Sixers lose second straight in Summer League, Harkless sits with injury
Rookie Maurice Harkless sat the second half of the Sixers second Summer League game in Orlando today due to a strained hip flexor. The team lost by 84-80 to the Utah Jazz contingent.
Sixers lose second straight in Summer League, Harkless sits with injury
Bob Cooney
ORLANDO, Fla. — When Sixers summer league coach Aaron McKie pulled rookie Maurice Harkless out of the game in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz, the 15th overall pick slowly went to the bench and grimaced in obvious pain. He stretched his legs out in front of him, trying to give some relief to the left hip flexor that is strained and causing him so much pain. Nothing seemed to work, so Harkless was shut down for the rest of the day after scoring two points in 9 minutes and 29 seconds of action.
Also on the injury front, second year center Nikola Vucevic was a bystander again on the bench, nursing a strained left Achilles' that he said he hurt last week when the players gathered for a minicamp at the University of Central Florida. Vucevic said he came down awkwardly after a layup and then tried to play through the pain. He couldn't, and the guess here is he probably won't see action down here this week.
The Sixers could be getting reinforcements, though. Lavoy Allen is expected to sign his new contract sometime after midnight tonight, the first day new contracts and free agents can sign, then head back to Orlando and perhaps play in the team's 3 p.m. game against Brooklyn.
In today's game, guard Jacob Pullen led the Sixers with 23 points, while Justin Holiday added 16, Xavier Silas 11 and Solomon Jones 10, but they dropped an 84-80 decision to the Utah Jazz, who were paced by Alec Burks' 31.
Comments (41)
To show how far down the local sporting front are the Sixers, I had a doctor's appointment this morning, so listened to Rob Ellis and Rickie Ricardo (Oh Lucy!) on WIP who, clearly bored, did a top Phillies of all time list and what Eagles player to watch out for, and never mentioned the Sixers. Generally, the overall coverage of the Sixers since the season ended has been putrid, although at least Bearsfriend and johngian, along with Mtairy1 (hope you are teaching those AAU kids some offensive fundamentals) have been on the scene.
As for the Sixers summer league team getting reinforcements, they need more than Lavoy Allen, now that Harkless joins the walking wounded. Sixers must have the same training staff as the Phillies.
Pullen is clearly a gunner, but has range and moxie and might get a longer look. Holiday, who has some game, might get a look because of his brother. Silas has no chance, back to the D League. Johnson has a nice left-handed stroke, but another tweener, and unless they trade Young, has no chance here. Vucevic, already in DC's doghouse, is not helping himself and could be getting a ticket out of town soon.— chuckw- Wholeheartedly agree. I'm a newbie to this, and a definite lightweight compared to you and your brethren mentioned above. I don't even bother reading the articles anymore - I blow right down to the comments section so I can actually learn something I didn't know. Keep up the good work. — pfes
- pfes: may be a newbie on these boards, but one with always interesting insights. — chuckw
- Chuck: As you said it is amazing how little coverage the sixers get. As far as the summer league goes it is very disheartening that none of the players that needed to get experience are actually playing. Vuc is starting to concern me and why wasn't Harkless getting treatment the last month so he would be ready to play. I know most people think this is a joke, but these minutes are crucial to a young players development.— Mattb
- Very disheartening that both rookies are out, and that Vucevic, who clearly needs to excel after falling out of graces with the coach from March on, has been held out with his mysterious foot/Achilles injury..Are they playing it safe in lieu of Hawes' trials last season, or maybe is he being shopped?...Watching the beleaguered Austin Daye light it up,with his confidence growing, shows some of the positives a second or third year player can take from extended minutes... — bearsfriend
- Philly Sports=SAD. that's why we the most passionate/idiotic/most hated. We keep chasing out tail! 1 ring in 25 yrs+ in the big 4 = PATHETIC— sore richard
- LOL, and sullinger puts down 20 pts & 6 rebounds— main liner
- Sort of a waste of summer league. Neither of your 1st rounders can play, the 1st rounder from last year can't play. Allen really doesn't need it - why spend the money to have a team ?— 7mel11
- Rest assured Chuck, the fans WILL be back. The Sixers are building a good to very good young team. The rebuilding is about 80% of the way. 2013 we may have a championship contender. Trust me, as a 45 year fan of the team, the fan base will come back!!!— GOLDY2007
- The summer league stuff is (usually) fun to watch, but I'm really waiting to see what the Sixers are going to do with their extra cap space. I feel a major move coming on! Just when we're all down because our young guys are all hurt and other draft picks look great compared to ours (of course), the Sixers announce a trade with the ____ for _____ and _____, with the Sixers sending _____, ____ and a ____ (fill in the blanks yourselves to see who can come up with the best, most reasonable trade.)— mjc1
