Is basketball back in Philly?

Picture courtesy of phillysportslive.com

Are you tired of witnessing those important free throws that could've propelled the Philadelphia 76ers to a victory in critical situations?  Or how about the time when trying to be too fancy with passing altered possible scoring drives?  Better yet, watching a much-needed clutch shot to go in, yet it doesn't.  Ah, some may say I am too harsh, however, that was the reality for former-Sixer Andre Iguodala during his stay in Philadelphia.  

Iguodala was traded to the Denver Nuggets in a four-team deal, which sent Dwight Howard, Earl Clark and Chris Duhon to the Los Angeles Lakers, Arron Afflalo, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless, Christian Eyenga, Josh McRoberts and first-round protected picks to the Orlando Magic and Andrew Bynum along with Jason Richardson to the Sixers.  

Yes, I know what you're thinking, "Phew, that was hard to digest."  Well, I'm just telling you the facts. 

Anyways, I'm going to dissect this trade from a Philadelphia fan's perspective.  We are excited to embrace a star in Andrew Bynum to our city, something we've lacked since the Allen Iverson days, especially a big-man who can draw the double team and body up in the paint.  

By obtaining a center like Bynum, arguably one of the best centers currently in the Eastern Conference, this undoubtedly makes the Sixers a contender.  I'm not saying they are a top-echelon team like the Oklahoma City Thunder or Miami Heat, but they could compare to a team similar to the Boston Celtics or San Antonio Spurs.  When I say Spurs, I mean a San Antonio team without the rings.  

In addition to Bynum, the Sixers acquired Richardson who will definitely improve the Sixers' shooting percentage as well as their maturity, considering he is a 31-year-old veteran.

Where there are positives, there are negatives.  The Sixers will falter a bit defensively, losing Iguodala's abilities to guard perennial superstars such as a LeBron James or Kevin Durant.  And yes, they will miss the presence of a scorer off the bench  in Lou Williams.  However, picking up players in the off-season added depth to the Sixers' bench.

The signings of Dorell Wright, Nick Young and Kwame Brown pick up some of the pieces that players like Lou Williams or Elton Brand have left in the Sixers' organization.  It will be a work in progress this off-season, but once this team clicks as a unit, anything could happen.

As fans of Philadelphia, we thank and give HUGE praises to owners Josh Harris and Adam Aron for bringing basketball back to the City of Brotherly Love and having an appreciation towards the fans' opinion.  This ones for you fellas!