Wiggins Watch: March Madness Edition

Posted by: Alex Gorge
03/19/14 11:03 am EST
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wigginsblackbckdropThose who are predicting the early demise of the Kansas Jayhawks in the NCAA tournament because of center Joel Embiid’s injury may want to rethink their bracket selections.  As the saying goes, “Man down, next man up.”

The man who now has to shoulder an even heavier load for Bill Self’s team during March Madness is freshman sensation and scoring machine Andrew Wiggins, who as my colleague Michael Kaskey-Blomain explained yesterday (Via ESPN.com’s Chad Ford) is a propsect that the 76ers front office holds in high regard.

And for those of you have been living under the Ben Franklin Bride recently — Wiggins has been simply unstoppable in the month of March.


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GM66: Rapid (Lucky 21) Reacts

Posted by: C. Smith
03/18/14 10:05 am EST
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Philadelphia 76ers 90 FinalRecap | Box Score 99 Indiana Pacers
Thaddeus Young, PF 41 MIN | 9-19 FG | 1-3 FT | 5 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 2 BLK | 3 TO | 23 PTS | -1Thad started the night by burying 2 threes in the 1st Q.  He also had 10 points in the 3rd Q.  #21 was over-matched trying to guard David West, but he hung tough all night on the defensive end.

Henry Sims, C 28 MIN | 3-10 FG | 3-4 FT | 11 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 9 PTS | +8Sims did not have his shooting touch last night, but it is a pleasure to watch a big who understands defensive rotations and is willing to do the grunt work down low to help his team.

Michael Carter-Williams, PG 43 MIN | 7-20 FG | 1-5 FT | 13 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 6 TO | 15 PTS | -7A solid (But IMO quiet) double-double from the ROY candidate. He has now led the Sixers in rebs in 3 straight games and 5 of the last 6.  I am not usually one to complain about the refs, but when MCW starts getting respect from the guys wearing the stripes, his life will be a lot easier and his stats will go through the roof.  Still, he has to slow down on the 3PAs, cut back on the TOs (6) and you must make those FTs.

Tony Wroten, SG 36 MIN | 7-18 FG | 3-3 FT | 4 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 17 PTS | -3Outside of shooting too many 3-balls, a solid night by Wroten who scored 7 points in the 4th Q to help the Sixers stay close in this one.  I just don’t understand why a career 21% shooter from three continues to jack up 3PAs.  FYI…TWroe is averaging 15.6 ppg. in March.

Hollis Thompson, SG 41 MIN | 6-7 FG | 1-1 FT | 6 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 17 PTS | -6A 10 point 2nd Q by Thompson set up his biggest night in months.  He was money from deep and helped out on the boards against Indy’s big frontline.


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GM65: Rapid (So Close) Reacts

Posted by: C. Smith
03/15/14 12:13 pm EST
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Indiana Pacers 101 FinalRecap | Box Score 94 Philadelphia 76ers
Thaddeus Young, PF 45 MIN | 10-31 FG | 5-6 FT | 6 REB | 10 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 25 PTS | -1A double-double as well as career high in dimes and FGAs for Thad were over shadowed by the fact that #21 shot 30% from the field and was 0-6 from deep.  His 10 points in the 4th Q (14 total in 2nd half) kept the Sixers competitive.  To be honest it was a good thing Thad was off last night or the Sixers may have won this game.

Henry Sims, C 21 MIN | 2-8 FG | 2-2 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 6 PTS | -7Sims faced a solid frontline for the first time in his NBA career and what we learned is that he has some work to do.

Michael Carter-Williams, PG 41 MIN | 5-16 FG | 1-1 FT | 9 REB | 8 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 12 PTS | -7The rookie posted a near triple-double and for the third time in the last four games, MCW was the Sixers leading rebounder. However, his shooting woes continue and he scored only 2 points in the 4th Q.

James Anderson, SG 39 MIN | 5-11 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 11 PTS | -7This was a “heat check” game for JA who had been averaging 18 per over his last 4 games.  Anderson scored only 3 points in the 2nd half when the Sixers climbed back into the one.

Hollis Thompson, SG 33 MIN | 3-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 8 PTS | -1This was the first solid game Thompson has played in some time.  He scored 5 points in the 3rd Q and helped keep this one close.


