Philadelphia 76ers Wiretap

Stefanski Says No Deals In The Works

Philadelphia has lost eleven of their last thirteen games, but Sixers' President/ General Manager Ed Stefanski says that there are no deals in the works, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

"We made it known there is no fire sale here," Stefanski told the Inquirer before the team's loss to the Knicks on Friday night. "We like our young core of kids, and they will get better as they get older."

Via RealGM Staff Report


O'Brien Finally Responds To Webber Criticism

Chris Webber has often criticized his former coach in Philadelphia Jim O'Brien, and on Monday O'Brien finally responded in a News-Journal article.

"In one of the first conversations I had with Chris Webber, I said, 'This is one of the ways we're going to use you offensively [down low with Kyle Korver on the outside],' " O'Brien said. "And he said, 'Coach, I don't do the low-post thing anymore.'"

"We just made a major trade to bring in this 6-[foot]-11 guy, and he said, 'No,' and I said, 'Yes, you do.'"

"Webber didn't practice at all that year prior to coming to us," he said. "I think he was just at the point where he didn't necessarily feel he was in need of practice or could practice. It became apparent that he was not going to give the Philadelphia 76ers everything that we had hoped for."

Via RealGM Staff Report


O'Brien Details Clashes With Webber In Philly

Jim O'Brien, now head coach of the Indiana Pacers, has spoken about the rift between himself and Chris Webber when the pair were in Philadelphia, according to the Associated Press.

O'Brien said he could see Webber's unhappiness the moment he arrived in Philadelphia and said the pair clashed from the start.

"He clearly was toward the end of his career," O'Brien said Monday.

"It became very apparent he wasn't going to give the 76ers everything we had hoped for," O'Brien said.

O'Brien added that Webber was never interested in practice or truly committed to the offensive scheme.

"Webber didn't practice at all that year prior to coming to us," O'Brien said. "He didn't practice at all the previous six weeks. I think he was just at the point where he didn't necessarily feel where he was in need of practice, or could practice, or couldn't practice and play at the same time."

"He said, 'Coach, I don't do the low-post thing anymore,"' O'Brien recalled. "We just made a major trade to bring in this 6-11 guy and he said, 'No.' I said, 'Yes, you do."'

Via Sports Illustrated


Sixers Jan 2008 Archive