No one should really be surprised to check the Atlantic Division standings and find Philadelphia at the bottom. Not when you realize coach Larry Brown has had to open the season without his starting backcourt.

In late September, when it was announced that both Allen Iverson (right elbow) and Aaron McKie (shoulder) would miss training camp to have surgery, the Sixers downplayed any talk that injuries to such key personnel might cause them to get off to a slow start. But that's precisely what has happened.

And until they return -- which could the next game for Iverson or within a week for McKie -- the Sixers figure to continue digging an early hole for themselves. Just how important is that when you've got 82 games to play?