Sixers Dish

How Sam Hinkie, Josh Harris approach the Andrew Bynum situation

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:16:00 +0000

(Getty Images)

With a quizzical look on his face, Josh Harris tried to understand the question being lobbed his way. And find a way to answer it. The query was about Andrew Bynum, so Harris had to approach this one delicately.

Harris was being asked whether there was anything the Sixers could reclaim from the Bynum situation, the one in which they spent $16.5 million for zero minutes played from the big man.

“Sunk cost,” Harris said. “That’s all sunk cost.”

In business-speak, that’s money a business will never get back. Harris and new general manager Sam Hinkie spoke at length about Bynum, their unrestricted free agent center, at Hinkie’s introductory press conference Tuesday at PCOM. And whether they can hope to get anything from him next season.

Mainly, the conversation hovered around the Sixers’ involvement with Bynum this offseason.

Hinkie, an analytics guy, is all about the process by which decisions are made as opposed to the outcome of those decisions. Calculated risks sometimes backfire. But if the process is employed, taking into account traditional basketball know-how plus beyond-the-box-score logic and other related metrics, they’re almost viewed as acceptable losses, Hinkie said.

That’s why Hinkie lauded Harris for his approach to the Bynum trade, and his willingness to say he'd make the trade again if given the chance. Hinkie didn’t rule out ending the Sixers’ relationship with Bynum.

Bynum, 25, missed the entire season with bilateral bone bruises in both knees and underwent season-ending surgery in March. The Sixers own Bynum’s Bird rights, which means they can sign him for more years and more money than any other team in the league. That, Hinkie said, makes Bynum appealing.

“I don’t think there’s anything else to be said about the trade,” Hinkie said. “I suspect this makes me boring, but I think of Andrew like the thousands of other young men walking around the world that are unrestricted free agents that have the potential to play NBA basketball, and he is one of those. I am duty-bound to consider and look at them.
Andrew has only two differences, in my mind: One, there is this period, because he was under contract here, there’s an exclusive negotiating period. That’s different than everyone else in the world – whether they’re wonderful players or can’t play at all. And two, I think the Sixers should have – I got here three hours ago – an enormous information advantage, based on all the information in-house. My first duty is to get up to speed on that information.”

To Harris, a numbers guy, Bynum was a load on the Sixers’ salary cap. That being said, could signing Bynum for 2013-14 and attempting to get something out of him be viewed as a make-good on a bust of a trade?

“We’re looking at this purely incrementally going forward,” he said. “What are the assets we can bring to the table relative to the cost per win? If you look at it, we spent $84 million last year. We were 27th in cost per win, out of 30 (teams). That’s not good. You look at that and they say, ‘Is our decision-making process (working)?’ I’m a pretty simple guy. … We’re in the bottom decile, hence we have a new GM.”

Sixers hire Sam Hinkie as general manager; Tony DiLeo will not remain with team

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:27:00 +0000

The 76ers have agreed to terms with Sam Hinkie, who will become their general manager and president of basketball operations, and the team could make his hire official as early as next week, according to a league source.

To make room for Hinkie, and expedite their search for a new head coach, the Sixers have cut ties with general manager Tony DiLeo. According to a league source, DiLeo – who had been with the organization for 23 seasons – will not remain with the Sixers in any capacity.

Hinkie comes to the Sixers on a multi-year contract believed to be at least three years, a league source said. Hinkie had worked with the Houston Rockets for the last four seasons as their vice president of basketball operations while serving as an advocate for analytics within the organization.

The Sixers are believed to have sought Hinkie last offseason before promoting DiLeo. They had to wait until Houston had been eliminated from the playoffs before initiating discussions with him, but negotiations proceeded quickly. Hinkie, according to a league source, was the Sixers' “only target” for the general manager position.

The Sixers have been without a head coach since Doug Collins resigned April 18, the day after the team's regular-season finale. It's believed they have narrowed down a list of candidates to fill the post, but it seemed peculiar that they would allow DiLeo to lead the coaching search while his contract was set to expire July 1. And Sixers owner Josh Harris didn't exactly give DiLeo a ringing endorsement during Harris' end-of-the-year press conference.

With Hinkie in place, the Sixers can move forward in their search. Harris has said he would like to have a coach in place by the June 27 NBA Draft. The reported list of favorites for the job, according to another league source, remain the same: Brian Shaw, Indiana's associate head coach; Michael Curry, the Sixers' associate head coach under Collins; Mike Malone, Golden State's top assistant; and Jeff Hornacek, an assistant with Utah.

DiLeo had been with the Sixers for the last 23 seasons, serving as interim head coach, assistant general manager and vice president of basketball operations among other jobs, before assuming the GM duties last summer.

It was believed DiLeo had spent the season being groomed by outgoing Sixers president Rod Thorn, who would be transitioning into a consultant's role with the team. Instead, DiLeo is out of a job.

EXIT INTERVIEW: Acquisition of a post player can only help Sixers’ development of Thad Young

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:50:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

For a guy without a true position, Thaddeus Young had himself a solid 2012-13 campaign.

He started all but six games, the ones he missed with a hamstring strain, while developing into a bona fide leader for the 76ers. He established career-highs with 34.6 minutes, 7.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.8 steals, and scored 14.8 points per game – the second-most in his career for a single-season. And the small forward/power forward/center actually turned up his play AFTER returning from the injury report.

One caveat, though: Young was told by the Sixers’ coaching staff during his exit interview that it would be in his best interest to work on his outside game.

And … there’s that.

Young, who will make $8.2 million next season, is a high-energy, hustle man. He plays his best on the break and, considering the Sixers had him matched with opposing teams’ top post players, he held his own under the rim. Beyond that, well, he needs some work.

