In short this club is ailing.  And the higher ups think they have found a cure in a 34 year old, former league MVP, who was recently handed his walking papers by the lowly Memphis Grizzlies.  But hey, desperate times right?  And when one is ailing, desperate measures must be taken.  When comedian Andy Kaufman was diagnosed with a rare form a lung cancer he flew to the Philippines and underwent psychic surgery; an altogether debunked and crude medical procedure.  When George Costanza came down with tonsillitis he turned to holistic healer Tor Eckman for aide.

So what the hell?  Bring back the Answer.  He is sure to generate a few blips on the LCD.  The Sixers have already been discussed more in the past 48 hours than they have the previous 2 months of the season.  Fans will turn out on Monday; nostalgia will thicken the thinning Wachovia Center air, and, hopefully, AI will give them a show.

But be forewarned, this is merely a Band-Aid on a gash; a desperation stab at revival, a Kaufman, a Costanza. And let us not forget.  Despite their best intentions, Andy Kauffman met a rather unfortunate and painful end, and George Costanza’s face was left looking like a baboon’s ass.

Here’s hoping AI can buck the trend, because no one wants to look like a baboon’s ass.