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A Delco guy leads Sixers
The sports franchise that everyone seems to have forgotten is going to be back in the headlines today.
And there is going to be a strong Delaware County connection.
The Sixers are pulling the plug on the Billy King era. The team is once again struggling, both on the court, and in the stands. After last night’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks, the team’s record now stands at a dismal 5-12.
In his place will be Drexel Hill native and Monsignor Bonner grad Ed Stefanski. He is expected to be named the team’s new general manager at a press conference today.
That 5-12 mark probably isn’t most important number in King being dethroned. No, that would be 11,465. That’s how many people went through the turnstiles last night at the Wachovia Center. The place holds 20,000.
In other words, it was half-empty. That’s been the case on all too many nights this year.
Actually, it’s been pretty much the case since King shipped the team’s marquee superstar, Allen Iverson, to the Denver Nuggets last year for a package of players.
When Iverson packed up his posse and headed for the Rockies, so did interest in the Sixers. The Phils own the town in the summer, and the Eagles dominate conversation year-round. The Flyers have their loyal fan base.
That leaves the Sixers. Remember them? Bunch of tall guys in short pants. Coached by all-time local favorite Maurice Cheeks.
The Sixers hit their high-water mark back in 2001, when, under coach Larry Brown and president Pat Croce (another Delco guy), and led by the dynamo Iverson, they captured the region’s heart by making it to the NBA Finals. They even beat the Lakers in the first game of the series, then lost four straight.
They never managed to capture the magic again.
Now it will be up to a guy who made his bones right here in Delco to breathe new fire into the organization.
Ed Stefanski is a Delco guy, from the playgrounds of Drexel Hill to starring at his alma mater, Monsignor Bonner, before going on to Penn.
He also coached four years at Bonner. He joined the Nets in 1999 and was named GM in 2004.
It’s a huge job. But if it was done by a Delco guy once before with Croce, who says it can’t happen again.
Welcome aboard, Ed. Or maybe we should say welcome back.
And there is going to be a strong Delaware County connection.
The Sixers are pulling the plug on the Billy King era. The team is once again struggling, both on the court, and in the stands. After last night’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks, the team’s record now stands at a dismal 5-12.
In his place will be Drexel Hill native and Monsignor Bonner grad Ed Stefanski. He is expected to be named the team’s new general manager at a press conference today.
That 5-12 mark probably isn’t most important number in King being dethroned. No, that would be 11,465. That’s how many people went through the turnstiles last night at the Wachovia Center. The place holds 20,000.
In other words, it was half-empty. That’s been the case on all too many nights this year.
Actually, it’s been pretty much the case since King shipped the team’s marquee superstar, Allen Iverson, to the Denver Nuggets last year for a package of players.
When Iverson packed up his posse and headed for the Rockies, so did interest in the Sixers. The Phils own the town in the summer, and the Eagles dominate conversation year-round. The Flyers have their loyal fan base.
That leaves the Sixers. Remember them? Bunch of tall guys in short pants. Coached by all-time local favorite Maurice Cheeks.
The Sixers hit their high-water mark back in 2001, when, under coach Larry Brown and president Pat Croce (another Delco guy), and led by the dynamo Iverson, they captured the region’s heart by making it to the NBA Finals. They even beat the Lakers in the first game of the series, then lost four straight.
They never managed to capture the magic again.
Now it will be up to a guy who made his bones right here in Delco to breathe new fire into the organization.
Ed Stefanski is a Delco guy, from the playgrounds of Drexel Hill to starring at his alma mater, Monsignor Bonner, before going on to Penn.
He also coached four years at Bonner. He joined the Nets in 1999 and was named GM in 2004.
It’s a huge job. But if it was done by a Delco guy once before with Croce, who says it can’t happen again.
Welcome aboard, Ed. Or maybe we should say welcome back.
posted by Heron's Nest at
8:51 AM
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