Iverson finds cheeks is the answer
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-08 08:52

Last year, Iverson complained that he had little input under former coach Jim O'Brien. Iverson said the 76ers failed to develop an identity and rarely made adjustments, including a resistance to zone defense.

Cheeks' positive attitude isn't totally new to Iverson. Cheeks was an assistant under Brown when Iverson led the 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001.

"Everybody's not here uptight," Iverson said. "It's just been fun so far."

O'Brien also didn't believe in getting Chris Webber more involved once the All-Star forward was acquired in February. While it's been only a week and not even a preseason game has been played, Cheeks has raved about the way Iverson and Webber have clicked.

Iverson said he's noticed a difference in Webber's attitude, with the forward going from downbeat on Monday to downright beaming and optimistic on Thursday.

"He's been doing everything to make us better and make himself better," Iverson said. "We're just trying to put it together on the court right here in training camp. Hopefully when we leave here, we'll have some type of chemistry."

Cheeks gave Webber the day off Friday, but a day earlier he credited the first-year coach with making so much of a dramatic difference.

"I want what Mo has and that's a championship," Webber said. "I admire what he's done and I thank him for the communication and just being a man first and a coach second. If you're a good man, it's easy to be a good coach."

Cheeks just might be the coach of the year if he truly can get Webber and Iverson to coexist and share the ball. While he likes hearing the two rave around the atmosphere, Cheeks said he was setting the same upbeat tone he always has.

"It's important that guys want to come to work," he said. "I want them to enjoy coming here. It's where we're going to be for eight or nine months."