How Do You Define “Success”?

Posted by: Rich Iacuzio
04/22/14 8:38 am EST

The 2013-14 season was quite the struggle for our Sixers as they finished out the year with a 19-63 record. This forgettable season included many players on 10-day contracts, a flury of deals at the NBA trade deadline and a 26 game losing streak. Could this season really be considered a success?

Well, according to 76ers managing owner Josh Harris, this past season could be considered a “huge success”.

So, Josh Harris, you believe 19 wins in an 82 game schedule can be considered a success? Sixers fans, the local main stream media and many on sports talk radio are quite upset at Josh Harris. They have a right to be upset, but in all honesty, I agree with Josh Harris. This season was a success for many reasons.

ESPN Loves to Stir Things Up

Posted by: Alex Gorge
04/18/14 11:04 am EST

Do you ever watch ESPN or read ESPN.com and catch yourself thinking one or more of the following:

“This is not f@*%$*^ sports news.” or “This has absolutely nothing to do with sports.”

“This is a ridiculous argument.” or “No one would have reported this twenty years ago.”

Maybe it is just me but I constantly find myself yelling at segments I see on First Take and other speculative sports shows. The thing about it is that once I yell, ESPN wins. ESPN wins because even though the segment may have had no relevant sports importance or may be a completely ridiculous sports argument, it made me react. Twenty years ago sports reporting was all real news and extremely professional. Through social media arising and attention spans declining, the sports news world has completely changed. Any average fan can now find the critical news they want in about two seconds on their phone.

So at a certain point what does ESPN have left to talk about that we haven’t already read or seen? Controversy, that’s what.

GM 82: Rapid (Win Streak) Reacts

Posted by: C. Smith
04/17/14 8:42 am EST

Philadelphia 76ers

100

FinalRecap | Box Score

Miami Heat

	Thaddeus Young, PF 30 MIN \| 9-17 FG \| 2-2 FT \| 9 REB \| 2 AST \| 2 STL \| 0 BLK \| 3 TO \| 20 PTS \| 0Thad came out and played with his usual energy against the Miami reserves and scored 10 points in the opening quarter. #21 also scored 6 straight when the Sixers pulled away from the Heat in the 3rd Q. T he fade away Thad hit in the late 3rd Q was ridculous. Thad was a true professional all season despite the tank job he was subject to this year. He averaged a career- and team-high 17.9 ppg. overall and in the month of March he was good for 20/5/3 along with 2 steals a night.
	Henry Sims, C 31 MIN \| 4-7 FG \| 2-2 FT \| 7 REB \| 3 AST \| 2 STL \| 0 BLK \| 2 TO \| 10 PTS \| -3A near double-double for the San Hinkie’s diamond in the rough. Sims had AND 1 plays in the 2nd and 3rd Q’s. Additionally, Sims hit a big bucket in the 4th to keep the Heat at arm’s length. He also did a nice job on the glass. If anyone should be wearing “The Keeper” label, it’s this guy.
	Michael Carter-Williams, PG 34 MIN \| 3-10 FG \| 3-4 FT \| 6 REB \| 4 AST \| 0 STL \| 1 BLK \| 3 TO \| 12 PTS \| -2After shooting 55% from the field in the last 7 games and not attempting any threes in the previous six contests, MCW posted an odd box score — 30% shooting form the field, but 3 of 5 on 3PAs. He only attempted 3 FGs in the 1st half yet managed to score 8 points. His rejection of a Toney Douglas floater in the 4th Q was tremendous. JUst 3 TOs last night!
	James Anderson, SG 18 MIN \| 3-5 FG \| 2-2 FT \| 3 REB \| 2 AST \| 2 STL \| 1 BLK \| 0 TO \| 10 PTS \| +6Anderson was brought here to knock down open jumpers and last night he actually did his job. Although watching him try to defend the Miami perimeter players was hilarious. There was a funny sequence last night where JA got switched off onto Wade and the former All-Star put Anderson on skates.
	Adonis Thomas, SG 5 MIN \| 1-2 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 0 REB \| 1 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 0 TO \| 3 PTS \| +1I was shocked that Thomas got the start over Hollis “The Keeper” Thompson and I’ll be even more shocked if we ever see Thomas in a Sixers uniform again.
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2013-14 Costly Wins List

Posted by: Rich Iacuzio
04/14/14 9:00 am EST

With the 2013-14 season coming down to a close, it’s almost a 100% certainty that the Milwaukee Bucks will finish with the worst record in the League and have the most ping pong balls at the 2014 Draft Lottery. The 76ers had their share of chances to slide past the Bucks into the Association’s basement, but a few wins this season prevented them from doing so.

