Dario Saric
This week’s star goes to Dario Saric. The 76ers’ big man was the catalyst to a 2 – 1 week. Precision and efficiency best describes Saric’s week as he shot 57.6 percent from the field, a blistering 69.2 percent from three and 91.7 percent from the foul line. Philadelphia benefited from “the Homie’s” 19.3 points and 9.3 rebounds during their three game stretch.

​Saric tallied a double-double in back-to-back contests, including a 22-point and 10-rebound effort in a 105 – 101 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Things picked up for the forward in a 21-point, 10-rebound win at home against the Chicago Bulls. The second year Croatian went an impressive 4-for-5 from three in the Bulls victory.

Philly has a tough week ahead, as they play five games in the next seven days. Four of those contests are on the road where the Sixers are currently 12 – 11. A strong performance from the EuroLeague star is a must if Philadelphia is to compete in those games. 

A Week of Growth (Hopefully)
Offensively it was an efficient and productive week for the 24 – 21 76ers. The club shot 48.5 percent which was good enough for 8th in the league. Three-point shooting was prominent during the week as Philly ranked 2nd in three-point field percentage at 46.4 percent and 8th with 13.0 made threes per. Not to be outdone was the Sixers work on the glass. The team finished 3rd in rebounds per outing at 48.7 and 7th in assists with 25.0. Turnovers remain an issue, Philadelphia ranks as 5th worst at 16.3 per, and will certainly be something good teams will expose.
 
Defensively few squads had a better week than Philadelphia. The 76ers finished 1st in opponent made field goals (33.0), 1st in opponent field goal percentage (40.1), 2nd in opponent three-point percentage (27.6), 4th in opponents points in the paint (38.7 per), 4th in opponents points per (94.7), 5th in opponent made threes (8.0), 5th in defensive rating (99.0). Regardless, of the opponent or whom the opposing team may have been missing those are impressive numbers for the club.
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Solid game stats continue to be the red herring from the team’s inability to close out games. This week’s blown fourth quarter lead came courtesy of the Memphis Grizzlies. Entering the fourth quarter Philly led 83 – 74 and looked to be in control. Only to lose 105 – 101. The group had some short term success in closing games out this week, despite dropping to 24th in defensive rating (117.3) in the fourth quarters. The ongoing scoring problems continue in the final quarter as Philadelphia is ranked 27th in fourth quarter points (21.3) and 27th in made field goals (7.7).

Kyle Kuzma has gone from bottom first round pick to top rookie in the span of 40+ games. The week’s top first year performer has played at a top level despite the Lakers recent struggles. Kuzma’s best outing came in a surprising 108 – 107 win against the Boston Celtics. “The Kuz” tallied 28-points going 10-for-16 from the field, in just 26 minutes. The rookie finished the week with 17.3 points on 55.6 percent shooting.
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Here are some of the other top rookie performers for the week: 

It has been exactly 20 seasons since Hall-of-Fame guard Allen Iverson first blessed the NBA hardwood and ignited the city of Philadelphia. From the moment the Virginia native donned a Philadelphia 76ers uniform fans everywhere had a feeling Iverson was special and their basketball prayers were finally answered.

The organization struggled mightily through five consecutive losing seasons before selecting the six foot powerhouse out of Georgetown, first overall. It appears the franchise has found another transcendent player, in first year “guard” Ben Simmons. Oddly enough this year’s prized rookie guard hits the court after yet another five consecutive losing seasons.
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As spectators enjoy the greatness and infancy stages of Simmons’ career, it is hard to forget the last time Philly had something (or someone) this special to root for. So while we partake in the now, it is impossible to not reminisce the before. 

A Winning Week     
For what felt like an ion Philadelphia finally finished the week with a winning record, going 2 – 1. There was little correlation between Philly’s winning week and the efficiency of their prized franchise altering rookie………………that’s sarcasm by the way. Iverson shot 49 percent for the week, including two performances where he shot over 50 percent.
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A 101 – 99 76ers’ win against the Toronto Raptors was the guard’s best scoring output of the week, as he finished with 31-points in the victory. Penny Hardaway and the Orlando Magic also witnessed a more proficient Iverson. The 76ers’ guard shot 10-for-19 in a 26-point 109 – 99 loss.  The second win of the week, a 109 – 100 W against the Toronto Raptors, showcased A.I.’s playmaking ability. The number one overall pick dished out 14-assists in 44 minutes of action, in the Raptors conquering. 