Consider: Young shot 59.3 percent (398-for-671) from the rim to within nine feet of it. From 10 feet to just inside the 3-point arc, Young struggled. He shot 39.4 percent (110-for-279).

Quick assessment: Young is a guy who will not complain … even after putting the finishing touches on a down season.

“I think it was still a fun season,” he said, following the Sixers’ last game of the regular season. “We tried our best to keep fighting. We're a team that never quit.”

And because he won’t complain, the Sixers will never hear Young say what it’d be like if he was to align himself with a legitimate post player. That’s exactly what the Sixers should do for Young. It won’t be easy, either. The free agency market will be thin, and people within the Sixers have interest but are naturally hesitant to get into the Andrew Bynum sweepstakes. But adding someone with whom Young can pair in the paint – and no, Spencer Hawes is not that someone – would only continue Young’s development into one of the best low-post tweeners in the game.

EXIT INTERVIEW: Damien Wilkins' leadership would be welcome for next season's Sixers ... but at right price

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:31:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

For the sixth time in six seasons, Damien Wilkins played for a different team.

His one-year experiment with the 76ers bore some unexpected success: The ninth-year man went from deep reserve to rotation-cracking role player to starter. Counted on for vocal leadership, he gave the Sixers so much more (with 21 starts among his 61 games played, including a .459 shooting percentage in that span – second-best on the team).

The downside to Wilkins? Wilkins, whose 18 minutes per game were the most he’s logged since the 2009-10 season, played far too much time. For a winning club, he’s a well-rounded reserve at the beginnings of the second and fourth quarters, and in instances of foul trouble at the small forward spot. For the Sixers, he was clearly stretched him beyond his means.

Not like that mattered to Wilkins.

“As a competitor, a guy who gets paid to play, I want to play,” Wilkins said. “I love the game. I work hard in the offseason to play, not to sit.”

Quick assessment: Wilkins made the league minimum for a guy with as much experience as he has. If the Sixers can ink him to a similar deal, have at it. If Wilkins elects to try to parlay his increased playing time into a big pay day, the Sixers will go in a different direction.

For a green team like the Sixers, whose leaders Jrue Holiday and Thad Young sometimes are too youthful to command the locker room, having Wilkins around wasn’t a bad thing. And Wilkins hopes teams were watching him this season.

“All of the NBA is watching,” he said. “The logo on the top of your jersey is the biggest logo on your uniform and every night you go out there is your interview.

“Whether or not I found a home here is to be determined. Once free agency starts, this league is funny, man. You go out there and play the best you can, hope for the best in the offseason and it only takes one team to like you. Hopefully it's back here, it's great. If not, hopefully it's somewhere else that's as good an opportunity.”

EXIT INTERVIEW: Dorell Wright’s down year might be to the benefit of the Sixers

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 02:15:00 +0000

(AP)

Every way you slice Dorell Wright’s season, it was a downer.

His scoring average – down. His shooting percentage – down. His rebounds – down.

With Wright, confidence bred success. So when the swingman actually knew his role, toward the end of a playoff-free campaign with the 76ers, he played better. His averages went up. A jumpshooter by trade, Wright even became proficient at driving the lane. And for a team that had the second fewest free-throw attempts in the NBA, that wasn’t such a bad thing.

Wright was a $4 million hit to the salary cap, but a worthwhile one. He played defense, something his counterpart Nick Young did not. He stayed healthy, unlike his other wing-mate Jason Richardson. And believe it or not, his 3-point shooting percentage (37.4) was above his career average.

Quick assessment: All of that manifests in this fashion: It would be in the Sixers’ best interests to re-sign Wright, a free agent.

Wright, when asked toward the end of the season whether he’d be back in Philly, said, “I'm the type of dude who thought I'd be in Miami my whole career, so it's always good to be somewhere you're comfortable with and familiar with and happy with. I've had a good year here. I definitely wouldn't mind. I wouldn't mind hanging with new guys, a new staff, a great group of guys and in an organization that cares and with passionate fans.”

Wright has said it took a while to feel comfortable, but when he did, he thrived. The Sixers, assuming they free up some cap space via trade or are willing to sign Wright at or near his salary from this past season, will undoubtedly offer Wright. And that’s not necessarily such a bad thing.

EXIT INTERVIEW: Arnett Moultrie will find strength in offseason weight room visits

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:20:00 +0000

(AP)

Before the season, Arnett Moultrie said he had a goal in mind: Play 10 to 15 minutes per game, every game, in his first NBA season. It sounded attainable to him – if only he had known how much that pre-draft ankle injury would set him back

Moultrie, a rookie, made only 15 appearances in the 76ers' first 46 games. It took some time for the 6-10 forward to shake off the ill effects of his lingering ankle sprain and get himself in game shape to play in 33 of the team's final 36 games, posting a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds in the Sixers' season finale.

“The playing time was the only thing,” Moultrie said. “The game at this level is a business. It's all about playing time and to continue getting playing time. I'm satisfied with my playing time (at the end of the season). I'll be even more satisfied if we go to the playoffs (next season).”

Moultrie demonstrated good hands and stout play at or above the rim, something the Sixers so desperately needed without Andrew Bynum in the picture. He averaged 3.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting a team-best 58.2 percent.

Quick assessment: Moultrie will be a starter before his sophomore season is up. His rise through the Sixers' rotation could be attributed largely to a lack of bodies his size, but he played increasingly well as the season progressed. Moultrie said he and outgoing Sixers president Rod Thorn agree that Moultrie's focus this offseason should be strength and conditioning. Should Moultrie build up his stamina, he should be able to not only meet but also exceed his expectation for playing time.

“Me and Rod – Rod Thorn, the president – both say I've got to work on my strength,” Moultrie said. “That's conditioning. This summer, I'll be able to spend a lot of time in the weight room. Last summer I was getting ready for predraft (camp). This summer, that's first thing I'm going to do.”

