The Philadelphia 76ers were officially eliminated from playoff contention today when the Bulls clinched the final spot in the Eastern Conference. For a while there, I thought they 76ers were making a real push to make the postseason, but it was too little too late. The 76ers have retained Allen Iverson from the years when they made the NBA Championship game, but not much else is the same. Supporting cast is different, even the head coach is different these days. The most notable addition this year was Chris Webber who complemented Iverson well and contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. Other than those 2, the team is comprised of mostly unknowns. Will Allen Iverson stick around long enough to see the team reach the Finals again?
Philadelphia 76ers (Hover)
I really like Iverson, but the 76ers cannot seem to build a team around him for anything. Iverson isn't a particularly selfish player, but he doesn't have anyone to play with him. He needs a Stockton or a Pippen to compliment him and he doesn't have that. I'm disappointed to be watching a playoffs with out the likes of Iverson.
Statistically speaking, this was probably Iverson's best year as a professional, even though his team did not reach the playoffs. He shot 47%, averaged 33 points a game and 81% FT. He also has almost 7.5 assists/game. With Chris Webber at his side, I really believe the two can become a lethal combo in the NBA, barring Webber's proneness to injury.