Philly fires Mo Cheeks. Maurice Cheeks, whose Philadelphia 76ers has failed to muster a winning record after making the playoffs last season, was fired Saturday. The front office had hoped that by acquiring power forward Elton Brand and extending swingman Andre Iguodala – to the tune of $80 million apiece – and giving another $25 million to guard Louis Williams, that the team would be competitive in the East. However, after reaching a disappointing 9-14, Cheeks became a casualty in a city starving for an NBA championship. Ironically, Cheeks, a graduate of West Texas State, led the 1983 76ers to the NBA championship, the last time the feat was accomplished in Philadelphia.