HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Last night, the Indiana Pacers’ struggles were temporarily forgotten when they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 99-86 and made national highlight packages with a pair of fierce facials.

Facial one: newly acquired table-setter Darren Collison stole the ball, sped to the hoop, and powered over fellow little-man Lou Williams.

Facial two: T.J. Ford, freed from Coach Jim O'Brien's bench, tossed an over-the-shoulder pass to Josh McRoberts, who then welcomed Evan Turner to the NBA by giving  the rookie poster job treatment.

Pacer-nation hasn’t had much to cheer for. Not lately, at least. However, Collison and McRoberts gave the former Eastern Conference power some much-needed shine and publicity.

While Indiana fans undoubtedly loved both dunks, HoopsVibe News wants to know which facial you preferred: Collison or McRoberts?

Watch the above videos, form your opinion, and get at us with that opinion in the comment box below.

--Oly Sandor.

New York Knicks president of basketball operations Donnie Walsh announced Thursday that the team has signed guard Andy Rautins, the 38th overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft, to a player contract.

Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Rautins, 6-4, 194-pounds, played four seasons at Syracuse University and averaged 12.1 points and 4.9 assists as a senior in 2009-10.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: On Tuesday evening, I had a press pass for the Jack Donohue International Classic between Canada and China in Vancouver, BC.

Andy Rautins is the starting off-guard for the Canadians. What New York fans have heard is true: the former Syracuse star has serious range.

On Tuesday, he was 4-of-6 from behind the three-point line. Two of his three-pointers were from well beyond the arc. His jump shot can punish opposing defenses for cheating or double-teaming.  

Rautins, at 6-6, also has nice size for the two-spot. He’s an above average passer and competes on both ends of the floor.

However, his mid-range game is an area of concern. Rautins needs to develop an in-between game to complement his outside shot.

Rautins does have a strong basketball IQ. His father is Leo Rautins, a former center with the Philadelphia 76ers, broadcaster, and the current coach of the Canadian national side.

Maybe Rautins sticks in New York. Maybe he doesn’t. He only needs the right opportunity to show he’s an NBA player.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

The Philadelphia 76ers today named Rod Thorn, an NBA veteran of more than four decades, as the team’s new President. Ed Stefanski, who had served as the team’s President and General Manager since December 4, 2007, will continue in his role as General Manager.

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HoopsVibe`s Very, Very Quick Call: No need for panic.

Usually, a new president means the existing general manager and coach are at risk of being fired. News presidents typically wants their guys in key positions.

Not the case with Rod Thorn and the Philadelphia 76ers. He worked with GM Ed Stefanski when both were suits with the New Jersey Nets. They're comfortable with each other.

President Thorn, GM Stefanski, and Coach Doug Collins have a working, and perhaps personal, relationship.

These three are a good group to and right the ailing 76ers.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Another Western Conference exec uses the word “redundancy” to describe the Turner-Iguodala pairing, since both layers need the ball in their hands to be effective. “There’s not enough floor space for the two of them,” he says. The selection of Turner “might lead them to do commit to trading Iguodala,” he says. Now, that’s an idea.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Two years ago, the Philadelphia 76ers pulled in free agent Elton Brand with a max' deal and re-signed Andre Iguodala. This inside-outside duo was supposed to change the fortunes of the mediocre 76ers, helping this classic franchise consistently qualify for the playoffs.

Clearly, the plan has failed. And management is now looking to cut costs and clean house.

However, this will be easier said than done.

After all, Brand is unmovable because of his poor play, questionable health, and big ticket salary. New coach Doug Collins has no choice but to help the former 20-10 post rediscover his past form.

So the 76ers are considering drafting athletic swing Evan Turner and trading their current pogo-stick, three-man in Iguodala. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a market for Iggy, either.

While Iguodala is a good player, he has four years and $55 million remaining on his contract. Few teams, if any, want such a massive financial commitment on their books, especially in a down economy and with the Collective Bargaining Agreement about to change.

Regardless of who they draft, the 76ers are likely stuck with Brand and Iguodala. These two will become Philadelphia fixtures like the Rocky statue and Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

Only the people of Philadelphia won't see them in quite the same light.

Got thoughts? Get at us in the comment box below.

An associate of former NBA player Manute Bol says Bol has died at a Virginia hospital, where he was being treated for severe kidney trouble and a painful skin condition known as Stevens-Johnsons Syndrome.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Manute Bol was a lovely character.

Tall, lanky, and personable, the 7-6 Bol was a favorite of teammates and fans for his shot blocking and unique form on his three point shot.

A fringe player for most of his 10 seasons with Golden State, Miami, Philadelphia, and Washington, Bol sits at 14th on the all-time blocks list.

However, Bol was an MVP in his native Sudan for his humanitarian work which promoted reconciliation in the war-torn African nation. And Bol was also part of the league going global, where teams started looking outside the United States for talent.

Rest In Peace to the lovable Manute.

(Manute Bol: One of a kind.)

Get at us with your memories of the 7-6 Sudanese post!

Samuel Dalembert got his wish. The Philadelphia 76ers traded Dalembert to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday for Andres Nocioni and Spencer Hawes. Dalembert asked for a trade last year because he was unhappy with his role. Now, he got it.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: On the surface, this looks like two rebuilding teams exchanging spare parts. 

After all, Samuel Dalembert - a decent big man, who often came late to practice and reportedly had a questionable attitude - wanted out of Philadelphia and he'll plug the middle in 2010-11 for Sacramento. 

Dalembert's greatest attribute may be his contract: his $10 million per year salary comes off the books in July 2011, so the Kings will get some financial flexibility.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia gets deeper in the frontcourt. Nocioni is a blue-collar veteran; Hawes - a young and skilled seven-footer - has shown flashes, but also struggled with injuries.

However, Chad Ford of ESPN believes this deal will alter who the Kings and 76ers draft this June. With Nocioni in the mix, Ford argues that the 76ers will likely select Derrick Favors, while the Kings will now look to draft a small forward.

So the full implications of this deal won't really be felt until the draft on June 24th.

Got thoughts? Get at us in the comment box below.    

"Doug Collins has always said Philadelphia is a ''special place'' for him. Now we know how special. The former 76ers star, according to an NBA source with knowledge of the situation, has agreed to terms to coach them. An announcement is expected Friday, and a formal introduction is likely to come Monday.

A second NBA source said Collins' contract is for four years."

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HoopsVibe's Call: It's an interesting choice -leaving the comfort of the broadcast booth for a talented but dysfunctional Philadephia squad. 

Still, Collins, one of the game's greatest television analysts, could have success with the 76ers if he can achieve four things:

1) Solidify the point guard spot. Andre Miller, hate him or love him, is a decent table-setter and his steady, consistent play was perfect for the young 76ers. The front office never replaced Miller after he left in July of 2009; however, Jrue Holiday should develop into a full time starter.

2) Get something from Elton Brand or get rid of him and his salary. Collins needs the burly post, who is earning max money, to produce like he did with the Los Angeles Clippers.

3) Challenge Andre Iguodala to become a star and then hold him accountable. With his athleticism, the lanky swing should be a far better player, especailly on the defensive end.

4) Rally the troops. Too often, the 76ers seemed fractured, so Collings must get them to play for each other.

Can Collins fix Philaldephia? Let us know in the comment box below.