STAR OF THE WEEK: 2/19 – 2/25

Dario Saric
This week’s star goes to Dario Saric……………..yup again and again! The forward started two games this week and responded with two double-doubles. Saric continues to improve with each game and has been a pleasant surprise for even his biggest fan.
In a 120 – 112 home win against the Washington Wizards the Croatian shot 10-for-19 on his way to a 20 point performance. Although the forward struggled from the three point line, shooting 0-for-4, his presence was still felt in the paint. Saric would tie for a team-high 11 rebounds, including a dominant first quarter that saw the forward grab six rebounds.  

That winning feeling did not last long as Philly would lose to the Knicks 110 – 109. The 76er rookie registered his second start, and in return notched his second double-double of the week. Shooting an unimpressive 7-for-17 it was Saric’s effort and energy that would keep Philly afloat. The forward grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds, including nine in the second half, en route to a 19 point, 15 rebound game.

As the season winds down this is where most rookies hit the dreaded wall, however that has not been the case with Saric. The rookie forward’s play continues to improve and his confidence continues to grow. 
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STAT OF THE WEEK:

Double Up………… Times Four  
The availability of Dario Saric has drastically helped the “Legend of Dario Saric” grow. As the excuses mounted as to why Nerlens Noel’s value was so low, Saric continued to produce. As Joel Embiid speaks more and plays less, Saric continues to produce. Finally, as Jahlil Okafor proves game in and game out that he simply does not want to be here, Saric continues to give maximum effort.

The result to such consistency was four straight games of 10 or more rebounds, which is something the three aforementioned players have yet to accomplish.

Effort and availability are afterthoughts when judging an NBA player. Some General Managers tend to lean heavily on athletic ability and natural talent, while others refer to the numbers and projections. What Dario has managed to illustrate is being healthy and giving everything a player has is just as important as any other measurable. The ability to care and the ability to play can be instrumental in a player’s development.

Hopefully his production and effort are rewarded with a Rookie of the Year award. 
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THIS WEEK IN 1982 – 83 (THE CHAMPIONSHIP YEAR):

Moses versus Everybody  
This week was a microcosm of just how great of an addition Moses Malone was for the Sixers. Three games, three wins and most of all an MVP performance in all three from Malone.

The center grabbed 19 rebounds and scored 23 points in a 104 – 89 drubbing of the Knicks, and followed that game up with another 23 point output, this time with 10 rebounds as Philly rolled at home against the Dallas Mavericks 133 – 101.

​The week was highlighted by a 116 – 111 win against the Chicago Bulls. Malone scored 34 points and grabbed 22 rebounds in the win. The contest would mark the end of Dr. J’s streak (321 games) of scoring 10 or more points, Erving would leave the game with a scratched cornea after scoring eight points.

Moses led the Sixers to an undefeated week going 3 – 0 and extended their current winning streak to eight games. The center’s numbers for the week were 26.6 points and 17 rebounds on 64 percent shooting.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: 

#Sixers pic.twitter.com/hXuI8ncJFU

— Eric Von BroDude (@FINK_BOMB) February 24, 2017