Joel Embiid    

When Joel Embiid learns how to play basketball, he will be a force. Until then everyone is enjoying watching “the Process” going through, well the process.

With three games on the slate the big man’s numbers were solid (23.6 ppg/7.7 rpg/2.6 bpg), but it was his free throw shooting (20 for 24), better yet his free throw attempts that were really impressive. In recent games the center had developed an unbashful love for the top of the key three point shot.

Yet, in the lone win of the week (against the Brooklyn Nets) Embiid attempted only three 3-pointers, making two, but maintained his authority in the paint going 7 for 8. His physical play was key for the 76ers as Joel would notch a game high in points (33) and tie with teammate Jahlil Okafor for a game high in rebounds (10).

In Phoenix No. 21 started the game with a P.I.F right and finished with a dunk. Three of his first five shots took place in the paint and begin or included a back to the basket move. “The Problem” would finish the game with 27 points and seven rebounds in a 123 – 116 loss.

The key to the development of the former Jay Hawk is how he performs in the paint. Nine of his 15 shots were from 10 feet or closer to the cup. If Embiid is to ever be a truly dominate player he must continue this process. 
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It is difficult to establish a trend or pattern in seven wins, but one eerily consistent statistic remains true in Philadelphia’s seven wins. When Gerald Henderson plays 30 minutes or more the 76ers are 1 – 4, when he plays 25 minutes or less Philadelphia is 3 – 13 and when Henderson plays between 25 to 30 minutes Philly is 3 – 3.

It is difficult to decipher if such a small sample can be a pattern or a fluke, only time will tell. However, it is apparent that the small forward merely being on the floor impacts the game in some unmeasurable way. The club’s +/- does not reflect any significant statistical impact nor does the score for that matter.

Floor spacing, ball movement and perhaps the ability to create his own shot are definitely factors when the former Duke Blue Devil is on the hardwood. Regardless, when a team is struggling to consistently win games such a statistic is worth noting.  
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Vengeance is Served

Just three days removed from losing to the Washington Bullets, the 76ers would take the floor against a familiar foe in the Boston Celtics. However, unlike in their previous meeting, the Sixers would leave the floor this time victorious.

Playing without an injured Andrew Toney, Philadelphia be ahead by as many as 21 at one point. Philly played at a pace the visiting Celtics struggled to match.

The 76ers would take 45 free throws, shoot 52 percent and dish out 27 assists in a complete dismantling of the Celtics 122 – 105. Point guard Maurice Cheeks and forward Bobby Jones held Larry Bird to just 4 for 11 shooting. The entire Boston roster lacked potency, shooting 46 percent and mustering just 19 assists on 91 shots.

Jahlil Okafor   

In the crowd of big men Mr. Consistent, Jahlil Okafor, continues to stand tall. The headlines often ignore him and opposing teams are successful in partaking in his defensive “abilities”, but let the record show Okafor has grown tremendously since last season.

And it is evident with each and every contest.
In a win against the Detroit Pistons the 76ers were a striking +21 with him on the floor (a team high which he shared with Ersan Ilyasova). The big man scored the first two points of the game and the final point of the game as Philly would win its sixth game of the season 97 – 79.

Another consistent mark of his efficiency is the positive effect he has on his teammates offensively. The old adage of making your teammates better has been in full effect during his basketball career, going back Okafor’s days at Whitney Young in Chicago.

This time point guard T.J. McConnell was the benefiter of Mr. Consistent’s paint presence. McConnell, who got the start because of an ill Sergio Rodriquez, came one rebound shy of a triple-double (12 points, 10 rebounds & nine assists). Considering the guard never even registered a double-double in the 104 games prior, the feat was quite impressive.

The 76ers seem dedicated to finding ways to incorporate Embiid into the lineup, this dedication should not come at the expense of the more accomplished player in Okafor.
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Under a Buck

Philadelphia has won a grand total of six games this season, in three of those wins the opponent failed to score 100 points. To be clear the Sixers have held four opponents to under 100 points, obviously winning three of those contests. The fourth contest
Philly would lose by only five points.

In such a small sample size one thing is clear, if the other guys do not score they will not win. Forget monitored minutes and out of position play for a moment and consider just how simple of a statistic this is.

​It is imperative going forward through this process that the 76ers find competency on both ends of the court. If not the process will be destined for failure.
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Nothing Sweet in Chocolate City

Philadelphia had a reasonably light week before the Christmas holiday. Led by Moses Malone’s 23 points and 20 rebounds the Sixers sustained a hard fought win against the Cleveland Cavaliers (99 – 93).

Two nights later they would hand an L to Bernard King and the New York Knicks (109 – 95), then a hiccup in Chocolate City.

The Bullets were flying high winning nine of their last 12 and were poised for the challenge. Philadelphia’s brief three game winning streak was interrupted by Washington, and more specifically their physical frontline of Spencer Haywood and future 76ers Rick Mahorn and Jeff Ruland. The Sixers’ Malone would have his lowest rebound output (albeit 14) of the week and as a team Philly was outrebound 53 to 46.

The 97 – 100 loss was the fifth of the season, but would serve as a precursor to a franchise record win streak.
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Ersan Ilyasova   

Ilyasova’s shooting percentage was not good this week (46 percent), but in the Sixers lone win he delivered. At first glance Ersan does not present the image of fierce competitor, but perception is not always reality.

