76ers playing only for draft picks and hope for the future

Basketball Betting Lines

02/15/2007 -

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -The only thing fans want the Philadelphia 76ers to win these days is the draft lottery.

The playoffs are far out of reach for the third-worst team in the NBA, so winning games won't do anything except lower the number of available ping pong balls. Tune in talk radio, read a message board or a blog, or listen to the few fans still showing up at the Wachovia Center and the point is clear: Lose. A lot.

Problem is, the Sixers (17-36) aren't listening.

``Yeah, we hear it, and it's kind of weird. But we can't pay attention,'' said forward Kyle Korver. ``Everyone in this locker room wants to win and win now, not wait for the future.''

But waiting for the future is about all the Sixers can do these days. This has turned into one of the more disastrous seasons in recent team history and the Sixers will miss the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Hope only comes in the form of fantasizing about who will be available in the draft.

How would Greg Oden or Kevin Durant look in a Sixers uniform?

No doubt, this has been a tumultuous season to forget. Allen Iverson and his 30 points, All-Star berth and coaching clashes are now in Denver after a franchise-shaking blockbuster deal in December. Chris Webber, miserable and mopey from the day he got here, had his contract bought out and is finally happy again in Detroit.

Two veteran All-Stars expected to lead the team did nothing but drag it down. They demanded the ball, but did little to make their teammates better. Now it's smiles all around on the Sixers, free of the distractions and selfishness that sabotaged them early.

``We were definitely distracted by that,'' forward Steven Hunter said. ``It was a circus around here a month or so ago with all that trade talk. Now things are calmed down and everyone's focused on basketball.''

The Sixers are a bit better since dumping the dour duo, and went 7-7 over the final 14 games before the All-Star break. They were 5-18 when Iverson was traded on Dec. 19 and 12-18 since.

Credit goes mostly to Andre Miller, acquired in the Iverson deal, who's been a steady, more traditional point guard. More players are involved, the offense runs more set plays, and the hot hand keeps getting fed.

Five players average in double figures, including Miller at 13.2 points.

``We're just not relying on a guy to come down, pull up and hit a jump shot,'' Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said. ``He gets guys layups, he gets guys the ball in a certain time at the right place. You can't underestimate that when you have a guy who understands the position.''

Without old A.I. around, the Sixers have turned mostly their new one: Andre Iguodala.

The third-year swingman has absolutely flourished in Iverson and Webber's absence. Once known only for his flashy dunks and tantalizing potential, he's thrived as the go-to guy in Philly.

Iguodala scored at least 19 points in 12 straight games before that streak was snapped Wednesday night against Washington. He's been more aggressive, posted two triple-doubles, has become a better rebounder and watched his overall scoring average leap to 17.7 points.

``When I first got here, he was a complementary player to the other guys that where here,'' Cheeks said. ``Now his role has changed a little bit being the primary scorer. You put the ball in his hands and you see what he can do.''

Samuel Dalembert still battles inconsistency but overall has been solid at center, teaming with Hunter to solidify the middle. Korver and Miller will both be part of any rebuilding process. Their draft lottery pick, plus the two first-round picks they acquired from the Nuggets in the Iverson trade, give the Sixers reason to believe they can be a playoff team again soon.

``They stayed with everything we've been trying to do, they continue to give effort and that's all we can ask,'' Cheeks said. ``Our results aren't what we'd like them to be, but they've stayed with the program and they continue to work.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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