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David Zahn



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Sixers Even Series Behind Embiid’s 40 Points
David Zahn Posted On June 9, 2021

Sixers Even Series Behind Embiid’s 40 Points

After dropping the first game on their homecourt, the Philadelphia 76ers responded in a huge way, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 118-102 to knot the series even at one game a piece after two contests.

Joel Embiid may have lost the MVP race to Denver’s Nikola Jokic, but his level of play in this 76ers win showed why he was more than worthy of being a finalist for the award. He contributed 40 points (13-25 FG), 13 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block across 35 minutes of action. What’s more, he got to the free throw line at will, where he connected on 12 of his 16 attempts. Even though the Hawks have the defensive bodies to throw at him with Clint Capela and John Collins, neither has demonstrated that they can slow Embiid in the slightest.

While Embiid was clearly the Sixers offensive fulcrum down the stretch, it was Tobias Harris who carried the offensive load in the early going. Of his 22 total points, 16 came in the first quarter. As a result of Harris’s hot start and a return to form on defense, the Sixers built a 13 points lead going into the second quarter. This was exactly the start they needed after surrendering 42 points to the Hawks in the first quarter of game 1 and never making up that ground.

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Philadelphia’s first quarter dominance wouldn’t last as the Hawks battled back and nearly tied the score by halftime. However, Embiid absolutely took over the third quarter with 17 points and the Hawks were unable to keep up from there, particularly as both Seth Curry and Shake Milton were deadly from three point land (5-6 3PT and 4-5 3PT respectively).

76ers vs Hawks Game 2 - Shake Milton
76ers vs Hawks Game 2 – Shake Milton

The most encouraging takeaway from this victory was the stifling defense played by the Sixers. Trae Young was particularly bothered as he shot just 6-16 from the field and 1-7 from behind the arc. He was definitely a focus for the Sixers who routinely placed either Simmons or Thybulle on the young guard. Doc Rivers is quickly learning to cut off the head, which is Trae Young, from the Hawks and dare anyone else from their roster to step up.

Game 3 of this series will take place at 7:30 PM this Friday, June 11th. This contest will see the Sixers travelling to Atlanta for the first time in the series in a very important tie-breaking matchup. I expect to see adjustments from the Hawks, but it’s mighty tough to gameplan for the sheer dominance of a Joel Embiid who doesn’t appear hindered by a meniscus tear.


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Sixers Defeat Wizards; Will Take on Hawks in Round 2
David Zahn Posted On June 3, 2021

Sixers Defeat Wizards; Will Take on Hawks in Round 2

Despite being without the injured Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers won game 5, 129-112 and closed out their first round series with the Washington Wizards. As expected, the series could hardly be called competitive. Find a recap of the game below, as well as an update on Embiid’s injury status and a look ahead to what the next round brings for the Sixers.

Game Recap

The starting lineup that Coach Doc Rivers settled on consisted of Seth Curry, Danny Green, Matisse Thybulle, Ben Simmons, and Tobias Harris. The insertion of Thybulle for Embiid gave the Sixers a really interesting small-ball lineup that was particularly effective at switching screens against wing players. Obviously, a disadvantage of this lineup was its lack of size. Later in the contest, rookie Tyrese Maxey was given an opportunity to run with the starters, flashing spurts of energy on both ends of the floor.

The game remained close throughout the entire first half and much of the third quarter. It was during the late third quarter the Sixers began building their lead through a combination of stifling defense and a Simmons-led offensive attack. Dwight Howard in particular came through with multiple blocks that simultaneously discouraged Washington’s future drives to the basket and invigorated his teammates. A flurry of baskets down the stretch from both Tobias Harris (28 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists) and Seth Curry (30 points, 3-6 from three point range) kept the game out of reach for the Wizards, despite Beal and Westbrook fighting to the bitter end with a combined 78 minutes.

