The question still dogs him: Can you win with Allen Iverson?

Brown figured out the only way to do so early in his career was to surround him with a group of a grunts, defensive-minded hustlers who didn’t need the ball or accolades. Thus, upon his arrival to Philadelphia, he dealt Jerry Stackhouse. Since then, the list of AI’s wingmen have been less than stellar: Toni Kukoc, Keith Van Horn, Dikembe Mutombo, Derrick Coleman and Glenn Robinson.

Iverson was ecstatic at Cheeks’ hiring. The day the Sixers introduced Cheeks in a press conference, Iverson was a surprise guest. “When I talked to AI, he told me he was glad I came back,” Cheeks said. “He said he’d do whatever it takes. If it takes leading the league in assists then he’d lead the league in assists. His reaction meant a lot — well, except when he said he wanted to kiss me in my mouth. Say what you want, but I’ve always respected AI as a player. He ALWAYS plays hard, and that’s always a knock about players in the NBA — taking nights off, not always playing hard.

“This is his 10th year. He’s won scoring titles. He’s been an MVP. He wants to experience what we experienced in 2000-01 again. Ten years marks a sort of awakening for a player. He’s a veteran now. Guys look to him for advice. I saw the way Lewis Williams looked at him. It reminded me of the first time I saw Doc — I was definitely bright-eyed. Ten years in the league, you start to look at your mortality. So with AI, he’ll do whatever I need him to do.”

For the Sixers to compete for the weakest division in the east, Iverson will have to again shoulder most of the scoring load, but do so on less shots. He’ll need to get Webber his touches and include Iguodala, Korver and Dalembert in the flow of the offense. Crucial for the Sixers is the young Iguodala, who impressed greatly last year as an all-around player. He can certainly man up on defense and stat stuff but he has to become more aggressive on the offensive end and develop a mid-range perimeter game.

Meanwhile, Dalembert, an active shot-blocker and rebounder, needs to get healthy, continue his growth as a player and expand his game with some more post moves. Korver can spot-up and shoot the long ball, but he logged too many minutes, and has to improve in two areas: Creating his own shot and playing on the ball defense. John Salmons (defense) and Lee Nailon (offense) will have to emerge as meaningful role players off the bench.

Though Boston has regressed, the Nets look tough with their backcourt of Kidd and Carter and the return of Richard Jefferson, and the Knicks should be better because of Brown alone. The Sixers can still do what Cheeks thought last year: win the Atlantic and a third playoff seed behind presumably Miami and Detroit.

It all depends on Webber.

It’s a big if.

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