The Value of Free Throws for the Sixers

Posted by: Jeff McMenamin
11/25/13 3:00 pm EST

Anyone who’s ever played basketball in their lifetime knows the importance of getting to the charity stripe. On any basketball team, more often than not the best player on your team will also be the one that makes and attempts the most free throws. This is the mark of a true scorer.

For the Sixers, getting to the line has been a crutch for this team since 2007, the year Allen Iverson (the franchise’s second all-time leading scorer) was traded to the Denver Nuggets.

In the seasons following Iverson’s departure, the Sixers as a team have only ranked in the top 10 in free throws made for a full season just once — in 2008-09 when they ranked sixth. Otherwise, the Sixers have ranked in the bottom-half of the League in terms of hitting and attempting their freebies since then. Until of course — this season.

GM1: (Shocking) Rapid Reacts

Posted by: C. Smith
10/30/13 10:23 pm EST

Miami Heat

110

FinalRecap | Box Score

114

Philadelphia 76ers

	Thaddeus Young, SF 34 MIN \| 5-15 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 6 REB \| 2 AST \| 2 STL \| 0 BLK \| 5 TO \| 10 PTS \| +11Thad looked rusty in the season opener. His shot was off and he seemed to have trouble with the dribble as well. Most importantly for me, I didn’t like a lot of the looks he got. A number of them were of the long 2-point variety and that’s not Thad’s game.
	Evan Turner, SF 37 MIN \| 10-19 FG \| 6-6 FT \| 4 REB \| 5 AST \| 1 STL \| 0 BLK \| 3 TO \| 26 PTS \| +3“The Enigma” played out of his mind — but doesn’t he always vs. Miami — and I was ready to give him the A+ until that stretch in the late 4th (under 2 mins.) where he hoisted up two awful 3PAs early in the shot clock and then missed a lay-in. But if he can give coach Brown this every night, look out.
	Spencer Hawes, C 29 MIN \| 10-14 FG \| 3-4 FT \| 9 REB \| 2 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 2 TO \| 24 PTS \| +5Spence had a big 1st Q — 8 points; he scored 9 in the 3rd Q and was key to the 4th Q stretch that pushed the Sixers to the W. Good lord, a balanced night from #00. What is the world coming to?
	Michael Carter-Williams, PG 36 MIN \| 6-10 FG \| 6-8 FT \| 7 REB \| 12 AST \| 9 STL \| 0 BLK \| 1 TO \| 22 PTS \| +12What a debut! Simply amazing! Three point shooting and turnovers were supposed to be the kid’s weaknesses coming out of college. So were the NBA scouting reports just wrong or is Brett Brown that good at developing players? His length is a huge factor is slicing through the passing lanes on defense.
	James Anderson, SG 35 MIN \| 3-8 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 6 REB \| 1 AST \| 2 STL \| 0 BLK \| 3 TO \| 8 PTS \| +2It’s beautiful thing to see a shooter rise up and feel a sense of confidence that he is going to drain the shot. I was also a little surprised at his ability to score off the bounce. The throw in 6 boards — well done!
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IVERSON OFFICIALLY RETIRES

Posted by: Jeff McMenamin
10/30/13 6:16 pm EST

In front of a crowd of reporters at the Wells Fargo Center today, Allen Iverson finally closed the book on his basketball career. It was a decision which had taken Iverson three years of contemplation, before he finally decided what he believes is the best route for him and his family at this stage of his life.

Iverson statistically is one of the most decorated Sixers players of all time and — like LeBron James stated earlier this week — is likely the best pound-for-pound basketball player to ever play the game.

He was the 2001 NBA MVP and an 11-time All-Star. He won four NBA scoring titles, three steals titles, was a part of three NBA First Team’s and Second Team’s and won the 1997 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

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Fo’ with the Foes: Miami Heat

Posted by: C. Smith
10/30/13 2:52 pm EST

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 the two time defending NBA Champions.

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.

True Hero: Allen Iverson

Posted by: Jeff McMenamin
10/30/13 12:11 pm EST

The definition of a hero is generally a person or figure, who is admired or idealized for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

As a Philadelphia sports fan my entire life, I have had plenty of opportunities to pick who this person was for me growing up.

There was the hard-hitting but well-spoken Brian Dawkins of the Eagles, that truly left everything he had out on the football field on Sunday’s. He set the tone on defense for a team which reached the Super Bowl in 2004.

There’s the great Chase Utley of the Phillies.

Notes, Links & Tweets

Posted by: C. Smith
10/21/13 2:38 pm EST

Philly.com’s Keith Pompey writes that Lavoy Allen is not very concerned about missing the 76ers open practice on Saturday because he overslept.

Lavoy was at practice on Sunday and coach Brown says the matter will be handled “internally”.

In SI.com’s preseason power rankings, the Sixers did not fair well. Like not well…at all.

