The Sixers selections and moves at the 2012 NBA Draft have drawn reviews that range all over the spectrum from the online “experts” as well as the talking heads on television.  Chad Ford ESPN.com’s NBA Insider gave the 76ers a grade of B+ as did Sam Amick over at SI.com.  However, the folks on the tube weren’t as kind. 

While those on the outside have varying opinions on the 7-6′s Draft night activities, one thing is or sure, here at Philadunkia the consensus is that Thursday night’s moves raised more questions for this franchise then they answered.

After the jump, our reviews of the Sixers 2012 NBA Draft…

Continue Reading

With the 15th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft the 76ers front office surprised us and all the “experts” by selecting St. John’s combo-forward Maurice Harkless.  I was up in Newark, New jersey last night and captured  some sound bites from Harkless.  Check them out below.

Harkless had this to say immediatley after being selected by the 7-6 (FYI…He grew up as a NYK’s fan):

 More Draft night video after the jump…

Continue Reading

In a move that actually makes sense, the 76ers have acquired (pending League approval) the draft rights to Mississippi State big man Arnett Moultire from the Miami Heat.  In exchange for Moultrie, the Sixers sent their 45th pick and a future 1st rounder to Miami.

How Moultrie slipped to 27th in the Draft is a mystery.  Every “expert” we researched had the kid inside the Top 20 in the 2012 NBA Draft.  ESPN.com’s Chad Ford predicted Moultire would be selected 18th by the Rockets and draftexpress.com forecasted that the near 7-footer would go at #15 to our Sixers. 

With his tenacity, athleticism, 7-2 wingspan and 37 inch vertical leap Moultrie could instantly cure the Sixers rebounding problems at both ends of the floor.  Moultrie thrives by scoring (16.4 ppg.) off the offensive glass — put back dunks are his preferred method – as well as off the alley-oop.  These high percentage looks helped Moultrie shoot 54.9% from the field last season at Mississippi State. One scout I talked with compared him to a young Jermaine O’Neal, which if you can remember back to when O’Neal was healthy and could actually play, you would know that is a great compliment.  One thing you realize about Moutltrie after only a few minutes of watching the kid play is that he is explosive on the interior because he is so quick and athletic that he grabs boards and puts the ball back up before the defense even know what hit them.  The same can be said for his post game, as Moultire receives the ball and does not hesitate to go to work on a defender.  He just has a unique gift that allows him to score in the paint in a fast and fluid motion.  Still the gift is a little raw and in need of development, so it will be interesting to see how well this natural ability translates to the NBA.

After the jump, some “expert” opinions and video on Moultrie…

Continue Reading

…in the 2012 NBA Draft our Philadelphia 76ers selected Maurice Harkless from St. John’s. 

Wait.  What????  Say that again.

That’s right, 19-year old Maurice Harkless (6-8; 207) is the latest “tweener” forward to join the Sixers roster and to be honest the selection is a bit of surprise, especially considering that Terrence Jones of Kentucky and Arnett Moultire were / are still on the board.  Not one of the online “experts” we researched nor a single scout that I talked with prior to the draft predicted the Sixers would go in this direction, but according to Rod Thorn everyone in the Sixers front office was “on board” with the pick. 

Chad Ford of ESPN.com had Harkless (15.3 ppg. & 8.6 rpg.) going 16th to Houston, while draftexpress.com predicted Harkless would be selected at number 19 by the Magic.

After the jump some reviews on and video of Harkless…  

Continue Reading

The 2012 NBA Draft is just hours away and unless you have been living under The Commodore Barry Bridge, you know what holes the 76ers will be looking to fill tonight.  We have discussed in detail here at Philadunkia that the Sixers’ ills include shooting guard, power forward and center.  Our hope is that tonight Doug Collins finds a player with the #15 pick (or via a trade) that will immediately solve one of those issues.

We showed you what all the “experts” and NBA scouts think of the players that should be available when the Sixers are put on the clock tonight and now it’s time for the scribes here at Philadunkia to predict what the 7-6 will do with the 15th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.  Will it be a SG with a smooth stroke?  Or an athletic power forward who replaces Elton Brand in the starting five by the All-Star Break?  Or will the Sixers take a bit of a flier and grab one of the “upside” 7-footers still on the board in the mid-first round? 