- Before anyone jumps off a bridge watching the Sixers entry in the summer league, and on the eve of the start of free agent signings, the rest of the division hasn't overly impressed me either (yet, I'll add). The Celtics are not much improved if at all; the Knicks have Lin (turnover machine) and Kidd (can't defend Rod Thorn) at the point; the Nets, yes, have improved, but without DH, are they appreciably better than the Sixers; and Toronto? Okay, so that's still far behind being a championship contender, but let's see what the Sixers can put together.— pfes
- I would counter by saying the Celtics retained a rejuvinated KG and Brandon Bass, more than replaced the departing Ray Allen with Jason Terry and Courtney Lee, and added what might be productive rebounding and interior scoring depth with Jared Sullinger...The Nets are the buzz of the league, and will be a factor...with or without DH...The Knicks are still mega deep, and just added a low post defensive presence (Camby) just in case the oft injured Tyson Chandler blows an occasional tire...Discounting Jeremy Lin is stretching it, although chemistry WITH Melo and Amare needs to take place...Toronto will have 3 new impact players in rookies Terrence Ross,Euro star Jonas Valanciunas, and PG with a huge chip on his shoulder in Kyle Lowry...So there's a case for 4 of our rivals that exudes excitement in those respective cities...We've lost our leading scorer and most efficient offensive player in Lou Williams, and an aging warrior in EB,but added an offensive threat in Nick Young...Our young "athleticism" will be behind the eight ball to learn the system, but at least have practices with the "master teacher"...Is that what should get me excited? — bearsfriend
- Didn't say you should get excited, just don't jump off a bridge yet. Celts had Bass who was a killer for them in the series against the Sixers, not so much vs the Heat. KG showed flashes of still having it, but disappeared more frequently (I'd still take him compared to what we've got). Yes, Sullinger if healthy should give them a boost. Nets are generating buzz, and I like Avery Johnson as coach, but they're a wait and see to me. I know the Knicks finished strong under Woodson, but I think too many dysfunctional parts. And Lowry/Ross/Valanciunas will make Raptors better, but not sure about significant impact. Good points all - just sayin' that the hill to climb in the division doesn't look like a mountain to me (I will add again, not yet). Still waiting to see what the Sixers put together. And, yes, I agree that the 'master teacher' needs to be way more patient and less ego driven. — pfes
- Lou Williams signed with the Atlanta Hawks.— bearsfriend
- The only 4 guys who matter in Summer league (Rose, Vuc, Hark, Moultrie) will barely see the court. Very disappointing from a Sixers thing to watch POV, but in reality, not that big of a deal. As long as they are all there (and healthy) come October 1st for training camp, that's all that matters. As you know, Vuc and Lavoy got limited camp time last year and no summer league so camp this year will be huge.
As for the real Sixers interest, yep we are all waiting for the other shoe to drop---using the cap space. If they weren't going to use it, they wouldn't have bothered with the amnesty (its not like brand is useless). I am NOT liking the Landry idea as I think he's a bench guy and we need a better piece than that. I don't see DC going forward with Thad as the 4. We needed to get bigger and tougher inside and we have yet to accomplish that for 2012-13...down the line Moultrie "may" be the answer, but no way they are counting on that for this year.
The one name I've heard mentioned that I'm most intrigued by is Utah's Paul Millsap He is really established himself the last 2 years and would be a perfect fit for the Sixers. The Jazz have a logjam upfront with Al Jefferson, Derrick Favors and Millsap. Both Millsap and Jefferson are free agents next year. Millsap wants an extension and I don't think the Jazz are willing with the logjam, so if the Sixers could trade for him with 1 yr left on his deal it would be a great move IMO.— terpaholic - Looks like Lou Will is headed back home to Atlanta who could use him after Johnson left for NJ— 7mel11
- This comment has been deleted.— Quixote II
- When you throw darts at the flag, they're "gimmies". — bearsfriend
- When you're hitting from the women's tees, so much easier to fire darts at the flag! — chuckw
- Grip it and rip it all the way...The late Jimmy Boyle used to use me as his "ringer" in Scrambles...Happy Gilmore,without the fame. — bearsfriend
- 97.5 has talked more 76ers than WIP(possibly because 97.5 will be their broadcast station). Even if you don't agree with the opinions of DiCamera(spelling?)and some of the others, some 76ers talk is better than none. This injury bug, on the other hand, is disheartening to the fans; the 76ers spent some time touting these guys, and these guys aren't Olympians, so this is the main chance to see them before October.— 76erfn
