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 nights umpteenth thrashing of Washington. Vucevic had three years of college ball while Allen had four. Its certainly tempting to take a flyer on that guy whos had only one year of college, but lures 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 certain level of maturity.
Last weeks Zoos Views asked readers to try to gain an appreciation for oft-criticized Andre Iguodola (see blog post). Two more things to add to that. On Friday, he gained his 1,000th career steal, joining Maurice Cheeks, Allen Iverson, Julius Erving and Charles Barkley as the only other players in 76ers history to accomplish the feat. And how happy did he look dropping dimes on his teammates in Mondays victory over Washington, eventually accumulating a season-high 11 assists in the game to just one turnover? He scored only seven points in the contest, but seemed very content.
Thaddeus Youngs activity on the floor epitomizes the energy coach Doug Collins craves from his team. But this year, hes been making his outside shot with more confidence. Young is hitting shots from 16 to 23 feet at a clip of 42, by far a career-high for him.
No doubt youve seen Collins on Comcast Sportsnet or live at Wells Fargo Center when his team turns the ball over. The facial contortions and body language are of a man whos getting oral surgery without the Novocaine. And his Sixers feel his pain, leading the NBA with just 11.6 turnovers per game, just two-tenths of a percentage point off the NBA record of 11.4 set in 2005-06 by the Detroit Pistons.
Sixers elder statesman Tony Battie, who turns 36 on Feb. 11, is giving the team about 10 minutes a game on the floor. Off the floor, he lends 13 years of NBA experience to his younger teammates like Evan Turner. Battie sees stardom in the Sixers second-year swingman, and hes often in his ear with alternate verses of criticism and compliments. And as we watch Turner play, its pretty clear the advice has helped.
Remembering Musser
The kid growing up in Northeast Philadelphia had seen only a handful of 76ers games. And with so few games on television back in the day, the radio on top of the Frigidaire was his lifeline to the team. And that voice was there every game, describing the plays, the players, the coaches, the crowd, the smell of the popcorn machine and the cloud of cigar smoke that would linger in old Convention Hall long after the game was gone. Andy Musser is now gone, passing away this past weekend in his home at age 74. A longtime voice of Philadelphia sports, including the play-by-play man for the Philadelphia 76ers in parts of the 1960s and 70s, he brought the game to life for fans of the team, including the Northeast Philly kid who happens to be the TV guy for the team today. Thanks Andy for being a mentor and for the memories.
E-mail Marc Zumoff at zooplanet@comcast.net