EXIT INTERVIEW: Lavoy Allen's improvement hinges upon critical offseason

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:14:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

Whether it's his playing style, which gives off a lackadaisical impression, or his deadpan style of humor, Lavoy Allen often rubs people the wrong way.

Fans look at Allen, who recently finished the first season of a two-year, $6 million contract, and wonder 'what could be' if only the 6-9 forward asserted himself some more. His former coach, Doug Collins, wondered the same thing, always questioning Allen's “motor.”

Allen labored through a sophomore season in which he failed to meet the expectations others set out before him. He averaged 5.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in 79 games played, including 37 starts. The absence of Andrew Bynum put even more pressure on Allen to perform, but that didn't seem to take hold with the Temple product.

“The one guy that really needs to (improve) is Lavoy,” Collins said. “Lavoy is very important to this franchise. If Lavoy will bounce back and have a good year next year, and you put Lavoy and Spencer (Hawes) out there, and Thad (Young) and Arnett (Moultrie), you've got four young bigs and how can you keep adding to that?”

Allen, who said he'll take two weeks off before beginning his offseason workouts, will focus on his strength and conditioning drills in the offseason. Allen has shown a preference for launching outside shots. Sure, he can hit them, but he's unable to harness the full potential of that facet of his game because of his reluctance to put the ball on the floor and drive every now and then. Allen shot 33 percent (152-for-444) from 10 feet to just inside the arc.

Quick assessment: The Sixers would be thrilled to get eight points and six rebounds per game from Allen, but they never seem to know what they're going to get from him. He scored in single digits in 60 of his 79 appearances and pulled in single-digit rebound totals in 75 of 79 games played. Strength and conditioning would improve Allen's approach to rebounding while also helping him feel a little more comfortable going to the rim to score.

It's an important offseason for Allen, and it'll be interesting to see how he uses the downtime to improve his game.

EXIT INTERVIEW: Did Nick Young do enough to earn that “big contract”?

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:14:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

When Nick Young enters, people take notice. Case in point: The man was wearing a leopard-print sport jacket Wednesday as he left the locker room en route to the team bus.

The same could be said for the way he played in the season finale, entering a game the 76ers led by 21, only to draw attention by playing six woeful minutes, going 0-for-3 from the floor with one turnover.

Young, who made $6 million this season, has an expiring contract. He's said all along that he wants “a big contract,” though it's unlikely he'll get it from the Sixers. Young's rise and fall is peculiar. He was a solid sub off the bench before earning 11 consecutive starts. He shot himself out of the starting lineup, then played only seven of the final 25 games.

The guy they call Swaggy P shot 41.3 percent from the floor and 35.7 percent from 3-point range, both ranking second-worst in his career for single-season averages. He also averaged 10.6 points with 1.4 assist-to-0.8 turnover-per-game ratio. They're not sterling numbers.

Because Young's instinct is to jack shots at will, he came a defensive liability in crunch time of winnable games … or even in games in which the Sixers had early leads. His specialty, which worked for a team with a losing record, was helping the Sixers rally. But a team that has an interest in turning around its fate might not have a spot next season for a guy like Young.

Quick assessment: Unless Young is willing to take less money, he won't be in a Sixers uniform next season. A guy who's paid to shoot didn't do so all that well and, because his game is so one-dimensional, it's difficult to rationalize him fitting in with what likely will be a more defensive-minded coach than Doug Collins. The Swag has left the building.

Young, when asked whether he thinks he'll return next season, was candid.

“Probably not, no,” he said. “We'll see. Free agency is tough, but, you know, it's always fun when you know you're going to be somewhere.”

SEASON WRAP: Doug Collins goes from coach to adviser; owner Josh Harris says Sixers will look into signing Andrew Bynum

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:15:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

Well, it's official.

That sentence applies on a couple levels. Here are the more pertinent ones:

The season is over. Yeah, you knew that already.
You knew this, too: Doug Collins officially resigned Thursday in a press conference at the team's practice facility, ending his three-year tenure as head coach and beginning his five-year run as an adviser to Sixers owner Josh Harris.
The Sixers – in case you didn't want to believe it – will look into signing free-agent center Andrew Bynum in the offseason, Harris confirmed. The owner said he and the team have not ruled out going after Bynum, saying the ownership group knows just about everything they need to know about Bynum's bum knees, which is somewhat of an advantage in the negotiating process, Harris said.

Before his presser had ended, Collins made sure to put in his endorsement of
Michael Curry, his associated head coach, for the Sixers' head coaching vacancy. Harris said the Sixers would like to hire a new coach before the June 27 NBA Draft.

Also, Harris used his platform to reinforce his support of general manager Tony DiLeo. In a front office that will lose president Rod Thorn to a consultant's role, and a bench that will lose Collins to an adviser's capacity, DiLeo remains for now. It'll be interesting to see who DiLeo surrounds himself with in the offseason.

The team's breakup day at PCOM featured plenty of highlights. Here are some of the lowlights of the season. These are obviously up for debate, but obviously all played a role in turning the Sixers' season:

Oct. 1 – The Sixers open training camp without Andrew Bynum, declaring his knee setback to be a three-week shutdown and leaving open the possibility that he would be ready by the season opener.
Dec. 12 – The Sixers lose to Chicago – and lose Jrue Holiday to a left ankle injury. The team loses 13 of the next 16, including the four games missed by Holiday, go from a 12-10 record to a 15-20 team and never again sniff the .500 mark.
Feb. 13 – The Sixers lose at Milwaukee in the final game before the All-Star break. They went 29-1 this season in games in which they led entering the fourth quarter. This was their lone loss. Instead of a two-game deficit for the eighth-place spot in the East, they trailed the Bucks by four at the break.
Feb. 26 – The Sixers lose at home by 14 to a listless Orlando team, after which Collins chides the group for its lack of preparedness and effort. If the writing wasn't on the wall for Collins' exit prior to this game, it was now.
March 19 – The Sixers announce that Andrew Bynum underwent season-ending knee surgery, ending his tenure with the team without the big man ever having played a game for them.

