Sixers have a serious shot at Andrew Wiggins

More draft speculation as draft day continues to creep closer.

Check out the full article from Philly.com here.
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The Sixers have reportedly had Andrew Wiggins as the top target on their big board all season, and, at this point, it seems that they may have a realistic shot of landing the gifted athlete from Kansas without moving from their third pick perch.

Before diving too deep into that idea, it is important to remember that everything heard leading up to draft day must be taken with a grain of salt. Reports are released faster than they can be read, and a vast number of them are riddled with misinformation and conjecture. Teams remain purposely opaque, and agents do their best to float only flattering information about their prospects.

The order of the draft’s top selections is far from set in stone, as the Cavaliers, Bucks, and Sixers will continue to evaluate talent all the way up until draft day, and the names at the top of their boards could certainly shuffle.

However, after countless calls and endless reports read, some semblance of sense and consensus can be pieced together. That consensus tells us that any of Andrew Wiggins, Jagari Parker, and Joel Embiid could be the top pick in the draft, and that there is a serious shot that Wiggins falls to Philly at the three spot.

Again, this status could change countless times leading up to draft day, but it is safe to say that the Cavaliers and Bucks are at least equally enamored with both Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid, as they are with Wiggins, if not more so.

ESPN Insider Chad Ford, who has been updating his information with new names seemingly daily to keep up with the rumors, recently reported that Wiggins may not even be in the conversation in Cleveland.

“A trusted source with close access to the Cavs' front office told me that he believes that Wiggins isn't even in the discussion in Cleveland, and that it's already been narrowed down to Embiid or Parker,” he stated.

While it seems silly to rule Wiggins out as the top pick, it is clear that the Cavs have some serious interest in Embiid, as the seven-footer won’t work out for any other team until Cleveland is given a chance to see if they want to select the center. 

Check out the rest of the article on Philly.com here. 

Doug Collins spits a Birdman lyric

This was good.

Those that were watching ESPN's pregame show prior to Wednesday evening's contest between the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat were treated to a special surprise: Doug Collins following Jalen Rose's lead and finishing a line to a once-popular (and still awesome) Birdman/Clipse song.

While discussing Chris 'The Birdman' Anderson, a logical connection to Brian 'Baby', 'Birdman', '#1 Stunna' Williams was made.



Collins seemed pretty eager to jump in and show off his knowledge, huh.

What happened to that boy indeed.

Former Sixer, current Pacer Evan Turner faces an uncertain future

Check out the original article from Philly.com, here.
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After high initial expectations, Evan Turner's tenure in Philadelphia came to a pretty unpleasant end.

Many fans were tired of Turner by the time he was traded, and the Sixers weren't able to get much value for him on the open market, eventually settling for a swap with Indiana that only netted an aged Danny Granger and a second-round pick.

Since being traded to Indiana, Turner has basically been a non-factor in the Pacers' playoff push, and his future with the team, and in the league at large, is uncertain. He hasn’t fit in especially well in Indiana, which probably won’t help his perceived value in the offseason either. ESPN’s Zach Lowe summed up Turner’s current situation pretty well in a recent piece for Grantland:

            “Evan Turner is another fun character to watch. He’s the no. 2 pick from the 2010 draft in a contract year who just kind of sits there and observes everything with a weird smile on his face. He even wanted to ditch the team bus after one practice and walk home alone; he asked me how long the walk would be to his hotel.”

If Turner didn’t want to take the bus, he should have at least asked the team’s GM for a lift.

Targets for the Sixers' second lottery pick

These potential targets will likely change several times before the draft, but it is never too early to get an idea. Check out the original article, from Philly.com, here.
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With a month left until the 2014 NBA Draft, a lot of projecting where players will be picked at this point is speculative. Teams will trade, needs will change, and players will slide up and down boards all the way up until draft day. Most hesitate to speak with certainty regarding player placement for a draft that is a month away, and everything that is heard must be taken with a grain of salt. Still, some clear trends can be tracked as player workouts get underway and individual skill sets come into focus.

A few weeks back, I looked at some potential players that the Sixers could select with their pick from the Pelicans. At that point it was not even guaranteed that the Sixers would be receiving a pick from the Pelicans this year. Since then however, the order of the draft has been determined, the SIxers secured a pair of picks in the lottery, and as the draft continues to creep closer tiers of talent have begun to emerge.

2014 NBA Draft coverage compilation

Over the next month I will be doing a ton of NBA Draft Coverage, leading up to the big day on June 26th.

In order to keep track and be able to access all of the work, I will compile the articles here for easy access:

Sixers should avoid Embiid: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/sixers/The-Sixers-should-avoid-Joel-Embiid-in-2014-NBA-Draft.html

Dante Exum an option for Sixers: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/sixers/Dante-Exum-is-an-intriguing-option-for-the-Sixers-selection-.html

2014 NBA Mock Draft, Version 1.0: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/2014_NBA_Mock_Draft_1.html

Lottery luck for the Sixers

The NBA Draft lottery takes place in a little over an hour. Needless to say, it is extremely important for the future of the Sixers' franchise.

