That's what Doug Collins has the Sixers playing. Friday at the Wells Fargo Center, they defended with passion, allowed no second shots, showed depth, were better prepared early and better conditioned late and thumped the Detroit Pistons, 96-73.

That was the show, the only show that mattered, on a night when the new Sixers ownership promised something better.

“It's exciting,” Elton Brand said. “Especially in a short season like this. We have strength in numbers. We have a lot of players that can play --- different guys that can step up on any night. So it is a lot of fun playing.”

Check out my column in the Daily Times Saturday and, as always, on delcotimes.com