Check out Friday's Daily Times for additional coverage of the Sixers' wrap-up day at PCOM.

It's official: Doug Collins is stepping down as 76ers head coach

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 02:45:00 +0000

(AP)

PHILADELPHIA – Doug Collins' time on the 76ers' bench is up.

Collins told the 76ers' ownership group Sunday night that he will not return to coach the team for a fourth season, according to a league source who confirmed a Yahoo! Sports report.

It's believed that Collins and the Sixers are working toward an amicable arrangement regarding the final year of the coach's contract. The Sixers' ownership group would prefer that Collins, who is owed somewhere in the vicinity of $4.5 million, stay on board in some capacity with the franchise for which he also played.

The future for Collins had been under fire for the last week, after a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer made it sound as though ownership would prefer if Collins stepped down. Collins had refused to comment on it, saying he would speak to Sixers owner Josh Harris at the conclusion of the regular season, April 17 at Indianapolis, before making any decisions.

Guess that's an unnecessary conversation at this stage.

After the Sixers' 91-77 victory Sunday over Cleveland, John Langel – Collins' agent – told reporters that the coach will be “here for another year.” What a difference a few hours make, with Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski first reporting that Collins' days in Philadelphia are numbered following this season.

Collins has guided the Sixers to a 33-47 record, with his team failing to meet the lofty expectations laid out before them after acquiring All-Star center Andrew Bynum in an Aug. 10 trade. Bynum never played, missing the entire season with balky knees, and the Sixers spiraled.

The Sixers have gone 108-119 under Collins.

Collins, 61, has never coached beyond three seasons in any of his previous NBA stops: Chicago, Detroit and Washington.

If the Sixers aren't in Collins' future, he has a couple options.

His son, Chris, was hired away from Duke last month to become the new head coach at Northwestern. Doug Collins' roots are in Illinois, which could present an alluring opportunity. Collins also could return to his broadcasting career, something he did between head coaching stints.

Collins' departure also means that members of his coaching staff could be headed out the door.

Michael Curry, the Sixers' associate head coach, is head coach material and was a top candidate for the vacancy in Orlando last offseason. Brian James, Collins' top assistant coach, is expected to join Northwestern's staff with Chris Collins, who played for James in high school. The others are good guys who likely will be without jobs – Aaron McKie, Jeff Capel and Monte Shubik.
Visit Christopher A. Vito's Sixers blog at delcotimes.com for more coverage.

Jrue Holiday said Sixers' season, Andrew Bynum's injury have taught him "that nothing is guaranteed"

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:57:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

After Sunday's game – a meaningless 91-77 victory over Cleveland – it happened.

Right there beside the scorer's table, after a handshake and an embrace with Cavaliers coach Byron Scott, but not before the confetti cannons could spew their contents, Doug Collins smiled. Those expressions of joy have been few and far between this season.

With two games remaining, and two wins required to match last season's win total, the Sixers are at a crossroads. They're benching veterans (like Royal Ivey and Nick Young) with expiring contracts, playing rookies (like Justin Holiday and Arnett Moultrie) for 20-plus minutes and looking to next year – whether that involves Collins or not.

So … what did the Sixers learn about their postseason-less campaign?

“That nothing is guaranteed,” Jrue Holiday said. “Even though the two years before that, we did a good job making it to the first round and then the second round, and even this year, when everybody thought we had a really good chance with Andrew (Bynum) probably making it pretty deep in the playoffs – nothing is guaranteed.”

The Sixers have plenty to improve upon before the playoffs become a reality for next season. They have an important offseason, a lottery selection, a Bynum decision, possibly a coach search and who knows what else.

Though he wasn't referring to the upcoming summer offseason, Holiday's words about turning around the Sixers seem to apply.

“Take it one game at a time,” he said, “and don't let time get away.”

Doug Collins: "The focus is not me"

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 22:39:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

WASHINGTON -- Doug Collins isn't interested in talking about himself.

Don't believe it? Keep reading.

In a presser with reporters outside the 76ers' locker room, prior to gametime against the Wizards, Collins spent 83 seconds saying a whole bunch of nothing regarding a report in Thursday's Philadelphia Inquirer -- that the Sixers' brass would prefer it if Collins stepped down after the season.

Collins didn't address specific. Here's what he had to say:

Supported by organization?
“Absolutely. I'm going to talk about the NBA. I'm going to talk about Washington. Let's move forward to the basketball game.”

Before next question got asked...
“Let's move forward to the basketball game. We have four more games to play. I've told you all along I am not the topic of conversation. We're going to focus in on the games and we're going to play those. We'll sit down at the end of the season, as we've always done. I have a good relationship with Josh Harris, and we will discuss what we need to do next year.”

As next question was getting asked...
“I told you – let's talk about the basketball game. You drove a long way here for that.”

Reporter says, 'It was actually the train.'
“Guys, you're not going to trick me. C'mon, let's go. Let's go. What do you want to talk about?”

Reporter says, 'You don't want to talk about it.'
“I want to talk about the basketball game. That's the focus. The focus is not me.”

Before reporter asks basketball-related question, he says, 'I wanted to let the underbrush to clear.'
“There's no underbrush. To me, there's overbrush. Not under.”

Andrew Bynum, Jason Richardson miss Sixers' photo day

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:49:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

Andrew Bynum wasn't present for 76ers' photo day, a team spokesperson said.

