Sixers Dancer Melanie was one of 10 NBA Dancers chosen to be featured in the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which hit newsstands February 10. Sixers.com caught up with Melanie to discuss this once in a lifetime experience.

The 76ers will kick off February with five straight home games leading up to the All-Star break. While the team takes these one game at a time, we take a look ahead at each of the next five opponents.

Despite performing in the shadows of Iguodala, Brand and Miller, Young had the spotlight turn to him when he was selected to participate in the Rookie-Sophomore game during All-Star Weekend.

Following an off-day for the 76ers yesterday, today was an optional practice day for the guys after coming off a stretch of three games in just under 72 hours.

NEW ORLEANS - Chris Paul had 36 points and 10 assists as the New Orleans Hornets handed the Orlando Magic their worst loss of the season, 117-85, last night.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have rescinded their trade with New Orleans, sending starting center Tyson Chandler back to the Hornets.

As much as Andre Miller dislikes being the focal point, he will not escape that designation until today at 3 p.m. when the NBA's trading deadline passes.

Rockets star Tracy McGrady said yesterday on his Web site that he would have microfracture surgery on his left knee and miss the rest of the season.

So, did you guys notice that in the same week A-Rod got skewered, A.I. got scalped? No more cornrows for Mr. Iverson. It was amazing how young and innocent he looked. I almost expected him to moonwalk through a chorus of quot;ABC.quot; Wonder if the entourage got new 'dos too?#0160;#0160;

Last night, the 76ers stirred a losing recipe: Andre Miller strained his right calf, Andre Iguodala fouled out, they hit less than a third of their shots, and they started the second half as if they needed a Red Bull.

A BASEBALL TEAM that hits .300 is going to win a lot of games. But a basketball team that hits .326 from the field isn't going to win much of anything.

Ben Wallace had a fun weekend in Richmond, Va., while the NBA all-stars were in Phoenix.

THE WORD from Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski through the media relations department was that nothing is imminent. And maybe that's a good thing.

Charles Barkley called his drunken-driving arrest quot;unacceptablequot; as he prepared to return to his television job after a six-week leave of absence.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have picked up shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha in a trade with the Chicago Bulls, who had a logjam at the position after acquiring John Salmons from Sacramento earlier in the week.

Indiana Pacers All-Star Danny Granger will miss up to three weeks with a partial tendon tear in the sole of his right foot, the team said Thursday.

The Boston Celtics have recalled rookie guard J.R. Giddens from their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash.

Manu Ginobili started the season dealing with an injury to one ankle. Now the San Antonio Spurs super-sub is sidelined because of the other one.

The Charlotte Bobcats had pulled off three deals and used an NBA-high 23 players this season. But as the trade deadline came Thursday, they decided to keep impending restricted free agent Raymond Felton.

The NBA trading deadline passed Thursday at 3 p.m. ET with mostly minor deals reported.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to trade guard Rashad McCants to the Sacramento Kings for forward Shelden Williams in a swap of disappointing lottery picks, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.

FIBA Europe announced on Thursday that Spanish superstar Pau Gasol has been named the 2008 FIBA Europe Player of the Year by fans and a panel of expert voters.

The Los Angeles Lakers traded seldom-used center Chris Mihm to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, getting a future draft pick and a lighter payroll in the deal.

The Oklahoma City Thunder rescinded their trade with the New Orleans, sending center Tyson Chandler back to the Hornets.

Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups, center, makes a pass beneath the basket surrounded by Philadelphia 76ers Samuel Dalembert, rear left, Royal Ivey, rear center, and Andre Iguodala, front right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, in Philadelphia. Billups scored 22 points in the Nuggets 101-89 win.

Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups shoots a jump shot in the first half of an NBA basketball game with the Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, in Philadelphia. Billups scored 22 points in the Nuggets 101-89 win.

Denver Nuggets guard Dahntay Jones, left, and Linas Kleiza, right, trap Philadelphia 76ers forward Marreese Speights, center, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, in Philadelphia. The Nuggets won 101-89.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Reggie Evans, left, and Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, right, battle for control of the ball in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, in Philadelphia. Anthony scored 26 points in the Nuggets' 101-89 win.

Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony sticks out his tongue after scoring a basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009 in Philadelphia. The Nuggets won 101-89.

Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony drives past Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert on his way to the basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009 in Philadelphia. The Nuggets won 101-89.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Andre Iguodala, left, maneuvers as Denver Nuggets guard Anthony Carter, rear, and forward Carmelo Anthony, right, defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, in Philadelphia.

Denver Nuggets center Nene Hilario, left, of Brazil, drives around Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, in Philadelphia.

Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady (1) goes to the basket while defended by Philadelphia 76ers' Andre Miller (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Jan. 28, 2009, in Houston. McGrady will have surgery on his left knee and miss the rest of the season. The star forward said on his Web site Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, that the pain has been persistent and he will have microfracture surgery. He's confident he'll return next season.

Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger, left, and Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young struggle for a loose ball during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009. Indiana won 100-91.