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Philadelphia 76ers News

Sixers surging into game vs. refocused Heat
February 3
CSN Philly
 
"The games keep coming fast and furious against formidable opponents. When the Sixers beat Orlando on Monday, the Magic didn't have their starting point guard and Dwight Howard found himself on the bench in crunch time. Forget that the Sixers held Orlando to 51 points early into the fourth quarter. Wednesday rolled around and the Sixers' players and coaches alike were asked what would it say about their team if they were able to beat the Bulls, who entered the Wells Fargo Center with the best record in the Eastern Conference."
No-name 76ers face star-laden Miami tonight
February 3
Courier-Post
 
"Lavoy Allen admitted that he finally got his driver's license last week and that he plans to buy a Smart Car. That, in a way, is a fitting metaphor for the 76ers' season. Allen is a mountain of a man at 6-feet-9, 225 pounds. Yet, he is not worried about fitting in one of those economically efficient cars. "I'll find a way," he said. Like Allen, the rookie second-round draft choice out of Temple, the Sixers are fitting into their role as the Smart Car of the NBA. They don't have that gas-guzzling superstar unlike their opponents tonight, the Miami Heat, with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade."
Sixers serve notice with big victory over Bulls
February 2
CSN Philly
 columnist John Finger
"Respect. No, the Sixers claim they didn't go into Wednesday night's showdown against the Eastern Conference's top-rated team, the Bulls, at the Center on some sort of quest for respect or their just due. The season is much too long for any declarations of that sort after just 22 games. However, if there ever was a victory that should make the NBA powerbrokers turn their heads and take notice of those Philadelphia 76ers, it most definitely was the 98-82 drubbing of the Bulls, Wednesday night."
Do you believe in the Sixers now?
February 2
CSN Philly
 columnist John Gonzalez
"Doug Collins didn't hesitate. The question wasn't fully asked yet – it had merely formed on the tip of one reporter's tongue – but Collins had his reply ready anyway. The anticipation was impressive. So was the comedic timing. Not long before the Sixers faced the Bulls at the Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday night, Collins did his usual pregame chit-chat with the media in the hallway outside his team's locker room. Toward the end of the gathering, someone in the pack noted aloud that, in the last two losses at home – to Denver and New Jersey – point guards really damaged the Sixers. It was only a statement at that point. The inquisitor never had a chance to work it into a proper question."
Korver likes way old team is shaping up
February 2
Courier-Post
 
"Over the years, Kyle Korver has been told he looks like actor Ashton Kutcher probably more times than the number of fans (18,325) who were at the Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday night. No one has to tell the former Sixers sharpshooter his old team looks for real now. "They have a lot of young athletic players with a lot of energy, and when you"
76'ers Hawes' return is still unknown
February 2
Courier-Post
 
"Spencer Hawes said he expected to be back last week from his left Achilles strain. Instead, he missed his ninth straight game Wednesday when the 76ers played the Chicago Bulls. That's why he refused to say when he's going to return. "I hope [to be back] as early as possible," Hawes said. "I said I'd be back last week. I'm done with the predictions." Hawes said he ran again Wednesday morning, and he played in 2-on-2 games for the second day in a row. But the Achilles still bothers him when he tries to cut. "It's just not there yet," Hawes said."
Bulls' lethargic starters end it early against 76ers
February 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bulls missed Luol Deng and Richard Hamilton on Wednesday night. But they also missed Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose and Ronnie Brewer. Those four starters sat out the fourth quarter of a 98-82 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers after contributing to a disastrous third quarter in which the Sixers outscored the Bulls 26-11 to take a 7-55 lead. ''We played a messed-up game where we rubbed off on everybody else,'' said Rose, who scored 18 points on 8-for-17 shooting with six assists and four turnovers. ''It was definitely the starters. They held us back pretty good and kept it on us. This is something we're not going to forget. I know I'm not.''"
Sluggish Bulls routed 98-82
February 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Here's about all you need to know regarding the Bulls' 98-82 blowout loss to the 76ers on Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center: The quick, athletic 76ers forced 17 turnovers and, more devastatingly, scored 29 points off of them. They piled up 21 fast-break points to the Bulls' four. They had more rebounds, more second-chance points and way more energy, particularly in a 26-11 third quarter. No wonder coach Tom Thibodeau said he would have stuck with the reserves who played the entire fourth quarter, even if they had whittled a 20-point deficit lower than the 12 to which they dropped it."
76'ers Hawes improving, but when will he return?
February 1
CSN Philly
 
