Note: Over the next couple of weeks we will recap the Sixers’ season by evaluating each member of the roster.
Spencer Hawes
Position: Center
Status: Signed through the 2013-14 season for $6.5 million.
Signature game of 2012-13
It took Hawes a little while to get his game together during the 2012-13 season. But when he got hot, he stayed hot for most of the second half. That streak culminated with the 98-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers on March 17 where Hawes put together a game not seen by a big man since Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley.
Hawes poured in 18 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, dished out eight assists and swatted away seven shots to become the first player in the NBA to get at least 18 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists and seven blocks since March 29, 1990. That’s when Olajuwon posted 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and 11 blocks. Barkley was the last Sixer to post those types of big numbers, going for 31 points, 21 rebounds, nine assists and seven blocks on Nov. 28, 1986, in a win over Portland.
From March 16
There wasn’t any secret to the Indiana Pacers’ game plan on Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
With big man Roy Hibbert putting up 26 shots in 36 minutes and forwards Paul George and David West combining to take 30 shots, the Pacers, obviously, wanted to pound the ball in the paint.
The problem with that game plan was Sixers center Spencer Hawes stood up to the Pacers and as a result, led the team to a 98-91 victory.
“They’re tough. There are no qualms about what their doing and you know their game plan and their strengths,” Hawes said. “They went down to the big men a lot tonight and we did a pretty good job defending them,” (see full story).
Hawes in 2012-13
Coach Doug Collins began the season by bringing Hawes in off the bench and the big man struggled in the role. But midway through the season, Hawes re-joined the starting lineup and not only did his stat line improve, but also his aggressiveness and inside presence jumped, too.
Meanwhile, Hawes and Evan Turner were the only Sixers to play in all 82 games during the season.
Prospectus
Hawes was arguably the Sixers' most consistent performer over the final two months of the season. Part of that is because Collins used Hawes properly and got the most of his minutes.
With one year left on the two-year deal he signed last summer, Hawes will be back in 2013-14. Chances are he will play well like he did at the start of the 2011-12 season when he entered a contract year.
On Spencer Hawes ...
“Last year, with how he struggled with the Achilles and everyone was saying, ‘When is he coming back?’ Spencer is not only going to play all 82, but he’s finishing the season with a flourish. He’s really comfortable, he’s comfortable with his teammates, and you can see him growing in every way. I’m very proud of him.”
- Doug Collins
“[Hawes is] still a young guy and we’re very excited about where he’s come from and where he’s going. To me, he has a very high ceiling.
- Doug Collins