The Philadelphia 76ers started off their season with a disappointing loss to the Portland Trailblazers. The 107-103 loss is a tough start for a team with big hope of advancing in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Fortunately, it’s a long season and it’s just one game. This is actually the fifth straight year that the 76ers have lost their season opener. The last time they won an opener was in the 2006-07 season when the 76ers beat the Atlanta Hawks. That year, they finished 35-47. Here is a look at the other four season openers for the 76ers between then and now.

October 31, 2007 – lost to Toronto Raptors

The 76ers opened up the 2007-08 season with a loss against the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors won at home 106-97. Kyle Korver and Andre Iguodala both scored at least 20 points for the 76ers. The 76ers won their second game against the Chicago Bulls and ended up 40-42 on the season. That was good enough to make the playoffs. They lost in the first round to the Detroit Pistons.

October 29, 2008 – lost to Toronto Raptors

Once again, the 76ers dropped their season opener against the Raptors. This time, the loss came at home. The 76ers led after one quarter but quickly faded as they fell 95-84. Lou Williams led the team with 16 points off the bench. The 76ers finished 41-41 and reached the playoffs. They lost in the first round to the Orlando Magic.

October 28, 2009 – lost to Orlando Magic

The 76ers lost to the Orlando Magic 120-106 in the season opener. The score was a lot closer than the game. The Magic led big at halftime. Philadelphia outscored Orlando 37-20 in the fourth quarter to trim the lead. The team won their next two games after this one. The 76ers finished 27-55 on the season.

October 27, 2010 – lost to Miami Heat

The 76ers opened the season against the loaded Heat at home. They lost 97-87 in the game. This wasn’t that close either. Philadelphia rallied in the fourth quarter to make it that close. Philadelphia lost their first four games on the season. However, they became a solid team in the second half and finished 41-41. The 76ers lost to the Heat in the first round of the playoffs.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

PORTLAND, Ore. – As the Portland Trail Blazers’ lead dwindled, coach Nate McMillan decided to pick up the pace.

Portland pushed the tempo late in the second half with a smaller quicker lineup and beat the Philadelphia 76ers 107-103 in the season opener for both teams.

“We have a lot of weapons,” said LaMarcus Aldridge, who had 25 points to lead the Blazers. “I think as times got tight for us guys stepped up and made big plays.”

Gerald Wallace had 21 points and nine rebounds for the Blazers. Wesley Mathews added 16 points.

Reserve Lou Williams had 12 of his 25 points in the second quarter and two clutch 3-pointers at the end for the Sixers, who are 0-1 on their season-opening five-game road trip. Andre Igoudala had 22 points and eight rebounds. The Sixers shot 48 percent from the field, but the Blazers took 97 shots to Philadelphia’s 83.

“They are a good team and they take away a lot of things with their energy and their defense,” Philadelphia’s Elton Brand said.

The 76ers got within 72-70 on Brand’s jumper near the end of the third, but the Blazers got a spark from their small lineup, sliding Aldridge and Wallace to center and power forward and getting up and down the floor faster. Jamal Crawford, Wallace, Matthews and Nicolas Batum all hit 3-pointers to put the Blazers up 95-80.

“When we go small like that if they double team we have a bunch of guys that can make plays,” Aldridge said. “That’s probably our most lethal offensive lineup.”

The Sixers weren’t dead, though. Williams scored 10 straight for Philly, including back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the lead to 106-103 with 16 second remaining. The game wasn’t over until Igoudala missed a 3-pointer and Raymond Felton made one of two free throws to ice it.

“Our competitive will kept us in the game,” Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said. “Our competitive will was strong; our execution has to get better.”

Philadelphia overcame a 3-13 start last year to finish 41-41. The Sixers lost to Miami in the first round of the playoffs last season. Leading scorer Igoudala returned despite rumors that he might be traded.

Portland is adjusting to life without All-Star guard Brandon Roy, who was forced to retire this month because of recurrent knee injuries. Portland also begins the season without Greg Oden, who has undergone two microfracture knee surgeries and has not played in two years.

The Blazers went 48-34 last season and were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by Dallas. After losing Roy, the Blazers strengthened their team by signing veterans Crawford and Kurt Thomas.

The Blazers led by as many as 13 in the first quarter as the Sixers missed 11 of their first 16 shots, but Williams keyed a rally in the second quarter to cut the lead to 48-44 at the half.