"Spencer Hawes had a tremendous start to his season. He was averaging 10.4 points per game and shooting 59 percent from the field. He was grabbing 8.8 rebounds a night and and handing out almost three assists. The Sixers were 10-2 with Hawes as their starting center. All that is great, except that Hawes' play is becoming a distant memory. He has missed eight straight games with a strained Achilles' and the streak is likely to continue Wednesday night when the Eastern Conference-leading Bulls come to town. After the Sixers' practice at PCOM on Tuesday, Hawes was asked when he will know if he is healthy enough to return to game action. “When I can really run,” he said. “If we could just play"
Sixers, Magic headed in opposite directions
February 1
CSN Philly
 
"For some reason Dwight Howard was walking around the Orlando Magic's locker room before Monday's game against the Sixers, carrying two bricks. "Brick squad," the Magic's star center kept saying, over and over. "You wanna get hit with a brick?" Forget the obvious metaphor about Howard's horrid free throw shooting. It was more like he had sifted through the rubble of the Magic's rapidly disintegrating season, which would only continue a few hours later, with a 74-69 loss to the Sixers – a game in which Howard shot 6 for 17 from the field and 5 for 13 from the foul line for his 17 points."
Judge to Allen Iverson: I'm Garnishing Your Wages to Pay Back Your Jeweler
January 31
TMZ.com
 
"Allen Iverson's bank account has been commandeered by a Georgia judge ... who's garnishing the former NBA star's earnings so A.I. can repay a 6-figure debt to his flashy GA jeweler. According to court papers obtained by TMZ ... Iverson was sued back in 2010 for allegedly stiffing Aydin & Company Jewelers on a $375,000 bill. The records show ... A.I. never responded to the lawsuit ... so a default judgement was issued in favor of the jewelry store ... allowing A&C to collect $859,896.46 for the bling, court costs, interest and attorneys fees."
Another bad showing: Magic offense struggles in loss to Sixers
January 31
Orlando Sentinel
 
"Dwight Howard sat stone-faced near the end of the Orlando Magic bench as the final minutes ticked down inside the Wells Fargo Centeron Monday night. The Magic were about to lose their fourth consecutive game, and Howard must have hated what he was witnessing. The final score — Philadelphia 74, Orlando 69 — does not show just how poorly the Magic offense played. Orlando made only three baskets in the entire third quarter and had scored only 51 points with three minutes remaining in regulation. "Look, if a team doesn't play hard, that's one thing, but I thought our guys competed hard tonight," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "And it's my responsibility to find a way to create good shots for us,"
Despite late stumble, Sixers hold off Magic
January 31
CSN Philly
 
"It has gotten to the point where the Sixers are now grading their victories. And Doug Collins' grade for Monday night's 74-69 win over Orlando was "incomplete" (see game breakdown.) They limited the reeling Magic to 33.3 percent shooting – 17.6 percent while outscoring the visitors 21-9 in the pivotal third quarter – and built a 19-point lead early in the final period. But the Magic cut the gap to five in the closing minutes, which if nothing else gave the Sixers' exacting coach something to harp on."
Howard mum on possibly joining Sixers
January 31
CSN Philly
 
"When the biggest free agent to be shows up in your arena after he had requested a trade and blew up at his teammates after a loss, the question is inevitable… So Dwight, would you like to play for the 76ers? "This is a great team. They're playing great basketball right now. For myself, it's a blessing to be wanted by a lot of teams and cities. I feel honored. Right now, the only thing I can control is what I do with my team," Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard said diplomatically. "The Sixers do look great. They've got some great fans behind them. But my job is to my team. And I'm going to continue to lead my team no matter what.""
Sixers hold on to defeat Magic
January 31
Courier-Post
 
