PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers revamped their roster this summer with key signings. Now, they've made sure their coach will be there, too.
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The 76ers gave Maurice Cheeks his second contract extension in seven months Tuesday, capping a busy summer highlighted by the addition of free agent forward Elton Brand. Cheeks previously signed a one-year extension on Feb. 20. Terms of the latest deal were not disclosed.
"I always wanted to be here, no matter what," Cheeks said during a conference call.
Cheeks led the team to the playoffs last season, where the 76ers lost in the first round to the Detroit Pistons. After an 18-30 start, Philadelphia won 18 of its next 23 games and wound up at 40-42 and the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
"I had a little luck on my side," Cheeks said.
Cheeks will have a lot more talent on his roster in 2008-09, with the addition Brand and free agents Donyell Marshall, Theo Ratliff, Royal Ivey and Kareem Rush. The 76ers also re-signed restricted free agent forward Andre Iguodala and guard Lou Williams, in addition to drafting first-round pick Marreese Speights from Florida.
Since coming to Philadelphia in May 2005, Cheeks has a 113-133 record. He also coached at Portland, and his career coaching mark is 275-272. Cheeks played 15 seasons in the NBA, the first 11 with Philadelphia. He retired as a player in 1993.
Cheeks was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Team five times, played in four All-Star Games and was a member of the 76ers' championship team in 1982-83.
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