STAR OF THE WEEK:
Joel Embiid
The 76ers were rolling this week and not even three straight playoff teams could stop them. Philly finished the week 3 – 0 and are currently immersed in a four game winning streak. Their first such streak this early in the season since the 2011 – 2012 campaign. Which also marks the last time Philadelphia made the playoffs, losing in the second round to the Boston Celtics in seven games. Prior to the lockout year, the last four game winning streak was in the 2005 – 2006 season. Youth is being served at the Wells Fargo Center and the head chef is Ben Simmons. No one benefited more from Simmons’ play then oft-injured center Joel Embiid. For the seven day period, Embiid dropped 20.3-points on 58-percent shooting. The big man also posted 10 boards, five assists, two steals and two blocks for good measure. Joel’s week was highlighted by an 11 point fourth quarter in a 119 – 109 win against the Atlanta Hawks. The teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 93. The 76ers needed every bit of those 11 buckets to walk away victorious. The social media star shot 5-for-8 and snatched five rebounds in the deciding quarter. All but two of the center’s attempts came from within the paint. These are the types of games fans hope to see more of from Embiid. Especially if this group has any playoff aspirations for THIS season. The upcoming week offers a Saturday night road showcase against the world champion Golden State Warriors. Philadelphia has not beaten the Warriors since the 2012 – 2013 season and that streak doesn’t appear to be coming to an end this season. However, how this young group responds in hostile territory will be the story and will be how they should be judged. STAT OF THE WEEK:
The Beneficiaries
It took four seasons before guard J.J. Redick scored 20 points in an NBA game and it took six seasons before the sharpshooter crossed the 30 point plateau. In total it took 345 games for the former Duke Blue Devil to do what happened in a mere seven games in a Sixers uniform. Not to be overlooked was the performance of forward Robert Covington. The HBCU alum shot a blistering 50-percent from the three point line for the week. Covington was not bashful from beyond the arc attempting 11 three pointers against the Hawks and another nine against the Indiana Pacers. The ball movement or better yet Ben Simmons’ ability to get guys the rock in position to be successful has been on full display. Players tend to move a little faster and run a little harder when they know the ball will find them. Both Covington and J.J.’s numbers are a reflection of good shooting and terrific ball movement. 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 candidacy. Below is a breakdown of where current Philly rookie phenom Ben Simmons ranks against the top five first year performers for the week and year. (Statistics are broken down for the week and for the year to date).
Ben Simmons – 76ers 19.0/18.0 - PPG 10.3/9.8 - RPG 9.7/8.2 - APG 36.9/35.2 - MPG 3 – 0/5 – 4: RECORD Lonzo Ball – Lakers 6.3/8.8 - PPG 4.7/6.6 - RPG 4.7/6.7 - APG 28.2/32.8 - MPG 2 – 1/4 – 5: RECORD Dennis Smith Jr – Mavericks 13.5/13.3 - PPG 3.3/3.1 - RPG 2.0/4.6 - APG 24.8/27.9 - MPG 0 – 4/1 – 10: RECORD Jayson Tatum – Celtics 12.7/13.7 - PPG 4.7/6.6 - RPG 2.7/1.9 - APG 27.8/32.0 - MPG 3 – 0/7 – 2: RECORD Lauri Markkanen – Bulls 17.3/16.3 - PPG 8.0/9.0 - RPG 2.7/1.3 - APG 34.2/33.0 - MPG 1 – 2/2 – 6: RECORD De’Aaron Fox – Kings 10.0/12.7 - PPG 2.8/3.7 - RPG 5.0/5.0 - APG 27.3/27.0 - MPG 0 – 4/1 – 8: RECORD ANSWERING THE CALL – A.I.’s rookie year
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. Who oddly enough 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 third week of Allen Iverson’s rookie year opened up in the Mecca, also known as Madison Square Garden, and A.I. put on a show. The guard scored a then season-high 35 points (including an impressive 5-for-9 from three) to lead Philly to a 101 – 97 win against the New York Knicks. The Knicks were helpless against the Answer as point guards Charlie Ward and Scott Brooks both fouled out of the contest, in just three quarters, trying to defend the dynamic Iverson. A.I. struggled mightily for the rest of the week shooting a combined 14-for-37 in the two remaining games of the week. Philadelphia lost 110 – 98 to the Marcus Camby led Toronto Raptors. Camby was selected directly after Iverson (second overall) in the 1996 draft. Things did not fare much better in Cleveland as the boys lost 105 – 89 to the Cavaliers. This contest would also see Allen separate his left shoulder and be sidelined for up to a week rehabbing the injury. TWEET OF THE WEEK:
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