"It's well known that Dwight Howard made a trade request to get out of Orlando, reportedly submitting a list of three teams he'd consider approving a trade to. The 76ers, to little surprise, were not one of them. While the Magic All-Star center is probably not going to change his mind about coming to the Sixers, Howard did like what he saw from the Sixers after they completely smothered the Magic in their 74-69 win Wednesday."
Jameer Nelson doesn't make trip back home
January 31
Courier-Post
 
"The trip home is always one that Jameer Nelson looks forward to. So it was easy to imagine Nelson's frustration over not making the trip to Philadelphia with the rest of the Orlando Magic. Nelson hasn't played since Friday when he suffered what the Magic have called concussion-like symptoms. Nelson grew up in Chester, Pa., and played at St. Joseph's University. He typically hosts the team for dinner at his home, and he usually has plenty of friends and family members in the stands."
Things are about to get tough for Sixers
January 29
CSN Philly
 
"We knew this time would come for the Sixers. The schedule is about to get tough. Really tough. And it all starts on Monday. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the Sixers will host the Magic, Bulls and Heat respectively. Then, they head to Atlanta for a game before returning home for games against the Lakers, Spurs and Clippers. "When you've got this stretch of home games, you've got to take advantage of that," head coach Doug Collins said. "You can't get yourself in a situation where you come home and lose two, three, or four games. You can't make those [losses] up. When you're in this position, you've got to take advantage of it the best you can." The next seven games are really tough. The"
Sixers to face huge task
January 29
Courier-Post
 
"You're probably tired of seeing the 76ers beat up on the dregs of the NBA, which they have been for most of the season. That will change Monday, when the Sixers will play seven straight games against teams with winning records. Six of them have a winning percentage of .625 or better. The combined record of those teams is 90-42 for a winning percentage of .681. We should find out then if the Sixers are for real following an impressive 13-6 start to the season. It'll be quite a change. The Sixers have played the easiest schedule in the NBA so far. Their opponents came into Saturday's games with a winning percentage of .436."
Iguodala's triple-double leads Sixers past hapless Pistons
January 29
Courier-Post
 
"Doug Collins left it up to Andre Iguodala. He needed one rebound for the triple-double in the fourth quarter of a game the 76ers were leading by 27 points. So the Sixers' coach turned to Iguodala on the bench and asked him, " 'Would you like to get it?' " And he said, 'Great.' " Iguodala got that last rebound within 13 seconds of entering the game, with 7:35 to go. He got a standing ovation from a fan base that wanted him traded at the end of last season. And he also got the admiration of his teammates and coach after the Sixers polished off the Detroit Pistons 95-74 on Saturday. It wasn't a bad way for Iguodala to cap off his 28th birthday. Iguodala finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds"
Source: Sixers inquire about Stoudemire
January 29
CSN Philly
 
"Last year at this stage of the season, Amare Stoudemire was the toast of New York. Every time he stepped to the foul line during games at Madison Square Garden, Stoudemire was serenaded with, "M-V-P!" chants and was cited as the catalyst for the resurgence of the Knicks. These days Stoudemire and the Knicks are struggling to a degree that the inevitable trade chatter is beginning to heat up. According to a league source, the Sixers have inquired about Stoudemire, though it was categorized as "due diligence." Nothing is said to be imminent or even in the early stages other than just talk, the source said. Nevertheless, in past seasons the Sixers were reportedly discussing trade scenarios"
Dominant Blazers exact revenge
January 28
Oregonian
 
"About 45 minutes before tipoff, Nate McMillan was grumbling about the Trail Blazers' lack of consistency, bemoaning their road woes and dissecting the fact that the lockout-shortened NBA schedule allows no practice time to fix any of the ailments. Right about then, during his pregame meeting with reporters, someone asked the Blazers coach if he had any idea when his team would put it all together. "I think we have a lot of work to do," McMillan responded. It didn't look like it Friday night. In their most complete and dominant performance of the season, the Blazers ran over, around and through the Phoenix Suns, winning 109-71 before a sellout crowd of 20,664 at the Rose Garden. The"
Hawes hoping for Saturday return
January 28
CSN Philly
 
