to be said.

Coach of the Year: Jim O’Brien, Indiana. After taking over one of the most dysfunctional teams in the league, O’Brien has delivered structure and purpose to the Pacers.

NBA Obsessed view: Jim O’Brien is doing a good job, but what about Sam Mitchell at Toronto. Who is even on that team besides Bosh?

Executive of the Year: Danny Ainge, Celtics. He has taken his share of hits in this space, but this is an easy one. Beyond the obvious of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, Ainge did a terrific job of constructing a useful bench after trading so many players and picks to get his two new stars.

NBA Obsessed view: Hands down, Danny has pulled it off. This team has the potential to win it all.

NBA Basketball Fan Question What are your picks?

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