Sixer coach Jim O'Brien named veterans Aaron McKie and Marc Jackson and rookie Andre Iguodala to the starting lineup, as Glenn Robinson and Samuel Dalembert

McKie beat out Willie Green to be the starter at shooting guard, Iguodala gets Robinson's old spot at small forward, and Jackson takes over from Dalembert at center.

"Glenn took it about as good as any NBA player has ever taken news that he was not going to be in the starting lineup," O'Brien said. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for the professional way he handled the situation."

Robinson griped about playing time last season when injuries shortened his first season in Philadelphia to a career-low 42 games. Robinson dedicated himself to offseason workout programs and proclaimed in training camp to be in his best shape in years.

Dalembert was one of two Sixers to play in all 82 games last season and was ninth in the league with 2.3 blocks a game. While he was shooting 74 percent in the preseason, he struggled at times adapting to O'Brien's defensive scheme.

"It does matter for me. I'm not going to lie. I do want to start," Dalembert said last week when asked about the possibility of losing his starting job.