2013-14 Costly Wins List

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

draft-lotteryWith 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.


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Fo’ with the Foes: Memphis Grizzlies

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

laurengrizzThis 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

kat_headshot_newThis 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.


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MCW Has the ROY on Lock

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

carter-williams_chest_upTwo 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.


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Fo’ with the Foes: Boston Celtics

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

mariaThis 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.


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GM75: Rapid (Big AL) Reacts

Posted by: Philadunkia
04/03/14 11:03 am EST
Charlotte Bobcats 123 FinalRecap | Box Score 93 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

anthonybennett76ers 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.


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GM74: Rapid (LouWilVille) Reacts

Posted by: C. Smith
04/01/14 9:43 am EST
Philadelphia 76ers 95 FinalRecap | Box Score 103 Atlanta Hawks
Thaddeus Young, PF 36 MIN | 7-10 FG | 4-4 FT | 3 REB | 4 AST | 4 STL | 3 BLK | 3 TO | 23 PTS | -11A hot start included Thad drilling 3 of his 4 3PAs in the 1st Q and 11 points total in the Q.  But it was his play in the 2nd Q that really stood out for me last night.  In that Q Thad blocked shots; had a couple steals; handed out several pretty dimes and drained a 3-ball.  Thad hit another big three to get the 7-6 within 92-89 in the 4th Q.

Henry Sims, C 27 MIN | 3-8 FG | 2-3 FT | 5 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 8 PTS | +11The stat sheet says Sims played a decent game last night, but I don’t have a single note jotted down for him.

Michael Carter-Williams, PG 34 MIN | 7-14 FG | 2-2 FT | 9 REB | 9 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 16 PTS | +1Three things really impressed me about MCW’s near triple-double last night. (1) He took smart shots and that produced a 50% shooting night; (2) He didn’t get his first bucket until the 7 minute mark of the 2nd Q and still contributed nicely to the Sixers scoring effort; (3) MCW had only 3 TOs…MCW’s drive and kiss for two in the 3rd Q was beautiful.

James Anderson, SG 35 MIN | 8-16 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 19 PTS | -3JA had 6 points in the 2nd Q and 10 overall in the 1st half.  He drilled a big 3PA in the 3rd Q, but could not make one during clutch time when the Sixers desperately needed a big hoop.

Hollis Thompson, SG 25 MIN | 2-3 FG | 0-1 FT | 3 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 5 PTS | -4“The Keeper” played solid considering the few looks he got last night, but I need more from a starting SG.  Sorry.


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Fo’ with the Foes: Atlanta Hawks

Posted by: C. Smith
03/31/14 5:20 pm EST

hawks-a-town-dancer-opoc-45643This 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 Atlanta Hawks, who have lost six in a row yet still cling to the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

After the jump, I’ll look a Fo’ key items for tonight’s game.  Additionally, we’ll get a little more insight into the Atlanta team the Sixers face tonight from our colleague David Menze at Soaring Down South as David will answer Fo’ questions on the Hawks from us here at Philadunkia.


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GM73: Rapid (Freakin’ Winning) Reacts

Posted by: C. Smith
03/30/14 11:03 am EST
Detroit Pistons 98 FinalRecap | Box Score 123 Philadelphia 76ers
Thaddeus Young, PF 35 MIN | 9-17 FG | 1-1 FT | 6 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 21 PTS | +19Thad came out and played with a high level of energy last night and basically set the tone for the 7-6.  His twelve 1st half points pushed the Sixers out to a big lead at the break.

Henry Sims, C 27 MIN | 8-14 FG | 0-0 FT | 7 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 16 PTS | +12I have written this before — it’s a pleasure to watch a Sixer big (outside of Thad) who works hard on D and understands the rotations.  Sims exploded for 8 points in the 2nd Q when the Sixers put this game away.

Michael Carter-Williams, PG 31 MIN | 6-14 FG | 8-10 FT | 7 REB | 4 AST | 4 STL | 1 BLK | 4 TO | 21 PTS | +20An 11 point 1st Q for MCW gave the Sixers an early spark and showed the Pistons that tonight was going to be the night the losing streak ended.

James Anderson, SG 22 MIN | 2-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 5 PTS | +8What did you expect?  The Sixers did not play the Rockets again last night.

Hollis Thompson, SG 22 MIN | 5-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 3 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 14 PTS | +13Yes, Thompson put some solid numbers up, but only 3 of his points came during the 1st half when this game was remotely competitive.  But when you hit 4 of 4 from deep, I have to tip my cap.


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