Weonlywishwe hadtheSixersat thisstageinthegame

Perhaps one of the reasons the community did not warm to the idea of putting the Sixers in the Dixon Center was because they were so awful.

At the time of the proposal and backlash, the Sixers were in last place in the Atlantic Division.

Little did they know that now, just two games into the season, the Sixers stand alone atop the Atlantic Division for the fust time since the '90-'91 season.

Paul Moser

I am ~ondering how many people are rethinking their stance. Around this time last year there was this controversy surrounding the proposal to rent the Dixon Center out to the Philadelphia 76ers. Most people thought that it was a bad idea. The plan, because of the negative reaction and other circumstances, became a huge "what if' that eventually ended up being a "never was."

The fact is, one year later, I think it still would have been a great idea. The Dixon Center is rented out anyway. But now it is rented out to high schools and other institutions. Wouldn't we rather have had the same inconvenience with celebrities instead of the same situation with high school students, especially now, considering the Sixers are actually good? Students were worried of losing 100percent full access to the courts and the facilities, something they still don't receive.

The Sixers started off the season this past weekend with the best start that they have had in years, going 3-0.

Both wins have been very dominant ones, with the Sixers dominating the second half in both games.

The Sixers have let up only 66 and 75 points to teams in their first two games respectively. They are playing the best defense that we have seen come from a Sixers team in years.

The blend of veterans and young players that coach Larry Brown has put together is meshing in a time when most thought they would struggle. •

Players are getting back on defense and really putting the pressure on. They are playing the style of basketball that Larry Brown tried to instill last year.

When most people would expect the Sixers to have little communication and erratic play, they are playing up and down the court and disciplined defense.

PAC Standings

All three wins have seen a close game until the fourth quarter, when the Sixers turned on the steam and dominated the rest of the way. Granted, the wins come when the three •,;eteran teams they played were still struggling to get into shape. Granted, the Hornets are injury-plagued, but one can still marvel at the result of the past weekend.

One bright spot, though, for the Sixers is that all this comes with Allen Iverson struggling from the floor, but with a renewed sense of team. They are still winning big and their best player is playing badly.

In the win over Orlando, Iverson had 10 assists. Just imagine how effective he will be once he starts getting his scoring up and his turnovers down.

Against Orlando, two other players that shined may be big players for this squad for years to come. Theo Ratliff and Matt Geiger combined for six blocked shots in the first game and Ratliff finished with a double-double in the second, while Geiger scored 20 points.

The Sixers, although they did not shoot well in all three games, had the defense that teams need to win in this league.

With the young guns they have on the bench, the Sixers should be able to outrun veteran teams in the early going until they get into game shape. Teams such as Charlotte will struggle because their team, full of mostly veterans, are overweight and out of shape.

This was never more evident than in the fourth quarter of the opening game, when Derrick Coleman was breathing hard and almost fell on the ground with his ample body. One of the most pleasant smprises in both games had to be the off-the-bench play of Larry Hughes.

The 20-year-old played smart defense and had a deadly stroke from behind the three point line and on the fast break.

Hey, it's only three games, I'll admit that, but with what the Sixers have given us in the past, one can only be at least a little ecstatic for a possible playoff berth. This team seems like a team for the first year in a long period of bad ones.

So with my tongue planted firmly in my cheek, all of those who were against the Sixers practicing at the Dixon Center, hide and be shameful, for now they snubbed a team that is atop the Atlantic Division and undefeated. Instead of seeing Iverson and Hughes practicing their dunks, you will see Episcopal playing squash and Shipley practicing their swimming relays.

Plus don't expect the warm reaction from these athletes that you would get from an NBA player when asking for an autograph. I hear those high school 100 meter breast stroke stars are stingy with their John Hancocks.

PaulMoseris a seniormajoringin English/ communication.Heis oneof Loquitur'ssports editors.Hetoldyouso.