Kiss These ‘Cheeks’ Goodbye

Former 76ers star and most recently, head coach, Maurice Cheeks has signed on as an assistant with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the upcoming season.  New Thunder head coach, Scott Brooks, who will replace former 76ers beloved coach Larry Brown, has given clipboards to both Cheeks and veteran coach Rex Kalamian (most recently with the Kings) this off season.  Cheeks was fired by the Sixers early last season after the team got off to a dismal start.  The year before however, Cheeks led the Sixers to a surprise playoff berth, only to falter in the first round (a trend of late).  His final coaching record with the Sixers was 122-147, not exactly what the organization had hoped for from its former star.  He played 15 season in the NBA including an NBA championship with the Sixers in 1983 as well as four All Star appearances.  In his playing days, Cheeks averaged 11.1 points per game and 6.7 assists per game while being elected to the NBA’s all defensive team four times.  As a coach, Mo will not be missed, as harsh as it sounds, but one thing is for certain, the Sixers sure could use a player or two like Maurice Cheeks in the upcoming season.  Still no big transactions, still a dismal outlook for the 2009-2010 season.