The forward has proven in his short time in Philadelphia that he can be counted on, night in and night out to give the requisite effort necessary to win. His performance against the New Orleans Pelicans (23 points & 8 rebounds) was instrumental in Philly’s win. With Philadelphia holding a 71 – 69 lead going into the fourth it was Ilyasova, not the Pelicans all world player Anthony Davis, who would seal the win.

Ersan led all players with 10 fourth quarter points AND four rebounds, and the 76ers went home winners (99 – 88) for just the fifth time this year. However, his 17 rebound game against the Memphis Grizzlies and specifically Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and JaMychal Green was equally impressive in defeat.

The Sixers were without Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor, rather then fold Ilyasova stood tall and battled.
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Minutes to Spare

There have been few healthy players available to Brett Brown and the Philly coaching staff. With the New Year quickly approaching it is feasible that many players who are getting minutes now will rarely see the court going forward.

On the flip side Dario Saric (24.6 minutes per), Nik Stauskas (26.4 minutes per) and Ilyasova (27.5 minutes) have benefited from the increase of minutes they have received due to the depleted roster. The players have settled into their roles and in the case of Ilyasova have flourished.

Once the minute restriction is lifted for all players the confidence these three players have built during this stretch should allow the Coach Brown to finally see the fruits of his labor, in the form of wins and losses. 
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A beating and shellacking

Philly opened the week with a Sunday match-up against the NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers, in L.A and in the midst of an eight game winning streak.

With Moses Malone by their side Philly put the Lakers on notice that this year would be different than the ones before. Malone would provide the board and paint work tallying 29 and 14. Dr. J also chirped in for 23 points with 14 rebounds. Toney struggled through foul trouble, but still netted 21 points, yet it was his defense on Norm Nixon (held the All-Star to 5 for 14) that led Philadelphia to a 114 – 104 win

Next was an opportunity to avenge an earlier loss to the Atlanta Hawks, and boy did they seize the moment. In a 132 – 85 win versus the Hawks the 76ers had 41 assists and placed seven players in double figures.

That winning feeling did not last long as Philly headed to the Boston Garden to take on the Boston Celtics. Led by Larry Bird (33 points & 14 rebounds) the Celtics won every quarter on their way to handily defeating Philadelphia 123 – 97. Defense did not make the trip to Beantown as the Cs shot 50 percent from the field and out rebounded Philly 64 to 33.

It took a monster performance from Dr. J to get Philly back in the win column the following night at home against the visiting Detroit Pistons. The good Doctor would revert back to his ABA form, dropping 44 points and grabbing 11 boards. For good measure Erving would also register eight blocks and seven assists.  
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Jahlil Okafor   

Every player in the NBA has talent, yet many struggle aligning that talent with production. Jahlil Okafor does not have that struggle. In a league where talent AND production reign supreme Okafor has complete supremacy over the 76ers’ roster.

Through monitored minutes, a fluctuating role and sever misplacement/misuse on the defensive end Okafor has managed to remain productive. As the only player on the Sixers current roster to not have the word “if” accompany his name in a sentence, the big man has been consistent at displaying his talent of getting buckets.

This week’s star played in all four of the 76ers’ contests, and scored 14 or more points in each. The week was not without its difficulties. The former Duke Blue Devil had his best statistical performance (16 points 13 rebounds) in a blowout loss to the Orlando Magic (105 – 88). These types of outputs in double-digit losses are not known to inspire teams or teammates.

The organization continues to experiment with different lineups and seem committed to developing Joel Embiid. In the “process” Okafor continues to display a talent that should warrant the same attention. 
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The Back End

Opposing backcourts had a very successful week against Sergio Rodriquez and Co. At first glance shooting 45 percent does not scream total annihilation, but when you consider scoring outbursts of 39 points (Kyrie Irving) and 37 points (Isaiah Thomas) things get a little louder.

When 6 for 6 from beyond the arc from Toronto Raptors’ guard Kyle Lowry and 3 for 4 from Orlando Magic journey man DJ Augustin join the fray, a whole new decibel level is reached.

We all know the Sixers backcourt is a work in progress, um minus the progress. Therefore, expectations in this case most certainly lead to disappointment. Nevertheless, it is not too farfetched to believe better defensive effort is attainable.
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Hello Mr. Wilkins

The 76ers began the week in Atlanta to take on the Hawks and rookie sensation Dominique Wilkins. After entering the fourth quarter tied at 67, Philadelphia was helpless against Wilkins. The rook would score 14 points in the quarter and 26 in all as Atlanta defeated the Sixers 111 – 97.

Next Philly headed to Phoenix to play the Suns. The Sixers, behind a 38 point second quarter, managed to gut out an eight point win 116 – 108. Andrew Toney would lead the way in this one, with 15 made free throws. The guard finished up with 34 points, but on 28 shots.

With a match-up against the mighty Los Angeles Lakers staring the 76ers in the face, Philly maintained their focus versus the lowly Bill Walton led San Diego Clippers. A much more efficient Toney in this game. The scorer dropped 31 points as the Sixers skated to 127 – 110 victory.
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