We all remember the wins against the Miami Heat, Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls, that rcoketed the Sixers out to a 3-0 start. Those are the obvious choices to make the “costly wins of the year” list. But, let’s dig a little deeper into the season, and look back and several other victories that helped cost the 76ers the best odds at the #1 draft pick in the 2014 NBA Draft as well as made Sam Hinkie’s blood boil.

Fo’ with the Foes: Memphis Grizzlies

Posted by: C. Smith
04/11/14 9:13 am EST

This Friday 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 upcoming 76ers’ games – features tonight’s opponent, the Memphis Grizzlies, who defeated the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, own a 6-4 record in their last 10 games and are currently 1 game back in the standings for the eight seed in the Western Conference playoff race.

After the jump, I’ll look a Fo’ key items for tonight’s game. Additionally, we’ll get a little more insight into this Memphis team the Sixers face tonight from our colleague Chip Crain at 3 Shades of Blue.com, as Chip will answer Fo’ questions on his Grizzlies from us here at Philadunkia.
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Fo’ with the Foes: Toronto Raptors

Posted by: C. Smith
04/09/14 11:37 am EST

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 upcoming 76ers’ games – features tonight’s opponent, the Toronto Raptors, who currently hold the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race and have won six of their last seven 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 William Lou at raptorsrepublic.com, as William will answer Fo’ questions on his Raptors from us here at Philadunkia.

MCW Has the ROY on Lock

Posted by: Alex Gorge
04/07/14 3:03 pm EST

Two words: Cash Crane.

On a recent cruise to Mexico, I played this game while waiting for a spot to open at one of the blackjack tables. I should’ve never gone near this machine. It took my soul.

The quick premise: a bunch of bundled wads of a hundred ones and a three pronged crane. For one dollar, you receive one try to wrap the crane around one of the wads of cash and return it to the drop zone.

While waiting for another showdown with that snake in the grass black jack dealer, Godwin from Zimbabwe, I tried Cash Crane for the first time. Fool’s gold, I secured one of the bundles with the crane and everyone in the casino began to shout. The crane was maybe four inches away from the drop zone when the bundle came loose and clanged off the side of it. Everyone lost their minds as though I just missed the game winning jump shot in game seven of the NBA finals. A group of people shouted “Feed the machine”. Another group chimed in, “Everyone wins at Cash Crane”. After that, I was hooked for the entire week and the truth is, no one wins at Cash Crane.

It is a one in a thousand chance. Kind of like the odds of selecting a productive player in the 2013 NBA draft.

Fo’ with the Foes: Boston Celtics

Posted by: C. Smith
04/04/14 2:15 pm EST

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 six straight and took their worst beating of the season (26-point loss to Wizards) on Wednesday night, but boast the lovely Maria Menounos (pic at left) as their #1 fan.

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 (23-52) 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.

GM75: Rapid (Big AL) Reacts

Posted by: C. Smith
04/03/14 11:03 am EST

Charlotte Bobcats

123

FinalRecap | Box Score

Philadelphia 76ers

	Thaddeus Young, PF 34 MIN \| 4-13 FG \| 3-3 FT \| 5 REB \| 4 AST \| 2 STL \| 0 BLK \| 4 TO \| 11 PTS \| -21Here’s a line I never thought I would write: Last night Thad got shut down by Cody Zeller.
	Henry Sims, C 31 MIN \| 5-13 FG \| 5-7 FT \| 6 REB \| 2 AST \| 1 STL \| 0 BLK \| 1 TO \| 15 PTS \| -28Last night was the first time I have seem Sims struggle on defense as he simply got abused by Al Jefferson. But I’ll give Sims credit he was one of the few Sixers who got involved early in this game with 4 points in the 1st Q.
	Michael Carter-Williams, PG 27 MIN \| 10-18 FG \| 2-4 FT \| 7 REB \| 3 AST \| 0 STL \| 1 BLK \| 1 TO \| 22 PTS \| -18MCW came out firing in the 1st Q (3-5 on FGAs) and other than Sims was really the only bright spot on offense for the Sixers during the early going. MCW also put up 12 points in the 2nd Q including a filthy AND 1, but by than the Sixers were trailing by 15+ and this game was essentially over. I really liked that he only turned the ballover 1 time against a good defensive unit in Charlotte.
	James Anderson, SG 25 MIN \| 0-4 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 3 REB \| 2 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 1 TO \| 0 PTS \| -16The journeyman comes crashing back to reality.
	Hollis Thompson, SG 26 MIN \| 3-5 FG \| 2-2 FT \| 2 REB \| 0 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 1 TO \| 9 PTS \| -22I have a hard time grading “The Keeper’s” performance last night. His numbers are decent, but if you watched the game, you know that he was invisible during the 1st and 2nd Q’s while the Sixers weer getting steam rolled. Of course, he wasn’t the only one.
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Avoid the Mistakes Made By the Lake

Posted by: Josh Newman
04/02/14 9:43 am EST

76ers General Manager Sam Hinkie entered this season with a very specific plan on where he wanted to take the franchise and so far, he has done a phenomenal job.

