Joel Embiid    
This week’s star goes to Joel Embiid. In an effort to become the first 76ers’ rookie to start in an All-Star game since the great Wilt Chamberlain in 1960 and the first overall rookie since Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin in 2011, the big man put on a show.

Embiid opened the week with a 22 point 12 rebound performance in 113 – 104 win against the Milwaukee Bucks. Philadelphia fell behind early, trailing at halftime 54 – 46, but behind 12 fourth quarter points from the rookie sensation were able to secure the win.

That momentum would carry over as the 76ers returned home to defeat the Atlantic Division leading Toronto Raptors 94 – 89. The win snapped a 14 game losing streak to the Raptors. The Sixers’ big man would again steal the show with 26 points and nine rebounds.

In his final appearance of the week, against the Portland Trail Blazers, the former Kansas JayHawk dropped 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked four shots. Philly would go into halftime down double-digits 56 – 43, but opened the third quarter up with an 18 – 7 run to whittle the lead down to four points. Philly would go on to win 93 – 92.

The week was not all love for the center, who departed the Blazers game early due to a reported hyperextended knee, and would miss the following contest against the Atlanta Hawks. Without Embiid the Sixers got shellacked 110 – 93.

​Philadelphia finished the week 3 – 1, thanks in large part to the center and the enthusiasm he brings to the court.     

If it’s free it’s me
Lost in all of Embiid’s ferocious dunks and three pointers are just how potent the big man has been from the free throw line, specifically in the fourth quarters. In Milwaukee, the center shot 8-for-10 from the charity stripe, at home versus the Raptors 5-for-6 and against the Blazers 1-for-3, all en-route to an impressive 74 percent.

The impact the rookie has on the defensive end is remarkable, but being able to run the offense through him in close games is something that will separate the Sixer from other centers in the league.  

With such a small margin of victory (6.9 points), foul shooting can be the deciding factor between wins and losses. Going forward the ability for the center to make free throws at crucial and clutch moments will be invaluable. It also will prove as an easy way for Embiid to boost his scoring average, and to stifle momentum building runs by opposing teams.  
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Julius Eeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrving
The good doctor found the fountain of youth this week, as Erving would average 24 points and 10 rebounds. Playing three games in four days, while not ideal, would prove to be the second most impressive feat for Dr. J. The first being shooting an “in his prime” 60 percent while netting those 24 points.

Philly continued to roll, as their win streak reached 14. Equally as impressive was the complete annihilation that was administrated. Wins of eight points, 20 points and 13 it was apparent the 76ers were hitting their stride with no shows of slowing down.
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Brett Brown    

This week’s star goes to Head Coach Brett Brown as Philadelphia finished the week 3 – 1. More importantly, for the first time in quite some time the boys resembled an NBA team. From a last second game winner to the Sixers’ first three game winning streak in four seasons, things look up.

In a 98 – 97 win against the New York Knicks the coach elected to not call a timeout with his club down by one and the clock winding down. Instead he choose to trust his team and that trust was rewarded with a win, courtesy of T.J. McConnell.
The coach has done a tremendous job in keeping his young team focused as they navigate through an unreal amount of hype for a 12 win club.

All season Brown has dealt with the problematic task of finding minutes for a talented but overcrowded frontcourt, all while continuing to satisfy managements demands and if possible win a couple of games. For the first time this season he managed to do just that.

Nerlens Noel and Dario Saric both seem to have found their roles on the second unit, thanks to Brown’s commitment to the matter. Noel has also improved in finding his sweet spots on the floor, going 6 for 11 on jump shots. Not to be outdone Saric has continued to develop and his all-around game helped the 76ers in wins against Brooklyn (18 points and five rebounds) and Charlotte (15 points and six rebounds).

In the week’s final game in Washington Philadelphia’s coach started Jahlil Okafor, when many thought Noel would get the start for a resting Joel Embiid. Okafor responded with 26 points and played spirited ball. Something you would not have expected considering his streak of four D.N.Ps.

