Since the Sixers’ season became tedious early, it didn’t receive its proper attention late. But the under-told story of another playoff-free season was that Maurice Cheeks proved to do what he always did best: He competed.
With Larry Brown walking around the joint, copies of his Hall of Fame coaching resume spilling from his pockets, Cheeks’ job was in peril — and with reason. Soon — next season, to be exact — he must coach the Sixers into the playoffs, or admit that he is unable.
But just as he always did in tight spots when he was a champion point guard, Cheeks snarled, took a deep breath and went to work. Given a real basketball team to coach — rather than trying to do the impossible and succeed with Allen Iverson — he coaxed the Sixers to 30 victories in their final 58 games. More, he refused to play the fans’ absurd game of losing with the goal of better drafting position.
It was the very spirit that helped Cheeks grow from a second-round draft choice out of West Texas State to consideration for the basketball Hall of Fame. In hindsight then, maybe Sixers fans should have seen it coming.
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Strange, but Allen Iverson tired as a playoff series lengthened and began to miss shots at a disturbing pace, and was unable to lead his to success, even though he was complimented by an accomplished scorer. Shocking.
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