Despite being considered a top-contender to make the NBA Finals coming into this off-season, the 76ers are a dissapointing 7-9 after suffering their third straight loss on Friday night, a 102-78 thumping at the hands of the Boston Celtics.

The Sixers were down by as many as 30 points at one point. While no one expected them to be better than the defending champions, they were expected to at least compete.

Coach Maurice Cheeks said he made sure to leave a lasting message with his struggling team.

“Yeah, I left one,” Cheeks said during his post-game press conference after taking about 5 minutes longer than usual to meet with reporters. “I left it with them.”

When asked whether it was a stronger, more definitive message then the one he delivered earlier this season, Cheeks responded with a less than definitive yes.

“For me, yeah,” Cheeks said. “But you have to ask them that. But, for me, yes.”

To their credit, the players seem to understand that they are seriously under performing.

“We should be playing better than we are,” Andre Iguodala said. “We’ve been in this situation before. We had a losing streak last year. A loss like that, you can’t pinpoint one person, one thing. You’ve got to look at yourself . . . We’ve got to play better.

Iguodala, who signed a lucrative new contract this offseason, is expected to be one of the team’s leaders this year. This is a good first test of how he will respond to that role. Perhaps a players only team meeting is needed?

“Maybe that’s called for. I’m not a guy for words. I just feel like we have to go out and put it together. Enough guys understand. We’ve got to get on each other more, too, hold each other accountable to a higher standard.”

“I’ve got to look at myself,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve played one good game this whole year. I’ve got to put myself at a comfort level, get in a zone. I haven’t had a chance to be really comfortable. I’ve got to find a way to do that. I’ll get there. I’ve got to put that on myself, try to do more to help us win. I can be a better creator, get myself more open looks, be a little more assertive, try to have better ball movement, attack a little more.”

The 15-2 Celtics held the Sixers to just 29 points in the first half, the lowest of any opponent so far this season. Boston continues to prove why they were hands down still the best team in the NBA. Against the Sixers, they were led by Ray Allen, who had 23-points on the night, including 11 in the third quarter and three three-pointers. What makes this team so good is that on any given night, they can rely on Allen, Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett to lead this team. It takes the pressure of each guy because they know even if they have a bad night, one of the other two will most likely be able to pick up the slack.

The Sixers will eventually be able to have that same type of system, albeit not as good. With Iguodala, Elton Brand, and the emerging Thadeus Young, the Sixers have three serious scoring threats. The problem just seems to be a need for cohesion and chemistry. This team has the talent, it’s just a matter of getting it to click.

“We’re not that team across the hall,” said Brand, who had 18 points and eight rebounds. “They’re what we aspire to be. They bought into playing hard, doing what it takes. We’re not there yet, but I can foresee it.”

Regarding Cheeks’ post-game speech:

“It was definitely a strong message. But it’s not even a message from the coach, relayed to the players. It’s us. It’s us out there. We need that same swagger they had the second half of last year. I’m ready to be part of it. I’m thirsty.”

So are we.