"Spencer Hawes spent the last hour before Friday night's tip-off with both of his feet plunged into a tub of ice. However, if everything goes the way he is planning he should be lacing up his Nikes instead before the next game. Hawes, sitting out for the sixth game in a row with a strained Achilles, hopes to be able to play against Detroit at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night. If a return on Saturday doesn't work out, Hawes is targeting Monday night's game against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. "Maybe tomorrow, but hopefully for Monday," Hawes said about his return to the lineup. "I want to put it behind me and not think about it anymore." Hawes, the fifth-year center, was off"
Depth a dominant force for first-place Sixers
January 28
CSN Philly
 
"The Sixers have seven players averaging double-figure points with Lou Williams, who has zero starts, leading the bunch with 15.5 a night. It is an interesting approach to being successful in a league that boasts of teams winning with superstars. What adds more intrigue to the road the Sixers have traveled to arrive at the top of the Atlantic Division is that no one player has been even keel for 19 games. "We have had some really consistent guys, but I couldn't say one has been most," Doug Collins said. "I think all of our guys have had some ups and downs. But I think as a team we have been pretty consistent because of our depth, which has helped us.""
Sixers take care of lowly Bobcats in big win
January 28
CSN Philly
 
"No matter what the Sixers tried last Wednesday, they had no way of stopping the Nets' point guard Deron Williams. Part of the reason for that, says head coach Doug Collins, was because of poor matchups. No matter which combinations he tried, Collins just couldn't find the right mix. Collins had no such worries during Friday night's 89-72 victory over the lowly Charlotte Bobcats at the Center. Sporting the worst record in the NBA, the Bobcats were the perfect appetizer for the Sixers. Not only are the Sixers in the midst of a back-to-back with Detroit due in town for a game on Saturday night, but the schedule gets real starting Monday. Next week the Sixers finish the seven-game homestand"
Sixers find center in The Netherlands
January 28
Courier-Post
 
"Francisco Elson was in The Netherlands on Tuesday when the 76ers called to invite him for a workout and a chance to make the team. He worked out Thursday morning, and on Friday he signed a contract. So forgive him, he said, if he seemed a little tired. "I'm jet-lagged and everything," Elson said. "So if you catch me on the bench sleeping, you'll know where it's coming from." Sixers coach Doug Collins said he doesn't plan to use Elson during games, at least for now, even though his top two centers, Spencer Hawes and Nikola Vucevic, are still out with injuries. Hawes missed his sixth straight game with a left Achilles' strain and Vucevic his third straight with a quad strain. Hawes said"
76ers too much for Bobcats
January 28
Courier-Post
 
"It's not the Sixers' fault that the teams they're playing are awful. They are simply playing the schedule they were given. Friday night, the schedule had them playing the Charlotte Bobcats, who came into the game with the NBA's worst record at 3-16. The Bobcats were playing without two of their leading scorers, and they had lost six straight and 12 of 13. In other words, Charlotte didn't have a chance. The Sixers buried the Bobcats early and coasted to an 89-72 win after losing in overtime Wednesday to the New Jersey Nets. The Sixers (13-6) remained just one of three teams to not suffer consecutive losses this season — Chicago and Indiana are the others after Orlando lost its second in a"
Sixers mull adjustments after loss to Nets
January 27
CSN Philly
 
"Injured Sixers Spencer Hawes and Nik Vucevic were working with assistant coach Jeff Capel at the end of what Doug Collins called a meeting, not a practice. There is improvement, but it is unlikely either will play Friday when the 3-16 Bobcats come to town. Meanwhile, the next time the Sixers practice where they actually get on the court and work on basketball plays will be March 11. The NBA's lockout-shortened schedule is just that grueling. "We put a couple things in at shoot around that we tried to run in games, but because we haven't practiced our guys don't have any timing yet," Collins said."
Attitude key as Sixers' injuries pile up
January 27
CSN Philly
 
