Marco Belinelli  
This week’s star goes to arguably the league’s best mid-season acquisition, Marco Belinelli. The 76ers’ sharpshooter was a major factor in Philly finishing the week 3 – 0. Belinelli stepped in the starting lineup for an injured Dario Saric and continued his scoring pop. The Italian star averaged 16-points for the week and proved to be the necessary hot hand when his number was called.

Belinelli’s best performance came in a 121 – 113 win against the Atlanta Hawks. The visiting 76ers needed every bit of the guard’s 20-points to defeat the feisty Hawks. The third quarter is where the NBA journeyman did the most damage, scoring nine of his 20-points. It was quality over quantity when it came to the deep ball, as the role player hit five of the 12-three pointers he hoisted.
​
With the playoffs looming how Belinelli performs will be key in just how deep Philadelphia will go. Defense will also be instrumental in the Sixers post-season longevity. If the guard can accompany his three point shooting with a strong defensive effort, it is plausible to believe Philly can make an extended run.  

The Final Chapter
The final week of the season witnessed Philadelphia go from the hottest team in the league to one of the very best. Philly exerted a dominance not seen in these parts since Dr. J and Moses Malone were manning the hardwood. The team played strong on both ends of the court and seem ready for their return to the second season. The 76ers finished 1st in total rebounds per (54.3), 1st in assists per (32.0), 1st in offensive rating (115.0), 2nd in scoring (120.0), 2nd in made field goals (47.0), 4th in points in the paint (58.0) and 4th in field percentage going 49.8 percent. This was without All-Star center Joel Embiid, but the big man’s absence was felt in the transition game as Philly fell to 9th in fastbreak points (16.3).   
​  
Philly’s top ten reign was not regulated to just the offensive end, defensively Simmons’ and crew were just as stout. Philadelphia finished 2nd in steals (10.3), 4th in blocks per (6.3), 4th in opponent fastbreak points with 9.3, 4th in defensive rating at 95.3, 4th in opponent rebounds (41.7), but finished 13th in opponent points in the paint (45.3).   

Los Angeles Lakers’ rookie Josh Hart is this week’s top rookie performer. The former Villanova Wildcat took advantage of his extended playing time, averaging 25.0 points and shooting 54-percent from the field. Hart’s best performance came in a 115 – 100 win against the Los Angeles Clippers. The rookie scored 30-points and shot a blistering 7-for-9 from three. For the week Hart shot 44-percent from three.        

​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. Therefore, while we partake in the now it is impossible to not reminisce the before. 

​Finish Strong      
Allen Iverson’s final four games were a microcosm of the guard’s entire inaugural year. The Sixer refused to wilt under the turbulence surrounding his recent scoring barrage. Iverson seemed determined to show both his fans and his detractors that the unbridled losing would not impact the future star’s passionate play.  

Philly notched their final win of the season in a rare road victory against the New Jersey Nets.  Iverson registered 27-points and 11-assists in the win, outdueling fellow rookie and Nets’ guard Kerry Kittles (26-points). The future Hall-of-Famer’s streak of 40 or more points came to an end in the contest, as did the Sixers’ eight game losing streak.

However, A.I.’s scoring onslaught was far from done. After trailing by as many as 25-points in the third quarter, the rookie led Philly to the brink of victory before ultimately falling short 119 – 113. The number one overall pick scored a game high 32-points in the loss. The final game of the year was a 136 – 104 blowout to the Atlanta Hawks. Philadelphia gave up 77-points in the first half and looked lifeless at times. Everyone except for No. 3 that is. Iverson dropped 35-points in the shellacking and ended the year scoring 30 or more in eight of the squad’s final nine contests.

The basketball year was over but A.I.’s run was just beginning. Allen later became the franchise’s first ever Rookie of the Year winner, and in the process morphed into a cultural icon. When Philly selected the six foot guard out of Georgetown the organization hoped for a great player, but what they received was an icon who captivated hearts instead of championships.  

Ben Simmons
This week’s star goes to Ben Simmons! When center Joel Embiid went down with an orbital fracture it became imperative that the former first overall pick elevate his game. The rookie responded by reaching unprecedented heights. In the four games without Embiid, Simmons notched one triple-double and three double-doubles. The point-forward averaged 19.5 points on 66.7 percent shooting, to go along with 10.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists.