McMillan expects Portland to run more this season. He was unhappy when the pace slowed down at times.

“I thought we were up and down,” he said. “We would get to our tempo and the start to walk it down and I think that’s due to conditioning.”

Notes: The Blazers have won 12 consecutive home openers. … The teams split the series last year, with both teams winning at home. … Philadelphia C Spencer Hawes had just missed a triple double for the 76ers, with 10 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists.

“We have a lot of weapons,” said LaMarcus Aldridge, who had 25 points to lead the Blazers. “I think as times got tight for us guys stepped up and made big plays.”

Gerald Wallace had 21 points and nine rebounds for the Blazers. Wesley Mathews added 16 points.

Reserve Lou Williams had 12 of his 25 points in the second quarter and two clutch 3-pointers at the end for the Sixers, who are 0-1 on their season-opening five-game road trip. Andre Igoudala had 22 points and eight rebounds. The Sixers shot 48 percent from the field, but the Blazers took 97 shots to Philadelphia’s 83.

“They are a good team and they take away a lot of things with their energy and their defense,” Philadelphia’s Elton Brand said.

The 76ers got within 72-70 on Brand’s jumper near the end of the third, but the Blazers got a spark from their small lineup, sliding Aldridge and Wallace to center and power forward and getting up and down the floor faster. Jamal Crawford, Wallace, Matthews and Nicolas Batum all hit 3-pointers to put the Blazers up 95-80.

“When we go small like that if they double team we have a bunch of guys that can make plays,” Aldridge said. “That’s probably our most lethal offensive lineup.”

The Sixers weren’t dead, though. Williams scored 10 straight for Philly, including back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the lead to 106-103 with 16 second remaining. The game wasn’t over until Igoudala missed a 3-pointer and Raymond Felton made one of two free throws to ice it.

“Our competitive will kept us in the game,” Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said. “Our competitive will was strong; our execution has to get better.”

Philadelphia overcame a 3-13 start last year to finish 41-41. The Sixers lost to Miami in the first round of the playoffs last season. Leading scorer Igoudala returned despite rumors that he might be traded.

Portland is adjusting to life without All-Star guard Brandon Roy, who was forced to retire this month because of recurrent knee injuries. Portland also begins the season without Greg Oden, who has undergone two microfracture knee surgeries and has not played in two years.

The Blazers went 48-34 last season and were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by Dallas. After losing Roy, the Blazers strengthened their team by signing veterans Crawford and Kurt Thomas.

The Blazers led by as many as 13 in the first quarter as the Sixers missed 11 of their first 16 shots, but Williams keyed a rally in the second quarter to cut the lead to 48-44 at the half.

McMillan expects Portland to run more this season. He was unhappy when the pace slowed down at times.

“I thought we were up and down,” he said. “We would get to our tempo and the start to walk it down and I think that’s due to conditioning.”

Notes: The Blazers have won 12 consecutive home openers. … The teams split the series last year, with both teams winning at home. … Philadelphia C Spencer Hawes had just missed a triple double for the 76ers, with 10 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

As the Portland Trail Blazers’ lead dwindled, coach Nate McMillan decided to pick up the pace.

Portland pushed the tempo late in the second half with a smaller quicker lineup and beat the Philadelphia 76ers 107-103 in the season opener for both teams.

“We have a lot of weapons,” said LaMarcus Aldridge, who had 25 points to lead the Blazers. “I think as times got tight for us guys stepped up and made big plays.”

Gerald Wallace had 21 points and nine rebounds for the Blazers. Wesley Mathews added 16 points.

Reserve Lou Williams had 12 of his 25 points in the second quarter and two clutch 3-pointers at the end for the Sixers, who are 0-1 on their season-opening five-game road trip. Andre Igoudala had 22 points and eight rebounds. The Sixers shot 48 percent from the field, but the Blazers took 97 shots to Philadelphia’s 83.

“They are a good team and they take away a lot of things with their energy and their defense,” Philadelphia’s Elton Brand said.

The 76ers got within 72-70 on Brand’s jumper near the end of the third, but the Blazers got a spark from their small lineup, sliding Aldridge and Wallace to center and power forward and getting up and down the floor faster. Jamal Crawford, Wallace, Matthews and Nicolas Batum all hit 3-pointers to put the Blazers up 95-80.

“When we go small like that if they double team we have a bunch of guys that can make plays,” Aldridge said. “That’s probably our most lethal offensive lineup.”