Each player’s development and team first attitude (at least publicly) is a testament to Brown and his commitment to staying the course. The three game winning streak was a result of his efforts.    
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It’s not how you start, but how you finish. 
In sports, regardless of the game or team, the goal is to start fast.

To come out swinging to let your opponent know they’re in for a long day. This philosophy did not manifest itself in each of the 76ers’ three wins, as they trailed in two of those contests at the end of the first quarter (at Brooklyn 24 – 27 and vs. New York 27 – 32).

However they would go on to outscore each of those very opponents in the fourth quarter on their way to victory. The only game this did not hold true was in Philadelphia’s one loss against the Washington Wizards where they were outscored 22 – 23 in the fourth quarter. The game was long decided before then.

For the season the Sixers rank 24th in first quarter points dropping 25.3 per, compared to dead last (30th) in the fourth quarter with 23.4 points per. This week they finished 17th in first quarter points and 19th in fourth quarter points, which is up from their season averages. 
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The Streak Continues

The highlight of this week was a thrilling contest against the 24 – 12 visiting Milwaukee Bucks. The 76ers were without Dr. J and riding an eight game winning streak.

The Bucks pushed Philly to the limit, but an unlikely hero by the name of Marc Iavaroni would seal the contest late. Milwaukee would enter the fourth quarter leading Philadelphia 97 – 91, and would hold a 121 – 116 lead with a little over a minute remaining. However a late bucket by Sixers’ guard Andrew Toney (27 points) and two clutch free throws from Iavaroni would secure Philly’s ninth straight win of the season.

​The 76ers would finish the week undefeated at 4 – 0 and stretch their winning streak to 11 games and counting.
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T.J. McConnell    

Two different games, two completely different stat lines but the same high level effort is what gets T.J. McConnell the nod for this week. To some a -11 performance is difficult to defend, unless you watched the actually game. The guard’s hustle and sheer desire to get EVERY big involved and to keep the ball moving was on display this week.  

Against the Minnesota Timberwolves McConnell was active from the outset with four assists in the opening quarter (Nerlens Noel received two of those assists). He would finish the night stuffing the stat sheet with six points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. A solid performance in the 93 – 91 lead.

One of the more impressive things about the Pennsylvania native is his ability to get players the ball while they are on the move.
The point guard notched 25 total assists in the two contests in the previous week, 20 of those came from players going towards the basket or on the move. On Friday night in Boston against a guard heavy Celtics’ team, T.J. played one of the best point games of the seasons.

​Starting in place of the injured Sergio Rodriguez, McConnell registered 17 assists (just four shy of the franchise record held by Maurice Cheeks and Wilt Chamberlain). The 17 assists were a season and career high for the “Floor General”.    

Keep Firing or Maybe Not…………..   

76ers’ forward Robert Covington hit a game winning shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves, thus ending a 4 for 14 night. Including a sizzling 1 for 9 from behind the arc. For the week the forward would go 6 for 20. This has become an all too common theme when discussing the former Rio Grande Valley Viper.

But it is his defense that proves his worth…………..allegedly.

No player serves more as the poster child for the recent struggles of the organization than Covington. A player who is applauded for his effort not accomplishment. Prior to this year Philadelphia seem focused on finding value versus finding a player. There is no other way to explain how the forward can shoot 38 percent for his NBA career (35 percent for the season) and manage to reside in a starting line-up.

Since his arrival, Philly is 41 – 134. Before his defenders leap to excuse such paltry numbers, consider “Cove” has registered 25 or more minutes in 123 of those 175 games.

​And more times than not his stat line reads 4 for 14 or 2 for 6. Yes, Timberwolves guard/forward Andrew Wiggins finished the night 2 for 15, but Zach Lavine finished 11 for 20 en route to 28 points. In fact, it was Lavine who scored 12 points in the third quarter and finished 2 for 3 in the fourth. This begs the question if Robert is such an effective defender why do some many guards/forwards light the 76ers up?

The Streak Continues

​The week began with a showdown against the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers. After defeating LA 114 - 104 at the Great Western Forum, the 76ers were ready and expecting a motivated group.

