Young 76ers starting to develop

Youngsters such as Rodney Carney, Louis Williams and rising star Andre Iguodala have been seeing more of the hardwood lately, especially Iguodala, who is one of five NBA players averaging more than 17 points, five rebounds and five assists this season. LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and Mo Williams are the others.

Iguodala, the current NBA leader in steals with 106, has posted 20 or more points 18 times this season and 30-plus points three times. Iguodala was the easy choice as to who would get more playing time after Iverson and Webber departed Philly for their current rosters in Denver and Detroit, respectively.

The 76ers are 12-15 since dealing Iverson to the Nuggets in December.

In Wednesday’s 92-83 win over the Charlotte Bobcats Iguodala posted 27 points, seven rebounds and four steals to help Philadelphia to a 2-1 mark on its current seven-game homestand. He entered the game averaging 23.2 points, 6.8 assists and 5.8 rebounds over the previous nine games. The durable Iguodala has started and played in all 214 games so far in his career.

Carney, meanwhile, has started the last nine games and the Sixers are 6-3 during that stretch. The rookie out of Memphis entered Wednesday’s game averaging 10.8 points and 2.5 rebounds, and posted 12 points and five boards in last night’s victory at the Wachovia Center.

Home has been sweet for the Sixers, who are 9-12 at the Wachovia Center and have won four of the last seven there, including two in a row.

Williams is seeing more time off of the bench and has played no less than 5:41 over his last eight games. Williams competed for 11:52 in the win over Charlotte and posted three points and three assists. Williams, the eighth youngest player in the NBA, should expect to see a lot more action in the upcoming weeks since the Sixers are a long shot to reach the playoffs.

Philadelphia will also host the Clippers, Mavericks, Wizards and Knicks on its homestand, and has won two straight and six of the last nine games.