"After scoring 34 points to lead the New Jersey Nets over the Sixers in overtime Wednesday night, Nets guard Deron Williams announced that he and his teammates have a new motto: I feel great. The phrase was first used sarcastically, after a recent loss to Utah. But Williams and his teammates now appear to be taking it to heart. "I had five turnovers," he yelled to one of the other Nets at one point, "but guess what? I feel great.""
Depleted Sixers downed in overtime by Nets
January 26
CSN Philly
 
"Discarded swaths of adhesive tape, gauze and bandages littered the floor in front of the lockers in the 76ers' dimly-lit dressing room after another overtime loss at the Center on Wednesday night. Players took turns running in and out of training room where athletic trainer Kevin Johnson could have had the Sixers take a number as if he were running a deli counter."
Sixers come out flat in loss
January 26
Courier-Post
 
"Everything finally caught up to the 76ers. They were playing for the second straight game without their top two centers. They were undersized and undermanned against the Nets. That was exacerbated when Elton Brand fouled out and Thaddeus Young played most of the game through a lower back contusion. The Sixers simply ran out of steam — and bodies — in overtime and lost 97-90 to New Jersey on Wednesday. "We definitely need our bigs," Brand said. "They've been great for us all year. We're looking forward to getting them back. We just couldn't get stops, and Thad hurt his back.""
Sixers in search of depth
January 26
Courier-Post
 
"Spencer Hawes said he is getting closer to returning from a strained left Achilles tendon, while 76ers coach Doug Collins said Nik Vucevic is further away as he deals with a strained quad muscle. That's why Collins said he would like to add another big man. He would love to have another body for 3-on-3 games after the Sixers' practices, just to give players who don't get much playing time a chance to stay sharp. The Sixers are expected to work out a few big men today, including former Sixer Francisco Elson, who played one game for them in the 2009-10 season, and eight-year veteran Dan Gadzuric, who played for New Jersey and Golden State last season."
Williams' clutch 3 in overtime fuels Nets
January 26
New York Post
 
"For more than 48 minutes, the underdog, undermanned Nets battled the 76ers on their own court and gave everything they had. Then with 1:21 left in overtime, it looked as if the Nets gave something else — the game — to the Sixers when an errant inbounds pass turned into a breakaway score. But Deron Williams simply would not accept defeat. "At the end of the game, we basically put the ball in Deron's hands and said, 'Take us home' and that's what he did," coach Avery Johnson said approvingly. And — marketing people take note — Williams and all the Nets had one response: "I love it." That's the new team motto, Williams inspired. Don't think too hard, just accept."
Sixers using yoga at practice to stay fresh
January 25
CSN Philly
 
"It is hard to believe that only 46 days have passed since the first time the Sixers gathered as a whole at Saint Joseph's University for training camp back on Dec. 9. In that relatively short period of time they have come to lead the Atlantic Division with their 12-5 record and they have no intention of relinquishing that hold. "Our guys want to win the Atlantic Division, there is no question about that," Doug Collins said. "They want to be able to do that and they feel that is a possibility, and the guys are really focused.""
Despite injuries, Wallace not an option for Sixers
January 25
CSN Philly
 
"It appears very unlikely that starting center Spencer Hawes will play against the New Jersey Nets at the Center on Wednesday night, which could be the fifth straight game the Sixers have been without their big man in the lineup. Nursing a strained Achilles, which stemmed from some lower back issues, head coach Doug Collins will not rush back Hawes. The same goes for rookie big man Nikola Vucevic, who injured the area around his knee and quad last Saturday in Miami. Vucevic missed Monday's game against the Wizards and he probably will be a no-go for Wednesday's game, too."
Sixers' rookies breaking out
January 25
CSN Philly
 columnist Marc Zumoff
"Random thoughts, quotes, anecdotes and memories. Seeing rookies have break out games never gets old. To that end, rookie Nik Vucevic and now fellow first year big man Lavoy Allen have both had what might be termed coming out parties. Vucevic as a starter for Spencer Hawes before he himself was hurt Saturday at Miami. Allen doing his part in Monday night's umpteenth thrashing of Washington. Vucevic had three years of college ball while Allen had four. It's certainly tempting to take a flyer on that guy who's had only one year of college, but lure's you with his alleged "up side." But on the other side are youngsters like Vucevic and Allen, who had time to absorb good coaching and reach a"
Positive marks for Sixers at quarter pole
January 25
CSN Philly
 
