Glenn Robinson is merely the latest and the greatest.

That, at least, is the hope. The 76ers acquired Robinson, a career 19-point scorer in the NBA, as part of a recent four-team trade with Atlanta, New York and Minnesota. He is the newest, and arguably most skilled of the candidates who have been asked to be second banana to Allen Iverson.

While Iverson's primary focus for the moment is the U.S. team's attempt to qualify for next summer's Olympics in Athens, Greece, he also knows his real job is to help breathe life back into a Sixers team that was rudely eliminated from last season's second round of the playoffs by Detroit.

His job last night included scoring 10 points in a 110-76 opening-round victory over Brazil in the Olympic qualifying tournament. Whatever early concerns the United States had were eliminated when they scored 23 of the final 27 points in the third quarter, giving the Americans a 78-55 advantage. Any other concerns were eased as Tim Duncan and Elton Brand had 17 points and six rebounds.

But back to the Sixers. Whatever other moves they have made since the season ended, this one that matters above all the others. Exit Keith Van Horn, sent to the Knicks. Enter Robinson, the Big Dog from the Hawks, as the latest sidekick for Iverson, a three-time scoring champion and the fulcrum of this team.