“Might've seen the last of the big guy,” one player said, when asked whether Bynum was around for the team photo.

Like Jason Richardson, Bynum skipped out on the photo shoot to focus on rehabbing their surgically repaired knees.

Bynum, who hasn’t spoken to reporters in more than a month, missed the entire season with a series of knee setbacks. His contract, which paid him $16.5 million, expires this summer.

A jersey hung in Bynum’s locker, which seemed like a strong indicator that he might have made the trip from New York, where he’s doing his rehab, for a semi-reunion with the Sixers teammates with whom he never shared the court. Wasn't the case, though.

Evan Turner says Sixers "got lucky" in 2010 draft lottery to select him No. 2 overall

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:13:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

NEW YORK – If you ask Evan Turner, this year's NBA Draft class isn't a good one. If you ask him whether the 76ers got a fortunate ping-pong ball bounce in 2010, when they drafted him second overall, he'd agree.

“They got lucky,” Turner said Tuesday, before the Sixers played Brooklyn at Barclays Center. “But it depends who you ask.”

The third-year forward out of Ohio State, Turner got taken at No. 2 in 2010 thanks to some “lucky” bounces of the ping-pong balls at the NBA Draft lottery. The Sixers rose from ninth to second overall and took Turner at that spot.

Turner is one of two Sixers, along with Spencer Hawes, who is on pace to play in all 82 games. He's averaging 13.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 35.5 minutes per game.

Knowing what can come of a favorable draft spot, you'd think Turner would support the notion that the Sixers should tank. Not so.

“I don't think you really play rookies in general,” he said.

Not like Turner, who played 23 minutes per game as a rookie, would know anything about that.

“If we lose, we lose, but that's not anybody's style to do that,” Turner said. “You want a good pick, but they say this draft isn't that strong. If you don't get the first pick, you're really out of the situation. I think the whole thing is finishing off strong. Tanking disrespects the game.”

Doug Collins, on whether mathematically eliminated Sixers will tank: "No"

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:06:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

At first, Doug Collins didn't hear the verb being lobbed in his direction. Then, when it was repeated, the Sixers coach's head looked to be on a swivel, shaking back and forth.

“No.”

Defiantly and confidently, the Sixers will not tank. There are several definitions for that word. The Sixers won't embrace any of them. They won't lose games intentionally. They won't sit veterans or play rookies for any more minutes than they'd earned. They won't accept defeat for the chance at a better spot in the NBA Draft lottery.

Collins offered a few reasons why.

Professionalism: “First of all, you're asking your guys every day to come in and work hard and then go out there and not try to win,” Collins said after Monday's practice at PCOM. “I'm not sure that's the essence of competition.”
Karma: “I've seen a lot of teams that are sliding in for those ping-pong balls. I'm not sure karma ever rewards that. I'm not sure.”
Draft quality: “You look at the draft this year – is there a knockout difference between one and eight? I mean, is there that one guy everybody would be tanking for?”

The Sixers (31-45) have six games to go, beginning with Tuesday night's date in Brooklyn, before their season comes to a close. They were mathematically ousted from the Eastern Conference playoff race Saturday night, with the combination of their loss to Miami and Milwaukee's victory.

Not much will change down the stretch, Collins said. Guys like Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner, Thad Young and Spencer Hawes still will garner big minutes, based on how well they've played. Arnett Moultrie, who Collins admitted he'd like to play more, might get some run, but … Collins said he still wants to win.

“What I find myself doing is Arnett will get a run early in the game, seven or eight minutes, and in the second half we're in every one of these games,” Collins said. “Your instincts come over to win the game. I want to win the game. I'd like to get him some minutes.”

Sixers sign Justin Holiday, Jrue's brother

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:23:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

As though two guys with the same last name weren't enough for one team …

Justin Holiday, the older brother of All-Star point guard Jrue, signed a contract with the 76ers. The terms of the deal weren't disclosed. To make room for Holiday, a 23-year-old guard out of Washington, the Sixers waived Jeremy Pargo.

Holiday, a 6-6 guard, appeared in 47 games with 42 starts for the Idaho Stampede in the D-League this season, averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.43 steals and 1.17 blocks in 34.7 minutes per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the floor, 41.2 percent from 3-point range and 81.6 percent from the line.

Holiday is the 31st call-up from the D-League to the NBA this season.

The casual fan won't be able to tell with the Sixers without a scorecard, between Justin and Jrue Holiday and Nick and Thad Young (the latter of whom are not related).

Kwame Brown, on getting more playing time for Sixers: "I can't foresee the future. I'm not God"

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 00:48:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

Looking pretty cozy at the end of the Sixers' bench most games, Kwame Brown was every bit uncomfortable when questions started getting lobbed in his direction in the locker room Saturday.

“You better not be talking to me. Talk to the guys who play,” Brown said at his locker in pregame, before the Sixers hosted Charlotte.

Brown, the first overall pick in the 2001 draft, was acquired in July – a month before the Sixers traded for Bynum. For all intents and purposes, Brown was expected to be their starting center. What's transpired since? The journeyman hasn't played since Feb. 20, missing the next 20 games as a healthy scratch … and counting.

Does he expect to play again this season?: “I can't foresee the future. I'm not God.”

Well, what about next season? Brown's got a player option (that he's bound to pick up) for $3 million: “I'll be a Philadelphia 76er next year.”

Unless, of course, the Sixers opt to cut him and pay him in full, or buy out his contract and hope to negotiate him down from that hefty figure. Either way, it's not a favorable position for the Sixers.

Brown doesn't wonder if he'll get more time for the Sixers, though he'd like some.

“As a competitor, everybody knows that. You're asking me a dumb question,” Brown said. “But when you ask me why I'm not playing, you have to ask Coach.”