Joel Embiid  
This week’s star goes to newly named All-Star Joel Embiid. The 76ers’ big man led Philly to an undefeated week (3 – 0) and back into the playoff picture. Embiid put 29.6 points, 12-rebounds on 54-percent shooting for the week. More importantly, the All-Star was instrumental in slaying two of the division’s biggest monsters. 

In a Martin Luther King matinee Philadelphia defeated the Toronto Raptors 117 – 111. Prior to Monday’s win Philly had gone 1 – 14 in the previous 15 games against the Raptors. Embiid started the game off strong notching 12-points in the first quarter, and remained a force down the stretch scoring four of Philadelphia’s final six points to secure the “W”. The center finished with 34-points and 11 rebounds, both were game highs. The road was kind in Boston, as Joel led the troops to an 89 – 80 victory over the rival Celtics. An 18-point second half, on his way to a 26-point performance, was key in this contest.
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The week ended with a 116 – 94 blowout of the Milwaukee Bucks. The center put up 29-points and nine boards in that win. The upcoming week will offer a different set of challenges for the seven-footer, with the Marc Gasol led Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs on the docket. The Chicago Bulls and their impressive rookie Lauri Markkanen will also be making an appearance this week. 

New Year, New Philly
2018 has started off well for the 76ers, and hopefully the team can make a strong playoff push heading into the All-Star break. As a unit Philly tied for second in the league for field goal percentage at 49.8 percent, and finished fourth in made freethrows with 20.7. Turnovers continue to be a thorn in head coach Brett Brown’s side as the team registered 21.7 per contest, which was number one in the Association for the week. Defensively the squad had the best defensive rating of anyone in the league at 91.8 and held teams to only 34.7 points in the paint, good for second in the league.
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The second and fourth quarters continue to be an issue for Philly. The team ranks 24th in field goals made in the second quarter (8.3) and 18th in the fourth quarter (8.7). They shot 48.1 percent from the field in the fourth quarter, finishing ninth for the week. The turnover bug bit Philly in the fourth, as they gave the ball away a league leading seven times per contest. Robert Covington remains the team’s worst shooting player in the fourth quarter at 23 percent, despite being second in field goal attempts at 3.3. Covington led the team in overall minutes per at 34.8. 

As the 76ers’ Ben Simmons continues to put up modest numbers Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell continues to impress. The week’s top rookie performer is a force and is slowly cementing himself as the new favorite for the Rookie of the Year award. Mitchell’s finest hour came in a 120 – 105 win against the Sacramento Kings. The guard dropped 34-points on 14-for-19 shooting. The Jazz rookie would end the week with 24.3 points to go along with 2.0 steals, all while shooting 52.8 percent from the field.   
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Here are some of the other top rookie performers for the week: 

It has been exactly 20 seasons since Hall-of-Fame guard Allen Iverson first blessed the NBA hardwood and ignited the city of Philadelphia. From the moment the Virginia native donned a Philadelphia 76ers uniform fans everywhere had a feeling Iverson was special and their basketball prayers were finally answered.

The organization struggled mightily through five consecutive losing seasons before selecting the six foot powerhouse out of Georgetown, first overall. It appears the franchise has found another transcendent player, in first year “guard” Ben Simmons. Oddly enough this year’s prized rookie guard hits the court after yet another five consecutive losing seasons.
​
As spectators enjoy the greatness and infancy stages of Simmons’ career, it is hard to forget the last time Philly had something (or someone) this special to root for. So while we partake in the now, it is impossible to not reminisce the before. 

At Least They Beat Boston     
You can throw the records out the window when the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers match-up, and in this case you probably should. Both clubs had fallen on hard times as they combined for a record of 18 – 59. Boston later admitted they were tanking the season with the hopes of acquiring the services of Wake Forest center Tim Duncan. Meanwhile, Philly had already grabbed its franchise player in Allen Iverson.

