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The Opening Tip
My people, what a week. Up is down, back is forward and Shake Milton is our starting point guard. Let's get going!
NBA hostage Disney, The Bubble, World's greatest AAU tournament, etc... Whatever you're calling it these days, is in full swing. I initially had no clue how things would work out, and now that the program is fully firing I still very much think that. Players have been updating us on the food, lodging, and activities of the sort and Jimmy Butler let us know early that he's still the hardest worker in the room, wants it more and will dribble the air out of the ball for three straight crucial possessions if he has to as a reminder. Truly, THIS...LEAGUE.
I'm still catching up on MTV's The Challenge, hanging in strong. I don't really have a favorite right now, they just all love chaos and hysterics and thriving in it and in a way, it's very welcoming. I lied about having a favorite. I would lay down my life for Aneesa, the pride of Narberth, who I waived at one time while waiting to be seated at Silk City (Go to Silk City, it's the best).
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Oh Yeah, Here's Some Merch
Folks, it is hot and only going to get hotter. Go grab an ice cold soft pretzel water from Joe Vallone and his mom Doris at Vallone's Deli. Would be even cooler if you showed up in the Vallone's Deli tee. Proceeds from any shirt go directly to Prevention Point Philly at Joe's request.
MERCH PROMO CODE: MACKOSHWAL10 (this is for 10% off any non-sale item in the Merch Store. It's good till 7/29 when it changes again to keep you on your toes).
This Week In The Pod
This week the guys welcomed Larry Hughes, co-host of the Bleav in Wizards podcast and much more importantly, one half of the 1998-99 Flight Brothers. "You throw it up and I'll go get it". I enjoyed that conversation so much, I really liked Larry's honesty about what he got from playing with Allen Iverson and being coached by Larry Brown and his insight on where he and A.I. might have grown into had the front office kept them together. Larry Brown was a guy who wanted things done his way and didn't have a long leash for young players, not an anomaly considering many coaches operate in that silo but still annoying we didn't get to see what the AI/Larry/Tim Thomas (Nova's own, Love you Shire) triumvirate would have turned out as.
I say that to say, check out that damn roster from the 98-99 team. A bunch of gems. Also, dibs on The Rights to Benoit Benjamin podcast name
Charity Spotlight
Philadelphia Youth Basketball (PYB) is on a mission to help young people be the best students, athletes, and leaders possible, and they could use our help! Read more about how to donate and get involved here.
Oh Yeah,The Sixers
Ah man, here we go again
This
This
Now let me say my thing, "I'm not falling for this Ben/Brett, do it in a game!" Whatever. I was hooked 2 seconds into both of those videos. Ben Simmons shooting videos have the longevity of clips from The Office. We can talk shit about how we've seen every one but do we ever turn away when they pop up? Exactly.
Jumpshot porn videos aside, I'm extremely interested to see off ball, 4-man Ben in the first scrimmage. I believe in Ben's game, more than that, I believe in him being the best version of what Brett Brown and Joel Embiid (probably quietly) are asking him to be. It isn't lost on me either that many (read all) of today's power forwards have some sort of mid range/corner three tool in their bags so I think we'll see him try to flex that muscle a few times and certainly more than he did earlier in the season. I'm also ready for him to not do any of this and make me look like a total jackass (wouldn't be the first time, Bynum wya?).
Josh Richardson has had a quiet bubble so far, which isn't a bad thing but I'm going to have the microscope on J-Rich these next couple weeks as well. I still don't know what the best version of Josh is on this team and I'm not quite sure him or his coaches know that yet either. I will say, the J-Rich from this Heat game in November was as perfect as they come. Maybe he just needs to play every game like he's trying to show Miami they made a huge mistake in essentially swapping him for Jimmy Butler, hardest worker in the NBA, and probably all of sports.
Matisse started a vlog series and it's pretty good! He's such a terrific, sweet, nice young man who, as my brother Darien would say, "hasn't been jaded by Philadelphia yet'. A good young player with a heart of gold who will be an instant favorite the moment him and Al Horford land in Sacramento.
The Rest From The Best
Welcome to the family Mike O'Connor! Mike is a terrific basketball mind who has been covering the Sixers in some capacity for many years now. He's bringing the heat with his very first Ricky piece, asking if the Sixers can be fun again? My thoughts? Yes, with the proper mix of winning and letting Joel Embiid do whatever the fuck he wants. Please be fun again, I'm tired.
OUR guy, AU, Andrew Unterberger, is trying to decide how gassed up he is about the regular Sixers offseason stuff which is happening in July which is normal, but the season starts again in two weeks, which is anything but normal. In any case, here's how much he believes in Ben Simmons' most recent empty-gym jumpers.
We have a Ricky Orlando Hostage pool sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook! Totally free, enter here. Also, if you're scared (you should be, it's the Sixers) Sixers Adam, NBA Insider and mortal enemy of any Colangelo that ever existed, has you covered with this guide on how to pick.
Peace, Love and Process
Until next week, ya'll. Stay safe, stay cool and stay 6 feet apart.
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