Best case: Sixers get the 1st overall pick, and the New Orleans Pelicans get the 10th overall pick.

Worst case: Sixers get the 5th overall pick, and the New Orleans Pelicans get the 1st overall pick.

Safe to say the Sixers need some luck. So I present to you, Sixers mardi gras beads from New Orleans:



These beads have both of the teams that the Sixers need luck from in the lottery covered. Let's hope they help.

Top prospects to skip NBA predraft combine

Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, and Joel Embiid, the consensus top three talents in the loaded 2014 draft class, will not attend this week’s pre-draft combine in Chicago, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of YahooSports.

The combine, which begins Wednesday, gives teams an early look at some basketball abilities, and allows for physicals to be taken by the players.

Wojnarowski noted that while it is not uncommon for top prospects not to participate in drills, having the three most highly-touted talents unavailable is unprecedented.

In reality, the missing of the combine doesn’t mean much for these guys, except that they may have to take multiple physicals down the road. Embiid’s back remains a concern however, as he has still not been cleared for full-contact workouts.

“[Missing the combine] is more of a concern about Embid than Parker, given [Embiid’s] back issues,” one NBA general manager stated.

There is certainly some risk that would come with drafting Embiid, but missing out on the combine shouldn’t be too big of a concern for these top prospects.

Kemba Walker 2013-14 season report card

The good people over at Queencityhoops.com have begun rolling out the post-season report cards. With the Bobcats making their first playoff appearance in franchise history there is certainly a lot to talk about with the team; not to mention their switch back to the Hornets on the hardwood.

Kemba Walker is a big piece of what Charlotte does, and I broke down and reviewed his season for QCH. Check out the original article in its entirety here.
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After a solid 2012-13 campaign in which he improved in almost every area, many were looking for Kemba Walker to take the next step this season.

While Walker’s game didn’t regress after his successful sophomore season, it didn’t appear to make significant strides either. Overall, his play appeared to plateau, and his statistics stagnated.

The team found some success, making their first ever playoff appearance, and new addition Al Jefferson seemed to gel with Walker; a relationship that can be built upon. Overall however, Walker didn’t demonstrate the development that he did between seasons one and two. He continued to show that he belongs in the league, but he didn’t separate himself to provide a definite answer to the lingering question of if he is a long-term starting solution at Charlotte’s point guard position.

LeBron James already has a Johnny Manziel jersey

Well that didn't take too long.

Check out the full story from Philly.com here.
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LeBron James didn’t get his wish when it came to where his fellow Nike and McDonald’s endorsee Johnny Manziel was selected, but that didn’t stop him from showing support.

Image taken by Scott of WNFY

Prior to the 2014 NFL Draft, James was on record saying that he wanted the kid dubbed ‘Johnny Football’ to be the first overall selection in the draft.   

“Being a huge supporter and friend of Johnny, I want him to go number one,” James stated.

When Manziel didn’t go first overall, James held out hope that the quarterback would be selected by his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Despite Manziel’s availability, the Cowboys passed on him, and the highly-touted talent fell to 22^nd overall, where he was selected by James’ home-state Browns.

Only hours after Manziel’s selection, ‘The King’ was spotted sporting a Browns’ Manziel jersey on the Heat’s team plane.

It was a solid showing of support between, um, friends, but the Browns hope the newest answer to their quarterback conundrum doesn’t follow his friends’ footsteps out of Cleveland.

The Sixers might want to avoid Joel Embiid in the 2014 NBA Draft

Check out the original article from Philly.com here.

It generated some conversation, as whoever the Sixers' select will be a big piece to the future of the franchise.
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It goes without saying that the Sixers face some big decisions in the upcoming NBA Draft.

They are guaranteed a pick in the top 5, and with any luck, the pick ends up in the top two. (Also with some luck, they will have another pick from the Pelicans).

The 2014 Draft could work to greatly shape the future of the franchise, as the picks, in addition to the freshly-minted Rookie of the Year, Michael Carter-Williams, could form the foundation with which the team is built.

The Sixers will have several intriguing options wherever they select, and wise selection-making will be beyond important. (Like Sam Hinkie doesn’t know that).

With that being said, the Sixers might want to stay away from Kansas center Joel Embiid, tempting as his selection may seem.

Kevin Durant named NBA MVP

Sorry, LeBron, but no surprise here.

Kevin Durant has officially been named the 2014 NBA MVP.

Kevin Durant officially named the MVP. He gets 119 of 125 first-place votes.
— SB Nation NBA (@SBNationNBA) May 6, 2014

Congrats to KD on his first (and likely not last) MVP award.

Michael Carter-Williams named Rookie of the Year, as expected

As if it's a surprise.

Sixers guard Michael Carter-Williams was officially named the 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year on Monday.

MC-W received 104 out of a possible 124 first-place votes, coasting clearly past second-place finisher Victor Oladipo of Orlando. 

