Sixers part ways with Nash, Ford

IN WHAT is sure to be a common occurrence among NBA teams as the lockout continues, the 76ers yesterday let go of two of their employees - NBA scouts John Nash and Chris Ford.

At a news conference last Tuesday when the new ownership of the team was introduced, it was announced that general manager Ed Stefanski had been released of his duties.

"I've had the good fortune to do this for a long time," Nash said last night. "I've been general manager for four different teams [Sixers, New Jersey, Portland and Washington], been with the Sixers three different times and was employed 28 years with the NBA. I would love to continue to do it. I feel anyone in this profession who says they don't want to be a decision-maker is too tired or fibbing. I would still love to run an NBA franchise."

Nash was GM of the Sixers from 1986 to '90. His latest stint with the team started after he left the GM job with Portland after the 2005-06 season.

Ford, an Atlantic City native who went on to become a high school legend at Holy Spirit in South Jersey and a star at Villanova, coached 30 games for the Sixers during the tumultuous 2003-04 season. He replaced Randy Ayers, and the team went just 33-49 that season.

He also was a head coach for the Celtics, Bucks and Clippers, winning 336 games, including playoffs.

"Anytime there's change, many wonder and worry about their jobs," Nash said. "Specifically for me, my role was to scout NBA games. With the lockout, there's not any games right now. Whether there will be in the near future remains to be seen."

Shortly after he spoke, the New York Daily News reported that the league would cancel another 2 weeks of games, through Nov. 28. That would wipe six more games off the Sixers' schedule.

"No matter what happens to me, no matter where I land, I will always consider myself a part of the Sixers family and a Sixers fan," Nash said. "I wish them the best."