NBA BASKETBALL
On the 76ers and Blazers
<February 13, 2002>

By Brendan R. Lowe

The Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers are connected to each other in more ways than first apparent. The head coaches, Larry Brown for the 76ers and Maurice Cheeks for the Blazers, worked together in Philadelphia for several seasons. Each team has an excitable superstar – Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace. And this season both teams – though having considerable talent on paper – have foundered to about a .500 record after nearly half of the regular season. Interestingly enough, the teams are also similarly lacking in the same area: chemistry.

Before the 2000-2001 NBA season, the 76er brass was blasted by local media for not taking steps to build on the team’s impressive 1999-2000 campaign. General Manager Billy King and Brown heard all of the insults from the impatient Philly fans. Yet they did nothing, preferring to let the team do the talking back. And the team, led by AI, raced to a 10-0 start. Stifling team defense plus just enough offensive production earned the Sixers a trip to the NBA Finals for the Sixers.

After that Cinderella season, the 76er faithful actually expected the team to be complacent. There was good reason to stand pat during the off-season. ‘The Sixers were a legit championship contender, why mess with the team now,’ wondered the Philadelphia phans.

King and Brown once again turned a deaf ear to the critics and dramatically restructured the team. Gone from the previous season’s team were Todd MacCulloch, Nazr Mohammed, Tyrone Hill, Jumaine Jones, Rodney Buford, and George Lynch – no stars but all solid role players in their own right. In their places, the 76ers seemingly bettered themselves by bringing in Derrick Coleman and Matt Harpring. Yet this season, which began with a 0-5 start, has been disappointing so far because of a lack of chemistry.

The 76ers have played inconsistently this season. For example, following that hideous 0-5 start, the team went 7-0. Yet the team’s trademark defense and swagger are missing. The Sixers are deficient in three areas: consistent play, team defense, self-confidence – are all byproducts of the team’s lack of chemistry. That lack of familiarity playing amongst each other has developed because, for a reason unbeknownst to most of us, the 76ers decided to switch things up this past off-season. The results have not been pretty. Team defense has been AWOL in Philly. Barring a 50-point game from AI, the Sixers have to rely on defense to create offense to create a W. Also, the youthful exuberance this team played with is gone. Derrick Coleman doesn’t exactly play with the same kind of bounce as Jumaine Jones.

The situation is similar in Portland, except that this team has never had chemistry. During his time in Portland, General Manager Bob Whitsitt has repeatedly broken the bank in order to sign once-talented veterans (Detlef Schrempf, Scottie Pippen, Shawn Kemp). He has also acquired several players through trades, such as Derek Anderson, Dale Davis, and Damon Stoudamire. The ever-changing roster, as well as the Super-sized egos, have not allowed the team to gel over the last few years.

With the presence of the physically talented but emotionally troubled Rasheed Wallace, the Blazers have their biggest upside. However that upside also has a huge downside. Rasheed holds the record for technical fouls in the regular season. His steady play greatly helps the Blazers stay in contention but this hothead can’t keep his emotions in check. As much as he can benefit a team with his stellar play, ‘Sheed can be more detrimental to the Blazers with his ‘tude.

The Trail Blazers have not succeeded lately because of the number of too-proud players unwilling to compromise their role and the raucousness of Wallace. Several players need to subordinate themselves in order for the Blazers to have a shot. In addition, Wallace, a Philadelphia native, should give Iverson a call. Before the Sixers’ Eastern Conference Champion season, AI committed himself to the team, vowing to be on time to practice and cooperate with Brown. He kept his word and the Sixers won. Only an equivalent devotion from Wallace to his team will keep the Blazers afloat in the Western Conference.

As of now, both of these teams have half a season left to earn a spot in the playoffs. While the Blazers have more talent overall, the 76ers will most likely be the more successful team. Over and above the fact Brown is much more experienced than Cheeks, Iverson, Dikembe Mutumbo, Eric Snow, and Aaron McKie are now intelligent players who have tasted some postseason success. AI is one of the best players in the league and as captain should help guide the 76ers into the playoffs. Puzzling Wallace, on the other hand, can make or break the Trail Blazer’s season. Which team makes the playoffs depends on who develops better team chemistry quicker.

Brendan R. Lowe - www.progressiverevelations.com/lowe.html