Same old Sixers

Philadelphia, PA (The Phanatic Magazine) - No one noticed. After all, there was some pretty big things going on across the street. But, the Philadelphia 76ers opened up their 2008-09 season Wednesday.

And it wasn't just any opener. Two of the most improved teams in the Eastern Conference (supposedly) met when Toronto came to town and faced off with the revamped Sixers.

To accommodate the fans, the Sixers moved up the starting time of the game by an hour, so that everyone could get somewhere to watch the Phils clinch the World Series.

The Sixers were of course the last Philadelphia team to win a title when Cheeks teamed with Julius Erving and Moses Malone to form one of the greatest teams in NBA history during the 1982-83 season.

Things haven’t exactly gone smoothly for Philly's basketball team since then and the last time the franchise felt this optimistic entering a season, Hall of Fame power forward Charles Barkley was throwing his weight around the basket.

'The Round Mound of Rebound' last played with the Sixers during the 1992-93 season and the team hasn't had a real inside presence since.

Enter Elton Brand. Brand was pedestrian in the opener but still recorded a double-double and he will be as advertised.

The rest of the team? Unfortunately, it's the same old Sixers. They can't shoot the three and they don't defend it.

The Raptors abused the Sixers from beyond the arc in an alarmingly easy victory and the two shooters Ed Stefanski brought in -- Kareem Rush and Donyell Marshall -- spent most of the night watching things from the $1,000 dollar seats.

Cheeks' rotation was certainly a head-scratcher and Willie Green continues to pile up undeserved minutes.

It's not time to panic in Philly but I would enjoy that Phillies championship. The Sixers won't be adding to it.