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Fo’ with the Foes: Indiana Pacers

Posted by: C. Smith
03/14/14 3:25 pm EST
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pacersshelbyeditedThis 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 Indiana Pacers who have lost 4 of 5 and as we all know now boast Evan “The Enigma” Turner and Andrew Bynum as a key members of their rotation.

After the jump, I’ll look a Fo’ key items for tonight’s game. Additionally, we’ll get a little more insight into the Pacers team the Sixers face tonight from our colleague Jared Wade at  EightPointsNineSeconds.com as Jared will answer Fo’ questions on the Pacers from us here at Philadunkia.


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GM64: Rapid (18 & Beautiful) Reacts

Posted by: C. Smith
03/13/14 9:43 am EST
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Sacramento Kings 115 FinalRecap | Box Score 98 Philadelphia 76ers
Thaddeus Young, PF 39 MIN | 5-18 FG | 6-8 FT | 6 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 16 PTS | -16It was a roller coaster night for Thad who played with his usual high energy and thus scored some amazing buckets like his 1st Q tip-follow, but his shot was not falling and at times I thought he was forcing his jumper.  His 7 points in the 2nd Q kept this game interesting until the after half time.

Henry Sims, C 31 MIN | 5-12 FG | 10-11 FT | 10 REB | 3 AST | 3 STL | 2 BLK | 3 TO | 20 PTS | +2Sims posted career-highs of 20 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double.  #35 was agressive on the boards all night and went right at the Kings defenders when he had the rock.  The great tip-in he had in the 4th Q was a result of hard work and tenacity, items this roster needs more of these days.

Michael Carter-Williams, PG 38 MIN | 5-14 FG | 2-3 FT | 7 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 7 TO | 13 PTS | -14One game after posting a triple-double, MCW’s shooting woes returned and it was not pretty.  Last night he missed a couple of bunnies and I felt that just drained the life out of the Sixers rookie.  MCW also turned it over 7 times.  However he did have a beautifeul dime to Thad for and AND1 in the 3rd Q and grabbed 7 or more rebs for the 3rd consecutive game.

James Anderson, SG 31 MIN | 6-12 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 17 PTS | -11I don’t know where JA’s shooting stroke has been all year, but if he shoots us to a win down the stretch, I’m going to be pissed.  In his last 4 runs, Anderson has been good for 18 ppg. on nearly 50% shooting from the field.

Hollis Thompson, SG 28 MIN | 2-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 5 PTS | -1Can a guy who scores 5 points in 28 ticks vs. the Kings really be a a “keeper”?


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A Method Behind Hinkie’s Roster Moves

Posted by: Alex Hootan
03/12/14 10:20 am EST
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sam-hinkieThose of us who have followed the 76ers for a while as devoted fans or professional sport writers understand the facts of what Sam Hinkie is trying to accomplish in the 2013-14 season.

We appreciate the way he traded established players for a stock pile draft picks.  We are aware that under watchful eye of head coach Brett Brown, Hinkie is trying to develop young players. And perhaps most importantly, we recognize that Hinkie is losing a great deal of games this season for ping pong balls at the 2014 NBA Draft Lottery.

But one element of Hinkie’s rebuilding project that has been intriguing and at times mysterious, is the revolving door of reserve players he has signed only to get rid of them after a few weeks or months at most.

The  Sixers roster has changed so often this season it makes us wonder, “Is there a method behind Hinkie’s frequent roster moves?”

The evidence indicates that there is in fact a method to Hinkie’s ways and after the jump, I’ll explain that possible method in detail.


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GM63: Rapid (17 & Counting) Reacts

Posted by: Philadunkia
03/11/14 9:43 am EST
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Philadelphia 76ers 110 FinalRecap | Box Score 123 New York Knicks
Thaddeus Young, PF 40 MIN | 8-22 FG | 1-2 FT | 9 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 18 PTS | -11Thad started the game by scoring 9 points in the 1st Q, but he ended the 1st half shooting 4-12 from the field.  He scored only 2 points in the 3rd Q.

