According to Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia, Will Smith and his wife Jada became minority owners of the 76ers on Tuesday. A Philadelphia native, Smith has always stayed true to his hometown teams and basketball was always considered one of his favorite sports–so this move seems like the perfect match for both parties.

With the news, it looks like Jay-Z is no longer the only member of the hip-hop world involved with an NBA team. Jay-Z became a part time owner of the New Jersey Nets back in 2004 and has played a key role with the team’s plans to move to Brooklyn beginning next season.

Even if there is no basketball this season, it should be interesting to see what Smith can do as a part owner. The Sixers are a young and upcoming team after reaching the playoffs as a No. 7 seed and if anybody knows how to bring excitement to an atmosphere–it’s Big Will.

Ojay Harris is an 11-year-old boy with autism from Mt. Airy, Pennsylvania that was recently the victim of having his basketball hoop stolen. When hearing about Ojay’s story on the news and how upset he was, the Philadelphia 76ers wasted no time helping out and gave Ojay a surprise he’ll remember for the rest of his life.

Members of the 76ers surprised Ojay by building a new hoop while he was in school and showered him with numerous other gifts–some of which included t-shirts, new sneakers, and a big 76ers banner for his driveway. It’s always good to hear these types of feel-good stories and the 76ers organization deserves all of the respect in the world for making an impact in this kid’s life.

Thanks to our friends at Yahoo! for the video.

Lavoy Allen #500

I guess it’s not so bad, considering Allen was a 2nd round pick of the 76ers in this year’s draft. Allen, from Temple wasn’t expected to be drafted but found his way down the street to the Wells Fargo Center anyway. Allen, the all-time leader in rebounds at Temple also got some high praise from his Head Coach at Temple, Fran Dunphy. “Might be the smartest players I’ve ever coached,” Dunphy said of Allen. Allen signed with Strasbourgh IG of the French League this summer; the deal has an opt-out clause allowing him to return to the NBA once the lockout is over.

Craig Brackins #454

Here’s another ranking that’s not as bad as it might seem. Brackins, ranked at #454, was originally a 1st round pick of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2010 NBA Draft. He was later traded to the New Orleans Hornets before being dealt, yet again, to the Philadelphia 76ers a few months later. Brackins spent much of last season playing in the NBA Development League, seeing action at the NBA level in only 3 games. However, his multiple stints in the NBADL were very impressive. Brackins averaged over 17 points and 8 rebounds for the Springfield Armor. Brackins signed with Maccabi Ashdod BC of the Israeli League this summer, but is expected to return once the NBA lockout concludes.

Antonio Daniels #400

Daniels signed a 10-day contract with the Sixers at the beginning of April last season. After being out of the NBA since the 2008-09 season, Daniels saw action in only 4 games with the Sixers. Daniels is a free agent, and definitely won’t be brought back by Philadelphia.

Nikola Vucevic #391

The Philadelphia 76ers 1st round pick in this year’s draft, Nikola Vucevic ranks in at #391. Despite not having played one minute of NBA Basketball he’s somehow ranked higher than 109 other players on this list. Vucevic was impressive in pre-draft workouts and seems to have some upside, which the 76ers liked and needed at the Center position.  The Montenegro native signed with Euro league team Buducnost in late August.

Tony Battie #362

The 14-year vet is far removed from being the 5th overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft. Paul Pierce’s guardian angel played in 38 games for the Sixers last season averaging just under 10 minutes a game. Battie is technically a free agent and just could be the end of the road for the veteran.

Jason Kapono #339

Jason Kapono was another baffling selection on this list compiled by “experts.” Kapono saw action in just 24 games for the Sixers, amazingly starting two games early in the season. He averaged just under 5 minute per game, and a busty .7 PPG. At one time Kapono was the NBA’s most accurate 3-point shooter; while that threat still exists to a certain degree Kapono simply shouldn’t be ranked this high. Kapono is also a free agent, and will not be back in a Sixers uniform.

