This edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” – Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews key upcoming 76ers games – features tonight’s opponent, the Boston Celtics who have lost 6 of their last 7 games and received a 26-point smackdown from the New York Knicks last night.

After the jump, I’ll look a Fo’ key items for tonight’s game. Additionally, we’ll get a little more insight into this Boston team the Sixers face tonight from our colleague Kwapt B at red’sarmy.com, as Kwapt B will answer Fo’ questions on his Celtics squad from us here at Philadunkia.

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This edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” – Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews key upcoming 76ers games – features tonight’s opponent, the Phoenix Suns who have cooled off a little since their ridiculous start to the 2013-14 season, but are coming off a tremendous comeback win in Cleveland on Sunday night.

After the jump, I’ll look a Fo’ key items for tonight’s game. Additionally, we’ll get a little more insight into this Phoenix team the Sixers face tonight from our colleague Kevin Zimmerman at valleyofthesuns.com, as Kevin will answer Fo’ questions on his Suns squad from us here at Philadunkia.

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This edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” – Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews key upcoming 76ers games – features tonight’s opponent, the Toronto Raptors who are currently holding down the 4th spot in the East despite posting a 2-3 record in their last 5 games.

After the jump, I’ll look a Fo’ key items for tonight’s game.  Additionally, we’ll get a little more insight into this Toronto team the Sixers face tonight from our colleague Sam Halako at  raptorsrepublic.com, as Sam will answer Fo’ questions on his Raptors from us here at Philadunkia.

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Recently there has been a great deal of discussion about where rising Pacers guard Lance Stephenson will play next year after his current contract expires.  Normally I get irritated about this type of speculation surrounding a young player who is the middle of a very good season, but really hasn’t totally proven himself yet.  However, in this case, the speculation is warranted.

The Brooklyn product has had an absolute breakout year when he was expected to become just a good role player on a Pacers team with Eastern Conference title aspirations.  When I say breakout year I mean a borderline All-Star who has cemented himself as a possible triple-double threat.  More impressive than that is the fact that Stephenson has done this on a title contender rather than taking volume shots on a bottom feeding team.

So could this talented shooting guard be a missing piece to Sam Hinkie’s 76ers puzzle?

I will explore this scenario and what it could mean for the 76ers after the jump.

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DISCLAIMER:  The following post is NOT an outright endorsement of Joel Embiid as the 76ers 2014 NBA Draft Lottery selection.  It is simply a hypothetical idea that crossed my mind this past holiday weekend as I watched Embiid help Kansas defeat Oklahoma State and Baylor…

Leading up to the 2013-14 college basketball season my thoughts on the 2014 Draft class were that either Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker would be the best fit for the 7-6.  As I have watched both of those All-America caliber kids play this year, my pre-season thoughts have not wavered like many of the “experts” out there.  Both are athletic, fantastic wing players who could step right in and start for Brett Brown.  Either one would be a tremendous fit as a draft pick for the Sixers.

However, as the college basketball season shifts into high gear, I have begun to take a much closer look at some of the other elite prospects around the nation.  So this past holiday weekend I closely watched (and rewatched via DVR) Joel Embiid of Kansas play in two games against very respectable competition.

As I watched and took notes on Embiid, who has recently sky rocketed up draft boards, I asked myself the following , “What if the Sixers are in a position to select Joel Embiid ?  What if Hinkie is on the clock and Embiid is the best player available?  Would Joel Embiid be a good fit here?” 

 
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After dropping both ends of a back-to-back set this weekend, the Sixers have now lost six of their last seven games.  The last two defeats  – Friday’s loss to a motivated Heat squad and last night’s ass whopping by the Bulls — were simply too embarrassing to warrant a Rapid Reacts post.

At the end of the 2013-14 season, we may look back at this lost weekend in mid-January and recognize it as the moment when the season of the tank became unwatchable.

After the jump, a look at some of the disturbing trends and numbers from Friday and Saturday night.

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This 2013-14 opening day edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” – Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews key upcoming 76ers games – features tonight’s opponent, the Miami Heat who are not playing like two time defending NBA Champions right now and thus are experiencing a 3-game losing skid right.

After the jump, I’ll look a Fo’ key items for tonight’s game.  Additionally, we’ll get a little more insight into the Heat team the Sixers face tonight from our man Wes Goldberg at AllUCanHeat.com as Wes will answer Fo’ questions on the Heat from us here at Philadunkia.

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Draining the game winning 3-pointer last night for the 76ers (pic at left) was just the latest jaw dropping feat in what has been a stellar year for veteran forward Thaddeus Young.  

In addition to averaging career highs of 17.6 ppg. (19.8 in his last 10) and 6.6 rpg., Thad has become the leader of this Sixers’ roster and a Philadunkia nation favorite during one of the toughest seasons in the history of this franchise.  

The bonus to his heightened play this year is that Thad remains one of the classiest guys in the League.

As he pushes for a spot on the 2014 East All-Star squad, Thad took some time to jump on the phone with Philadunkia’s Jeff McMenamin and answer questions on the standout season he is having; his alleged trade request and the advice he is giving to his young teammates. 

Q&A after the J…

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This edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” – Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series, which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews key upcoming 76ers games – features tonight’s opponent, the Charlotte Bobcats, who have lost eight of their last ten, but got a solid win against New York last night and currently sit inthe 8th and final playoff spot in the East.

After the jump, I’ll look at Fo’ key items for tonight’s game.  Additionally, we’ll get a little more insight into this Charlotte team the Sixers face tonight from our colleague Spencer Percy at queencityhoops.com, as Spencer will answer Fo’ questions on his Bobcats squad from us here at Philadunkia.

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It’s time for another edition of Philadunkia’s 4on4 series…

As a reminder, this Philadunkia question and answer series is “loosely based” on ESPN.com’s highly successful, NBA related series of posts titled “5on5″.  Our version of this genre of posts will ask 4 Philadunkia scribes to answer 4 topical, hot button questions about our Philadelphia 76ers.

Now you’re probably asking, “Why not simply stick with the “5on5″ format that ESPN.com uses?”

Well as any great hoops coach will tell you — playing 4on4 is the best way to truly learn the game of basketball.

After the jump four Philadunkia scribes will look at four pressing 76ers topics.

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