**********    
This week’s star goes to no damn body! When a team goes 1 – 4 and loses by an average of 17.5 points no player is worthy of being saluted. A roster filled with three top 10 picks and the most reliable player (Dario Saric) is the guy the organization selected outside of the top 10, is a travesty.

Robert Covington began the week playing well and was instrumental in Philly’s lone 122 - 119 win. Against the Sacramento Kings, Covington scored 23 points and grabbed 10 boards. Unfortunately, the forward could not carry that success throughout the week. A hand injury would force him to miss the next three games.

Covington was not the only player whose consideration was eliminated based on injury, center Joel Embiid continues to miss action with a bone bruise.

Or is it a hyperextended knee? No that’s right the center can only play on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Injuries aside talent and effort for some players remains an issue. Nerlens Noel continues to be a player excused from offensive expectations. The sixth pick in the 2013 draft remains unscathed from performances such as this weeks. The center’s averages for the seven day span were as follows 11 points, four rebounds & one block.

Noel at this point is buying time until he is relieved of his duties this off-season. With the All-Star break quickly approaching, hopefully that rest will awaken the team from this horrific malaise.    
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​Jah-Bye
Something is wrong with Jahlil. Before the cackling commences it is not a “talent” thing. Nor is it a “his game doesn’t fit the new NBA” thing.

Few things in sports are more disrespectful than saying a player quit or has no heart. To be clear that is not what is being uttered here. What is been said is the joy and pride that Okafor once displayed is gone.

It would be egregious to speculate why, and quite frankly inconsequential because the current situation is not going to change. The former Duke Blue Devil plays for a team that has identified its franchise player and he is not it.  

Statistics are misleading more times than not, and you should never be used to replace the eye test. With that said in a contest against the hapless Dallas Mavericks the eye test and analytical test both yielded the same answer/results. Which were Jahlil needs an intervention.  

Matched up against a player who had not scored more than eight points all season in Salah Mejri, Okafor looked slow and mechanical. Yet, still mustered 16 points and one rebound. Therein lies the issue with the big man.

The feeling is he is just going through the motions. Almost as if his spirit has been broken, and he is waiting for disaster to strike. This is unacceptable for such an accomplished talent. Jahlil has played the role of “good soldier” too a tee. Or maybe it is not a role and this is perhaps who he has accepted the NBA version of himself to be.

Time and opportunity are a rare combination in the professional ranks. Okafor has stumbled upon both at such a young age, let us hope he does not continue to waste them both.   
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Those Damn Blazers
The Sixers would lose a game in back-to-back weeks for the first time all season.  In a physical contest in the northwest where 57 fouls would be called the Portland Trail Blazers found itself in the winner’s circle 115 – 109.

The three headed monster of Mychal Thompson, Calvin Natt and Kenny Carr were impressive in handing Philly their seventh loss of the year. Natt proved to be the catalyst dropping 21 points in the second half, finishing with 28 points total.

In the midst of a six game road trip Philadelphia was witnessing the greatness of Moses Malone. The future MVP was putting on a show, averaging 28 points and 20 rebounds for the week. It was no mystery Malone was the center of Philly’s attention literally and physically yet teams still struggled to stop him.

Malone provided the post presence and toughness game in and game out, as the Philadelphia continued to its road to a championship.
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Dario Saric    
This week’s star goes to rookie Dario Saric. The forward averaged 15 points on 45 percent shooting to help the Sixers to a 2 – 1 record for the week. As the 76ers lineup continues to develop it appears the young pup has found his landing spot.

The Croatian seems to be oblivious to the minutes crunch felt early in the season by Nerlens Noel, and currently being felt by Jahlil Okafor and Richaun Holmes. Saric played 23 minutes per this week, which is on par with his season average of 24 minutes per. The consistency in minutes has allowed the reserve forward a chance to flourish, despite experiencing ups and downs offensively.

In a 121 – 110 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers the forward’s activity was impossible to ignore. Dario grabbed eight rebounds and went 8-for-9 from the foul line on his way to a +15 performance. Saric’s scoring touch returned (17 points) in a rare 114 - 109 road win versus the Milwaukee Bucks.    

The week ended with a tough 118 – 123 home loss against the Houston Rockets. Once again effort and activity were the sixth man’s calling card. The rookie finished with 12 points and four rebounds. As the season continues Saric has proven he is more comfortable coming off the bench, and has refined his role as a role player.     
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The Big Five
The Sixers are the worst team in the NBA at taking care of the ball, ranking dead last with 17.1 turnovers a game. However, for one night they were among the NBA’s best. Playing against the Los Angeles Clippers Philly turned the ball over only five times. A staggering number considering just how wretched this team has been this season.

Turnovers have been a nuisance during head coach Brett Brown’s tenure. Much of this can be attributed to the revolving door that has been the point guard position since the coach’s arrival. Nevertheless, Brown has to do a better job of getting the squad to be more judicial when making decisions with the rock.

For one night Philadelphia did just that, now the question remains was this a new trend or a mere aberration? 
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Bucked Up
It would take 23 days into 1983 before the 76ers would sustain their first loss. A 107 – 96 rare defeat at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks’ duo of Sidney Moncrief and Marques Johnson were just too much for Philly to overcome. The two netted 59 points, 23 rebounds and 13 assists on 52 percent shooting. Holding Moncrief to just six first half points helped the Sixers to a 60 – 56 halftime lead. A 24 point second half explosion by the aforementioned former Arkansas Razorback would allow Milwaukee to take the lead and eventually win the game. The Bucks defense also showed its worth by holding Philadelphia’s trio of Moses Malone, Andrew Toney and Julius Erving to 23 for 56.

That losing feeling was short lived, as Philly traveled to Chicago and handed the Bulls a 116 – 99 defeat. After experiencing foul trouble in Milwaukee, guard Andrew Toney had a team high 24 points.

The 76ers finished the week 4-and-1.
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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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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.
​      

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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