By JEFF MEZYDLO, STATS Writer
The Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks are similar in more ways than
either team would like to be.
With both teams missing players who were supposed to key their success, the
76ers and Bucks will each try to snap four-game losing streaks when they meet in
Philadelphia on Friday.
Almost one month after trading leading scorer Allen Iverson to Denver, the
76ers (9-26) completed paperwork on Wednesday to buy out veteran Chris Webber's
contract. He was waived on Thursday.
Webber missed 11 of the last 14 games due to foot and ankle injuries, but
was also unhappy with his reduced role. Webber, who was traded to Philadelphia
from Sacramento in February 2005, averaged 11.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in 18
games this season.
The 14-year veteran averaged 20.2 points and 9.9 rebounds in 75 games last
season.
"I thank Chris for everything that he did for this organization," team
president Billy King said. "This move was made to help this organization move in
a different direction and allow Chris to move on."
Webber sent an e-mail statement thanking the team and its fans for support.
"I believe this is the best situation for both parties and I look forward to
continuing my basketball career," said Webber, who was due $21 million this
season and $22 million in 2007-08.
Milwaukee (16-19) has played the last two games without leading scorer
Michael Redd, who will miss four to six weeks with an injured knee.
The Bucks also are expected to be without guard Mo Williams for two to three
weeks because of a shoulder sprain suffered in a 104-92 loss at Denver on
Monday. Williams leads the team with 6.2 assists per game and averages 17.3
points, second to Redd's 27.7 average.
The Bucks have already lost forward Bobby Simmons for the season with foot
and ankle injuries, and forward Charlie Villanueva is expected to miss another
week after missing the last four games with right shoulder tendinitis.
"Whether we're healthy or not, you don't look out a week, two weeks, three
weeks. You've got to look at each game and guys will come back when they're
ready," Milwaukee coach Terry Stotts said. "That's kind of a defeatist statement
if you say 'survival mode,' it's like you have no chance."
Center Andrew Bogut, who had 17 points and a career-high 18 rebounds in
Wednesday's 90-77 loss to Toronto, is the only Bucks player to start all 35
games.
Four of the 10 players who dressed for Milwaukee on Wednesday were rookies.
The Bucks, among the league leaders with 10.2.1 points per game, scored their
fewest points of the season against the Raptors.
"It's going to be tough now," said Bogut, averaging 11.9 points and 8.6
rebounds this season. "Four of our five starters are out, Michael Redd for up to
six weeks, Bobby (Simmons) for the season. There's not a lot more you can say."
The Bucks are looking to avoid their longest losing streak since an
eight-game slide late in the 2004-05 season. They've won four of their last five
games against Philadelphia.
The Sixers, who had a 12-game skid earlier this season, are 4-14 since
Iverson's last game with the team on Dec. 6.
Rookies Rodney Carney and Bobby Jones should see more minutes as will
veteran Joe Smith, who has been starting for Webber. Smith scored a season-high
16 points in a 106-99 loss at New York on Wednesday.
"Two stars are gone and we're just playing," Philadelphia coach Maurice
Cheeks said. "We're putting guys on the floor that have not been used to being
out there in different situations. Growing pains are going to be there."
Updated on Thursday, Jan 11, 2007 1:50 pm, EST
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