The 76ers continued stinking it up last night in Indiana. Lou Williams led the way for the Sixers last night with 18 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal on 7 of 8 shooting from the floor in 21 minutes. Elton Brand only shot 5 of 16 from the floor last night but he still finished up with 12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and 4 blocked shots. Andre Iguodala (12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists) and Jrue Holiday (12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals) had so-so nights. The 76ers are now 0-3 on the year.

The Sixers were outrebounded 46-36 tonight and the Hawks shot 51.4% from the floor so it was amazing to me that they were this close in this game. Andre Iguodala had a monster game for the Sixers tonight with 27 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot. Elton Brand also was outstanding in this game as he finished up with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Andres Nocioni (15 points, 5 rebounds) and Louis Williams (16 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists and 1 steal) pitched in off the bench for the 76ers in this game tonight. The 76ers are 0-2 on the year.

The Sixers were down 80-54 heading into the 4th quarter of this game so they never really had much of a chance. Rookie Evan Turner shined in his NBA debut for the Sixers tonight as he finished up with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists on 7 of 10 shooting from the floor in 31 minutes. Thaddeus Young pitched in with 15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in 26 minutes on the floor. Lou Williams also had a solid game off the bench with 15 points, 1 rebound and 7 assists in 34 minutes on the floor. Elton Brand also had a solid line tonight with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots in 34 minutes. The 76ers are now 0-1 on the year.

The Sixers were only 27-55 last season so they made a lot of changes in personnel to try to improve. Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes, Andres Nocioni, Darius Songaila, Craig Brackins and Tony Battie are the new names on the back of the uniforms in 2010-11. Doug Collins is the new head coach and he couldn’t even win with Michael Jordan on his team. I would have to take the under on the wins for the Sixers this year in the improved Eastern Conference. The 76ers are currently 150-1 to win the NBA Championship and I don’t think Doug Collins would even put $1 on that so you shouldn’t either.

Last season was a disaster for the 76ers under Eddie Jordan as they were 27-55. 59-year old Doug Collins has signed on to come back to coaching which is a job he hasn’t had since 2002-03 with the Washington Wizards. Collins has a career record during the regular season of 332-287 (53.6%). He also has a 15-23 record (39.5%) during the post season. When looking at his records you have to consider that a lot of that time he had Michael Jordan on his team which makes his numbers less than impressive.

22-year old Spencer Hawes is going to be the starting center for the Sixers. He played in 72 games (59 starts) for the Kings last season and he averaged 26.4 minutes, 10.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game. Hawes has now played in 220 games (118 starts) in his first three years in the NBA and he has averaged 23.2 minutes, 8.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocked shot per game. Hawes needs to get tougher around the basket on both ends of the court but he is a good shooter which could help draw the opposing center away from the basket opening the key for other players on the team.

23-year old Marreese Speights is the wild card for the Sixers this year. If he comes in focused and motivated (which has been a problem in the past) then he could be a big surprise in a positive way for the 76ers. Speights played in 62 games (1 start) for the Sixers last season and he averaged 16.4 minutes, 8.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. He has now played in 141 games (3 starts) in his first two years with the Sixers and he has averaged 16.2 minutes, 8.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.

34-year old Tony Battie will likely backup at both power forward and center this season for the Sixers. Battie played in 15 games (0 starts) for the Nets last season and he averaged 8.9 minutes, 2.4 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game. He has now played in 772 games (418 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 22.0 minutes, 6.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 76ERS CENTERS IN 2010-11: C

31-year old Elton Brand got into Eddie Jordan’s Dog House last season and Jordan even had him playing out of position at center a good portion of last year. Doug Collins isn’t going to have any of that as Brand is returning to his best position this year…..power forward. Brand played in 76 games (57 starts) for the 76ers last season and he averaged 30.2 minutes, 13.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocked shots per game. Brand has now played in 719 games (689 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 37.2 minutes, 19.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 blocked shots per game.

32-year old Darius Songaila was acquired in a deal with the Hornets and he is a solid backup power forward. Songaila played in 75 games (1 start) for the Hornets last season and he averaged 18.8 minutes, 7.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. He has now played in 485 games (79 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 18.9 minutes, 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

23-year old rookie first round pick Craig Brackins also came over in the deal with the Hornets. Brackins played in 31 games at Iowa State last season and he averaged 35.1 minutes, 16.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game. He played in 95 games in his three years in college and he averaged 31.8 minutes, 16.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocked shot per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SIXERS POWER FORWARDS IN 2010-11: B

22-year old Thaddeus Young is a solid player but the Sixers want more out of him in 2010-11. Young played in 67 games (45 starts) for the 76ers last season and he averaged 32.0 minutes, 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game. In his first three years with the 76ers, Young has played in 216 games (138 starts) in which he has averaged 29.1 minutes, 12.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Doug Collins isn’t the kind of guy to stick with a player just because he’s young so Young better step up this year if he wants to keep his starting job.

30-year old Andres Nocioni was brought in from the Kings in the deal for Samuel Dalembert and he’s a solid backup player. Nocioni played in 75 games (28 starts) for the Kings last season and he averaged 19.7 minutes, 8.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. He has now played in 449 games (185 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 24.6 minutes, 11.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Nocioni is also a good outside shooter as he has hit 37.5% of his three point attempts in his NBA career. Don’t be surprised to see Nocioni getting more minutes than anyone expected him to in 2010-11.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 76ERS SMALL FORWARDS IN 2010-11: C+

No not that A.I.! 26-year old Andre Iguodala will likely slide over from small forward to start at shooting guard for the Sixers in 2010-11. Iguodala played in 82 games (all starts) for the Sixers last season and he averaged 38.9 minutes, 17.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He has now played in 486 games (all starts) in his career with the Sixers and he has averaged 38.1 minutes, 15.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Iguodala will likely be the best player on the Sixers once again this year.

22-year old rookie Evan Turner will likely get time at both guard spots for the Sixers this year. A awful Summer League tarnished what the Sixers have thought about him so he will have a lot to prove. Turner played in 31 games for the Ohio State Buckeyes last season and he averaged 35.7 minutes, 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He played in 101 games in his three years at Ohio State and he averaged 32.8 minutes, 15.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game on 50.2% shooting from the floor.

29-year old Jason Kapono is a marksman from long range and it’s his best skill. Kapono played in 57 games (12 starts) for the Sixers last season and he averaged 17.1 minutes, 5.7 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. He has now played in 458 games (85 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 19.0 minutes, 7.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Kapono has shot an amazing 44% in his career from three point range so he will likely be the long range assassin for the Sixers late in ballgames.

23-year old Jodie Meeks showed some life after coming over in a deal with the Bucks last year. He played in 60 games (0 starts) as a rookie for the Sixers & Bucks last year and he averaged 12.0 minutes, 4.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Meeks only shot 38.8% from the floor and 31.8% from the three point line last year and that just won’t get it done. Until he improves his shooting, I just don’t see Meeks getting much P.T.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 76ERS SHOOTING GUARDS IN 2010-11: B+