The Opening Tip
Hello and Happy Thursday, it's the Corner Three, sponsored by:
He really took it, actually he took two, made one. He didn't attempt any in the two games after this but God is still working on all of us.
Basketball is back today and it finally counts. Scrimmage SZN was fun but I'm ready to really be pissed off about 3rd quarter rotations. The NBA announced yesterday that for a consecutive week, no player participating in Bubble Ball Redux has tested positive for Covid-19. Great news for all involved. Here's to hoping everyone continues to stay safe, mask up and Matisse's vlog wins a daytime Emmy.
Rest In Power, Malik B.
Let's get into it!
MERCH DEADLINE!
The "Only Orlando Hostage Podcast" t-shirt, can still be yours in time for the start of the most important playoff run in the history of this team (until next year) as long as you order by noon on 7/31. Cop up here. Also, shop here for a gallery of on sale gear that will never see production again once its gone. Some goodies from past live Ricky's and other dope shit.
MERCH PROMO CODE: CENSOREDBUTT10 (this is for 10% off any non-sale item in the Merch Store. It's good till 8/5 when it changes again to keep you on your toes).
This Week In The Pod
I mean, where the hell do you even start? What the fuck even is this podcast? Daryl Morey and Joel Embiid in the same week? The only thing topping this is Hinkie. I sincerely encourage all of you to listen to both of these in their entirety so I won't share too much as to not spoil but they are great. Morey was sincere in his answers, especially when it came to discussing Hinkie's time here and his departure and their friendship (they really are good friends!).
Embiid was his usual charming self, talking about pulling out wedgies and fully expecting to get booed off the court while making his Sixers home debut and honestly just really putting me at ease and at the same time making my heart pitter patter with each word. He's going to lead this team and this city to a championship. I have the conviction in my soul. I also thought a ball couldn't bounce four times at a perfect angle before falling in a hoop so ride with me at your own peril. Rumor has it we'll have a contest for a pair of the Under Armour Embiid 1s, signed by the big guy, when they come out.
Charity Spotlight
The North Broad Renaissance is a non-profit organization whose main purpose is to provide communication, guidance and assistance to businesses, community groups and others who are (or may) do business or development or other activities on North Broad Street, from City Hall to Germantown Avenue. As they, like all of us, continue to navigate the waters presented by the past 6 months, they could use our help! Read more about the organization, its current projects and how you can help here.
Oh Yeah,The Sixers
Three scrimmages down. Time to get big and get serious. We got a glimpse of a bit of everything from our handsome, fun-loving, frustrating, very athletic boys. I was happy to see some new wrinkles, sad to see some old dumb shit rear its ugly head, but all together I think there's definitely some positives to take away (great, I sound like them after a road trip).
I LOVED Ben Simmons. He looked in mid-season form, was everywhere on both sides of the floor and definitely came in to each game with purpose. The corner three attempt and make was huge and will matter 1000x more if it happens frequently in these 8 seeding games. Time will obviously tell but I'll take what I've seen so far.
Tobias Harris averaged a cool 17.3 ppg during exhibition season and looked damn good doing it too. Much more aggressive and really not rushing anything. Really just need that to translate to everything from Aug 1 on and I think this team will be in great shape.
Joel Embiid looked normal before a sore calf shut him down but Brett Brown expects him to play Saturday so I won't put lamb's blood over my door yet. It's always hard to hell if he's in-shape or just better than everyone else on the floor so I'll give him a cool 50/50.
Matisse and Shake looked like I hoped they would. Comfortable, under control. Shake definitely looks confident bringing the rock up and Matisse is a regular Dhalsim (O.G. Street Fighter heads what up) in the passing lanes on D.
Josh Richardson was fine. That's all I got. I hope J-Rich finds what he's searching for in life and on this team while he's on it atleast. I love him but he won't be here next year, which is OK! I just hope he goes out on top as a world champion of the NBA AAU Orlando Jamboree.
The Rest From The Best
Headlines sell, baby! The Sixers have plenty of them coming out of the bubble so far. Mike O'Connor blessed us with some commentary on whether or not we should be buying these five Sixers headlines. We agree on most here. I would probably want to talk about the Alec Burks claiming his playoff minutes part but I can be swayed.
You've read, watched, heard what this team can and can't do and what its eventual shortcomings will be all during the season and during the rampup. As we sit on the eve of the restart and mad dash to the O'Brien trophy and gold plated Mickey ears, Andrew Unterberger wants you guys to know that the time for this damn team to win is right NOW.
Nervous or unsure or have no clue what this team will look like once the games count? (understandable, it's the Sixers) Sixers Adam, NBA Insider and mortal enemy of any Colangelo that ever existed, has you covered with four most important questions as our guys get ready to avenge the ghost of Toronto past. The first one asks is Shake is ready. Easy, YES. Shake is ready.
Peace, Love and Process
That's my time, ya'll. Be good, stay healthy, wear a mask and watch the WNBA.
-Zo