THAD YOUNG CONTINUING HIS EDUCATION, CONSIDERING FUTURE JOB IN COACHING

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:31:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

This time of year, NBA players take a rooting interest in the NCAA Tournament. A couple of guys in the 76ers' locker room, those who have played in the Big Dance, start telling stories about their long-ago glory days … from as far back as this decade.

Thaddeus Young is preoccupied. Of course, he watches the games. But the man is busy, considering all the titles he's carrying around: Starting forward. Husband. Father. Student.

Young, who attended Georgia Tech for one year before declaring his eligibility for the 2007 NBA Draft, is continuing his studies. He's taking online classes toward a degree in organization management and business at Victory University, located in his hometown of Memphis, Tenn.

He even served as a student assistant coach for Victory during the 2011 lockout.

“You could say I was on scholarship,” said Young, who today with the Sixers heads to Cleveland for Friday's game. “During the lockout, they asked me to be a student-assistant coach. It was just one of those things where I was, like, coaching. They gave me a scholarship. I was just helping them out. If I saw them doing something wrong, I told them something and they would do it. They listened.”

Because of his status as a family man – with wife, Shekinah, and their two-year-old son TJ – and the rigors of his day job, Young is continuing his education at a slower pace. He takes two classes throughout the course of the NBA season, then takes four during an eight-week stretch during the offseason. He said he's able to knock out a lot of the work at the beginning of the week.

“Right now, I think I'm doing pretty well juggling it,” he said.

(AP)

“I usually do all of my work at the beginning of the week and just chill for the rest of the week. I knock it all out – discussion questions and all.”

Young said he doesn't miss the traditional classroom setting.

“No. No. No. I'd rather do online any day, because I can do it at my own pace,” he said. “It still has to be done at a deadline, but it's good this way. At Georgia Tech, they didn't want you to do everything at the beginning of the week. With this school, you can do it and, as soon as you get done, you can chill, relax and take it easy.”

At his current pace, it could be another two to three years before Young earns his bachelor's degree.

“Hey, I'm trying to finish,” Young said, laughing, “so give me some credit.”

A Memphis native, who graduated from the city's Mitchell High, Young said picking Victory University was a no-brainer. So was deciding to coach with the Eagles during the 2011 NBA lockout, which delayed the start of that season to Dec. 25. Victory is attempting to join either the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) or the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

After his run on the bench at Victory, Young said he'd consider a future career in coaching.

“Probably so,” Young said. “I don't want to coach in the NBA. I want to coach in college.”

He got a good sneak-peek at Victory.

SHOULD THE SIXERS 'TANK'?

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 02:22:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

It didn't take long – four minutes into his postgame presser Wednesday – for Sixers coach Doug Collins to be asked about his team playing out the string.

After the win, a 100-92 decision over Milwaukee, the Sixers face an 8½-game deficit with 11 to go. Collins wasn't having it.

“We're not done yet. Are we eliminated?” he asked. “We're going to keep playing, man. You know me, right? I've never quit before I got to the finish line. We're not going to start that now, and our team doesn't have that personality. We're not going to do that. This city and this organization means too much to me and these players. They're young guys. They're trying to build a nucleus here. They know what they have going into next year and what has to be done to make this right.”

Which is all well and good, but it begs this question: Should the Sixers tank? Perhaps a better question is defining “tanking.”

By no means does anyone prescribe to the notion that the Sixers should intentionally miss shots, intentionally throw the ball away and intentionally give away their games to the opposing teams, just for the sake of bettering their place in the NBA draft lottery. But the term “tanking” is wildly unclear. The draft is filled with uncertainty, and nothing states that a team with a high pick is guaranteed success (See: Kings, Sacramento). Most fans seem to think that there's no harm in losing a few games now to potentially win a few games more next season. Once more, though, nothing is a stone-cold lock.

If you had a crystal ball and could predict the future, what do you see for the Sixers? Do the fold up shop and call it a season? Do they play for pride and win a few more for the sake of it? What do you think?

ANDREW BYNUM WILL BEGIN PHYSICAL THERAPY FRIDAY, WILL BE ON CRUTCHES FOR SIX WEEKS

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:32:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

Andrew Bynum will begin post-surgery physical therapy Friday, the Sixers announced Wednesday night.

Bynum underwent surgery on both knees Tuesday in New York. The procedure was performed by David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

The team announced Monday that Bynum would miss the rest of the season (really, all of it) with bilateral bone bruises that have caused swelling and pain in both knees.

Bynum will begin his PT at the end of the week and will remain non-weight-bearing for three weeks, after which he will spend an additional three weeks on crutches.

If there's any further update on Bynum, the Sixers will announce it.

THAD YOUNG SAYS ANDREW BYNUM RETURNING TO SIXERS COULD "BE SCARY FOR A WHOLE LOT OF TEAMS"

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:19:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

Andrew Bynum is to have surgery today, ending the 7-footer's tenure with the 76ers before he even had an opportunity to play for them.

Or did it.

After Monday's win over the Trail Blazers, Thaddeus Young said he would welcome back Bynum – an unrestricted free agent – for next season, assuming he was fully healed from the arthroscopic surgery on both knees.

“Many guys have had knee surgeries and things done to them surgically and they've come back even better,” Young said. “It's all about (Bynum) getting back to the gym, getting back his rhythm and getting into the groove of basketball.

“Me personally, I think having him on the team and having his presence inside is huge. That's always been a knock on us, that we don't have a true big man. If we can get him back 100-percent healthy, it's going to be scary for a whole lot of teams next year.”

Evan Turner didn't sound as committed to the idea.