Henry Sims, C 20 MIN | 4-4 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 2 TO | 10 PTS | -1I thought Sims played outstanding during the 1st half which included him shooting 4-4 from the field and playing with high energy. Which is why his limited minutes in the 3rd Q are so frustrating to me. I know he quickly picked up two fouls to open the 2nd half, but who cares. Leave Sims in there and let him play. If he fouls out, big frickin’ deal you are trying to lose games anyhow.

Michael Carter-Williams, PG 37 MIN | 8-12 FG | 6-9 FT | 13 REB | 10 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 4 TO | 23 PTS | 0We could look back at this night as the game where MCW got his ROY campaign back on track with a stellar triple-double (His 2nd of year).  Thank you Raymond Felton.  MCW did a great job of driving to the tin and finishing last night.  It’s also the 2nd straight game he has led the team in rebounding.  That’s good and bad news.

James Anderson, SG 35 MIN | 7-12 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 17 PTS | -8A solid shooting night from Anderson included 10 points in the 1st Q.  But don’t get too excited, the NYK are simply horrible on defense. However we should not that in his last 3 games JA is averaging 18 points per on 48.7% shooting.

Hollis Thompson, SG 23 MIN | 2-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 5 PTS | +3A return to the starting lineup by “The Keeper” has not helped his shooting stroke.  The two early in the shot clock, 3PAs he bricked on back-to-back offensive trips during the 3rd Q were simply laughable.


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GM62: Rapid (Sweet 16) Reacts

Posted by: C. Smith
03/09/14 12:59 pm EST
One comment
Utah Jazz 104 FinalRecap | Box Score 92 Philadelphia 76ers
Thaddeus Young, PF Shot Chart 39 MIN | 8-16 FG | 1-2 FT | 0 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 2 BLK | 0 TO | 18 PTS | -3After seven 1st Q points I thought Thad was headed for a huge night and was going to will this team to a W.  Overall it was a solid stat night from Thad, but he hoisted up too many 3PAs for my taste and he did not grab a single rebound.

Henry Sims, C Shot Chart 26 MIN | 2-8 FG | 1-2 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 5 PTS | -12This was Sims worst shooting game as a 76er, but I still liked a lot of what I saw last night.  His hustle and defense did not go unnoticed.

Michael Carter-Williams, PG Shot Chart 34 MIN | 2-13 FG | 0-0 FT | 7 REB | 9 AST | 5 STL | 1 BLK | 4 TO | 4 PTS | -6MCW’s shooting stroke has gone MIA and he slowly losing his grip on the ROY Award.  All 4 of his points came in the 1st half.

James Anderson, SG Shot Chart 33 MIN | 5-11 FG | 4-4 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 16 PTS | -2Anderson hit a hot streak in this game when scored 10 points between the end of the 2nd Q and the mid 3rd.  I liked that he got to the FT line and converted and that he actually grabbed a few rebs (6).

Hollis Thompson, SG Shot Chart 17 MIN | 1-2 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 4 PTS | +7“The Keeper” ddin’t do anything spectacular last night, but he did grab 3 more boards than Thad.


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Tempering Expectations for Hollis

Posted by: Alex Gorge
03/07/14 11:02 am EST
4 Comments

Hollis ThompsonIn the last week two articles have been published online discussing how Brett Brown believes wingman Hollis Thompson is “a keeper” and foreshadowing a potential vital role in the future of this franchise for this 76er rookie. At the end of January, I wrote a post saying that Thompson deserved a roster spot next year and maybe, just maybe, if he put in a great deal of work, Thompson could become a James Posey type player.

While I still believe that is a possibility, I am also cautioning Philadunkia nation to temper their expectations for the former Georgetown Hoya, because in reality Thompson is simply a decent young prospect in one of the worst rookie classes in recent NBA history.


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Vegas: Sixers Will Go 0-Fer

Posted by: C. Smith
03/06/14 2:33 pm EST
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las-vegasLast week I authored a post in which I anlayzed the 76ers’ remaining schedule and hypothesized that the team stood a “puncher’s chance” of winning two or three more games over the rest of this dreadful season.

Yesterday I was emailing with a colleague at Bovada.lv and we were discussing the sorry state of the 76ers, the 22  games they have left to play in 2013-14 and my previously mentioned post, when I inquired if he could send me some odds and info regarding the Sixers chances of winning another game this year.

 


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