Doug Collins laments conditioning as 76ers lose to Nets

ATLANTIC CITY - It's time for certain members of the 76ers to get their conditioning up.

This was the message Sixers coach Doug Collins issued outside the team's locker room after the Sixers dropped a 108-105 overtime decision to the Brooklyn Nets at Boardwalk Hall on Saturday. The Sixers are 1-1 in the preseason.

"Our team, we've got to be in a little bit better condition," Collins said. "I've been worried about pushing the guys in camp. We've got some older guys in camp that you worry about getting injuries. But I told our guys we're not in the shape we need to be in to play."

Collins didn't mention any names after the Sixers rallied behind the strong play of Nick Young (team-high 21 points) and Maalik Wayns (18 points), but it was clear that he is talking about big men such as Kwame Brown, who looks to be north of 280 pounds, and second-year forward Lavoy Allen.

Allen's conditioning is not where the Sixers want it to be, and missing three days of training camp last week while awaiting the birth of his child didn't help matters.

Evan Turner had the best game of the Sixers starters, finishing with 14 points and seven assists. Jrue Holiday finished with 10 points and nine assists.

The Sixers got it to overtime because Young, who had six points after three quarters, scored 15 in the fourth to help the Sixers overcome a 79-64 Brooklyn lead at the end of three quarters.

Before the game, Collin pointed out that he was going to give both Jason Richardson - a likely starter when the season opens - and Dorell Wright the night off. Collins said that Richardson "tweaked" an ankle but could have played had this been a regular-season game. Wright, on the other hand, is not injured. Collins just decided to give him the night off.

Along with the Sixers, the Nets, who were playing their first preseason game, have undergone a substantial makeover. The most obvious change is that they are now in Brooklyn following a 35-year run in New Jersey.

But they are also trying to incorporate a number of new faces - including starting shooting guard Joe Johnson (13 points), a six-time all-star in Atlanta - on a team that, like the Sixers, returns just five players from last season.

Brooklyn center Brooks Lopez and guard C.J. Watson, last season a key reserve with Chicago, led the Nets with 19 points each.

While the starters were on the floor for both teams - minus Sixers center Andrew Bynum, of course - Brooklyn looked to be the sharper team, especially at the offense end.

Collins started Royal Ivey, who didn't play in the team's 102-95 win over Orlando on Thursday, opposite Jrue Holiday in the backcourt. However, Collins began the second half with Damien Wilkins opposite Holiday.

"Damien is playing well for us," Collins said. "I like what we are getting out of him."

Of the three free agents on the roster - Devin Searcy and Dan Gadzuric are the others - Wilkins is the most likely to make the team. Before training camp started general manager Tony DiLeo said the team was looking for another guy to work in at small forward. Through two preseason games, Wilkins is the only one of the three to see the floor.

Notable. The Sixers team will hold practice Sunday morning at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in preparation for Monday's preseason home opener against Boston.