Sixers Want No Mo

Mo won’t be running with the 76ers anymore.

The Philadelphia 76ers have fired head coach (oh yeah, and 76ers legend) Maurice Cheeks, according to a report in the “Chicago Tribune.”

Cheeks and the Sixers entered the season amidst high hopes. The team made the playoffs last season and with the addition of free agent Elton Brand fans and Sixers brass thought the team could compete in the tough Eastern Conference.

The Sixers haven’t competed – they are dead last (even behind the miserable New York Knicks) in the Atlantic Division.

The team is 9-14 and near the bottom of the Eastern Conference instead of the top.

Assistant General Manager Tony DiLeo will take over as interim head coach.

DiLeo won’t have much time to fall into the roll of coach. He will make his pro-coaching debut Saturday night against the Washington Wizards in Philly.

The 76ers aren't only losing games but also fans as they struggle to fill the seats at the Wachovia Center. They have constantly been drawing under 70-percent capacity and have offered up $10 seat promotions and other deals to try and stimulate some South Philly excitement.

Cheeks is the fifth NBA coach to hit the chopping block so far this season.

The Sixers hired Mo Cheeks before the 2005-06 season. He compiled a 122-145 (.457 winning percentage) record in more than three seasons with the club.

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