“I'm just pulling for him in general. I don't want to sit here and scream out, 'Come back, come back, come back.' Dude's going through surgery, know what I'm saying?” Turner said. “It's going to be tough enough rehab and everything. You just worry about the player above your own selfish needs.”

So what do you think? Should the Sixers make a play at Bynum in the offseason? They don't have the cap space to make a max contract offer, but should they commit some of their money to him? Post your thoughts.

TIMELINE: ANDREW BYNUM AS A SIXER

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 02:38:00 +0000

A step-by-step look at Andrew Bynum’s tenure in Philadelphia, including news Monday that he would miss the rest of the season:

Aug. 14: The Sixers complete a three-team trade, acquiring Andrew Bynum from the Los Angeles Lakers.

Aug. 17: The team introduces Bynum in an open-to-the-public press conference at the National Constitution Center. Famously, Sixers owner Josh Harris says, “Where do I sign?” when asked if the Sixers have intentions on signing Bynum, an restricted free agent in 2013, to a contract extension. Sixers CEO Adam Aron tells Bynum “the city is yours.”

September: On separate unspecified dates, Bynum sustains an injury and receives treatment for it. In an individual workout in Los Angeles, a month before joining the Sixers for preseason camp, Bynum hurts his right knee on an up-and-under move. Then, he travels to Germany, where he receives a non-invasive plasma-enrichment procedure called Orthokine.

Sept. 24: Sixers general manager Tony DiLeo says the team and Bynum have not reached an agreement on a contract extension.

Oct. 1: Photographed in a Sixers jersey for the first (and only) time, Bynum is shut down from basketball-related activity for three weeks. The Sixers say they expect their prize acquisition, who will miss training camp and seven preseason games, to be ready by the season opener.

Oct. 15: Bynum receives injections of Synvisc-One joint lubrication from personal physician Dr. David Altchek in New York City.

Oct. 31: Bynum misses the Sixers’ season opener.

Nov. 17: Bynum reveals he injured his left knee while bowling, as he’s undergoing rehab and treatment for the right knee he injured in September. He calls the setback “weird.”

Nov. 24: DiLeo dismisses any reports of timetables for Bynum’s return, saying the center is out indefinitely.

Dec. 10: Bynum says he could play “if this was the Finals.” He reports that swelling is down in the right knee, which “is much, much better,” while the left knee still causes pain while walking.

Dec. 20: Bynum visits Altchek to learn whether he can progress in his rehab.

Dec. 21: Bynum is told he can ramp up his rehab, calling it “a baby step” toward his return.

Jan. 16: After a Sixers practice, and in front of reporters, Bynum engages in his first shooting drills. “It’s time to get ready — ready to play,” he says.

Jan. 21: Bynum jogs to spots on the floor for shots, but still avoids lateral movement.

Jan. 29: Bynum mentions a target return date for the first time, saying he expects to debut after the All-Star break, after a two-hour workout that includes footwork and agility drills, as well as stationary shooting.

Jan. 31: Bynum gets a second round of joint lubrication injections from Altchek.

Feb. 12: Bynum, while providing a rehab update, contradicts himself by citing lingering pain in his left knee while also saying he thinks he can return later in the same month.

Feb. 20: Bynum says he’s still one to two weeks away from practicing with the Sixers, thus pushing his return to March.

Feb. 21: Bynum visits Dr. Jonathan Glashow, an orthopaedic surgeon at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.

Feb. 22: Bynum asks Sixers coach Doug Collins to participate in a 5-on-5 scrimmage with the Sixers — his first on-court activity with his teammates since coming to Pilly.

Feb. 26: Bynum is not visible on the Sixers’ bench during a crushing loss to Orlando. Bynum later says he was receiving treatment for his knees during the game.

March 1: Bynum says his right knee has been swollen since the Feb. 22 scrimmage and that it has not improved. He says it’s possible he may miss the rest of the season, though stating there are no specific surgical procedures to fix his injury. “I’m 25. It’s my life,” he says.

March 3: Contrary to Bynum’s statement, DiLeo says surgery is “certainly an option” for Bynum, and the Sixers are exploring all options.

March 5: Bynum is not in South Philadelphia for the Sixers’ home game against Boston, instead visiting Altchek for an evening appointment.

March 18: Sixers announce Bynum will undergo arthroscopic surgery on both knees and will miss the remainder of the season.
— CHRISTOPHER A. VITO

ANDREW BYNUM WILL REQUIRE SURGERY, MISS REMAINDER OF SEASON

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:09:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

PHILADELPHIA – Over before it began.

Andrew Bynum, traded for in August by the 76ers and expected to carry them to the next level of the NBA hierarchy, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on both knees and will miss the remainder (translation: all) of the season, the team announced Monday night in a statement.

The 7-foot, 300-pound center will undergo surgery Tuesday, the team said.

Bynum's season with the Sixers boils down to these numbers: $16.5 million paid, zero minutes played.

Only eight months ago, the Sixers harbored such high aspirations for their season when they traded for Bynum as part of a blockbuster deal Aug. 14.

They envisioned a team of wings dumping the ball into the post. Or Bynum, who finished second in the league in double-doubles a year ago, kicking out to proven 3-point shooters when defenses collapsed upon him.

They had ideas of winning the Atlantic Division, making the postseason as one of the Eastern Conference's top seeds and maybe getting a sniff of the NBA finals.

Never happened. Any of it.

Without Bynum, the team (and the expectation) that Sixers general manager Tony DiLeo and coach Doug Collins had crafted never materialized, sputtering to last place in the Atlantic with 30 days remaining in the season.

Neither DiLeo nor Bynum were available for comment.

As vague as Bynum's status for the Sixers has been, Bynum has always been clear that he really doesn't know what's going on with his knees. Between the frequently altered haircuts and increasingly negative outcries from fans, Bynum consistently has resembled a confused 25-year-old fearing what's next in his life and career.

