NEW YORK -- The 76ers had little choice Monday but to cut Jim O'Brien loose (with $8 million guaranteed and two years left on his contract; the team owned an option for a third) in favor of Maurice Cheeks.

Too many factors weighed against the Philadelphia native who played college ball at St. Joseph's under Jack Ramsay who later became his father-in-law.

Since the end of the 43-39 season, in which the Sixers were eliminated in five games by the Pistons, rising free agents Samuel Dalembert and Willie Green let it be known they weren't coming back under the same coach.