Jodie Meeks #274

Meeks started 64 regular season games and all 5 playoff games for the Sixers last season in what could be called a break-0ut year for the 3-year pro. He averaged just over 10 PPG and scored a career high 21 points in a November game against the Miami Heat. Meeks gained Head Coach Doug Collins’ trust, finding his game throughout the season. Meeks looks to be an integral part of the young core the 76ers are building around.

Marreese Speights #236

Speights, the highest rated 76er on the list so far, seemed to decline last season. Playing in 64 games, he averaged only 5.4 PPG, his lowest total in his 3-year career. While Speights has never seen a fade-away jumper he didn’t like, it’s impossible to deny his talents. The only problem has been bringing them all together, which is probably why his play declined last year. Speights saw his minute’s drop last season under Doug Collins, in an attempt to have him play the “right way” and earn his minutes. Though, Speights dealt with an injury last year and the increased production of Elton Brand which also had a lot to do with his declining minutes.

Where will the rest of the 76ers rank?

If I had to guess, the remaining Sixers would rank in this order

1. Andre Iguodala
2. Elton Brand
3. Jrue Holiday
4. Thaddeus Young
5. Louis Williams
6. Evan Turner
7. Spencer Hawes

Stay tuned, as we’ll recap the rest of the ESPN.com rankings as they’re released.

The “Lockout League” produced by Impact Basketball, released its roster on Thursday. The only Philadelphia 76er who will participate is Marreese Speights.

Impact Basketball has perhaps the best Basketball training program in the sport. With multiple locations in the United States, they help train players from the high school level to the pros all with tremendous success. NBA players like Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh and Paul Pierce have worked with Impact Basketball.

Impact Basketball will hold a two week competitive training series at its facility in Las Vegas from September 12th to the 23rd. The players will go through training programs and play games throughout both weeks. Games are scheduled to take place Monday through Thursday the first week and Monday through Friday the second and final week.

The roster is full of NBA talent with a wide range of experience. The league will include young stars like John Wall and Stephen Curry, and vets like Zach Randolph and Chauncey Billups. The league will also feature a number of rookies such as Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Jordan Williams, Josh Selby, Malcom Lee and Iman Shumpert.

In all, over 60 NBA players are expected to compete in the Impact League.

The entire Impact League Roster can be found here

With the NBA currently in a lockout it seems appropriate to look back at the last NBA lockout, the lockout of the 1998-99 season.

The problems of over a decade ago aren’t much different from the problems impacting the NBA now. As you might have guessed the problems largely involved money, salary cap loop-holes and the dreaded “basketball related income.”

The 90′s had not been a kind decade to the Philadelphia 76ers. Heading into the 1998-99 season, the Sixers had failed to make the playoffs all but once during the decade. Their lone playoff appearance came under then Head Coach Jim Lynam all the way back in the 1990-91 season. The next seven seasons would see the Sixers trade away superstar Charles Barkley, draft Shawn Bradley 2nd overall, and finish no higher than 5th in the Atlantic Division.

However, there was reason for optimism in Philadelphia. The 76ers had budding superstar Allen Iverson, whom they drafted 1st overall in 1996. They hired Larry Brown the next season, which helped improve the 76ers win total by 9 games in his first season as Head Coach.

However, heading into the 1998-99 season the Sixers were still seen as basement dwellers. It didn’t matter if they had a recognizable head coach who’d had success and perhaps the most exciting young player in the NBA.

The NBA lockout shortened the season to 40 games, something that benefited the 76ers, who were poised to make the playoffs for the first time in 7 years.

Head Coach Larry Brown was building a team full of defensive role players to surround the likes of Allen Iverson and rookie Larry Hughes. While Iverson led the offensive charge, Brown’s vets helped keep opponents to only 87 points per game. The Sixers had some success during the shortened season but as the end of April approached, they found themselves fighting for a playoff spot, and that’s when things started to come together.

The 76ers would go on to win 9 of their final 13 games on their way to that illusive playoff berth.

They would take on the Orlando Magic in the 1st round. Allen Iverson eclipsed 30 points in three out of the four games, including 37 points in the game four clincher.