The Sixers weren’t dead, though. Williams scored 10 straight for Philly, including back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the lead to 106-103 with 16 second remaining. The game wasn’t over until Igoudala missed a 3-pointer and Raymond Felton made one of two free throws to ice it.

“Our competitive will kept us in the game,” Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said. “Our competitive will was strong; our execution has to get better.”

Philadelphia overcame a 3-13 start last year to finish 41-41. The Sixers lost to Miami in the first round of the playoffs last season. Leading scorer Igoudala returned despite rumors that he might be traded.

Portland is adjusting to life without All-Star guard Brandon Roy, who was forced to retire this month because of recurrent knee injuries. Portland also begins the season without Greg Oden, who has undergone two microfracture knee surgeries and has not played in two years.

The Blazers went 48-34 last season and were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by Dallas. After losing Roy, the Blazers strengthened their team by signing veterans Crawford and Kurt Thomas.

The Blazers led by as many as 13 in the first quarter as the Sixers missed 11 of their first 16 shots, but Williams keyed a rally in the second quarter to cut the lead to 48-44 at the half.

McMillan expects Portland to run more this season. He was unhappy when the pace slowed down at times.

“I thought we were up and down,” he said. “We would get to our tempo and the start to walk it down and I think that’s due to conditioning.”

Notes: The Blazers have won 12 consecutive home openers. … The teams split the series last year, with both teams winning at home. … Philadelphia C Spencer Hawes had just missed a triple double for the 76ers, with 10 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — LaMarcus Aldridge had 25 points and seven rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers opened their season with an 107-103 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.

Gerald Wallace added 21 points and nine rebounds for the Blazers, who let an early lead slip away but regained the upper hand in the second half by going small and picking up the pace. Wesley Mathews added 16 points.

Reserve Lou Williams had 12 of his 25 points in the second quarter and two clutch 3-pointers at the end for the Sixers, who open the season with a five-game road trip. Andre Igoudala had 22 points and eight rebounds. The Sixers shot 48 percent from the field, but the Blazers took 97 shots to Philadelphia’s 83.

The 76ers got within 72-70 on Elton Brand’s jumper near the end of the third, but the Blazers got a spark from their small lineup, sliding Aldridge and Wallace to center and power forward and picking up the pace. Jamal Crawford, Wallace, Matthews and Nicolas Batum all hit 3-pointers to put the Blazers up 95-80.

The Sixers weren’t dead, though. Williams scored 10 straight for Philly, including back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the lead to 106-103 with 16 second remaining. The game wasn’t over until Igoudala missed a 3-pointer and Raymond Felton made one of two free throws to ice it.

Philadelphia overcame a 3-13 start last year to finish 41-41. The Sixers lost to Miami in the first round of the playoffs last season. Leading scorer Igoudala returned despite rumors that he might be traded.

Portland is adjusting to life without All-Star guard Brandon Roy, who was forced to retire this month because of recurrent knee injuries. Portland also begins the season without former No. 1 draft selection Greg Oden, who has undergone two microfracture knee surgeries and has not played in two years.

The Blazers went 48-34 last season and were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by Dallas. After losing Roy, the Blazers strengthened their team by signing veterans Crawford and Kurt Thomas.

The Blazers led by as many as 13 in the first quarter as the Sixers missed 11 of their first 16 shots, but Williams keyed a rally in the second quarter to cut the lead to 48-44 at the half.

NOTES: The Blazers have won 11 consecutive home openers. … The teams split the series last year, with both winning at home. … Philadelphia C Spencer Hawes had just missed a triple double for the 76ers, with 10 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists.

The Philadelphia 76ers will take the court for their first preseason game on December 16, 2011. This team is coming off a 41-41 record and expectations are higher for the 2011-12 season. The 76ers bring back essentially the same team in the second year with Doug Collins. As a 76ers fan, I’m hoping for a big step forward this season. So what would be considered a successful season for Philadelphia? I think this team needs to finish fifth in the Eastern Conference for the season to be a success.

I realize that sounds like a big step for the 76ers. You have to figure that the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, and Boston Celtics will once again be the top three teams in the conference. The Celtics are aging but the 76ers aren’t quite ready to catch them in the Atlantic Division. After these top three teams, I think the 76ers should be in the same pack with the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, and New York Knicks. When you look at all of these teams, the 76ers should be good enough to surpass all of them. I realize that the team doesn’t have a superstar like Dwight Howard of Orlando or Carmelo Anthony of the Knicks. But as a collective team, the 76ers are better.