A triple double from Ben Simmons (19 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds) steadied the Sixers throughout the contest as much of their offense was centered around his dribble penetration and subsequent kick-outs. Also encouraging was his clip from the charity stripe as he hit a respectable 5-8 in the game. It is almost a certainty that a future team will employ the hack-a-Simmons strategy so he has to continue to demonstrate he can hit free throws.

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Embiid Injury Status

Joel Embiid Injury Status
Joel Embiid Injury Status

Joel Embiid wasn’t needed to close out the Wizards, but you can bet his presence will be necessary for the Sixers soon. The official announcement from Philadelphia on Wednesday was that Embiid had suffered a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee as a result of his fall in game 4 against the Wizards. Surgery would put a complete end to Embiid’s season so the team has opted to treat the injury with an intensive physical therapy and treatment program. His status is considered day-to-day at this point but I wouldn’t expect to see him in the Hawks series unless the Sixers really have their backs against the wall.

A Look Ahead

Round 2 - Atlanta Hawks
Round 2 – Atlanta Hawks

Wednesday evening also saw the Atlanta Hawks advance to the second round as they defeated the New York Knicks 103-89 in a game 5 of their own. As everyone knows, third year guard Trae Young is the soul of the Hawks team and their clear focal point on offense. However, his supporting cast is superbly deep with a full seven other capable offensive weapons on their team. The Sixers will host the Hawks in the first game of round 2 this Sunday, June 6th.


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No Sweep for Philly; Embiid Injuries Knee in Game 4 Loss
David Zahn Posted On June 1, 2021

No Sweep for Philly; Embiid Injuries Knee in Game 4 Loss-2

The Sixers were hopeful they’d be able to defeat the Wizards in Game 4 to complete a clean sweep in their first round series. If that was the best case scenario, it’s fair to say that what actually transpired was much closer to absolute worst case. Not only did the Wizards manage to grab a game from Philly, winning 122-114, but the catalyst of this Sixer’s team, Joel Embiid, exited the contest after just the first quarter with right knee soreness.

The source of Embiid’s injury, whatever it may be, was very likely a fall he took after losing his balance in a dangerous arial state. Embiid’s immediate grimace provided no illusions about the amount of pain he was in, even as he gritted it out in the first quarter (and even remained quite productive). Coach Rivers said that Embiid will undergo an MRI on Tuesday and his availability for Wednesday’s game 5 is entirely uncertain at this time. As the Sixers aren’t finding themselves in a desperate must-win situation, I’d bet Philly plays it safe with Embiid, whose health is a priority for this team to compete for a title.

76ers vs Wizards Game 4 - Ben Simmons
76ers vs Wizards Game 4 – Ben Simmons

Meanwhile, neither Tobias Harris nor Ben Simmons were able to step up in the absence of the Sixers alpha. Harris’s 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists look impressive…but his shooting was absolutely putrid throughout this game. He connected on just 33% of his attempts from the field and 20% of his long range tries. Meanwhile, the Wizards chose to employ the embarrassing hack-a-Simmons strategy down the stretch, daring Ben to start making some free throws (he went 5-11 from the charity stripe in this game, his best rate of the series). The subtle effect that Embiid has as an unguardable force on offense is that his presence allows his teammates to thrive in their niche roles. But without such a steadying force the Sixers found themselves unable to match points with Bradely Beal and a Wizards roster that shot the three incredibly well (with the exception of Westbrook’s 0-4).

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For some positive news, rookie Tyrese Maxey looked terrific all game. He earned 22 minutes off the bench, taking full advantage of that time to the tune of 15 points on 6-12 shooting and 2-3 from behind the arc. Rivers chose to bring 7 different players off the bench in this contest and it still remains a mystery when and how they will trim their rotation as they advance further in the playoffs.

Philadelphia will next try to close the series when they match up with the Wizards on Wednesday evening. There already exist jokes that the Sixers should tank a few games with the idea of earning more recovery time for Joel Embiid. While that speculation is firmly in comic territory at the moment, drastic news on the Embiid injury front could dramatically change how Sixers fans feel going forward.


