That means, if things stay the way they are now, the Sixers could be staring right at Miami in the second round of the NBA playoffs - right at Miami, right at Mourning, one of the NBA's few immovable objects at the center position. You know the answer. You just don't want to admit it because, well, the Sixers lost a bunch of games with Allen Iverson out of the lineup and you decided that the end of the world was upon us and that Ratliff's absence was the problem. Well, you're wrong. The Sixers have the potential to be a better defensive team with Mutombo in there - and defense and rebounding are what wins in the playoffs, and that's the whole story.
People talk a lot about chemistry being spoiled by the trade.
The team can barely practice. There is no question that Iverson is the toughest customer in town. There is also no question that he would greatly benefit from another week off as the partially torn muscle in his left hip heals. He played the other night only because of his pain tolerance. You just know that a little more time would help him.