Really, only DC knows what is going to happen in Newark tonight, but after the jump Philadunkia’s own takes a stab at predicting who the 76ers will pick …

 
Continue Reading

As we all know, tonight the 2012 NBA Draft takes place up the turnpike in Newark, NJ.  Our 76ers are coming off of a solid season that few of us predicted, or could have.  Still, as we have discussed at length, this team needs to help in several areas and the 2012 Draft could provide the perfect opportunity for this front office to make some serious moves and improve this team drastically.

Earlier this week, our lame-duck General Manager made a statement that the Sixers will NOT be looking to move up in tonight’s Draft.  But what if that quote is a smoke screen?  What if the Sixers new ownership group and Doug Collins are looking to make a big splash tonight and shake up this roster?   

Let’s imagine for a minute that is the case.  Then the question becomes, Does the Sixers front office make moves to in hopes of winning now or later?

After the jump we look at both options…

 
Continue Reading

Looking back upon the 2011-12 season, it is somewhat difficult to grade Thaddeus Young’s fifth season with the Sixers’ franchise.  While he performed his role well and played very solidly throughout the season, you can’t help but be left with the feeling of wanting more from the lanky lefty. 

Since the Sixers selected Thad in 2007 after just one successful season at Georgia Tech, Philly has kind of been waiting for him to come into his own.  The raw skills were obvious immediately, and after a sophomore campaign in which he started 71 games for the 7-6 and averaged a promising 15 points per, he seemed poised to push the team, and himself to the next level. 

The next couple seasons however saw Young relegated to a role on the bench, and while still productive, many felt that he was not quite living up to his potential.  2011-2012 saw similar inconsistencies from Young, who could often go from anemic to incredible in the same game.  While his numbers didn’t dip, 12.8 ppg and 5.2 rpg this season, compared to 12.7 and 5.3 last year, they didn’t improve either, which is what you look for in a promising young player.  In fact, Thad’s numbers have only fallen since that promising second season; not a great sign for Sixer fans hoping they had found a starting 4 for the future. 

Continue Reading

ESPN.com Insider Chad Ford believes the 7-6 will grab Terrence Jones, a forward out of Kentucky. 

Here’s what Ford has to say about Jones.

Draftexpress.com is predicting the Sixers will select Baylor’s Perry Jones II.   

Here is draftexpress.com’s lenghty report on Jones III.

Sam Amick at SI.com agrees with Chad Ford and forecasts that Doug Collins will grab Terrence Jones.  Amick writes, “Jones could evolve into a long-term frontcourt solution who could play power forward and possibly some small forward (opinions vary there).  Jones is a good passer, defender and rebounder…” .

NBAdraft.net has the 76ers choosing Arnett Moultrie from Mississippi State. 

Continue Reading

Being that we are entering Game 5 of the NBA Finals tonight and are on the verge of LeBron’s first championship, let’s play a game.  I’m going to list agroup of Finals winners and I want you, the readers, to figure out what they all have in common besides a few diamond encrusted rings.

Here we go:

Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics (I’m starting at 1981 because this could go on forever, 1984, 1986, 2008), Los Angeles Lakers (Again starting at 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009,2010) San Antonio Spurs (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007), Miami Heat (2006, 2012*), Chicago Bulls (the entire 6-peat), Detroit Pistons (1989,1990 and arguably 2004)…

If you said each team contained an All-Star, you’d be on the right path.  If you said they each had a Hall of Famer; we would be in the same wave length.  If you said each one of those teams had at least two elite superstars on their rosters at the same time, you should submit your resume for the Sixers Presidential opening because you are one step ahead of favorite Danny Ferry.

Continue Reading

Oh Sweet Lou, what to do with you?

Your deliver the highest of highs along with the lowest of lows and now you may be on your way out of town.

The Sixers leading scorer (Though he came off the bench.) had arguably the best season of his career and finished second behind James Harden for the 2011-2012 6^th Man of the Year Award.  He provided instant offense for the scoring challenged 7-6, played point guard for Doug Collins when needed and hit a some big shots over the course of the season. 

So one would think that Louis Williams would be getting at least a grade of “A” from the scribes here at Philadunkia for his performance in the 2011-12 season.

After the jump, you’ll learn why that’s not going to happen. 

Continue Reading