Collins shepherding Sixers' improvement from within

THE ANSWER IS YES.

The question has been asked by fans, via e-mails, tweets, texts and even in person (yes, you still can communicate that way), "Is it a good thing for the Sixers to be doing so well right now?"

Again, yes.

Doug Collins said from the day he was brought in here to be the franchise's 23rd coach that he was going to evaluate the talent and make the players better. He has done that and continues to do that, judging from the team's 19-13 record since its 3-13 start.

Second-year guard Jrue Holiday, the point guard of the present and future, has shown steady improvement in his first full season manning the position. He has developed into a threat as an outside shooter, can get to the basket and finish, is getting better at running out on the fastbreak and taking steps in his defense. He still makes some silly plays out on the floor, a little too often for Collins' liking, until he realizes Holiday is still just 20.

Elton Brand and Thaddeus Young are playing their best basketball in recent years, and Collins is the primary reason for that, as those two will attest.

At times, particularly now, Andre Iguodala has been the leader Collins envisioned him being from the outset, playing well at both ends of the court and verbalizing positively with teammates.

Collins has gotten productive starting minutes from Jodie Meeks at the shooting guard spot, though Meeks' true position in this league right now is probably that of an off-the-bench spark. Lou Williams has been everything anyone would want from the backup shooting guard, and, if you're watching closely, Evan Turner is really starting to prosper from the head coach's lessons.

All in all, improvement has been steady. For those who have stuck by the Sixers the past few years, they will acknowledge that they are more fun to watch, more relevant. There is hope again.

If you're reading this, it is because you have an interest in the local pro team. If that is the case, try to remember what you felt about this club at the same point last season, or maybe the season before that. The point is, when you notice a Sixers game is on TV, you are more willing to sit and watch now than at any time in the recent past.

Those are all positives: the improvement of Holiday, Turner, Young, Meeks and Williams - all players under 25; the winning attitude that these players are absorbing; the coach.