AI can go, but problems will persist

With trade rumors running through the streets of Philly faster than Rocky Balboa, the 76ers are the talk of the league. There are people who think trading away Allen Iverson will immediately set the franchise on a course to return to greatness in a few years. Then there are the doomsday predictions that say if the Sixers trade him, the franchise will never recover and the team should keep him and build.

But the Sixers will have neither prediction come true without more changes. Iverson is an amazing talent, and one of the league's top draws on the road. Losing him will undoubtedly take the Sixers down a notch, if possible sitting at 5-13.

The Sixers should trade Iverson, without a doubt. But they should also let head coach Maurice Cheeks and president Billy King follow him out the door. Neither has demonstrated an ability to do their jobs well, and both have the franchise on its knees gasping for air.

King has had one of the greatest players of all time right in his hand, yet he has continuously failed to build a team around his prized player. It's not like he's had a month. He's had more than three years. And the team of overpaid nobodies is now worse than I can remember, at least recently.

King is the one responsible for signing the players. Cheeks is the one responsible for not motivating them. I recently saw the team play at the Meadowlands. The 76ers looked like a bunch of gym league players at a pick-up basketball game. And that's just during shootaround. Cheeks looked shellshocked most of the game and it should be no surprise to anyone that this club does not look like they want to put on an NBA uniform. Cheeks had no control of his players in Portland, and appears headed down the same path in Philly.

If Ed Snider really wants to turn things around, trade AI to Memphis for Gasol and the big man they need will be here. To make it even better, send Cheeks and King with him.