Simmons’ best performance came in a pivotal Friday night contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers. For the first time in an ion, the Sixers were involved in a game that had postseason implications. Playing for the third seed in the Eastern Conference and playing against the game’s best in LeBron James, the league’s newest star dropped showed out. When the final buzzer sounded “The Ben-a-Factor” finished with a triple-double (27-points, 15-rebounds and 13-assists) and Philly walked away with a 132 – 130 victory. The win marked Philadelphia’s 13th straight and guaranteed they could not finish any worse than fourth in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.   
​
Simmons’ play has been outstanding and the 76ers have yet another undefeated week to show for it. With only three games remaining before the playoffs the point-forward will be entrusted with keeping his troops focused on finishing the season strong.   

Keep Rolling……………Part Duex
The Sixers feasted mightily on a four game stretch that featured one winning team, in the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the group took care of business in the most emphatic of ways. Things did not change when the Cavaliers rolled into town, as Philly finished with their highest point total of the seven day period (132). Ending the week 4 – 0 is always an impressive feat, but how this group did it was mind blowing. Confidence levels remain sky high as the Sixers finished first in points per game and made field goals for the second week in a row. In all the squad finished the week rated 1st in points per with 121.8, 1st in made field goals (48.0), 1st in rebounds per with 54.7, 1st in assists (32.8), 2nd in field goal percentage at 51.2 percent, 3rd in offensive efficiency (115.7), and 8th in points in the paint (46.9). Long distance shooting also remains a staple even without the big guy as Philly finished 7th in made three-pointers (12.5) and 6th in three-point percentage at 41.0. Once again, it was a dominant seven days and it will be interesting to see if things carry over into the postseason.
     
On the other end of the court Philly was adequate, but certainly not as dominant. There was bound to be some let up with such focus being displayed on the offensive end. The numbers for the week were 2nd in steals (11.5), 2nd in opponents points in the paint (36.5), 3rd in opponent rebounds (39.5), 5th in opponent turnovers (16.5), tied for 5th in opponent made field goals (37.8), 5th in opponent three-point percentage (28.4 percent), 7th in defensive efficiency (102.4), 7th in blocks (6.3) and 8th in opponents field goal percentage (44.7). Those are not bad numbers by any stretch, in fact considering Philly is missing their defensive stalwart those numbers are quite solid.
​
When a team wins 13-straight it is usually a group effort, and the Sixers current streak is no different. Yet, the play of first year stud Ben Simmons is worthy of adulation. During the current winning streak Simmons has averaged 14.8 points 10.8 assists and 10.1 rebounds.       

Ben Simmons returns to the head of the class as this week’s top rookie! Simmons led the Sixers to a 4 – 0 record, while posting yet another triple-double. In a much hyped game against the playoff bound Cleveland Cavaliers, the future of the franchise scored 27-points, snatched 15-rebounds and dished out 13-assists. The Sixers won 132 – 130 and the T.D. was the point-forward’s 12th of the year. Philadelphia was thrusted into life without Joel Embiid but quickly learned just how special Simmons is. For the week the rookie of the year hopeful averaged 19.5 points on an insane 66.7 percent shooting, with 10.3 boards, 10.3 assists and 2.3 steals.
​    
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. Therefore, while we partake in the now it is impossible to not reminisce the before. 

Going for 40 while going 0 – 4
With another losing season imminent there was little reason to watch the 76ers, or so many fans believed. Yet, despite the unfathomable losing star rookie Allen Iverson was out to prove in the final slate of games he was far from a loser. Georgetown’s most infamous alumni would go on to score 40 or more points in the next four games.

Beginning with a 116 – 101 loss to the visiting Atlanta Hawks, Iverson dropped 40-points on 12-for-29 shooting. Fellow rookie Ray Allen and the Milwaukee Bucks were next to witness the birth of A.I.. The Sixers’ guard netted 27-points in the fourth quarter alone on his way to a 44-point explosion, unfortunately Philly lost its sixth straight 126 – 118. Nevertheless, the scoring outburst marked three straight games of 40 or more for the future star. Two of those contests came against playoff bound opponents in the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks.

After shooting 16-for-28 against the Bucks, the Cleveland Cavaliers seemed intent on stopping Iverson. Cleveland took a 66 – 49 lead into halftime, but behind 39 second half points from Iverson the Cavs held on for a 125 – 118 win. The Rookie of the Year tallied 50-points in all and became the first rookie ever to score 40 or more points in four straight games. The points and losses continued to mount for Allen and the Sixers. However, no one could deny that this rookie was a once and a lifetime talent.
​
“I scored 37 the hard way. The last one they gave it to me.” Iverson noted after scoring 40-points for the fifth straight game. Washington defeated Philadelphia 131 – 110, and the Bullets game served as the last of the 40-point explosions.