Los Angeles came into Philly riding a seven game winning streak, but were without center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The 76ers exploded for a 36 point second quarter and took 67 – 58 lead into halftime. The Lakers would eventually respond, led by Magic Johnson’s 23 points, 20 assists and 12 boards and Jamaal Wilkes’ game high 36 points.

The game would end up in overtime, where one of the most unheralded Sixers of all time would secure the win.
 
Andrew Toney continued his assault on the league by scoring a team high 28 points (six in o.t.) and fouling out Los Angeles guard Norm Nixon. Philly would win 122 – 120 and sweep the Lakers, but that would not be they only sweep of the Purple and Gold for Philadelphia.

Philly finished up the week avenging an earlier loss to the Bullets with a 106 – 89 road win, behind another 28 points from Toney. Then returned home to beat down a 20 - 12 Kansas City Kings squad 125 - 113.  

​The undefeated week would bring the Broad Street Ballers win streak to seven.

Ersan Ilyasova    

The passive aggressive ostracizing of forward/center Jahlil Okafor continues to benefit Ersan Ilyasova, and the forward continues to take advantage. The Turkish baller has relished in the upheaval surrounding the 76ers’ big men, with not just sharp shooting but with yeomen rebounding as well.

These last seven days have been no different.

Philadelphia finished the week with a hard fought win in Denver against the Nuggets. With so much celebration around Joel Embiid and his five made field goals, it was Ersan who provided Philly with 16 first half points and seven rebounds. The four man would finish up with 23 points, matching his season high, and 13 rebounds in the 124 – 122 win.

Ilyasova’s numbers for the week were very impressive (18.7 points/9.7 rebounds/+ 5.7) but his marksmanship from three (60 percent) is also worthy of applause. It was difficult to ascertain just what Ersan would bring to the Philadelphia line-up when he was acquired via trade. Whether by design or luck General Manager Bryan Colangelo deserves credit for the acquisition that has paid dividends in tenfold. 
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Board work  

Ilyasova’s board work has flown under the radar, but has been a welcomed surprise. To simply say the forward averages a double-double would be a vast understatement.

The Turkish Thunder has stepped his rebounding game up tremendously since joining the Sixers. In the previous two seasons (132 games) Ersan grabbed 10 or more rebounds just 11 times. This season the forward has accomplished that feat seven times in just 32 games.

His offensive rebounding is also worthy of mention. In the last two contests, against three of the leagues better rebounders in Rudy Gorbet (12.0 per), Kenneth Faried (7.9 per) & Nikola Jokic (7.6 per) the forward managed four and five offensive rebounds. Both were game highs, as he finished with 12 (against. the Jazz) and 13 (against the Nuggets) rebounds respectfully.

If the four can continue to rebound at such a high level, there will be little reason to keep him out of the starting line-up.  
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Texas Three Step

Philadelphia was in San Antonio to take on Artis Gilmore and the Spurs. The usual suspects were accounted for in this contest, as Gilmore went for 27 points, 19 boards and five blocks. The Iceman George Gervin posted 22 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Dr. J (28 points & seven rebounds) and Moses (27 points & 17 boards) were up to the challenge, but it was Andrew Toney who stole the show.

Toney would score 23 points in total, yet it was his 13 point fourth quarter and team leading eight assists that darkened those bright Texas stars. The 76ers would take the game 124 – 122, bringing their season record to a blistering 22 – 5.  

Just two nights later Moses Malone would return to Houston with his new club and leave with a win 104 – 93. The good Doctor’s 29 points were a team high.

​Things would get a little more difficult the following night in Dallas against the Mavericks.

The 76ers entered the fourth quarter leading 87 – 82 after being down by double-digits. However that lead would quickly evaporate. Once again it was Andrew Toney to the rescue.

​The guard scored 11 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, spearheading a 126 – 116 victory. In all he would drop 36 points on only 24 shots.     

The Sixers went undefeated on a three game Texas road trip this week. The holiday season also provided the men a little rest as they would go six days in between games.   
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