Last season, the 76ers were the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. I think moving up two steps should be a realistic goal. More importantly, I think the goal should be to win a playoff series. If Philadelphia draws Miami or Chicago in the first round, that will be difficult. If they draw Boston, they might have a shot depending on the health of the Celtics. If they draw any other team, the 76ers are good enough to advance. Based on how I expect the team to finish in the 2011-12 season, they should have a winnable match-up in the playoffs. A trip to the second round would be proof that this team is on the verge of breaking through.

The last time there was a lockout during the 1998-99 season, the 76ers improved with their first winning season in a long time and won a playoff series. Two years later, they were in the NBA Finals. I think the team should strive to match that goal. No one expects them to win a championship this year. But they should be able to beat most teams. Moreover, they should be competitive against the best in the conference. No matter who the 76ers face in the playoffs, the team needs to put forward a tough series. Teams like Miami won’t be better than the 76ers forever. Philadelphia is on the rise and this season is the next step. For it be considered a success, real progress needs to be felt among the fan base. I think this team can win 40 games in the 66 game schedule and make a dent in the playoffs.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors have hired Ed Stefanski as executive vice president of basketball operations.

Stefanski was hired Wednesday. He will report to Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo. Stefanski was fired last week as general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. He had mixed results in four seasons, signing Elton Brand and Andre Iguodala to $80 million contracts and firing coach Eddie Jordan after one 27-win season. Stefanski hired Doug Collins, who led the Sixers to the playoffs last season, but it was too late to save his job.

Before he joined the 76ers, Stefanksi spent nine seasons with the Nets. He was promoted to general manager of the club in the summer of 2004 following a one-year stint as the team’s senior vice president of basketball operations and four seasons as the team’s director of scouting.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

by Sam Riches / @sam_riches

After the Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated in the first round of the Playoffs by the Miami Heat, Andre Iguodala was asked if he expected to remain with the team next season—he coldly responded with, “I expect to be in the NBA.”

Iguodala then went on to miss his exit interview with Coach Doug Collins and the Sixers’ management, and when Draft night came, his name was constantly included in trade speculation.

But it now appears that the seven-year veteran is ready to put the trade rumors to rest and move forward with the team.

From CSN Philadelphia:

“‘I definitely enjoy being here,’ Iguodala said at a local basketball camp on Saturday. ‘Evan [Turner] and I were speaking late last night. We had a really good conversation about how we can really play well together, how we can make each other better so we are looking forward to next year. We even talked about what we were going to do after practice next year. So I am definitely looking forward to improving myself and playing ball.’

[...]

Trade rumors about Iguodala have become common place for the past couple years but he no longer believes that he is going to be moved.

‘I can’t say I would be surprised, because I wouldn’t be surprised, but I am not expecting it to happen,’ he said.

His actions would also suggest he believes he will remain a Sixer. He met with head coach Doug Collins the week leading up to the lockout.

‘We met for about ten minutes going back and forth on how the team can improve,’ he said. ‘You know Doug is a really good seller, so he did a good job on telling me where we are going to next and his vision for where the team will be next year.’

The Philadelphia 76ers will wait 15 picks before taking a turn in the upcoming draft, but when it comes, a source to the Philadelphia Inquirer says the team will be drafting somebody with some height.

The source says the team doesn’t want anyone “under 6-8. We need a big,” the paper reports.

The only thing holding back such a selection, the paper notes, is a deal happening before the draft, “such as Andre Iguodala(notes) being dealt and a good big man being acquired in exchange.”

The Sixers ended up with a 41-41 record this past season and took on the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs, losing in five games.

Let the rumors come to you. Follow Scoop du Jour on Twitter or Facebook.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Related: Andre Iguodala, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers will wait 15 picks before taking a turn in the upcoming draft, but when it comes, a source to the Philadelphia Inquirer says the team will be drafting somebody with some height.

The source says the team doesn’t want anyone “under 6-8. We need a big,” the paper reports.

The only thing holding back such a selection, the paper notes, is a deal happening before the draft, “such as Andre Iguodala(notes) being dealt and a good big man being acquired in exchange.”

The Sixers ended up with a 41-41 record this past season and took on the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs, losing in five games.

Let the rumors come to you. Follow Scoop du Jour on Twitter or Facebook.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Related: Andre Iguodala, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers