Phil Jasner: Examining some issues as Sixers camp opens

ANDRE MILLER saw a better opportunity, not to mention significantly more money, in Portland than in Philadelphia.

Hard to argue.

The Trail Blazers are trying to be NBA Western Conference contenders. The 76ers are trying to make the transition to new coach Eddie Jordan, to a less traditional way of playing the pro game. Not even the most cockeyed optimists can see them challenging Orlando, Boston and Cleveland, but some of them can see a team in the 40 to 45 victory range. Never mind what the pessimists can see.

There isn't a superstar on the roster. There is one player (Elton Brand) who has appeared in an All-Star Game. There is a projected starting point guard who hasn't started a single game at either backcourt position in four previous seasons.

But training camp is here, starting today at Saint Joseph's University. Maybe by staying local, the Sixers will get more coverage. If the question is, what should everyone watch for, here are some suggestions:

1Elton Brand

He missed most of last season with a separated shoulder, but his Achilles' tendon - torn while he was still with the Los Angeles Clippers - would seem to be more of an issue. There is some thought that this injury is similar to reconstructive knee injuries, in that it requires about a year to fully heal and then another year for the player to fully regain his skills. Brand came to the Sixers as a career 20-points, 10- rebounds guy, a two-time All-Star, but one calf seemed to be about two-thirds the size of the other and he never seemed to have the explosiveness of previous seasons. But the Sixers invested nearly $80 million in the power forward. How he comes back is crucial to whatever success they can achieve.

(To a lesser degree, but in the same category, keep an eye on Jason Smith, who missed all of last season after knee surgery. There was a point two summers ago when the coaching staff thought he could emerge as a solid change-up big man because of his ability to step out and shoot from the perimeter.)

2Lou Williams