Sixers win first Summer League game
Despite many injuries the Sixers were able to win their first Summer League game today as Lavoy Allen made his first appearance of the summer after signing his new contract.
Sixers win first Summer League game
Bob Cooney
The Sixers roster for Wednesday’s game against Brooklyn was severely depleted due to injury as Maurice Harkless (hip), Nikola Vucevic (Achilles’), Arnett Moultrie (ankle) and Jacob Pullen (ankle) were all out. Still, the team picked up its first win, 79-71, over the Nets.
Justin Holiday led the team with 18 points, including making all four of his three point attempts. Xavier Silas added 12 and Solomon Jones 10. Lavoy Allen collected six points, six assists and four rebounds in his first action.
On the defensive end Holiday made a very nice block on a MarShon Brooks (18 points) drive late in the game to help seal the win.
“We can do a number of things with him out on the floor,” said summer league coach Aaron McKie of Holiday. “Defensively MarShon Brooks is a handful so we let those other guys run around with him to try and get a taste of what it’s like to try and guard an elite scorer in the NBA. Then we figured if we kept the game close we’d put Justin on him late.
“You can take the offensive part out of it, cause that has to get polished. But defensively he talks, he rotates, he understands defensive schemes and he’s very vocal out there, which I love.”
Asked if Holiday is a future NBA player, McKie didn’t hesitate. “Oh, yeah. Definitely.”
Penn’s Zack Rosen came off the bench to provide some spark with six points and six assists in 17 minutes.
Asked if Holiday is a future NBA player, McKie didn’t hesitate. “Oh, yeah. Definitely.” JUSTIN or Jru— Ubercatholic- I'm still watching the game so this article was a bit of a spoiler. Justin Holiday looks good, he's the only potential NBA perimeter player on the Sixers' squad. Lavoy needs Jenny Craig.— caught-u-sleepin
- LaVoy looks very thick...Justin Holiday is very aggressive,and continuing his bid to get invited to camp ioin the Fall....Zack Rosen (+19) runs the pick and roll better than alot of guards in the NBA...only one turnover to his 6 assists.— bearsfriend
- Thick meaning overweight? Uggghhhh. If Turner shows up in less than perfect shape, I am done with him. Heard he is often at the 5 Guys burger joint on City Line. Also heard he lacks intensity in the gym. I really have to wonder about a guy that has to play against the LeBrons and the DWades being anything less than 100% fit, strong, and ready.— Copper34
- He wasn't a slob, but he could stand to drop about 5 lbs...For the first time this week, effective screens were set, and his passing was sharp,as that's going to be one of LaVoy's top traits,IMO...Don't know if the Sixers asked him to bulk up some, as we know they have asked that of Thad...He's the one I'm really interested to see,come Fall. — bearsfriend
- lavoy is fat and out of shape I guess he will need 3/4 of the season before hes in shape should have saved that money— stayoutofphilly
- lavoy is fat and out of shape I guess he will need 3/4 of the season before hes in shape should have saved that money— stayoutofphilly
- lavoy is fat and out of shape I guess he will need 3/4 of the season before hes in shape should have saved that money— stayoutofphilly
- Bear: the best player on the floor today, other than Brooks, was Levan Shengelia, at 6:9, 260, a real keeper for the Nets and could have helped the Sixers. Holiday might get a bid to camp and Jacob Pullen had he not hurt his ankle, as he showed some length on his shot and moxie. As I noted elsewhere, right now Lavoy Allen makes Jared Sullinger look like a Victoria Secret model.
Copper34: are you talking about Lavoy Allen, who is seriously out of shape and overweight or Evan Turner?— chuckw - Chuck:I raved about Shengelia on Monday, when I first saw him,as he's the guy the Sixers picked at #54 for the Nets...He's 6'9",228...with very low body fat, and looks and plays older than his listed 20 years old...He's a touch slow to get his shot off, but he's got a good handle,knows how to, and is willing to use his body(huge motor), and can REALLY pass the ball...He was great Monday,decent Tuesday, and real good again today...The Nets did not want him to come over, as Mirza Teletovic also will join the Nets, but he's TOO good...Pullen is aggressive, but he's short and slow..He does remind me a bit of Lucas JR...BTW — bearsfriend
- Bear: I gave you credit when posting elsewhere, as you were on Shengelia right away and I know Teletovic is also considered a player. Billy King is in hog heaven right now, wheeling and dealing (too much for Brook Lopez, an injury waiting to happen) as the Nets will be formidable. Pullen does, indeed, look like Lucan, Jr. — chuckw
- Lavoy hasn't been 6'9" 225 since his freshman year. How he measured that pre-draft is unreal to anyone who watched him play up close. After seeing him today, that's one player profile needing an update...— Independent_1
- Holiday should be Jamal crawfords brother and not Jrue's. He should find someone's pine next year no doubt.— Independent_1
- Zack Rosen is my "BACKUP POINT GUARD".,,, if you watched him at Penn.
HE GETS IT !!!! Jrue's brother,, we will see. But this kid is a point guard.— phillyroni - In order to earn that spot, Allen will spend the next couple of months travelling between Philadelphia and Boston, working out in both cities. He has a trainer in Boston and the Sixers’ training staff was a big help this past season when his conditioning needed to be upgraded.
“Coming into the season, coming over from France, I wasn’t in the best shape,” Allen said of his experience playing overseas during the lockout. “But working with Jesse (Wright) really helped me out and also getting in some extra work before and after practice reshaped my body and helped me be able to play at that (NBA) level.”
Allen plans on coming to training camp in better shape and with a better post game.
Lets hope,,— phillyroni
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.
