Speedy Claxton is in a rotten position.

The young point guard did not play basketball for nearly a year after tearing ligaments in his left knee, missing his true rookie NBA season. Now, because of injuries to Eric Snow and Aaron McKie, Claxton must lead the 76ers, who many expect to return to the NBA Finals and, this time, win.

It is a daunting task for Claxton, and with each Sixers' loss comes more pressure.

After the Sixers dropped to 0-3 with a brutal 90-76 loss to the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, Larry Brown was slightly critical of Claxton, who scored a career-high 22 points.

"Speedy played like a [shooting] guard, and he's our point guard," an obviously miffed Brown said. "If we didn't have [backup] Ira Bowman - and I could shoot myself for not playing that kid, he gave us a chance in the second quarter, calmed us down, executed. . . . Speedy's trying. I think he's made a lot of progress, and he's only going to get better."

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Philadelphia 76ers

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