He’ll never admit it, nor will the word ‘tanking’ ever come out of his mouth, but Hinkie wanted the 2013-14 Sixers to be bad.

Historically bad.

Which they are.

The plan was to bottom-out, stock up on draft picks and build from the ground up. As the regular season moves inside its final 10 games and teams are jockeying for position, both in the playoffs and the Draft Lottery, the Sixers currently are in line for a ridiculous seven draft picks.

	Thaddeus Young, PF 30 MIN \| 9-17 FG \| 2-2 FT \| 9 REB \| 2 AST \| 2 STL \| 0 BLK \| 3 TO \| 20 PTS \| 0Thad came out and played with his usual energy against the Miami reserves and scored 10 points in the opening quarter. #21 also scored 6 straight when the Sixers pulled away from the Heat in the 3rd Q. T he fade away Thad hit in the late 3rd Q was ridculous. Thad was a true professional all season despite the tank job he was subject to this year. He averaged a career- and team-high 17.9 ppg. overall and in the month of March he was good for 20/5/3 along with 2 steals a night.
	Henry Sims, C 31 MIN \| 4-7 FG \| 2-2 FT \| 7 REB \| 3 AST \| 2 STL \| 0 BLK \| 2 TO \| 10 PTS \| -3A near double-double for the San Hinkie’s diamond in the rough. Sims had AND 1 plays in the 2nd and 3rd Q’s. Additionally, Sims hit a big bucket in the 4th to keep the Heat at arm’s length. He also did a nice job on the glass. If anyone should be wearing “The Keeper” label, it’s this guy.
	Michael Carter-Williams, PG 34 MIN \| 3-10 FG \| 3-4 FT \| 6 REB \| 4 AST \| 0 STL \| 1 BLK \| 3 TO \| 12 PTS \| -2After shooting 55% from the field in the last 7 games and not attempting any threes in the previous six contests, MCW posted an odd box score — 30% shooting form the field, but 3 of 5 on 3PAs. He only attempted 3 FGs in the 1st half yet managed to score 8 points. His rejection of a Toney Douglas floater in the 4th Q was tremendous. JUst 3 TOs last night!
	James Anderson, SG 18 MIN \| 3-5 FG \| 2-2 FT \| 3 REB \| 2 AST \| 2 STL \| 1 BLK \| 0 TO \| 10 PTS \| +6Anderson was brought here to knock down open jumpers and last night he actually did his job. Although watching him try to defend the Miami perimeter players was hilarious. There was a funny sequence last night where JA got switched off onto Wade and the former All-Star put Anderson on skates.
	Adonis Thomas, SG 5 MIN \| 1-2 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 0 REB \| 1 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 0 TO \| 3 PTS \| +1I was shocked that Thomas got the start over Hollis “The Keeper” Thompson and I’ll be even more shocked if we ever see Thomas in a Sixers uniform again.
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	Thaddeus Young, PF 34 MIN \| 4-13 FG \| 3-3 FT \| 5 REB \| 4 AST \| 2 STL \| 0 BLK \| 4 TO \| 11 PTS \| -21Here’s a line I never thought I would write: Last night Thad got shut down by Cody Zeller.
	Henry Sims, C 31 MIN \| 5-13 FG \| 5-7 FT \| 6 REB \| 2 AST \| 1 STL \| 0 BLK \| 1 TO \| 15 PTS \| -28Last night was the first time I have seem Sims struggle on defense as he simply got abused by Al Jefferson. But I’ll give Sims credit he was one of the few Sixers who got involved early in this game with 4 points in the 1st Q.
	Michael Carter-Williams, PG 27 MIN \| 10-18 FG \| 2-4 FT \| 7 REB \| 3 AST \| 0 STL \| 1 BLK \| 1 TO \| 22 PTS \| -18MCW came out firing in the 1st Q (3-5 on FGAs) and other than Sims was really the only bright spot on offense for the Sixers during the early going. MCW also put up 12 points in the 2nd Q including a filthy AND 1, but by than the Sixers were trailing by 15+ and this game was essentially over. I really liked that he only turned the ballover 1 time against a good defensive unit in Charlotte.
	James Anderson, SG 25 MIN \| 0-4 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 3 REB \| 2 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 1 TO \| 0 PTS \| -16The journeyman comes crashing back to reality.
	Hollis Thompson, SG 26 MIN \| 3-5 FG \| 2-2 FT \| 2 REB \| 0 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 1 TO \| 9 PTS \| -22I have a hard time grading “The Keeper’s” performance last night. His numbers are decent, but if you watched the game, you know that he was invisible during the 1st and 2nd Q’s while the Sixers weer getting steam rolled. Of course, he wasn’t the only one.
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