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Simmons Shines as Sixers Handle Wizards Easily in Game 2
David Zahn Posted On May 27, 2021

Simmons Shines as Sixers Handle Wizards Easily in Game 2

Ben Simmons made aggressive scoring a clear priority during the Philadelphia 76ers 120-95 victory over the Washington Wizards in game two of their first round series. Especially in the game’s opening quarter, Simmons relentlessly attacked the paint, skillfully finishing with both hands and routinely taking advantage of mismatches with smaller defenders.

As a result, he was the Sixers leading scorer (tied with Embiid) with an efficient 22 points on 11-15 shooting from the field. Of course, scoring is just the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle that is Ben Simmons’ game. He also added 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and a block. This was all accomplished in 29 minutes as the entirety of the Sixers starting lineup rested during the fourth quarter with the game far out of Washington’s grasp.

Simmons also clapped back at his critics who were quick to point to his meager six points during Philadelphia’s game one victory. As Simmons explained, “I thought it was pretty hard to get 15 assists and 15 rebounds in the NBA in the playoffs. I thought it was pretty impressive. And we won. What y’all want?” His coach, Doc Rivers, also came to his defense citing that Ben did exactly what was needed of him for the team to win.

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Even so, it was mighty encouraging to see Ben Simmons in attack-mode playing with a noticeable fire on the floor. Ben’s aggression helped put the Sixers ahead by 14 at halftime and they didn’t look back from there. Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid also had incredibly efficient performances with the former shooting 9-13 with 19 points and 9 rebounds and the latter shooting 8-12 with 22 points and 7 rebounds.

Sixers vs Wizards Game 2 - Russell Westbrook
Sixers vs Wizards Game 2 – Russell Westbrook

While the Wizards had very little chance in this series at the outset, that task is now made even more difficult with an injury to the right ankle of Russell Westbrook. Adding insult to injury, an obnoxious fan dumped popcorn on the Washington star as he was exiting the contest. Westbrook had to be held back by security and subsequently the fan was rightfully ejected.

Hopefully no further antics will color a series that has gone completely Philadelphia’s way so far. Bradley Beal will inevitably score in droves (he poured in 33 in game 2), but the Wizards have little firepower beyond him. Philly fans continue to hold their broomsticks at the ready as they prepare for game 3 which takes place Saturday, May 29th.




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Tobias Drops 37, Leads Sixers in Game 1 Victory
David Zahn Posted On May 24, 2021

Tobias Drops 37, Leads Sixers in Game 1 Victory

The first game of Philadelphia’s 2021 playoff run was far closer than many expected. Fresh off their recent play-in game victory, the Washington Wizards gave the Sixers all they could handle in an exhilarating first game of round one. Ultimately, the Sixers edged out their division rivals, winning the contest 125-118 and embarking on the first step to “taking care of business” in a series where they are the heavy favorites.

Much has been made of Tobias Harris’s resurgence under his former coach this season. He continued that brilliant play in game one, proving to be the Sixers most valuable player in this contest. He led the team in scoring, going for a new career playoff high with 37 points on 15-29 shooting from the field. Most of his damage was done in the first half, where he looked absolutely unguardable for stretches at a time.

Joel Embiid found himself in some quick foul trouble and consequently saw limited playing time in the early going of the game. Even so, when Philly needed buckets in the fourth quarter, he was their first and often only option. His jumper was smooth as silk and even when Washington ran double teams at him he was able to sink shots without flinching. His final tally in game 1 came to 30 points on 9-16 shooting (and an impressive 12-13 from the foul line).

Sixers vs Wizards Game 1 - Joel Embiid
Sixers vs Wizards Game 1 – Joel Embiid

Meanwhile, Ben Simmons turned in a statline (6 points, 15 assists, 15 rebounds) fit for himself, Draymond Green, and absolutely no one else in the world. While he was active in setting his teammates up and collecting rebounds, the Sixers are going to desperately need more offense from Simmons further down the road in the playoffs. A meager six points, even with those other contributions, is unacceptable and that’s without mentioning the most frightening aspect of his play in this game (a goose egg from the charity stripe with six attempts).

