76ers assign Craig Brackins to D-League

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they have assigned second-year forward Craig Brackins to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws.  Brackins has appeared in eight games for the Sixers this season.

Brackins (6-10, 230) was assigned to the D-League three times last season with the Sixers old affiliate, the Springfield Armor.  In 18 games for the Armor, he averaged 20.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 37.6 minutes per game while shooting 44.0% from the floor, 24.7% from 3-point range and 72.7% from the line.  He was tied for the eighth highest scoring average of any D-League player last season.

Orlando Magic waive guard Larry Hughes

Larry Hughes
magic waive larry hughes
Still exists

Following tonight’s game vs. Washington, the Orlando Magic have waived guard Larry Hughes, President of Basketball Operations/GM Otis Smith announced.

Orlando’s roster now stands at 14 players.

Hughes, who was signed as a free agent by Orlando on Dec. 9, appeared in nine games this season with the Magic, averaging 1.3 ppg. in 12.7 minpg.

The Magic host Cleveland on Friday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m.

Report: 76ers ask Knicks about Stoudemire

amare stoudemire

According to a league source, the Sixers have inquired about Amar’e Stoudemire, though it was categorized as “due diligence.” Nothing is said to be imminent or even in the early stages other than just talk, the source said. Nevertheless, in past seasons the Sixers were reportedly discussing trade scenarios with the Phoenix Suns in order to acquire Stoudemire. Whether or not the Sixers can afford Stoudemire, of course, is an issue too. Stoudemire is the ninth-highest paid player in the NBA after signing a five-year, $100 million contract before the 2010-11 season. He earns $18.2 million this season, $19.9 million next season and approximately $45 million between 2013 and 2015.

Incidentally, the Knicks are also paying a similar five-year deal out to forward Carmelo Anthony, a player whose arrival in New York snubbed out those M-V-P! chants for Stoudemire.

— Reported by John Finger of CSN Philly (Blog)

76ers sign center Francisco Elson

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they have signed free agent center Francisco Elson.  With the addition of Elson, the Sixers roster now stands at 14.

“We are happy to pick up Francisco Elson, a veteran big man who can help bolster our front court,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said.

Elson (7-0, 240) has appeared in 467 games with 149 starts while averaging 3.7 points (47.8% FGs, 70.0% FTs) and 3.5 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game.  In 2006-07, he saw action in 70 games with 41 starts for the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs.

This is Elson’s second stint with the Sixers.  He was acquired via trade from Milwaukee along with Jodie Meeks in exchange for Primoz Brezec, Royal Ivey and a second round pick on Feb. 18, 2010.  The native of the Netherlands only appeared in one game for the Sixers following the trade but played in 62 games for Utah last season.

76ers using yoga at practice to stay fresh

In an effort to help the players avoid mental fatigue during this 66-game sprint, the Sixers’ strength and conditioning coach Jesse Wright and trainer Kevin Johnson suggested to Collins the players do yoga on their rare practice days. The change in training has been a hit.

“We have erred on the side of rest, just trying to keep our guys as mentally fresh as possible,” Collins said. “As a result we have had a lot of slippage in what we would like to do offensively, but I think we have the better chance to win, rather than come in and try to practice for 40 minutes we are better off letting our guys come in and relax and get a nice session of yoga while being together.”

“It was good for us,” Andre Iguodala said. “I have done yoga over the summers so I know what it can do for the body. We have so many games so stretching or release and getting the blood flowing can take your body a long way.”

For a guy like Spencer Hawes, who has missed four straight games with a strained Achilles’ tendon, 30 minutes of yoga was heaven sent.

— Reported by Dei Lynam of the CSN Philly Blog

Sixers trade Marreese Speights to Grizzlies in 3-team deal

Marreese Speights

The Memphis Grizzlies acquired forward/center Marreese Speights from the Philadelphia 76ers as part of a three-team trade also including the New Orleans Hornets, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

As part of the deal, Memphis traded guard Xavier Henry to New Orleans and a 2012 second round draft pick to Philadelphia.  The Hornets also sent a future second round pick to the 76ers.

