By Christopher J. Addicks

Imagine you're a Philadelphia 76ers fan waiting for next season. After you've gotten over your anger about how much the media has blown the current charges against A.I. out of proportion, you sit down to see what Larry Brown has planned for next season and you explode into a blind rage. You look at the roster, which consists of the same old players from last year. You've got a point guard who can't shoot worth a lick. Your small forward is a free agent (and with any luck will leave the city of brotherly love before next year). Your power forward is overweight, sweats butter, and is slower than even Stanley Roberts (if you don't know, Stanley Roberts is EXTREMELY slow). And your center is Dikembe Mutombo. I mean honestly, no one knows what his real age is (chances are he is older than listed), he's getting paid more than you're superstar shooting guard, and has the offensive skills of a… oh wait he doesn't have offensive skills. Your only bright spot is your all-star shooting guard, former MVP, multiple time NBA scoring champ, Allen Iverson.

Now, being the insightful Sixers fan you are you know that the major problem with last year's team, other than the numerous injuries, is that you lacked a second legitimate scorer. Here's where you fly into that blind rage I talked about earlier. THE SIXERS HAVE DONE NOTHING THUS FAR TO SECURE ANOTHER SCORER!

There was hope to draft a scorer in the draft, but we ignored them and took defensive minded three position playing John Salmons with our first round pick and our other picks Sam Clancy and Randy Holcomb are not even worth talking about. Now you may say, maybe Larry Brown didn't have any legitimate scorers left to pick, but that's not the case. There were numerous players who could help to cure the Sixers dearth of shooters. Kareem Rush was still on the board, JUCO star Qyntel Woods was there, and many more. Now the real hardcore fans are saying to themselves "Larry Brown won't let us down. Maybe he'll try to get a dynamic scorer through free agency or through a trade." Sorry kiddies, but you're wrong again. There were exciting rumors about possibly getting Larry Hughes (though I was never a fan of reuniting the Flight Brothers for round two of "Larry Hughes is a disappointment"). The most exciting rumors involved trading Mutombo and possibly others over to Portland for Bonzi Wells and Dale Davis, or the Sixers trading Mutombo and others over to Portland, the Blazers sending Bonzi and Double D to the Clips, and Philly receiving Lamar Odom. However unlikely these deals were, they were enticing and brought hope to a city caught in the grip of Larry Brown's insanity. Unfortunately enough, these deals seem to be squelched.

But wait, it looks as though the Sixers will change up their roster with a couple free agents. Here's a surprise! We're signing a defensive minded offensively challenged player. Greg Buckner (AKA the only Dallas Maverick who isn't an offensive god) looks to be coming to A.I.'s city. If you're not familiar with Greg Buckner don't feel bad, he's not exactly a stand out and here's a shock for you, he's described as a "defensive stopper." Over his illustrious career Mr. Buckner has averaged 20.4 minutes, 5.9 points, 3.9 boards, and 0.8 steals. Oh yeah, did I mention we may pay him around 18 million for 3 years! That's an average of 6 mil a year. I mean I'm all for giving players the dough, but we need offense! Shouldn't we be putting our money towards a guy who can really contribute on the offensive end? Now there's also a rumor that Rodney "I whooped on Dikembe Mutombo as the Celts ousted the Sixers last year" Rogers might be coming to Philadelphia. Now Rogers can provide decent offense off the bench, but nothing special. He's got range and can draw out bigger players. Honestly it looks as though he may be the big Sixers acquisition for the off-season.

Now if you're still imagining yourself as a Sixers fan your eyes have begun to tear and you are about to break down. You've seen the lack of offensive talent on your team, the poor draft decisions, and the utter lack of offensively talented free agents and subsequently you are sick to your stomach. Though there is one bright spot in all of this, you're in the god-awful Eastern Conference where anyone and their mother can play and win. So don't break down so soon, there's still a little bit of hope for you to cling to.