"The Sixers have plenty to be proud of at the quarter pole of the NBA season, mainly their 12-5 record to lead the Atlantic Division. While their place in the standings is more than enough reason to be excited, the Sixers can also relish the fact that they are beginning to gain national recognition for their efforts. In a breakdown of team grades at the quarter mark of the season, Bleacher Report gave the Sixers an 'A+' and CBSSports handed the club an 'A'."
Sixers' Allen comes through in time of need
January 24
CSN Philly
 
"A depleted roster because of injury can be unsettling for a coach, especially when facing an opponent that is perceived by outsiders to be an easy foe. Such was the case Monday night when the Sixers entertained the 2-14 Washington Wizards. The Sixers were without Spencer Hawes for a fourth straight game because of a strained Achilles' and rookie Nik Vucevic was a scratch because of his left knee quad strain, which occurred Saturday against Miami."
Short-handed Sixers sail past Wizards
January 24
Courier-Post
 
"Elton Brand was feeling sick with a stomach virus. He was sent home during the morning shootaround, armed with Pepto Bismol, prepared to do nothing but sleep and drink fluids. At around 3 p.m., he got a text from Spencer Hawes, asking how he was feeling. When Hawes told him that he wasn't playing because of a strained left Achilles, Brand said, "All right, I'm definitely going.""
Injuries leave the Sixers a little short
January 24
Courier-Post
 
"These are the games that will test the Sixers, when they have to play without their top two centers in Spencer Hawes and rookie Nikola Vucevic. Hawes missed his fourth straight game Monday, this one against the Washington Wizards, with a left Achilles' tendon strain, while Vucevic sat out with a left quadriceps strain. It could have been worse. Elton Brand was sent home during the shoot-around with a stomach virus, but he started against the Wizards."
Wizards are no match for 76ers in rematch
January 24
Washington Times
 
"The Washington Wizards hoped that their recently improved play — and a few close losses — might actually mean something. Against the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that has owned them in every game this season, they were hoping it would mean a competitive game, if not a win. That hope was gone before the first quarter was over. The Wizards were blown out from start to finish, and lost to the 76ers 103-83 on Monday night. The 76ers improved to 12-5 while the Wizards fell to 2-15."
Philadelphia continues dominance of Washington with 103-83 win
January 24
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Wizards had discussed progress frequently over the last week on the strength of a win against a Western Conference power and three losses by an average of six points. Then they arrived at Wells Fargo Center on a rainy Monday and regressed into the same disinterested outfit that dropped a franchise-worst eight in a row to begin the season. This game, a 103-83 rout, was over shortly after the Wizards walked into the building. The Philadelphia 76ers made sure of that in front of 10,108 with a 19-4 run in the first quarter that included balanced scoring from the back court and a whole lot of forward Elton Brand, who finished with 17 points and a game-high nine rebounds, and was"
Veteran Brand trying to find his rhythm
January 23
CSN Philly
 
"Those 15- to 20-foot shots that look as if they scrape the orange paint front of the rim tell a lot about Elton Brand. Typically, if the veteran All-Star has an inch to squeeze off a shot from the top of the key, the only rebound will be the one the opponent pulls from the net. But lately those shots have been used to pad rebounding stats. Brand is a 50 percent shooter from the floor during his 13-year career -- 51 percent last year -- but he is down to 47.7 percent this year. Only through one 37-game stretch between 2007 and 2009 did Brand shoot a lower percentage than he has this year."
Philadelphia 76ers a mirror image of Miami Heat
January 22
Miami Herald
 