The game remained close throughout as 76er reserve Rex Walters stole the show, scoring 27-points. A.I. hit three free throws in the final 30 seconds and Philly halted a 13 game losing streak, winning 127 – 125. Iverson’s 26-point heroics did not carry over to the next game against the Sacramento Kings. The rookie got a front row seat to the Mitch Richmond show, as the veteran guard scored 22-points in the second half and 33 for the game. Philadelphia lost 107 – 92, Iverson struggled to a 16-point performance on 5-for-17 shooting.
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The bad times rolled on as the Detroit Pistons beat the 76ers 104 – 95. Grant Hill notched a triple-double with 21-points, 16-rebounds and 10-assists, while A.I. continued to spar with efficiency. With another subpar output of 19-points the All-Star break could not come soon enough for Iverson.

J.J. Redick
This week’s star goes to three point specialist J.J. Redick. The free agent acquisition put on a show in the first half of Philadelphia’s only game of the week. Redick scored 13 of his 22 points in the first quarter of Philly’s 114 – 103 “L” at the hands of the Boston Celtics. Known as one of the game’s premier shooters, Redick did not miss in the first quarter going 5-for-5.

The London crowd witnessed, at least for a quarter, the 76ers at their very best. As a unit the Sixers shot 57 percent from three in the first quarter and moved the ball to the tune of 66 percent of their made baskets. The second quarter saw similar precision minus the team execution.
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The upcoming week features three playoff teams, Redick’s hot hand is a necessity if they plan to compete. With the first half of the season in the rearview mirror growing pains can no longer be the norm for this group. Veterans like J.J. need to be more than shooters if this team is to make the postseason.        

Redick’s Worth
The 76ers are fifth in the league in field goal attempts with 86.8 and 29.5 of those attempts come from the three-point line. That is 34 percent of their shots come from beyond, for those of you keeping score at home. In the offseason the team made a splash by signing former Los Angeles Clippers and Orlando Magic guard J.J. Redick to a lucrative deal. Now is the time for the guard to pay dividends beyond the .500 record the team is currently sporting with him in the line-up.

The 76ers currently rest in ninth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race and as an organization believe they are playoff ready. Such a belief stems from the addition of Redick, among other things. To date Redick has given Philadelphia exactly what they desired. A consistent outside shooter, who is good for two 3-pointers a night on roughly 41 percent totaling 17 points per. What more could anyone expect from a thirty plus guard, playing for his fourth franchise.

​The question is will that be enough. As well as the former Duke Blue Devil has played the team is 5 – 9 against the top eight squads in the Eastern Conference. So maybe……………just maybe…………..the organization overvalued the need for shooters and undervalued the need for basketball players. 

This week’s top rookie performer is Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz! The 13th overall pick continues to be a force for the Utah Jazz. Mitchell erupted for a 35 point performance on the road in Charlotte against the Hornets. The Jazz would lose the contest 99 – 88, but not before No. 45 put on a show netting 22 first half points. For the week the guard went for 24.7 points and shot 93.8 percent from the freethrow line.   

​Here are some of the other top rookie performers for the week: 

It has been exactly 20 seasons since Hall-of-Fame guard Allen Iverson first blessed the NBA hardwood and ignited the city of Philadelphia. From the moment the Virginia native donned a Philadelphia 76ers uniform fans everywhere had a feeling Iverson was special and their basketball prayers were finally answered.

The organization struggled mightily through five consecutive losing seasons before selecting the six foot powerhouse out of Georgetown, first overall. It appears the franchise has found another transcendent player, in first year “guard” Ben Simmons. Oddly enough this year’s prized rookie guard hits the court after yet another five consecutive losing seasons.

​As spectators enjoy the greatness and infancy stages of Simmons’ career, it is hard to forget the last time Philly had something (or someone) this special to root for. So while we partake in the now, it is impossible to not reminisce the before. 

The First and the Fifth     
The fifth pick in the 1996 draft, Ray Allen, would square off against Allen Iverson for the second time this season. Unfortunately the results remained the same, as Philly lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 114 – 104. Allen, Ray that is, struggled in the game of rookies shooting 3-for-8 and scoring a pedestrian nine points. Meanwhile A.I. as always was a different story.
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Iverson never met a struggle he couldn’t overcome, in life or on the court. A.I. struggled in this game shooting 11-for-29, but overcame that poor shooting to score 31 points. The 76ers never led in this game despite the rookie’s ferocity. It was clear that in order for the first overall selection to get his due respect, he would need to overcome his team’s deficiencies. Something No. 3 was all to equip and eager to do.     