- Agreed..The Summer Rookie League was invented as a selling point of new prospects to the fan base, and thus by filling out rosters, gives an open audition to the plethora of others that either weren't drafted, or have been honing skills overseas, which is bigger than ever in quantity...."draft for athleticism,trade for need"....is now "in holding pattern,waiting for moratorium to end"...Watching some of Utah's bigs, I wouldn;t be surprised to see either Milsap (expiring) or Enes Kanter shopped....Ditto for shooter Austin Daye from the Pistons. — bearsfriend
- The Sixers just acquired Dorell Wright from the Warriors, and his expiring 4.1 million dollar contract for 2012.— bearsfriend
- Is anyone at Philly.com even working today?— bearsfriend
- Oops: J.R. Smith just re-signed with the Knicks at $2.8 million for two years. ComboCancer will NOT be happy. Not surprised that LouWill signed with the Hawks; they still love him in Georgia. As for Dorell Wright, an expiring contract which fits the new Sixer plan. He has started 143 games the last two seasons, did well in 2010, but not the major move anticipated.— chuckw
- J.R. Smith's deal is 2.8 per, as all he was eligible to get from the Knicks was a 20% raise...He's a North Jersey guy, so that was expected...Dorell Wright's a volume 3 point shooter, pretty much one dimensional. He's here for the expiring contract, and fills the Meeks' role of late in the season. — bearsfriend
- honestly, the sixers are the only philly team i genuinely follow these days. 123456ers.— fishtown charlie
- Dorell Wright? Not excited yet...— pfes
- This leaves the Sixers with solely a trade to address the 4, as I doubt highly they're go with a Thad/LaVoy platoon....Look for a Thad/Humphries (one year deal) Thad/Milsap scenario,IMO.— bearsfriend
- Wright for an undisclosed draft pick. Hmmmm. Clearly the team is trying to load up on as many expiring contracts as possible. Is this for another deal or will they keep Wright. I personally like the addition as he would provide us with another shooter and more length off the bench. This would lead me to believe if he is staying that a) Thad will be your starting 4 b) Moe Harkless will not be seeing many minutes this season and c) They are looking to 2013 to make a big splash.— Mattb
- Humphries says he wants a multi-year deal and will not sign a one year contract. That's been the hold-up between, Brooklyn, Orlando and Cleveland.— Xavier19
- "Passionate,Intense,Lottery Protected".— bearsfriend
- Quixote II: crossed my mind that Dr. J. and Will Smith could be players for owning the team. You know I am cynical regarding this new ownership group; they live to make money, pots of it.
Mattb: I really do not see Thad Young starting at the four, unless he has bulked up to look like Dwayne Johnson (The Rock).
Bear: not sure what the Sixers will do with Wright as yet. Like I said, he started all 82 games in 2010 and 61 games last season, has length which is useful, but he is an expiring contract.
Have not yet seen the figures or length of contract for LouWill, but I would figure 4 years and $24 million.— chuckw - Sure would love to know what Turner, Thad Young, and Jrue Holiday are up to in the off season in terms of improving their games and, with Turner and Young, their conditioning and bodies. Same with Lavoy Allen, who we will see on Thursday and Friday. Obviously, Vucevic is a concern. I still CANNOT believe that Turner, Iguodala, and Holiday will be together on this team, at least as starters. If recent form holds with all contracts two years or less, Thad Young might get moved.— chuckw
- chuck:that's an interesting conspiracy...the Sixers are getting broken into parts...Lou gets to play in a comfortable setting, will get monster screens from ZaZa, and must know Josh Smith real well...Ferry's not giving up on DH, and it seems like he's filling up on Georgia guys.— bearsfriend
- ESPN reports that Orlando is exploring other trade possibilities for Dwight Howard! Could we? Would we? Nah. We have Nick Young.— iceman
- iceman: word is that the Lakers, Rockets and Magic are now talking about the ubiquitous and annoying Dwight Howard. While Ferry would like Howard, the Hawks apparently are not considered a likely trading partner.
Bear: fair to say that Ferry had no intention of being DC's caddy, or as caught-u-sleepin said recently: Collins is driving the car, Harris and Aron are navigating and Rod Thorn is asleep in the back seat.— chuckw - A rumored three-way trade with the Lakers, Rockets and the Magic with the Rockets landing Bynum. What are the Magic doing?!?— ssaun
- chuckw: I wouldn't mind annoying Dwight on my team. I understand what you said in an earlier, post, though...about the Sixers loading up for next year. But why give Hawes two years? And why is Iggy still on this team instead of someone with an expiring contract?— iceman
- Summer's not over..more to come.— bearsfriend
- Are the Sixers playing poker? Sitting back, watching all these teams trying to make a splash, acquiring another small quick forward, giving them a semi-valuable asset to trade. Still can't see them relying on Thad as their PF, with Lavoy or Vuc as the backup. Are they waiting for the 'losers' in the Howard scenarios, then look to offer Iggy as the 'consolation prize' to acquire a PF, SG, or some combo? Maybe having Landry as a Plan B?— pfes
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Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
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