The latter, however, looms largely for both parties. An unrestricted free agent after the season, Bynum will garner attention on the market this summer.

(Associated Press)

“Being healthy is more important than everything else. If I am healthy, I'll get a deal,” Bynum said after a March 1 practice. “I have to be able to play and I need to get to the point where I'm healthy to play.”

No one knows exactly when that'll be.

Fans welcomed Bynum with open arms three days after the four-team deal was completed, when he was introduced in an open-to-the-public press conference at the National Constitution Center. The public's reception of Bynum hasn't been nearly as amiable in the months since.

So much has changed since then.

Bynum entered camp with a bum right knee, which he injured in September on an up-and-under move during an individual workout in Los Angeles. From there, he was shut down from basketball-related activity.

The Sixers expected Bynum to be ready for the season opener Oct. 31. He wasn't.

What compounded the right-knee situation was when Bynum, in November, hurt his left knee while bowling. He called the injury “weird” and described it as a “mirror image” in both knees.

Officially, Bynum has missed the season with bilateral bone bruises. Unofficially, fans have challenged his desire to return to the court.

Bynum put that theory to the test Feb. 22, when he asked Collins for permission to jump into a 5-on-5 drill at a team practice. Collins obliged and the Sixers finally got a look at their centerpiece with his teammates. It was the first time Bynum got onto the floor with his team.
It only went downhill from there.

Bynum hasn't spoken to reporters since March 1. That day, he said he had taken on some swelling in his right knee in the days following that Feb. 22 practice. He said it was “a four-, five-day setback.”
Only a few breaths later, Bynum's frustration became evident.

He said he felt no pressure to debut for the Sixers. He said he felt no need to play before he's ready.
“I feel like it's my life, I'm 25 and I don't want to have no cartilage because that's really bad. That's it,” Bynum said.

Twice, Bynum has received joint lubrication injections in both knees. Once, he even flew to Germany for a non-invasive procedure involving plasma. And innumerable times, he has said no surgery is available to cure the issues from which he's suffering.

He's even discussed medical procedures that are in the developmental stages, with physicians “growing cartilage in a Petri dish.”

It appears surgery is the next step for Bynum. Where it leads him from there, no one knows.

SIXERS' DAMIEN WILKINS, ON ENDING SKID: "THAT'S WHEN YOUR MANHOOD, SO TO SPEAK, HAS TO KICK IN"

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 02:33:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

He may not be the most talented man in the 76ers' locker room, but he's certainly the most outspoken.

Damien Wilkins doesn't shy from speaking the truth. He knows the Sixers have the tendency to show effort in games like Monday's, a 106-97 win over Brooklyn, than in games like Sunday's, against a bottom-feeding bunch in Orlando.

“Record-wise, we're not necessarily a good team, either,” Wilkins said, after scoring 13 points against the Nets. “We should want to play hard every night. Even if we're the No. 1 seed in the East, we all should strive to work hard every night. That's what we owe to ourselves, owe to our fans, to our organization. You can't teach effort. I think we have guys in this locker room who want to go out there and play hard every night. It's just a matter of us doing it.”

In a politically correct way, Wilkins made it clear that wins against a team like Brooklyn can be contagious. And the Sixers' schedule certainly doesn't do them any favors, with dates the rest of this week against Eastern Conference contenders Miami and Indiana looming.

Yet, Wilkins understands that accepting a losing attitude – while easier – isn't most satisfactory.

“That's when your manhood, so to speak, has to kick in. And your pride,” Wilkins said. “You want to win for the guy next to you. If you don't want to win for the guy next to you, you should want to win for yourself. I know, for me, it's certainly frustrating to lose.

“I don't even want to walk around Philadelphia in Sixers gear when we're losing like this because, as you know, the fans here are honest and they don't bite their tongue. They deserve a good team, they deserve effort and we deserve to show that for ourselves.”

Against the Nets, they got effort. Translating that into win streaks, which have eluded the Sixers in stretches this season, is something altogether different. But quitting on the season isn't an option, according to Wilkins.

“That's the easy thing to do, and that's humane to always do things the easy way. It's tough to keep coming back and fighting, to keep giving everything you've got every day and trying to win games,” Wilkins said. “It's tough when you're in a slump like we've been. We've been spiraling downhill lately so it is. It's hard to pick yourself back up and get motivated because you fall into that attitude of, 'Maybe we're not going to win the next game.' You don't think positive about winning the next game. And like I said, it's humane to do that in professional sports. The toughest thing to do is coming in motivating, wanting to compete, wanting to win. Humans don't always do the hard things.”

HOW TO STOP MIAMI'S LeBRON JAMES, ACCORDING TO THAD YOUNG, JRUE HOLIDAY

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:55:00 +0000

(Associated Press)

MIAMI – The last time the 76ers played Miami, Thad Young was on the bench nursing a tweaked hamstring. There's no way on knowing whether Young would've prevented LeBron James, the NBA's surefire MVP winner, from a triple-double.

But the Sixers know this: They like their odds with Young defending James, as opposed to the alternative.

At Friday morning's shootaround, Young offered one sentence as to how he hoped to stop James: “Keep him in front of you and just try to stop the freight train,” Young said, smiling.

In the Heat's 16-game winning streak, which they carry into their meeting with the Sixers, James has averaged 28.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.6 assists – which astoundingly are all reminscient of his season totals. But James, already on pace to establish a career-best shooting percentage with his 56.2-percent clip, is hitting a ridiculous 61 percent of his shots during this streak.

James had 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a win over the Sixers Feb. 23.

“He facilitated more,” Jrue Holiday said of that performance.

And what about tonight?

“He has to see three or four jerseys. He can't just see one or two,” Holiday said.