Reconsidering Giannis, after The Block Heard ‘Round the Basketball World

by gordie | Jul 17, 2021 | NBA

At a critical moment in Game Four of the NBA Finals Giannis Antetokounmpo was first one place, then another, and now the same can be said of his career. The Greek Freak’s block of Deandre Ayton’s dunk attempt with a little over a minute left Wednesday night preserved...

Yes, the Sixers’ Trade of Mikal Bridges was a Disaster, but it’s also Defensible

by gordie | Jul 11, 2021 | NBA, Philadelphia 76ers

Mikal Bridges’ 27-point outing for Phoenix in Game Two of the NBA Finals afforded us all one more opportunity to have a chuckle at the expense of the Sixers: Behold the team that stupidly traded a hometown hero on draft night three years ago, and received next to...

As in Years Past, Sixers Need Someone to Make a Stand. Question is, Do They Have Anybody Like That on the Roster?

by gordie | Jun 18, 2021 | NBA, Philadelphia 76ers

Wednesday’s Sixers disaster brings to mind those of the past. Consider, for instance, the night of May 21, 1982, when they entertained Boston in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals. Philadelphia, holding a 3-2 series lead and looking to close things out, built a...

Recalling Clint Richardson’s finest hour, and the critical difference role players can make for aspiring NBA champions

by gordie | Jun 14, 2021 | NBA, Philadelphia 76ers

Know this about championship basketball seasons: They are the ultimate group project, requiring something from just about everyone on the roster. There is no better example of that than Game Two of the Sixers-Hawks playoff series. The Sixers, who definitely harbor...

Pat Croce, Still Feeling Great (Of Course!), Adjusts His Perspective, Hopes to do the Same for Others Touched by Cancer

by gordie | May 23, 2021 | NBA, Philadelphia 76ers, Writing

Deep into a recent 40-minute telephone interview with former Sixers president Pat Croce, I raised the subject of death: How did he, as a 66-year-old cancer survivor, regard such a thing? “It doesn’t bother me,” he said. Well, of course. He has always been Mr....

A legacy of decency: Maurice Cheeks, forever helping others fit in (and not really caring to be noticed)

by gordie | Mar 14, 2021 | NBA, Philadelphia 76ers

The way Michele (Telfair) Ramsey remembers it, there were two ways for a junior-high-aged girl to stand out in Canyon, Texas in the late 1970s — either become a cheerleader, or a basketball player. She was neither, but set out to become the latter. It was a...