Philadelphia 76ers looking to up the ante next season with an improved roster – NBA News
After a tremendous season in which they reached the Eastern Conference Semi Finals, the Philadelphia 76ers are looking to put on an even better performance in the next one. The Sixers defeated the Chicago Bulls, the top ranked
Eastern Conference team, in the first round of the playoffs this year and lost to the Boston Celtics in 7 games in the Conference Semi Finals. But the Phillies know that the challenge is not over yet and they need to continue to grow and improve.
The Miami Heat added Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to an already star studded roster this offseason, while the Boston Celtics further strengthened their roster with the addition of Jason Terry, Courtney Lee and the re-signing of
Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox. Atlanta Hawks have become more potent than before, the Chicago Bulls will remain competitive as ever if Derrick Rose returns in time next season, and the Brooklyn Nets are setting up to be a championship calibre team as well. With
so much competition in the Eastern Conference next season, the Sixers knew they had to get better. And they did.
The Sixers parted ways with top scorer from last season, Lou Williams, and used their amnesty clause on Veteran Centre Elton Brand. Brand showed signs of age last season, and the Sixers knew they could not sustain his $18 million
a year contract if they wanted to rebuild. Hence, they amnestied him and the Dallas Mavericks picked him off waivers.
The Sixers, left with cap space, then signed Nick Young, Dorell Wright and Kwame Brown to the roster. They also re-signed centre Lavoy Allen to a two year contract.
“At the end of the year when Doug and I sat with our basketball people and talked about the things that we needed, one of the things that we needed was to get bigger, we needed to get stronger, and we needed to get some better
shooting,” said Sixers Team President Rod Thorn.
With what they believe to be an improved roster, the Sixers will attempt to carve a niche for themselves next season amongst the power houses in the Eastern Conference. They are not title contenders yet with the roster they are
boasting at the moment, but are sure to turn some heads just like last season in an attempt to get better and compete on a consistent basis in the top heavy Eastern Conference.
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