Speights (6-11, 245) comes to the Grizzlies with career averages of 7.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.53 blocks on .492 shooting in 14.7 minutes in 205 games (four starts) over his first three seasons in Philadelphia (2007-10).  He has not appeared in Philadelphia’s first four games of the 2011-12 season.

The 24-year-old averaged career highs in scoring (8.6 points) and rebounding (4.1) in 16.4 minutes during the 2009-10 season.

A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Speights was a member of the Florida Gators’ 2007 NCAA Championship Team, setting a school freshman record by shooting .671 from the field that season.  He averaged 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds on .624 shooting as a sophomore before being selected in the first round (16th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft.

Henry (6-6, 220) averaged 4.3 points and 1.0 rebounds on .406 shooting in 38 games (16 starts) for the Grizzlies as a rookie last season.  The 20-year-old Kansas product has not appeared through Memphis’ first five games this season due to a right ankle sprain.

Sixers Dancers now named Sixers Dream Team

The Philadelphia 76ers Chief Executive Officer and Co-Owner Adam Aron announced today that the Sixers dance team, formerly known as the Sixers Dancers, will be renamed the “Sixers Dream Team,” and the dunk team will be renamed the “Sixers Flight Squad.”

The Sixers Dream Team will add eight new ladies at each performance, expanding the troupe performing at any one time from 12 to 20 dancers. The entire team will perform at every home game this season. The Sixers Flight Squad will increase from four to nine dunkers.

“We hope Philadelphia enjoys the Sixers Dream Team and Sixers Flight Squad,” said Aron. “With new choreography, new music, new lighting, new costumes and a dramatic increase in the size of the performing troupe, we’re confident the Sixers Dream Team will provide an energetic enhancement to the fan experience at Philadelphia 76ers home games. Similarly, more than doubling the size of our dunk team, now known as the Sixers Flight Squad, is sure to thrill our fans with their extraordinary acrobatic talent.”

The “Dream Team” name – originally used for the Sixers dance team in the mid-‘90s – hearkens back to days when the likes of Charles Barkley, Moses Malone, Clarence Weatherspoon, Manute Bol and the late Armen Gilliam played in Philadelphia.

This time around, the Sixers Dream Team will feature significant changes and updates, including multiple performances at all Sixers home games; brand new, glitzy costumes designed to catch the spotlight during their new routines; and hair and makeup designs by Bernard’s Salon & Spa.

The Sixers Flight Squad will comprise of nine dunkers and will perform at every home game. Routines will feature multiple trampolines, acrobatic stunts and full-court routines.

Spencer Hawes off to strong start for Sixers

Spencer Hawes

Spencer Hawes, the source of boos and displeasure last season, is the brightest of bright spots now for the Sixers, who have split wins and losses in the first four games, with the fifth tomorrow night in New Orleans.

Hawes is averaging 12 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists and is shooting 67.6 percent from the floor. He is barely recognizable if you compare him to what he was last season.

But if there is a stat that truly stands out, that shows just how much different a player Hawes is, it’s that he is averaging only 2.3 fouls a game – in 33.3 minutes of play. Last season, the 7-1 center was often in foul trouble, part of the reason he was on the floor for only 21.2 minutes a game.

There are many variables as to why Hawes has become such a good player in the middle for coach Doug Collins. His conditioning is so much better. He has a better frame of mind, has more confidence, and has a familiarity with his coach, all factors in his game that he has never had before.

— Reported by Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News

Pair sue ex-76ers owner over $2 million fee

Two sports executives have sued former Philadelphia 76ers owner Comcast-Spectacor seeking a $2 million finder’s fee over the team’s October sale.

Plaintiffs Robert Whitsitt and Thomas Shine say they introduced investor Jason Levien to Comcast-Spectacor chairman Edward Snider at a lunch meeting late last year. They say they were promised $2 million if they found a purchaser and met certain other conditions.

New York-based leveraged buyout specialist Joshua Harris led an ownership group that completed the purchase in October. Levien, a former NBA player agent and Sacramento Kings executive, is one of numerous owners and investors in a group that includes co-managing owner David Blitzer and Hollywood power couple Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Whitsitt is the former president of the Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trailblazers. Shine is an executive at Canton, Mass.-based Reebok International Ltd.

— Via Maryclaire Dale of the Associated Press