Early Saturday afternoon, Michael Kaskey-Blomain of Philly.com (and Around the Arc) was told that Sixers' G Michael Carter-Williams would be named the 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year.

Sixers G Michael Carter-Williams will be named the 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year on Wednesday, May 7, per a source.
— Michael K-B (@therealmikekb) May 3, 2014

Shortly after, the information was confirmed by NJ.com, and later, The Inquirer.

Michael Carter-Williams has been named the NBA Rookie of the Year, a source has confirmed. #Sixers http://t.co/AggVWTxTty
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) May 3, 2014

Michael Carter-Williams won the NBA’s Rookie of the Month award four out of a possible six times this past season, and now his rookie season will be capped with another accolade.

The award comes as no surprise, as Carter-Williams led all rookies in rebounding, scoring, assists, steals, and double-doubles, while averaging 16.7 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game.

Carter-Williams’ inspired play was one of the few bright spots in what was a struggle of a season for the Sixers, who haven’t had a Rookie of the Year award-winner since Allen Iverson. 

‘MC-W,’ as he has been labeled by the Philadelphia faithful, was the 11^th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, which he declared for after two seasons at Syracuse.

Michael Carter-Williams to be Rookie of the Year

Early Saturday afternoon, Michael Kaskey-Blomain of Philly.com (and Around the Arc) was told that Sixers' G Michael Carter-Williams would be named the 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year.

Sixers G Michael Carter-Williams will be named the 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year on Wednesday, May 7, per a source.
— Michael K-B (@therealmikekb) May 3, 2014

Shortly after, the information was confirmed by NJ.com, and later, The Inquirer.

Michael Carter-Williams has been named the NBA Rookie of the Year, a source has confirmed. #Sixers http://t.co/AggVWTxTty
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) May 3, 2014

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Michael Carter-Williams won the NBA’s Rookie of the Month award four out of a possible six times this past season, and it appears as though his rookie season will be capped with another accolade.

Carter-Williams will be named the 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year.

The award comes as no surprise, as Carter-Williams led all rookies in rebounding, scoring, assists, steals, and double-doubles, while averaging 16.7 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game.

Carter-Williams’ inspired play was one of the few bright spots in what was a struggle of a season for the Sixers, who haven’t had a Rookie of the Year award-winner since Allen Iverson. 

‘MC-W,’ as he has been labeled by the Philadelphia faithful, was the 11^th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, which he declared for after two seasons at Syracuse.

Now all we need is an official announcement. 

Without great offensive ability, Nerlens Noel can still be a game-changer, much like Deandre Jordan

Check out the original article from Philly.com, here.
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It is safe to say that the 2008 NBA Draft won’t go down as one of the best in the history of the Sixers’ franchise.

I still remember sitting in an Atlantic City casino bar on that June evening in 2008 and watching the selections scroll across a screen behind the bar. The Sixers hadn’t landed in the lottery, and were picking at middling 16^th overall, so expectations weren’t too high. Still, I was hoping that the Sixers would make a solid selection to add to their promising pick of Thaddeus Young from the summer prior.

There was one player in particular I was intrigued by coming out of college, and although I had only seen him play a few games for his Texas A&M team, I was hoping that, if available, the Sixers would take a shot on him.

That player was DeAndre Jordan.

Areas of expansion for Michael Carter-Williams

Check out the original article, in its entirety, from Philly.com, here. 

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After his developmentally and statistically successful rookie reason, Michael Carter-Williams took a solid step toward adding his name to that of the elite, but he needs to continue to improve and expand if he wants to consistently compete, and succeed against, the league’s deep roster of talented point guards.  

Generally, Carter-Williams needs to get stronger. The addition of strength isn’t a specific skill, but it will aid in his improvement in all areas. He doesn’t need to get jacked up anything crazy, just enough to help him absorb extra contact and exploit smaller defenders.

Outside of simply adding some size, here are a few other areas where Carter-Williams should concentrate on improving in order to continue his development and maximize his potential:

NBA in the midst of a golden age of point guards

The NBA is in the midst of golden age of point guards, and this has been showcased perfectly by the Playoffs.

A look around the league’s landscape at all the current contenders shows a striking similarity; almost all of the league’s top teams are led by athletic elite-level point guards.

The list of point guards competing in this year’s Playoffs reads like an All-Star team: Tony Parker, Damien Lillard, Chris Paul, Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook, Mike Conley, Jeff Teague, John Wall, Deron Williams, Kyle Lowry, Kemba Walker, and of course a (seemingly-always) injured Derrick Rose are all playoff participants.

Basically every team that is a true contender has a proto-point, the lone exception being the Miami Heat, who have some guy named LeBron James that handles a large portion of the play-making.

The league’s abundance of point guard excellence isn’t limited to playoff participants however. Plenty of all-star caliber guards got an early jump on summer this season.

Rajon Rondo, Eric Bledsoe, Kyrie Irving, Jrue Holiday, and Ricky Rubio are also in the mix with the league’s elite.

In short, current point guard competition is tough.