Former NBA player and general manager Steve Kerr, now a game analyst for Turner Sports, said in a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon that the 76ers7-2 after a rout of Sacramento later in the dayare probably the best story in the league to this point and believes they could finish as high as third in the Eastern Conference, behind Miami and Chicago.
Kerr, who won five championship rings during his 15-year career as a dead-eye shooter (and worthy complement to such superstars as Michael Jordan and Tim Duncan), likes the Sixers depth, cohesion and defensive prowess. He also believes they have been able to ride the momentum they built last year, when they went 38-28 over their last 66 games, en route to a 41-41 finish.
And Kerr has high regard for head coach Doug Collins, his former broadcast partner, calling him one of the smartest people Ive ever been around in the game.
He sees details, and sees everything, Kerr said. His ability to communicate is what made him a great broadcaster, and it has made him a great coach.
This, Kerr added, is his kind of team. He likes pressure defense. He likes to move the ball around and share it. Theyre a well-balanced team.
And while there are a number of teams who might wind up the best of the restAtlanta, New York and Indiana among themKerr said the Sixers at this point look like the third team in the East.
Kerr was also asked about Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand, two players who are often the subject of the fans displeasure.
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Iguodala, who is in the fourth year of a six-year, 80 million contract, probably makes more than he should, Kerr said.
But, he added, hes still a really good player.Hes a huge reason Philadelphia is as good as it is defensively. He guards everybody on the floor. He gets in the passing lanes. Hes not a superstar, but hes a borderline all-star who helps the team win games.
Kerr also said Brand, who turns 33 in March, is an older 33 because of all the wear and tear on his body over his 13 seasons.
Hes got a lot of mileage, and its catching up to him, Kerr said.
But remember, he said that before Brand, who had been struggling, put up 21 points and 10 rebounds against the woeful Kings.
No telling how things will turn out for Brand this year. But Kerr has a pretty good idea about this edition of the Sixers.
Gordie Jones is an award-winning journalist who has worked in the Philadelphia market for 29 years. He also co-authored a book about the 76ers' 1982-83 championship team with former Sixers general manager Pat Williams.