Sixers (finally) earn first win of the season

While I tend to be pretty negative about the Sixers (see Twitter), I'm definitely a big basketball fan and I've been patiently waiting for them to put together a team that is fun to watch and is competitive night in and night out. With every season brings the promise and the hope that this is the year the Sixers put it all together and turn into a serious contender.

The season is still young, but it's already painfully obvious this won't be that year. After losing their first four games, the Sixers managed their first win on Wednesday night, blowing out the Pacers, 101-75. While the Sixers were in full control throughout the contest, the game was more about how poorly the Pacers played rather than how the Sixers dominated the action. Elton Brand put together a nice performance, posting a 25 point, 12 rebound, 4 assist stat line. In all, 6 players finished in double digits in scoring.

Sixers head coach Doug Collins didn't get to see the end of his first win with the team, staying in the locker room after halftime as he dealt with a dizziness stemming from the concussion he suffered at the end of May. Assistant coach Michael Curry took over on the bench but the team didn't miss a beat.

With games coming up against the Cavaliers and the Knicks, the Sixers have a good chance at turning around from their early season misfortune. If the Sixers want to compete for a playoff spot, they need to beat the bad teams in the league. Even in their best nights, they won't be able to hang with the Heat and the Celtics, but if they can beat up on the dregs of the Eastern Conference, they could sneak into the playoffs. Of course, it's probably better that they bottom out to get another high draft pick rather than just get ousted from the first round of the playoffs.
(AP PHOTO)

Doug Collins is your new Sixers coach

The Sixers have dipped into their past in the hiring of their new coach: according to multiple reports, former Sixer Doug Collins will be heading up the team next season. While Collins doesn't exactly have the greatest coaching pedigree (zero NBA Titles, 15-23 career playoff record), he will at least bring plenty of experience and be a respected voice in the locker room.

Collins, who played 8 seasons for the Sixers back in the 70's, has coached the Bulls, Pistons and Wizards in his career. He isn't the best coach out there as he has never led a team to the NBA Finals and he's been away from the bench since 2003; still, Collins has to be looked at as an upgrade over Eddie Jordan, which is all that matters. Of course, all Collins really has to do is make sure that Evan Turner develops into the star we all think he is going to be and he will be considered a good hire.