Fans dig Doug Collins as Sixers coach

No question 76ers fans are disappointed with their team recently, especially coming off a 27-win season.

Though last season is still fresh in their minds, respondents to a Daily News survey conducted by Temple's Sport Industry Research Center, seem generally excited at the hiring of coach Doug Collins and the drafting of Evan Turner, the national college player of the year, with the second overall pick.

When those who said the Sixers were their favorite team in the city were asked their expectations for Collins, who played all eight of his NBA seasons with the Sixers, 41 percent said they were optimistic and 26 percent said they were very optimistic. Another 28 percent said they will take a wait-and-see approach. Only 3 percent said they were pessimistic and an additional 3 percent said they were very pessimistic.

As for the expectations for Turner, 33 percent said they were optimistic and 31 percent said very optimstic. Another 33 percent chose to wait and see adn 3 percent admitted to being pessimistic.

One of the offseason moves made by general manager Ed Stefanski was the trade of disgruntled center Sam Dalembert to Sacramento for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni. When asked their feelings on that trade, 74 percent said it was a good move, 23 percent said they were not sure and only 3 percent said it was a bad move.

Much talk about the team over the past couple of seasons has been built around center Elton Brand, who enters this season injury-free for the first time as a Sixer. Asked their view about Brand's future, 41 percent said they think he will improve upon last season, when he averaged 13.1 points and 6.1 rebounds. Thirty-one percent said they think Brand will be the same as last year, while 28 percent said they think his time has come and gone.

Despite being supportive of the Dalembert trade and having high hopes for Collins and Turner, Sixers fans remain not too pleased with general manager Ed Stefanski. When asked to evaluate his job performance, 42 percent said they were dissatisfied; 34 percent said they were very dissatisfied; 13 percent said they were neutral; and 10 percent were satisfied.

In the inaugural DN/SIRC survey, 40 percent were dissatisfied; 34 percent dissatisfied, 16 percent neutral, 8 percent satisfied and 1 percent very satisfied.

Like statistics, poll numbers change all the time. A 50-win season could turn these numbers around like a carousel. Then again, so could another 27-win season.