Sixers' TV time rises for '08-09

By MARTIN FRANK • Gannett News Service • August 7, 2008 The mark of an NBA team that is on the rise, or at least one that's perceived that way, can be determined by the number of national television appearances it has on the schedule. The 76ers, in the midst of a summer in which they added free agent Elton Brand to a young team that reached the playoffs last season, will be scheduled three times on TNT and four more times on ESPN. While those appearances are nothing compared to the 10 TNT games that will feature the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Los Angeles Lakers, it's a significant step up from last year, when the Sixers weren't on national TV at all. The Sixers' season begins Wednesday, Oct. 29, with a home game against Toronto, who added Jermaine O'Neal to a lineup that includes Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon. Other highlights... [read full story]