Ben Simmons
This week’s star goes to point guard and first year sensation Ben Simmons. It is impossible to ignore the play of the Philadelphia 76ers rookie who appears to have weathered the NBA storm. For better or for worse the guard is must see television. Fortunately for the 76er’s faithful this week falls in the “for better” category. It is no surprise that his superior play has been the deciding factor in Philly’s current four game winning streak.

Last season’s first overall pick leads Philadelphia in games started, minutes played per contest, assists per, and steals per. Yet, playing at home against the San Antonio Spurs the pup played the role of closer for the first time all year. Philly entered the fourth quarter with a slim 88 – 84 lead and the young man went to work. When the smoke cleared Simmons scored 11 of Philly’s 24 points for the quarter and the home team walked away victorious, 112 – 106.  
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The seven day period was kind to the future All-Star in the form of 22.0 points, 6.0 boards, and 6.3 assists all on 57 percent shooting. Defensively the young leader has upped the ante as well, notching 2.7 steals and 2.0 blocks per outing. The Sixers cross the pond for a measuring stick game against the Boston Celtics, things should continue to ascend for Young Simmons.   

Much ado about shooting
Prized first year guard/forward Ben Simmons has scored 10 or more points in 33 of 37 games, yet the jumpshot still alludes him. There was a time in the NBA when a 6’10 player was considered a power forward and expected to live in the paint. Those days and that era is no more. Now EVERY player, regardless of height or weight, is required to resemble Drazen Petrovic as soon as they step on the floor. Gone are the days of development or balanced offensive threats. Or so the social media world would have you to believe.

Some have gone to great lengths to bemoan the lack of a reliable outside shot in Simmons’ offensive repertoire, when it is not shooting but simply a “shot” that is missing. Better yet a “go-to” move/shot that the player can rely on night in and night out. When one considers the young man’s size and natural offensive abilities his outside shooting is aligned perfectly with where most players are at this juncture of their careers. The Sixers’ rookie was never considered a shooter or even a fluid offensive player, but has always managed to get buckets in a wide variety of ways. But when a player only has five games with 10 or more field goals the obvious should supersede the expectation.  

The “Ben Simmons needs a jumpshot” mantra needs to give way to the “Ben Simmons needs a move” movement. Fluid 6’5 players can dribble and pull-up for easy points, but 6’10 or bigger players most develop a go-to move if they are to ever find offensive success.  

This week’s top rookie performer is Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers. The first year player had one of his more polished weeks to date. The point forward’s most explosive game came in a 112 – 106 home win against the San Antonio Spurs. Simmons scored 26 points, including 11 in the deciding fourth quarter to lead Philadelphia to the victory.  

​Here are some of the other top rookie performers for the week: 

It has been exactly 20 seasons since Hall-of-Fame guard Allen Iverson first blessed the NBA hardwood and ignited the city of Philadelphia. From the moment the Virginia native donned a Philadelphia 76ers uniform fans everywhere had a feeling Iverson was special and their basketball prayers were finally answered.

The organization struggled mightily through five consecutive losing seasons before selecting the six foot powerhouse out of Georgetown, first overall. It appears the franchise has found another transcendent player, in first year “guard” Ben Simmons. Oddly enough this year’s prized rookie guard hits the court after yet another five consecutive losing seasons.

​As spectators enjoy the greatness and infancy stages of Simmons’ career, it is hard to forget the last time Philly had something (or someone) this special to root for. So while we partake in the now, it is impossible to not reminisce the before. 

Not Even Moral Victories

The Golden State Warriors handed the 76ers their 10th consecutive loss, and their 20th out of 21 games. Philadelphia lost 128 – 111 to the Bay Area club, who were powered by Latrell Sprewell and his 38 points. The loss to Golden State was just the beginning of a 0 – 3 week for Allen Iverson and the 76ers’ crew. A.I. shot a painful 4-for-12 while scoring just 12 points in the loss.

Two late free throws by Iverson would send the contest against the New Jersey Nets into overtime, but Nets’ guard Kendall Gill kept A.I. and the boys from getting in the win column. Gill dropped 29 points, and became another vicious crossover victim, as the Nets defeated Philly 105 – 103. The week ended with a 37 point performance from Iverson in a 111 – 107 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

At 8 – 30 Philadelphia was one of the worst teams in the league, but were must-see television because of the rebel superstar known as Allen Iverson. The rookie guard had taken the league by storm and we weren’t even halfway through the season.  