Their opponent in the 2nd round would be Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers. Iverson would try to work his magic again, but it was not to be, and the Sixers were swept in four games. The games were closer than a sweep may indicate; the Sixers lost three out of the four games by four points or less.

The Pacers were heading to the Eastern Conference Finals where they would lose to the New York Knicks in 6 games. Of course, the Knicks were beaten in the Finals that season by the San Antonio Spurs.

In the lockout shortened season of 1998-99 the 76ers had found some success, and something to build upon. Little did anyone know that they were constructing the team that would go to the 2001 NBA Finals and capture the hearts of Philadelphia fans.

The Philadelphia 76ers have given off some warm feelings as of late, a break from the norm during the NBA lockout. First, Elton Brand and the majority of the Sixers roster got together for an organized team work out last week in Los Angeles. Now, word from Head Coach Doug Collins that he and his staff plan to meet after Labor Day to review last season and prepare for training camp.

In the NBA lockout world Basketball fans are living in, it’s nice to see some team unity. However, while the Sixers are approaching this unusual off season like its business as usual, what can we expect when business can actually be done?

It’s no secret that Andre Iguodala was on the trade block, the Sixers decided to hold onto Iggy at the trade deadline but it’s doubtful his situation has changed. However, how and when the NBA lockout ends will have a lot to do with whether or not Iguodala is dealt or not.

What if both sides are able to agree to a deal before the start of the NBA season in November?

If the season were to miraculously start on time, its likely Iguodala could be dealt. Similar to the NFL lockout, teams will have a lot of things to do, and not much time to do it in.  However, unlike the NFL, NBA teams have fewer players, meaning fewer decisions to make. So, the possibility of Iguodala being traded is still there.

What if the season starts late, a la the 1998 lockout?

It would really depend upon how much time teams are given to make roster decisions. Chances are there wouldn’t be a lot of time to discuss trades and with new cap rules its unlikely teams would want to take on Iguodala’s contract.

What if the season is lost all together?

If the season is lost, teams will more than likely have an entire off season to digest the new cap rules. Another question is whether or not player contracts from the season that was lost count or not. If they don’t, it would leave Iguodala with possibly only one year left on his current contract. Iggy’s deal has a player option for 2013-14, one he’d likely take since it’s worth nearly $16 million dollars.

In this situation, the 76ers may keep Iguodala considering their other big contract, Elton Brand’s, will be coming off the books after the 2012-13 season.

Iguodala did his best to clear up the comments he made after the 76ers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Miami Heat. He’s even talked with Head Coach Doug Collins, stating that the two were “good.” Now, he’s a part of organized team workouts during the lockout. Certainly seems like a guy who wants to be a part of the Philadelphia 76ers franchise. Maybe it’s because the Sixers have time and time again reached out to Iggy to assure him that he’s wanted.

While he may be wanted, his massive contract will always keep his name alive in trade rumors. Along with big money contracts comes big money expectations, one’s Iguodala unfortunately can’t live up to. Make no mistake, Iguodala is valuable, he’s a terrific defender and a double-double machine. However, Iguodala is paid like a superstar, something he is not. The 76ers have to figure out whether or not the positives out-weigh the negatives when they ponder trading Iguodala. Iguodala can certainly help the Sixers, but unless he’s bringing a championship to Broad Street, his contract will continue to weigh this team down.

Even though the NBA lockout has put the 2011-12 NBA season in doubt, someone forgot to tell the Philadelphia 76ers.  Recently, Elton Brand organized a team workout with nearly the entire 76ers roster. Now, the 76ers coaching staff has scheduled to meet, to prepare for the 2011-12 season.

Head Coach Doug Collins told Kate Fagan of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he and the coaching staff will meet the day after Labor Day.

“My coaches and I are going to get back together the day after Labor Day. We’re going to fly in Sept. 6 and get together, and we’re going to spend about 10 days together.”

Collins stated that the staff will review last season, watching a lot of film and prepare for training camp. Also on the agenda is replacing Assistant Coach Quin Snyder who left to join Mike Brown’s staff in Los Angeles.  

