THE WEEK THAT WAS: 10/15 – 10/21

STAR OF THE WEEK:

Ben Simmons
The 2017 season has not begun the way most Philadelphia 76er fans would have liked, however first year guard Ben Simmons has been a pleasant surprise to the woebegone 0 – 3 start. The 21-year-old point guard managed to notch six assists per game despite the 76ers shooting a pedestrian 41 percent from the field. Simmons also registered 15-points and 10-rebounds per in those three losses.

Pace remains the focus for the 2016 first overall pick, and specifically dictating that pace to his opponents. Simmons seems determined to push the ball up the court after misses or makes, with the hope of getting easy buckets for his teammates. The point guard’s ability to distribute the rock was on full display this week, with an eight assist performance in a 128 – 94 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

The Australian’s rebounding has also been worthy of applause. The 6’10 rookie tallied a total of 31 rebounds for the week, which is no small feat considering the league leader (Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan) snatched a total of 37.

The Sixers travel to Dallas this upcoming week to take on the Mavericks and fellow first year point guard Dennis Smith Jr. Many around the league picked Smith to win Rookie of the Year honors, a predication that most likely was not lost on Simmons. Hopefully, the 76ers’ franchise cornerstone can highlight why he should be the odds on favorite to win the award.
 

STAT OF THE WEEK:

Paint Blank
Lost in the Markelle Fultz free throw struggles and “where is Jahlil Okafor” battle cries, is franchise center Joel Embiid’s lack of a post game. The big man has not made a three yet this season despite being second on the squad in attempts, with a whopping five a game. The center’s struggles from the three-point line have been well documented (currently 0 – 10 for the season), but it is the seven footer’s utter disdain for the paint that is troubling.

Of Joel’s 31 field goal attempts only 10 have come within eight feet of the basket, the other 21 shots have been an array of fadeaways, step backs and pull up threes. This is not what one desires from their physically imposing paint presence. The center is still barred from playing in back-to-back contests, which caused him to miss Saturday’s debacle against the Toronto Raptors.

​Expect to see at least some resemblance of a post-up game when No. 21 does return to action.  

BEN SIMMONS VS. EVERYBODY:

Michael Carter-Williams and Allen Iverson are the only Philadelphia 76ers to win Rookie of the Year honors. While there is no documented rhyme or reason as to how one acquires the prestigious award, statistically ranking ahead of your contemporaries would not be a bad place to commence an argument for your candidate. Below is a breakdown of where current Philly rookies Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons rank against the top five first year performers for the week. (Statistics are broken down for the week – W and for the year to date – Y).

Ben Simmons – 76ers
15.7/15.7 - PPG
10.3/10.3 - RPG
6.0/6.0 - APG
35.0/35.0 - MPG
0 – 3/0 – 3 - RECORD

Markelle Fultz – 76ers
7.3/7.3 - PPG
2.3/2.3 - RPG
1.3/1.3 - APG
19.7/19.7 - MPG
0 – 3/0 – 3 - RECORD

Lonzo Ball -  Lakers
8.0/8.0 - PPG
6.0/6.0 - RPG
6.5/6.5 - APG
23.1/23.1 - MPG
1 – 2/1 – 2 - RECORD

Dennis Smith Jr – Mavericks
16.0/16.0 - PPG
3.0/3.0 - RPG
10.0/10.0 - APG
30.0/30.0 - MPG
0 – 3/0 – 3 - RECORD

Jayson Tatum  - Celtics
12.3/12.3 - PPG
9.0/9.0 - RPG
1.7/1.7 - APG
35.3/35.3 - MPG
1 – 2/1 – 2 - RECORD

Lauri Markkanen - Bulls
15.0/15.0 - PPG
10.0/10.0 - RPG
0.0/0.0 - APG
35.0/35.0 - MPG
0 – 2/0 – 2 - RECORD

De’Aaron Fox – Kings
13.7/13.7 - PPG
5.0/5.0 - RPG
5.3/5.3 - APG
26.3/26.3 - MPG
1 – 2/1 – 2 - RECORD
​

ANSWERING THE CALL – A.I.’s Rookie Year

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

The organization had struggled through five consecutive losing seasons before selecting the six foot guard out of Georgetown, first overall. It appears the franchise has found another transcendent player, in first year “guard” Ben Simmons, who oddly enough hits the court after five consecutive losing seasons.

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

Opening week was actually opening weekend as the season began on a Friday, but it was fitting that the game’s newest star would shine under the “Friday Night Lights”. The 76ers opened up at home against the Milwaukee Bucks and A.I. put on a show. The guard dropped 30 points on 12-for-19 shooting, but a late technical foul on Iverson would cost Philly the game 111 – 103. Just 24-hours later the future of the league was standing toe-to-toe with the present.

Philly entered the United Center to take on the reigning NBA champion Chicago Bulls………….on ring night………………against Michael Jordan. Any success Iverson enjoyed in Philadelphia was short lived as the Georgetown product stumbled to a paltry 15-points on 4-for-13 shooting. A.I. would get his revenge later in the season, but that is a story for another week.      
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TWEET OF THE WEEK:

When Fultz is at the line #Sixers pic.twitter.com/H6toIqyHwH

— JCorrado (@ForzaCorrado) October 22, 2017