MVN: Most Valuable Network

Enthusiasm for Sixers basketball is on the rise this season, thanks to the moves of General Manager Ed Stefanski. By now, I'm sure you all know that they signed Elton Brand away from the Los Angeles Clippers. For many of us, the reality of the situation still hasn't set in. That probably even includes Stefanski himself.

Fear not, my friends. I am here to put it in perspective. As the reality sinks in, questions remain about how the team will adjust. But the biggest question in my mind centers around the play of our veteran point guard - Andre Miller.

You see, Miller played with Brand before. Back in the summer of 2002, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded him to join Brand with the Clippers in exchange for Darius Miles and Harold Jamison. Bryant Stith also went to the Clippers in the deal. Miller was coming off a season where he averaged 16.5 points and led the league with 10.9 assists per game.

At the time, the Clippers thought they acquired the final piece to the puzzle. Instead, they ended winning only 27 games and Miller signed with Denver after the season. What happened?

Looking over the stats from that season, Miller was the only Clipper to play in more than 66 games that season. In fact, Miller played in all 82 games six out of nine times and only missed five games throughout his whole career. Two of them were due to being stuck in a snow storm when the Nuggets traded him to the Sixers.

Back to the 2002-'03 Clippers - Brand missed 20 games. Corey Maggette missed 18. Lamar Odom was out for 33. With the team's top three scorers missing a combined 81 games, Miller didn't have all his weapons. His assists dropped from 10.9 a game to 6.7 and his shooting percentage dropped to 40.6% - the only time in his career it went below 44.9%. Alvin Gentry ended up getting fired when the team was 19-39. The late Dennis Johnson finished out the season at the helm. (Side note: Gentry was recently hired to be an assistant for the Suns this summer)

Perhaps the injuries were to be expected. Lamar Odom only played 29 games the season before. Corey Maggette normally misses a handful of games every year. Up until that point though, Quentin Richardson wasn't injury-prone. Elton Brand just didn't have enough help.

Poor coaching, injuries and poor management led to the Clippers dismal season. Staying healthy is pretty much a given if you want to have a good season. As for the coaching and management part, Ed Stefanski and Mo Cheeks are easily ahead of Elgin Baylor and Alvin Gentry.

Even with better management and better coaching, a lot rides on the shoulders of the two veterans this season. To describe the type of players that Miller and Brand are, it's best to quote former Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals head coach Dennis Green. "They are who they thought they were." You can put their pictures in the dictionary next to "point guard" and "power forward".

If the Sixers are to expect better results than what the Clippers achieved with Miller and Brand, Sir Elton has to stay healthy and Miller has to have a repeat performance of last season. If those things happen, then Miller and Brand can join company with spaghetti, Chinese food and Napoleon Dynamite - things that are better the second time around.

Oddly, Miller started the season last year in a Clipper-like funk. Normally, it takes time for him to work into mid-season form. Given the opportunity to compete among the best in the East, it should provide the motivation to adjust to game speed quicker than in previous seasons.

Early returns are positive that he's rearing to go. The first indication is that he's happy to be here. Another sign is that he's in a contract year. While he's north of 30 at this point, he claims to feel four years younger. If he continues to show the durability and professionalism that he's displayed his whole career, contractual issues will take care of themselves.

For Brand and Miller to be most successful, their supporting cast has to be up for the challenge. Leading the way is iron man Iguodala, armed with a new big contract. Sam Dalembert played all 82 last season and has the stigma of his falling out with Team Canada to motivate him. Kareem Rush is just looking for an opportunity to show what he really can do. Thaddeus Young is ready to expand his role. Lou Williams has a closers mentality. Willie Green has a shooters mentality. Mo Speights has something to prove. Everybody else knows their role.

Andre Miller and Elton Brand set the tone. Everyone else will follow suit. A fast start is just what the team needs. For Sixers fans, the season can't start soon enough.