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Seth Curry also deserves some recognition for his superb play in the victory. Although he shot below his average from three point land, his ability to create his own shot proved invaluable while Harris and Embiid weren’t on the floor. The spacing and shooting that Curry provides will guarantee him a spot in any future rotation. However, Coach Rivers did utilize a full 11 players in this game and it remains to be seen when, and how, that rotation will be trimmed.

Bradley Beal poured in 33 points during his team’s losing effort but certainly put on a prolific scoring show. Despite being shadowed by either Simmons or Thybulle for much of the game, his offense just couldn’t be contained. Unfortunately, no one else on the Wizards managed more than 16 points.

Game 2 of Sixers-Wizards will take place at 7:00 PM this Wednesday, May 26th.


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Philly’s First Round Matchup Revealed; Wizards Down Pacers for 8th Seed
David Zahn Posted On May 21, 2021

Philly’s First Round Matchup - Sixers vs Wizards

At long last, the Philadelphia 76ers can size up their first round matchup. The Washington Wizards earned the 8th seed, and the right to play the Sixers, by defeating the Indiana Pacers 142-115 in Thursday evening’s contest. 

After a close first quarter, the Wizards absolutely blitzed the Pacers in the second and third quarter. Washington scored an astounding 84 combined points across these quarters, relegating the entire fourth to pure garbage time. Predictably, the Wizards were led by Russell Westbrook (18 points, 15 assists, 8 rebounds) and Bradley Beal (25 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds) as they led the franchise to its first playoff berth since the 2017-2018 season. 

While I speculated that the Sixers would actually prefer a matchup with the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia will unquestionably face Washington without fear. Historically, first seeds have a dominant record against eighth seeded teams and this is a case where I expect history to repeat. 

Philly’s First Round Matchup - Sixers vs Wizards
Philly’s First Round Matchup – Sixers vs Wizards

The Sixers don’t need to employ any fancy strategy in this series. Rather, I’d like to see them stick to the winning formula that propelled the team to the top of the Eastern Conference. That formula primarily entails a healthy dose of Joel Embiid on offense coupled with swarming defense spearheaded by Simmons on the perimeter and Embiid in the paint. 

While Philadelphia shouldn’t get complacent and underestimate the Wizards, I do think the Sixers will be able to secure a trip to the second round fairly easily. The hope is that the team gels and builds momentum through consecutive playoff victories as they move closer to tougher future matchups. I won’t call it a full sweep, but I’ll take the Sixers in 5. 


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Who Does Philly Desire as a First Round Matchup?
David Zahn Posted On May 19, 2021

Who Does Philly Desire as a First Round Matchup

Play-in basketball has officially begun! The Sixers organization will be watching closely as they wait to find out which team will be their first round opponent. Later this week, the Washington Wizards will square off against the Indiana Pacers. The loser will be sent home packing, while the winner will obtain the 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and a first round date with the top seeded 76ers. We’ll take a look at how these teams stack up with Philadelphia and who the Sixers would rather see in the opening round. 

How They Got Here

Indiana Pacers - Domantas Sabonis
Indiana Pacers – Domantas Sabonis

The Indiana Pacers played their way into the matchup by soundly defeating the Charlotte Hornets 144-117 during the first round of the play-in on Tuesday. This was a particularly impressive victory as they were without guard Caris LeVert, who entered the league’s health and safety protocols earlier this week. While the Pacers received solid efforts from every corner of their team (an astounding 8 players in double figures!), it was Domantas Sabonis, with a heroic 14 points, 21 rebounds, and 9 assists, who captained the ship. 

Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards find themselves in this loser-leaves-town matchup after falling to the Boston Celtics 118-100. Neither of the Wizards’ stars could match the firepower of a hungry Jayson Tatum, who exploded for 50 points to lock his team into the playoffs. Russell Westrook struggled mightily in this game, shooting a mere 33% from the field and only dishing out 5 assists. Even worse, Westbrook appeared hobbled down the stretch and was particularly ineffective in the second half (see his 13 rebounds in the first half and 1 just in the second half). Beal needed 25 shots just to get to 22 points which isn’t going to cut it in the playoffs. 

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Who Does Philly Want to Draw?

The Sixers defeated the Wizards in all three of their regular season matchups this year. The strength of Washington’s team lies in their pair of all-star guards. That plays right into the hands of Philadelphia, who have the ability to feature the terrifying tandem of Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle. Embiid has been a monster in the paint against virtually any opponent this season but the Wizards would certainly have to double after losing multiple big men, chief among them Thomas Bryant, to injuries. 

Who Does Philly Desire as a First Round Matchup - Washington Wizards
Who Does Philly Desire as a First Round Matchup – Washington Wizards

Speaking of injuries, the Pacers certainly have a few words to say on that topic. Myles Turner would have actually made Embiid work hard for his points in the paint, but alas, Indiana lost the league’s blocks leader for almost the entire season. Additionally, last year’s darling of the bubble, TJ Warren, has long been away from playing action as he recovers from a stress fracture in his left foot. If those two players were able to suit up alongside the likes of Sabonis, Brogden, and company the Pacers really would be a tough out. Unfortunately, that’s not reality and it is still uncertain when Caris LeVert would be able to clear the health and safety protocols and return to the team. 

As currently constituted, the Pacers would run their offensive through Sabonis as an offensive hub out of the post. He truly would need to be the best player in the series for the Pacers to have a chance, and there’s no shot that Embiid allows another big to outshine him.

Philly will be heavily favored no matter who they draw, and I fully expect them to dominate their first round matchup in a momentum-building manner. While I think that the Washington Wizards would result in a more entertaining matchup, the Indiana Pacers are likely the team Philadelphia would rather play. There’s a very real chance that Beal would be the top scorer in a series with Philadelphia. There’s also the distinct possibility that Westbrook averages a triple-double. Both of these circumstances could happen and I’d still take Philly in the series, but there’s no reason to go up against two all-star caliber players if you don’t need to. 


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Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class
David Zahn Posted On May 14, 2021

Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class

While the Birds made a splash at the 2021 NFL draft by trading up and selecting Heisman winner DeVonta Smith with the tenth pick, he was far from the only new addition to their roster. Find out more about the Eagles’ selections, and what they might bring to the field next year, below.

Round 1: WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama (10th overall)

Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class - DeVonta Smith
Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class – DeVonta Smith

DeVonta Smith was a highly decorated player during his time at Alabama. In addition to winning two national championships with the SEC powerhouse, he also became the first wide receiver since Desmond Howard in 1991 to take home the Heisman Trophy. He accomplished that feat recording over 1800 yards to go along with 23 touchdowns. The Birds are hoping that firepower will translate to the NFL as second-year quarterback, and fellow Alabama graduate, Jalen Hurts could use a speedster like Smith.

His skinny body frame has earned him the nickname “The Slim Reaper” but it also scared away some NFL teams during the draft as two receivers went before Smith. He will look to prove those teams wrong and bolster the Eagles receiving core alongside Jalen Reagor and Travis Fulgham.

Round 2: C Landon Dickerson, Alabama (37th overall)

Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class - Landon Dickerson
Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class – Landon Dickerson

The Birds decided to go right back to Saban’s school in round two with the former Alabama center. Dickerson has been considered one of the best offensive line recruits in the country since he came out of high school. Unfortunately, a slew of injuries during both his time at Florida State and Alabama didn’t allow him to play as much as many scouts hoped. Without such an extensive injury history he certainly would have been a first round selection.

His fit in Philadelphia is expected to be the eventual successor to Jason Kelce. However, he could see immediate playing time as a result of his versatility. Dickerson started at least one game at every offensive line position during his time at Alabama. This pick was a risk as a result of the injury history, but it could potentially pay huge dividends.

