Sixers Opener Also Carter-Williams' NBA Debut
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The Sixers open their 2013-2014 regular season on Wednesday night and they have a real challenge to start things off, with the two-time defending champion Miami Heat in town.
Of course the Sixers have a much different look heading into this season with a revamped roster and new head coach in Brett Brown.
One of the new players is first-round draft pick Michael Carter-Williams who will make his NBA debut when he takes the floor against the Heat.
Michael Carter-Williams
"I'm real excited," Carter-Williams tells KYW Newsradio. "The team's all been waiting for this moment and this is a big dream come true for me. So I'm real excited and I can't wait."
Carter-Williams was the 11th overall pick in June's NBA Draft out of Syracuse and the 22-year-old guard says his first training camp as a pro was tough.
"It was a lot different than college," Carter-Williams says. "But I got used to it and acclimated to it and I'm ready for our first game."
Carter-Williams averaged 9.0 points and 4.4 assists this preseason. He says playing a powerhouse like the Heat is a great way to open the campaign.
"Miami's a great team," Carter-Williams says. "It's going to be fun. I'm looking forward to the challenge and we've just got to go out there and play as hard as we can."
As for what he has to do to succeed in this one?
"Just stay poised," Carter-Williams says. "Handle their pick-and-roll, (their) pressure, well. Just make smart decisions, try not to do anything that I normally don't do. And don't let my emotions get the best of me."
The 76ers and Miami will tip-off at 7:00pm at the Center on Wednesday night.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.