"One of the early surprises of the season, Philadelphia has thrived on lockdown defense and superior athleticism. That recipe might sound familiar to Miami fans. "In many ways, when you see the Philadelphia 76ers, it's like looking in a mirror," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "The athleticism, the speed, the activity they bring to the game. They brought virtually their entire core back and they seem much more comfortable." The most notable difference between the two teams is age. While the Heat is the NBA's sixth-oldest team (average age is 28.63), the 76ers (26.34) are closer to the league average."
Sixers' chances in Miami go down with Vucevic
January 22
CSN Philly
 
"For nearly three quarters on Saturday night at American Airlines Arena, the Sixers matched the Heat step for step. But when rookie Nikola Vucevic took a bad step and fell to a heap on the baseline beneath the basket, the Sixers' chances folded up too. Vucevic scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds while battling veterans Joel Anthony, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem in the paint for three quarters. With second-year guard Evan Turner coming off the bench to score 14 points in the first half, the Sixers' past two first-round draft picks gave the defending Eastern Conference champions all they could handle. But without Vucevic for the final 17 minutes of the game, the Sixers ran out of gas"
Sixers trying to be a destination
January 22
Courier-Post
 
"Remember how the lockout was supposed to restore competitive balance by making it less lucrative for superstars to go to big-market, glamorous teams? Well, as we wait for Orlando's Dwight Howard to head to the big-market city of his choosing, it is easy to conclude that isn't happening. Then again, maybe there's hope after point guard Russell Westbrook signed an extension to stay in Oklahoma City, joining Kevin Durant, who is signed through 2016. NBA commissioner David Stern would love to see stars who were drafted into small market teams stay there, and make those cities destinations for other stars."
Hawes out all weekend with Achilles' injury
January 21
CSN Philly
 
"Spencer Hawes did not play in Friday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Center and depending on what athletic trainer Kevin Johnson says, the Sixers' starting center will not travel with the team to Miami for Saturday night's game. The idea, obviously, is for Hawes to get "around-the-clock treatment" according to head coach Doug Collins. "We don't want to have any setbacks. He won't play [Saturday]," Collins said. "We have to be very careful about this. This is an injury that if you come back too soon, you're going to be right back to where you were." Hawes missed a game last Wednesday in New York because of a lower back strain and missed another on Wednesday against the Nuggets"
Vucevic makes second straight start at center
January 21
CSN Philly
 
"Nik Vucevic made his second straight start for the Sixers on Friday against Atlanta with Spencer Hawes sidelined with a strained left Achilles. Vucevic was was limited to 12 minutes in his first NBA start in Wednesday's loss to Denver not because of his own efforts, but because the matchup was so unfavorable with the more agile and quick Danilo Gallinari and Al Harrington playing in the frontcourt. Still, the rookie made the most of his time on the floor, leaving a good impression on his head coach. "Nik is mature, he really is," Doug Collins said. "I felt bad the other night because he should have been able to get a few more minutes. His play justified him getting more, but the lineups"
Second-half surge reinforces Sixers' identity
January 21
CSN Philly
 
"Doug Collins made it sound simple enough. He's good at that sort of thing, taking the abstract and the intricate and distilling it until the answer is smooth enough for everyone to consume. Before the game, someone asked Collins if this mini, three-game stretch in the Sixers' schedule seems particularly daunting. It was a fair question. The Sixers fell to Denver on Wednesday in their first home loss of the season. Atlanta came to town on Friday night. And on Saturday, the Sixers travel to Miami to play a team that just smacked the Lakers around even though Dwyane Wade wasn't on the court. So: Nuggets, Hawks, Heat. Not so easy, eh? "I think every night is a test," Collins said. "I don't"
Strong third quarter again propels Sixers
January 21
CSN Philly
 
"Sports is a business that loves catchphrases and clichés, so when we say three was the magic number again for the Sixers on Friday night, think third quarter and De La Soul. In the first two quarters against the Hawks, the Sixers looked out of sync, at best. Couple that with Atlanta making shots in the proverbial "yard" (outside the paint but inside the three-point line, the desired location for majority of opponents' shot attempts) and the Sixers found themselves down 47-39 at the half. In the 14 games prior to this contest, the Sixers had won 11 third quarters by a combined margin of 384-290. Fast forward now to Friday night's halftime discussion, after the Hawks had shot 50 percent from"