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Round 3: DT Milton Williams, Louisiana Tech (73rd overall)

Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class - Milton Williams
Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class – Milton Williams

The Eagles third round pick was acquired from the Carolina Panthers. They used it to pick their first defensive player of the draft, Milton Williams. It was clear from the reaction among the top Eagles’ executives that not everyone was on board with the pick, but I think Williams has the athletic upside to show he was worth Roseman’s confidence. In the 22 games he played at the DT position across the last two years he registered 10 sacks along with a highlight reel of tackles-for-loss.

Round 4: CB Zech McPhearson, Texas Tech (123rd overall)

Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class - Zech McPhearson
Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class – Zech McPhearson

The Birds used their fourth round pick, which was acquired from the Miami Dolphins, to make steps toward shoring up their porous secondary with Zech McPhearson. McPhearson gives them versatility in the secondary as someone who can spend time covering receivers both on the outside and in the slot.

Cornerback was a dire need for the Eagles so it’s a good thing they invested draft capital in the position. However, fans would have liked to see this be addressed a little sooner than round four. Either way, McPhearson projects to be a solid pick and he will have an opportunity to compete for playing time right away as a rookie.

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Round 5: RB Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis (150th overall)

Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class - Kenneth Gainwell
Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class – Kenneth Gainwell

In round five Roseman and company decided to add another running back to their backfield stable. Gainwell is more of a mystery than most at his position since he chose to opt out of the 2020 college season. However, Gainwell was incredibly productive during his 2019 campaign, totalling over 2000 all-purpose yards as a threat both as a runner and receiver.

The Eagles already roster a few capable pass-catchers out of the backfield, and recently decided to add another. Still, I think this is a solid pick because running back routinely is a position where depth is a necessity. Additionally, Gainwell was projected to be taken much higher than the fifth round value the Eagles got out of the pick.

Round 6: DE Tarron Jackson, Coastal Carolina (191st overall)

Round 6: DT Marlon Tuipulotu, USC (189th overall)

Round 6: S/LB JaCoby Stevens, LSU (224th overall)

Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class - Marlon Tuipulotu
Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class – Marlon Tuipulotu

Philadelphia wound up with three selections to make in the sixth round and opted for defense with all three of their selections. Their first two choices, coupled with their third round selection of DT Milton Williams, shows a strong commitment to their defensive line moving forward. Tuipulotu represents another serious value pick by the Birds as almost every expert had him going earlier. His speciality is his ability to win at the point of attack and push force offensive linemen back, resulting in the opposing quarterback not being able to comfortably step up in the pocket. Meanwhile, Jackson is a high-motor power rusher who makes up for his slightly smaller size with ferocious hand-fighting ability. He figures to begin his career by backing up Brandon Graham.

JaCoby Stevens looks to be between positions. He can exist in the NFL as either an undersized linebacker or oversized strong safety. A tell about where the Eagles plan to use him might be their announcement of him as a linebacker when making the selection. The Birds have had their share of failed attempts to convert safeties to linebackers over the years so hopefully this process goes more smoothly.

Round 7: LB Patrick Johnson, Tulane (234th overall)

Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class - Patrick Johnson
Meet the Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Draft Class – Patrick Johnson

The Eagles last pick in the 2021 NFL draft was also devoted to defense. Linebacker Patrick Johnson could just as easily be classified as an edge rusher. At one point in 2020, he led the entire nation in sacks, though he eventually finished in a tie for third place. Since he is too small to play defensive end in the NFL, this will be another conversion job for the defensive coaches of Philadelphia. However, it is expected that outside linebackers will have plenty of blitzing opportunities in Jonathan Gannon’s scheme.