J.J. Redick
The Philadelphia 76ers signed guard J.J. Redick for one purpose…………to shoot the ball, and for at least this week the former Duke Blue Devil served that purpose. The 76ers went 2 – 1 for the week and the pricey free agent acquisition was one of the major reasons why. Redick’s 48 percent from three and timely sharp shooting is why the guard is this week’s star.

On Christmas Day J.J. dropped 24 points on the New York Knicks, going a cool 6-for-10 from the field. Philadelphia was in the midst of a five game losing streak, and had lost nine of its last 10 overall. So Redick’s nine points in the fourth quarter of that contest to secure a much needed win on Christmas Day was ever so necessary. For the week the guard shot 51 percent from the field and averaged 20 points in the three games played.

The season appears to have taken a turn for the better for these Sixers, after a very rough stretch. A stretch that witnessed Philly win just two games in the month of December up to this point. Yet, after their first winning seven day period of the month victories will be much more difficult in the upcoming week. After a tune up in Phoenix, Philly returns home for two tough games against the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons. The deadeye will be needed if Philly has aspirations of keeping that winning feeling. 

Mis-threeing
It is a make-or-miss or so they say. However and much to the chagrin of basketball purists throughout the land this did not hold true in the Sixers 114 – 110 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. When it comes to shooting, Philadelphia is a pedestrian three point shooting team. Philly ranks 20th in 3pt field percentage (.354) and 16th in 3pt field goals made (10.5 per).

​In the three games played during the seven day period Philly shot .39 percent from the arc. But oddly enough in the squad’s one loss of the week the 76ers shot 50 percent. The team’s leader from three that night was no other than CENTER Joel Embiid. The big man took 12 of them things, making six. No one wins if your seven footer feels that comfortable hoisting from three. Fatigue and decision-making play a significant role in that “make-or-miss” theory and are often the context that is ignored when the number of makes is rattled off.  

This week’s top rookie performer is Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz. The first year player has given the Utah franchise hope as he replaces the departed Gordon Hayward. Mitchell has provided energy and tenacity from game one, and has by far been the most offensively polished of the first year players. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers got a front row seat to the Donovan show, when the rookie gave the Cavs 29 points in a 104 – 101 Jazz win.

At 19.7 points, five assists and two steals for the week, it’s impossible to believe Mitchell was selected outside of the top five.   

​Here are some of the other top rookie performers for the week: 

It has been exactly 20 seasons since Hall-of-Fame guard Allen Iverson first blessed the NBA hardwood and ignited the city of Philadelphia. From the moment the Virginia native donned a Philadelphia 76ers uniform fans everywhere had a feeling Iverson was special and their basketball prayers were finally answered.

The organization struggled mightily through five consecutive losing seasons before selecting the six foot powerhouse out of Georgetown, first overall. It appears the franchise has found another transcendent player, in first year “guard” Ben Simmons. Oddly enough this year’s prized rookie guard hits the court after yet another five consecutive losing seasons.

​As spectators enjoy the greatness and infancy stages of Simmons’ career, it is hard to forget the last time Philly had something (or someone) this special to root for. So while we partake in the now, it is impossible to not reminisce the before. 

The Legends’ Ball     
This week Allen Iverson and crew played host to five Hall-of-Famers in Karl Malone and John Stockton of the Utah Jazz, followed by Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley from the Houston Rockets. But first there was another team from Texas on the schedule. The rookie came off the bench in a 111 – 93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The contest featured a 4-for-7 three point performance by NBA journeymen and current Maverick George McCloud. The reserve finished with 23 points in just 21 minutes.

Next up were the Houston Rockets and specifically former 76er Charles Barkley. The consistently inconsistent Barkley was one of Iverson’s biggest critics and made sure the Rockets obliterated his former club. Chuck snagged 25 rebounds to go with 18 points, as the Rockets prevailed 120 – 99.

​After two blowout home losses a Sixers win was long overdue. Unfortunately, the best Philly could muster up was a 97 – 96 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz. However, an efficient A.I. tortured and tormented future Hall-of-Famer John Stockton. Iverson went 3-for-4 from the arc, hitting a game tying three with just over two minutes left. But it was not enough as the 76ers lost their ninth straight and 19 of their last 20 overall.