76ersCentral.com is Moving!
This will be the last post here at 76ersCentral.com. Though, it’s not a sad time, my Philadelphia 76ers coverage will be moving to RantSports.com.
Be sure to check out RantSports.com for a very exciting re-launch. You’ll not only find my coverage of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but all NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA teams. RantSports.com will also feature College Sports, MMA, WWE and more!
Philadelphia 76ers Release Schedule for 2011-12 Season; Features 12 Nationally Televised Games
While NBA fans everywhere worry about whether or not the NBA lockout will put the 2011-12 NBA season in jeopardy, it’s business as usually, for now.
On Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers released their 2011-12 schedule. The Sixers will open up the 2011-12 season on Wednesday November 2nd in Toronto. Their home-opener will two days later against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Key Dates
- Wednesday November 2nd – @Toronto Raptors (Season Opener)
- Friday November 4th – vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Home Opener)
- Sunday November 20th – @Miami Heat
- Tuesday November 22nd – @Dallas Mavericks
- Saturday November 26th – vs. New York Knicks
- Sunday January 1st – @Los Angeles Lakers
- Monday February 6th – vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- Monday February 13th- vs. Miami Heat
- Friday February 17th- vs. Dallas Mavericks
Nationally Televised Games
- Wednesday November 9th- vs. Houston Rockets (ESPN)
- Friday November 11th – vs. Milwaukee Bucks (NBATV)
- Thursday November 24th – @Atlanta Hawks (TNT)
- Monday December 5th – vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (NBATV)
- Thursday December 15th – @ New York Knicks (TNT)
- Friday December 16th – vs. Atlanta Hawks (ESPN)
- Monday February 6th – vs. Los Angeles Lakers (NBATV)
- Monday February 13th – vs. Miami Heat (NBATV)
- Wednesday March 21st – vs. New York Knicks (ESPN)
- Saturday April 7th – vs. Orlando Magic (NBATV)
- Sunday April 8th- @Boston Celtics (NBATV)
- Monday April 16th – @Orlando Magic (NBATV)
For the full Sixers schedule click here.
Philadelphia 76ers GM Ed Stefanski Not in New Ownerships Long Term Plans ; Could Be Headed to Toronto
According to Yahoo! Sports, Philadelphia 76ers GM Ed Stefanski has been given permission to inquire about GM openings around the NBA. Also, Stefanski is said to be one of three candidates for the vacant Toronto Raptors GM job.
With the Philadelphia 76ers changing ownership, Stefanski may see the writing on the wall. Current President Rod Thorn could be a candidate, as could Jason Levien who’s part of the new ownership group and a former Assistant General Manager in Sacramento with the Kings.
Stefanski’s departure may not be the only front office name to leave. If new ownership doesn’t see Stefanski as part of their long term plans, the same could be true for Rod Thorn and perhaps Head Coach Doug Collins.
In my opinion, you won’t see any Sixers fans crying out in anger if Ed Stefanski were to leave. However, I feel parting ways with Rod Thorn could be a huge mistake, especially if it means Doug Collins will be moving on as well. I know the new ownership will want to do things their way, but having Jason Levien at the helm making decisions certainly doesn’t excite me. Let’s hope this doesn’t lead to the 76ers moving backwards after making legitimate progress for the first time in nearly a decade.
Could Andre Iguodala Be a Part of the 2012 USA Olympic Team?
The director of USA Basketball Jerry Colangelo is reportedly ready to start contacting players about being a part of the 2012 USA Olympic team.
There will no doubt be some changes from the 2008 team, and it’s not farfetched to believe that the Philadelphia 76ers Andre Iguodala could fill one of those vacated spots.
First let’s take a look at how the squad shaped up in 2008:
- Carlos Boozer
- Jason Kidd
- LeBron James
- Deron Williams
- Michael Redd
- Dwayne Wade
- Kobe Bryant
- Dwight Howard
- Chris Bosh
- Chris Paul
- Tayshaun Prince
- Carmelo Anthony
At first glance one could guess that perhaps three to five spots will be open for the 2012 team. Guys like Jason Kidd, Michael Redd, Tayshaun Prince and Carlos Boozer likely won’t be back. So, there’s four spots open right there, not to mention the possible spots opened up by players who decline an invitation.
If you’re Jerry Colangelo, there are certainly other players ahead of Iguodala to fill those possible open spots. The likes of League MVP Derrick Rose, Kevin Love and Kevin Durant immediately come to mind.
However, Iguodala certainly has something to offer the United States at the International level. Don’t forget, he was a part of 2010′s USA team in the FIBA World Championships. In the World Championships Iguodala was forced to become a role player on a team that had plenty of scoring power. Iguodala’s best assets shined brightly, mainly his defensive skills. It was actually a perfect transition to the brand of basketball new Sixers head coach Doug Collins would implement in the 2010/11 season.
What the USA team lacked before 2008′s “redeem team” was role players like Iguodala. He seemed to relish the role of shut-down defender and spark off the bench. Iguodala fit the role perfectly, something he could do again if invited to be a part of the 2012 Olympic team in London.
Sale of the Philadelphia 76ers Official
After months of speculation, Comcast-Spectacor has sold the Philadelphia 76ers to a group led by Joshua Harris. While the terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, it’s believed that Comcast-Spectacor sold the 76ers for $280 million dollars.
The sale is official in the sense that both parties have agreed and signed on the dotted line. However, the NBA’s board of governors must approve the sale. Now, approval from the board of governors isn’t in doubt, though it may take a while.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to be affiliated with this storied franchise. As a basketball fan who attended college in Philadelphia, and with family roots here, I have always felt a strong connection to this City and the 76ers. We look forward to helping the 76ers organization build on this past season’s accomplishments in the years ahead. The ownership group also looks forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Comcast-Spectacor.” – Joshua Harris
Even though the 76ers are no longer the property of Comcast-Spectacor, the new ownership group of the Sixers must co-exist with the teams former owners. Comcast-Spectacor owns the Wells Fargo Center, and Comcast Sportsnet who holds the 76ers TV rights until 2029.
As I’ve said since the beginning of this whole process, the sale of the 76ers is a good thing for the franchise. A fresh ownership who won’t be preoccupied like Comcast-Spectacor (Ed Snider) was with the Philadelphia Flyers. Hopefully the Apollo group is smart enough not to get rid of guys like Rod Thorn, or clean house entirely.
