1st NBA Finals win at the Spectrum

May 1977 World B Free and the 76ers post a 107-101 win over Portland in the first NBA Finals game ever played at the Spectrum.

Billy C's number retired

December 1976 76ers retire Billy Cunningham's No. 32

Mo's out, Tony's in ... Sixers win

I'm still not sure if a buddy of mine was just bustin' on me Saturday afternoon when the subject of basketball came up. He questioned me ... "Honestly Rando, do you think Mo will last the whole season?". Being a long suffering Sixers fan you get used to the ribbing.

I had to admit that it was a fair question. At 9-15 the Sixers had gotten of to another poor start and the signature weaknesses of Mo Cheeks' teams the previous 3 years where still there. The defense breaks down, they can't score, they can't shoot the 3, they can't defend the 3. If not for a late season charge the last two seasons it's hard to say anything positive about Mo's teams.

Just around the time I was questioned about Mo's tenure ... he was getting dumped by the Sixers. At least he heard it from management this time. When Cheeks was a player, the Sixers organization became infamous for not telling Cheeks he was traded before it was leaked to the media. Cheek learned about it when questioned by a reporter ... on-camera!

I don't have a problem with the change. Mo was never gonna take this team to the next level. Mo was not gonna bring us a championship. He was probably the right kind of coach the Sixers needed 3 years ago. A team that was under construction , with a pack of young players in need of on the job training.

Tony Deleo is a curious pick to replace Mo. I do like the idea of taking a look at a fresh face. Another retread would have made things worse. Nor can I think of someone available I would want. But Tony is a company man. He's been with the Sixers almost 20 years. He's a home town guy. During the Billy King era I thought he would have been the perfect GM. I thought its was a bit of a snub when Stefanski was named GM. Not that Ed was a bad choice. But many thought that Tony deserved a shot and I was surprised Tony has not gotten a job elsewhere. So I have to wonder ... was this move something they had ever discussed ... is Eddie trying to keep Tony Deleo in the fold. You know ... throwing 'em a bone ... or is Tony just being a company guy. Doing whatever has been asked of him?

BTW, the Sixers win Saturday nite against a hapless Wizards team. You could hardly pick a better opponent. The Wizards appears to be on course to be like lasts years Miami heat team ... form the play-off to the basement. Their star player ... Agent Zero , goes down and the wheels come off. Can you spell patsy?

Anyhow ... I like Mo Cheeks. Everybody likes Mo Cheeks. You gotta root for the guy. But its a bottom line business and Mo was not getting it done.

Dr. J Debut

October 1976 Newly acquired Julius "Dr. J" Erving makes his Spectrum debut, here warming up with new teammates Caldwell Jones and George McGinnis.

'76 All-Star Gamed hosted at the Spectrum

February 1976 76ers and Spectrum host the NBA All-Star game, which featured 76ers players George McGinnis and Doug Collins. Honestly could you imagine the '76 All-Star Game anywhere else but Philly?

Greers number retired

November, 1976 76ers retire Hal Greer's No. 15.

Marshal sparks Sixers win to bring Sixers fan back into the fold.

Marshal sparks Sixers win to bring Sixers fan back into the fold. I got a chuckle out of jsams post (libertyballers) about last nite's Sixers win over A.I. and the Detroit Pissed-ons. Yes, AI dropped another one to his former team (1-3) and dropped his scoring average a bit with only 17 points.

It strikes me as a clash of styles. Iverson is more kin to the energizer bunny compared to the Piston's Clydesdale offense. I'm havin' a hard time believing this relationship won't end up badly.

As for Donyell Marshall ... yeah the guy I trashed this summer ... Mo Cheeks dusts him off the bench and he responds wit the games go ahead bucket (a 3 no less). I can just imagine Mo thinkin' what does his team need? ... Good 3 point shot (check) ... Veteran (Check) ... consummate professional (check) ready to play (check) ahh we got Donyell Marshall ... don't we? Marshall was that man, he finished with 8 points, but his +/- was +17. But that doesn't make Mo a genius does it?

Only Lou Williams had a better +/- rating (+22). So you have to give Lou the game ball. It would be nice to see some consistency out of Williams. Last nite was a start.

Quotable's: Donyell Marshall on his reaction to playing tonight:
I was a little surprised. As the game went on I began to think that I might not get in. When Coach (Cheeks) did call my name he asked me if I was okay and everyone started to laugh. I told him I was fine and to just let me get in.

Catchings blocks 10 at the Spectrum

March 1975 Harvey Catchings records 10 blocked shots in a game tying a franchise records for most blocks in a game.

NBA Standings