2006-2007 Finish: 60-22

What went well

The 76ers could have been the first NLL team to repeat the Championship. In fact, twelve points separated them from a Game Seven win over the Dallas Mavericks in what could have been one of the most exciting series in recent memories. Though there have been cries about Tim Donaghy's officiating of that game (just kidding guys!), the Sixers still carry the admiration of the NLL community for trading away star Allen Iverson and almost beating the odds of coming back and winning it all.

The season began with a few minor personnel changes. Damien Wilkins and Chris Mihm were traded to the Raptors for Brendan Haywood and Antonio Daniels. While Wilkins would play some decent ball this season, Mihm sat out the season, Daniels would leave with Iverson and Haywood would be relegated to the bench. Vin Baker also departed via free agency and the Sixers first round pick Kyle Lowry would not play a game after shattering his wrist.

With the season underway, the Sixers continued their winning ways. Unfortunately all the press surrounded the souring relationship with the team and star Iverson. After three weeks of back-biting and constant rumors, Iverson was sent to the Lakers in a three team deal for Wally Szczerbiak and Richard Hamilton. In the stroke of a pen, the look of the Sixers had changed.

Meanwhile Leandro Barbosa was blowing up, proving the Sixers didn't need Iverson. Players like Luol Deng and Josh Smith began to come into their own and the Sixers continued to fight for the lead in the Eastern Division against the New Jersey Nets.

The other major trade came midway through the season. In another three way deal, the Sixers sent the oft-injured and nearly useless Szczerbiak and the jobless (with the emergence of Smith) David West away and received town favorite Jeff Foster, three point specialist Mike Miller and the talented Andres Nocioni. This team was stacked from court to bench.

The playoffs came Sixers dispatched the Pistons in five, the Bulls in four and the Nets in six. One game more is all it would have taken against Dallas, but the Sixers couldn't get the job done.

What didn't

Yeah, it is disappointing to lose it all with so little ground to go. But the Sixers played some ugly ball that game. Deng shot 2-21. Barbosa couldn't get near Nash without fouling him. One game mars the end of a fairytale season and the Sixers should return to the court in the fall ready to beging the hunt again.

Stars

- Luol Deng, GF-

Despite his horrible Game Seven performance (against Dirk Nowitzki!), Deng could be the next in line to fill the superstar void left by Iverson. He has steadily improved each season. Though he is not as flashy of a player as Iverson, Deng did do quite well, scoring 12.2 points and pulling in 5.2 boards. He played in all 82 games. Deng is only 22 and his peak is still years away.


- Richard Hamilton, GF-

Hamilton had his best season yet in Philadelphia and during his abbreviated stay in Utah. He nailed 24 points per game off 53% shooting. Hamilton combines quick, silky play with intelligent shot selection. He is entering his ninth season and is older than a lot of the Sixers' players. He could face some competition for a starting job next season from Miller.

- Josh Smith, GF-

Smith is only in his third NLL season and the limit for his potential seems to stretch on forever. He was thrust into the starting power forward job when West started the season injured and there he remained all year. He averaged 8.8 points and 8.2 rebounds. He dazzled the crowds with some amazing dunks. Smith could inherit Iverson's post as team bad boy. His off court behavior this season got as much press as on. Smith would like to negotiate an extension with the Sixers but the team seems hesitant right now.

- Leandro Barbosa, G-

After four seasons, Barbosa is the longest serving Sixer on the squad. Many were unsure that he could fill in for Iverson. After an All-Star game selection and winning Most Improved Player, Barbosa has exceeded expectations. His points per game average jumped from seven to 28.5 as his attempts ballooned from 331 to 1710. He hit half of those. He should continue this breakout work next season.

Goat

-Sarunas Jasikevicius, G –

Many blame the Game Seven loss on Saras. With Lowry down for the count, Jasikevicius was called upon to fill in for the foul-beleagured Barbosa. In two seasons with the Sixers, Saras has played subpar ball. Last season he liked to shoot, but only hit 37% of his shots. The Sixers hope to buy him out or trade him before the season begins. If not he can serve as a 12th man but not as a reliable back up by any means.

Looking to the future

The Sixers have the pieces to continue being a successful franchise. True, team favorite Zydrunas Ilgauskas is starting to slow down, but for the first time in years the Sixers aren't in luxury tax territory. Hamilton, Barbosa and Nocioni are due new contracts but that money is offset with the expiration of PJ Brown's monster deal. All three players have more or less verbally committed to returning.

Also in need of a new deal is Foster, who will most probably re-sign. The Sixers will let Royal Ivey and Brown still has not decided whether to retire or continue playing.

The Sixers had some success on draft day. First they traded away malcontent Haywood to the Heat for up-and-coming sophomore Craig Smith. They also got shooter Daequan Cook and Spanish stand-out Rudy Fernandez (who will stay in Europe) in the draft. The Sixers have only one or two spaces on the roster and have shortlisted some big men and point guards to look out when the free agency begins in the fall.