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Eagles Claim Kerryon Johnson off Waivers
David Zahn Posted On May 10, 2021

Eagles Claim Kerryon Johnson off Waivers

The newest addition to the Birds is running back Kerryon Johnson, formerly of the Detroit Lions. The Lions certainly had high hopes for Johnson when they selected him in the second round of the 2018 draft, but his electric potential was never realized as a consequence of both injury and existing in a crowded backfield. 

The Auburn product will face yet another crowded backfield in Philadelphia. The Eagles’ roster of running backs currently include Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Jordan Howard, and Kenny Gainwell, who was just taken in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft. 

D’Andre Swift, whom the Lions took in the second round of last year’s draft, was incredibly productive during his rookie season. As a result, the Lions felt Johnson was expendable and decided to waive him last week. 

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Lead ball carrier duties will still fall squarely on the shoulders of Miles Sanders. However, Johnson is just another backfield weapon the Eagles now have at their disposal. He has always been adept at catching the ball in space and making defenders miss, his primary issue is just remaining healthy enough to stay on the field. 

Through three seasons in Detroit, Kerryon Johnson ran for 1,225 yards and eight touchdowns. Additionally, he caught 61 passes for 527 yards and three touchdowns. 


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Buzzer-Beating Tip-In Brings Sixers Overtime Victory
David Zahn Posted On May 3, 2021

Simmon’s Buzzer-Beating Tip-In Brings Sixers Overtime Victory

Ben Simmons was having an off night. Through the entirety of regulation play against the San Antonio Spurs, he had mustered just three points on an abysmal 1-5 from the floor and an even worse 1-5 from the free throw line. Despite this lackluster performance, it was Simmons who came through when it mattered with a play that was both smart and athletic, managing to time his jump and come away with a buzzer-beating tip-in off an Embiid missed shot. The ball left his hands just in time and the Sixers managed to defeat a short-handed, yet persistent, Spurs team 113-111.

Game Recap

While the Sixers will gladly take the winning result, the journey towards that destination was much tougher than anticipated. The Spurs were without four players from their starting lineup in this game, with forward Keldon Johnson being their only starter to take the floor at all (Guards Dejonte Murray and Derrick White were injured while Demar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl were granted a rest day).

Philadelphia took advantage of the Spurs missing firepower early as they jumped out to a ten point lead in the first quarter. However, they failed to extend the lead beyond that margin and the Spurs quietly hung around the rest of the contest before tying the score late. Much credit has to go to the coaching legend that is Greg Popivich but I also think the Sixers needed to be more tenacious in seizing the game and putting it away earlier.

Simmon’s Buzzer-Beating Tip-In Brings Sixers Overtime Victory - Joel Embiid
Simmon’s Buzzer-Beating Tip-In Brings Sixers Overtime Victory – Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid was his usual dominant self, putting up 34 points and 12 rebounds despite the constant defensive attention he was receiving from a swarm of Spurs players on each possession. More surprising were the contributions of Seth Curry, who has been more inconsistent than the Sixers would like as of late. He was on a shooting tear in this contest, hitting all six of his three point attempts and ultimately scoring 22 points with a ridiculous +15 plus/minus during his 35 minutes of action. Both Simmons (typical) and Harris (atypical) were in shooting slumps this game, combining for a woeful 11 points between them. On the bright side, they both found other ways to help the team with at least five assists and rebounds. Of course, Ben’s real contribution only came with fractions of a second left.

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The Spurs got a huge game out of their lone regular starter Keldon Johnson. He had 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals while clearly acting as the Spurs go-to scorer down the stretch. He didn’t always get the best of Embiid at the rim, but his fearlessness while driving was admirable. Additionally, Gorgui Deng poured in 17 bench points for the Spurs and was their primary Embiid defender down the stretch.

What’s Ahead

As the Nets lost a tight one to the Bucks yesterday, this victory puts the Sixers back in first place in the Eastern Conference standings. That’s great news as they enter a stretch of games against easier opponents. Of the Sixers’ remaining eight games, only two of them (Miami and Indiana) are playoff-caliber teams.

The Sixers will play on the road against the Chicago Bulls tonight.


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