That’s right; it’s business as usual for the Philadelphia 76ers. While the majority of the NBA’s players are playing pickup games, the 76ers are setting the bar, as they are one of the few, perhaps the only NBA team that’s preparing for the NBA season.

What that says about the rest of the NBA can be debated. Either the 76ers are the only focused franchise in the NBA right now, or they’re the only team foolish enough to believe the season can be saved.

Only time and negotiations will tell. Though, one thing is for sure, if the season is to start on time the 76ers will be ready.

Vucevic, drafted 16th overall in this year’s draft is said to be close to a deal that should be final sometime this week. Of course, like most NBA players headed overseas there is an out-clause in Vucevic’s deal allowing him to return to the NBA once the lockout ends. It will be a homecoming for Vucevic, who is from Montenegro.

When Vucevic signs, he’ll become the first 2011 NBA 1st round pick to sign overseas. The 76ers 2nd round pick Lavoy Allen, out of Temple, became the first 2011 NBA 2nd round draft pick to sign overseas when he signed with SIG Strasbourg in France back in July.

Going overseas for draft picks can be a double-edged sword. On one hand they aren’t getting paid during the lockout and there is money readily available overseas, on the other they risk their NBA careers if injured playing overseas. This is why we haven’t seen a lot of draft picks head overseas, yet. However, Vucevic could certainly become the blue-print for others when it comes to ironing out the insurance issues for a guy whose NBA value isn’t yet known.  The trend has been set with 2nd round picks, as of right now five 2011 NBA 2nd round picks have signed overseas with more likely to come. Once Vucevic signs, you could see a few more 1st rounders heading overseas especially those drafted after Vucevic.

Elton Brand has helped organize a team workout scheduled for next week in Los Angeles. Andre Iguodala, Lou Williams, Evan Turner and others are expected to join Brand in LA. The guys will keep things all “team” by flying to Los Angeles together and staying in the same hotel.

We saw our fair share of organized team workouts during the NFL lockout, as of right now Brand and the 76ers are the first team to do it in the NBA.

“I can’t wait to see where the guys are at,” Brand said. “I’ve been talking to them all summer. They seem to be in shape already in case we get this thing going.”

When Doug Collins took over as Head Coach before last season he stressed the importance of team unity. Collins treats his players like sons, giving them the tough love when they need it but reassuring them that he cares about them as people. Before Collins arrived the 76ers, a once proud NBA franchise, had become worse than disliked in Philadelphia, they had become irrelevant.  In only one season, he’s changed the culture and perception of this team, and Brand’s actions show that.

After signing a 5-year deal with the 76ers in 2008, Elton Brand had been mired by injuries and below-average play. Last season he was rejuvenated, having his best season as a 76er and redefining his role with the team.

As for Brand’s thoughts on the NBA lockout, urgency is the key.

“I can’t speak for the owner’s side, but on the player’s side, there’s definitely a sense of urgency to meet and talk,” Brand said. “As of now, it doesn’t look good. It doesn’t look good at all. I don’t think we’re going to start with a normal training camp because the numbers are so far apart. But I think as training camp gets closer, we’ll know more if we have to miss games.”

NBA fans can only hope that Brand’s tiny bit of optimism comes true.

According to an interview Nocioni did with Chilean Newspaper La Nacion, the Sixers don’t want him back.

“The Sixers already said they don’t want me. And now we’re in a lockout. So I’ll see what I do. Playing in Europe is a possibility.”

Nocioni played in 54 games in his first and likely only season with the 76ers, averaging 6 points in just over 17 minutes per game. He started 17 of the 54 games, most of those starts coming at the beginning of the season. Nocioni was really only used when absolutely needed. To Nocioni’s credit, he played hard every minute he was on the court when he could have easily mailed it in. From starting early in the year, to sitting the bench, to being called into duty to replace Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams when they were out with injuries, he played whatever role they wanted.

Nocioni was acquired last off season along with Spencer Hawes from Sacramento for Samuel Dalembert.