The hoop heads at Grantland have differing takes on how watchable the Sixers will be in 2013-14.

Marc Stein at espn.com looks at the 2010 Draft class and determines the possibility of extensions for the remaining players in that Draft still under their rookie deals (see Evan Turner).

Philadunkia 4on4

Posted by: Philadunkia
10/18/13 10:36 am EST

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

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 address four hot button 76ers issues.

THREE’S COMPANY or A CROWD ?

Posted by: C. Smith
09/12/13 1:06 pm EST

Apparently you can forget about Boobie Gibson and/or Chris Duhon joining the 76ers during the season of the tank.

According to a report/Tweet by Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski the Sixers are close to inking former Lakers reserve point guard Darius Morris.

Jason Wolf of delawareonline.com later confirmed Woj’s initial report, so although they probably won’t officially comment for weeks, it seems that the Sixers have added another 6-foot-3 or taller point guard.

Morris will join 2013 NBA Lottery pick Michael Carter Williams and the recently acquired Tony Wroten it what should be an interesting backcourt situation at 76ers training camp.

CAN A FAN BASE GET A MASCOT ?!?

Posted by: Jake Fischer
09/03/13 9:52 am EST

It has been almost two full years since the Philadelphia 76ers announced on November 11, 2011 that their oft-infamous mascot, Hip Hop, had “fallen in love, married, and will relocate to a rural part of Pennsylvania to start a family,”.

The Sixers have been mascot-less ever since.

The organization has been trucking along over the past two seasons. In 2011-2012, the team used it’s alleged momentum from one measly victory over a lethargic Miami Heat team that was up 3-0 in the first round of the 2011 playoffs as their identity and sales pitch to fans.

In 2012-2013, the team’s mascot was essentially this guy.

That colossal mistake — although, we all must admit it was a trade they had to make — is far from the happy-go-lucky beginnings of the sideshow the 76ers originally created in Big Shot back in the late 1970’s.

IVERSON > TMAC

Posted by: Jake Fischer
08/29/13 8:17 am EST

37,584 minutes. 24,368 points. 6,375 free throws. 1,983 steals. 23 Player of the Week awards. 10 All-Star appearances. 4-Time NBA scoring champion. 3 First Team All-NBA selections. 2 All-Star Game MVPs. 1 NBA MVP Award.

But the number that truly defines Allen Iverson is 6. Yes, a six-foot guard from Georgetown, Allen Iverson.

Iverson was more of a transcendent icon than he was a phenomenal basketball player. What he accomplished at the small height of six feet — which we all know is a fib — is what catapulted him into sports history. You know what? Screw sports history. American history.

It’s what makes Iverson a cold-stone-lock Hall of Famer and separates him from the likes of Tracy McGrady.

	Thaddeus Young, SF 34 MIN \| 5-15 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 6 REB \| 2 AST \| 2 STL \| 0 BLK \| 5 TO \| 10 PTS \| +11Thad looked rusty in the season opener. His shot was off and he seemed to have trouble with the dribble as well. Most importantly for me, I didn’t like a lot of the looks he got. A number of them were of the long 2-point variety and that’s not Thad’s game.
	Evan Turner, SF 37 MIN \| 10-19 FG \| 6-6 FT \| 4 REB \| 5 AST \| 1 STL \| 0 BLK \| 3 TO \| 26 PTS \| +3“The Enigma” played out of his mind — but doesn’t he always vs. Miami — and I was ready to give him the A+ until that stretch in the late 4th (under 2 mins.) where he hoisted up two awful 3PAs early in the shot clock and then missed a lay-in. But if he can give coach Brown this every night, look out.
	Spencer Hawes, C 29 MIN \| 10-14 FG \| 3-4 FT \| 9 REB \| 2 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 2 TO \| 24 PTS \| +5Spence had a big 1st Q — 8 points; he scored 9 in the 3rd Q and was key to the 4th Q stretch that pushed the Sixers to the W. Good lord, a balanced night from #00. What is the world coming to?
	Michael Carter-Williams, PG 36 MIN \| 6-10 FG \| 6-8 FT \| 7 REB \| 12 AST \| 9 STL \| 0 BLK \| 1 TO \| 22 PTS \| +12What a debut! Simply amazing! Three point shooting and turnovers were supposed to be the kid’s weaknesses coming out of college. So were the NBA scouting reports just wrong or is Brett Brown that good at developing players? His length is a huge factor is slicing through the passing lanes on defense.
	James Anderson, SG 35 MIN \| 3-8 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 6 REB \| 1 AST \| 2 STL \| 0 BLK \| 3 TO \| 8 PTS \| +2It’s beautiful thing to see a shooter rise up and feel a sense of confidence that he is going to drain the shot. I was also a little surprised at his ability to score off the bounce. The throw in 6 boards — well done!
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