Hollinger: Brand new Sixers are instant East challengers

Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty Images The 76ers have been waiting for a force like Elton Brand to show up. How long? Not since Moses Malone and Charles Barkley were in town has Philly had a power player with the prowess of Brand. Elton Brand is expected to become a Sixer, and let's just say the Eastern Conference race is now a lot more interesting. Are the Philadelphia 76ers, as presently constituted, good enough to win the East in the 2008-09 season? Doubtful. But are the Sixers good enough to win a playoff series or two and scare the bejeezus out of Detroit and Boston? You bet. And if they add a shooter and get another year of growth from all their young studs, will they be in position to win the conference in 2010? Absolutely. It's amazing to think this is the same team that dealt Allen Iverson less than two years ago because... [read full story]