The NBA season is coming to an end soon and again the Sixers will not make the playoffs. While most Sixers fan were not expecting the Sixers to take the next step and have a playoff berth it’s still disappointing. However, with the NBA prospects coming out this year and the draft picks the Sixers could have the team could be a serious contender for one of the top spots in the Eastern Conference next year. With a healthy Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid returning the Sixers will need good parameter defenders and consistent shooters. The Sixers have a very good chance to get a top five pick this year. They can land a top five pick with their own pick or if the Sacramento Kings get a better pick we can swap with them. I will analyze three prospects I think the Sixers should pursue.

The prospect I like the most for the Sixers is Duke’s Jayson Tatum. While Jayson Tatum has not declared for the draft yet it is highly likely that he will declare and he is drafted in the top 5. Tatum is a explosive but smooth offensive wing that has highly developed offense skills. He can post up smaller defenders but also face up and go right by bigger ones. His ball handling skills need improvement but he wouldn’t be the primary ball handler for the Sixers. The biggest thing he will need to do is add on muscle. Being 19 years old, his body isn’t fully developed yet, he should emphasize on that this off season.

If Jayson Tatum is not on the board when the Sixers pick in the draft they should select Malik Monk from Kentucky. Malik Monk is a lethal shooter with a quick release and good form. Some of his critics will be quick to put out his shooting is too streaky and not consistent enough but from what I’ve seen he shows up in big games and can hit big shots in clutch situations. Another concern people are quick to point out is his lack of height. However, with his quick release this shouldn’t be a problem at the next level. All he would need to do for the Sixers is be a catch a shoot kind of player.

A nice third option if the first two prospects on not on the board when the Sixers pick is Malik Monk’s backcourt partner De’ Aaron Fox. He is an incredibly quick and athletic  guard that can be a true floor general. Prior to the NCAA tournament I had not given Fox much consideration for a top 5 but after a solid tournament performance he caught my attention. His notable performance was against Lonzo Ball and the UCLA Bruins. He led his team in scoring and made plays all night on the court and also played lock down defense on one of the country’s best players Lonzo Ball. While I think he will have to come off the bench if he comes to the Sixers, he will be a great point guard behind Ben Simmons.

The Philadelphia Eagles are about to start preparing for the most important part of there season the NFL draft. After drafting their franchise quarterback Carson Wentz last season, they must begin to build around him immediately. The Eagles 7-9 record was a good start for a first year head coach and quarterback. There are positions where talent and depth must be added. We need young difference makers on both sides of the ball that that can assist Carson Wentz as he leads the team. The positions most football analysts have identified as needs for the Eagles are wide receivers, cornerback, offensive line, running back and defensive end. I will be focusing running back prospects in this blog.

In this year’s draft there is a consensus that Leonard Fournette is the best running back and will be the first off teams draft boards. He has the chance to as early as the first running back taken in last year’s draft Ezekiel Elliot. While the Cowboy’s Ezekiel Elliot was a more complete running back being able to run, catch, and block, Fournette is all about running and he does that well. Standing at 6’1 and weighing 240 pounds he is tough to bring down. When you add a 4.5 second forty yard dash time to that frame its obvious why teams are coveting his abilities. He is a downhill runner that can mule over tacklers but also has the agility to make tackers miss with quick and decisive moves. He has drawn comparisons to current NFL running back Adrian Peterson who was undoubtedly the best running back in the league the past 10 years. The Eagles would have to move up in the draft if they wanted to Fournette considering he may be a top five pick.

The next running back on the eagles draft board could certainly be Florida State running back Dalvin Cook. He is 5’10 weighing 210 pounds and known for his shifty open field moves and deceiving stop and start speed. His forty yard dash time wasn’t  extremely fast listed at 4.49 seconds but he has enough speed to be successful at the next level. I think what will really set him apart and help him boost the eagles offense are his soft hands. He really has a talent for receiving the ball out the backfield and that would fit well into what the Eagles like with their running backs. If the Eagles stay at their current draft position at 14 they will have a great chance to select Dalvin Cook.

The third best running back in this years draft is Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey. He is similar to Dalvin Cook being a polished runner and skilled receiver coming back out the backfield. Christian McCaffrey also has some experience returning kickoffs which is something the eagles could use. He has good size being 6’0, 205 pounds so that shouldn’t be a problem. His speed is above average but he isn’t a speed back. He is a patient runner who knows how to change speeds well on the field. Overall he would also be another great addition to the Eagles. I can see McCafftery going sometime in the mid to late first round so the eagles will have a good chance of drafting him.

The Philadelphia Eagles are about to start preparing for the most important part of there season the NFL draft. After drafting their franchise quarterback Carson Wentz last season, they must begin to build around him immediately. The Eagles 7-9 record was a good start for a first year head coach and quarterback. There are positions where talent and depth must be added. We need young difference makers on both sides of the ball that that can assist Carson Wentz as he leads the team. The positions most football analysts have identified as needs for the Eagles are wide receivers, cornerback, offensive line, running back and defensive end. I will be focusing offensive line prospects in this blog.

Cam Robinson is the best overall prospect in this year’s offensive line class. He has the potential to be a top-15 pick and a building block for the Eagles’ offensive line. He had a stronseason playing for the University of Alabama. His pass blocking improved tremendously and  he has solidified his strong run blocking. However, there have been a lot of mixed views about Cam Robinson’s talent and potential at the next level. Some scouts believe as a result of this year’s draft not having many top level offensive tackle prospects that he has been rated higher than he should. There have been executives that have r1ated Cam Robinson as low as a second round pick. This is concerning because the Eagles need to make sure they get this years draft right. They cannot afford to draft a player with such a high risk of being a bust.

Ryan Ramcyzk is this a proven left tackle coming from Wisconsin University. Many counts have given him a first round grade.  He was a major part of the successful running attack this past season. He has quick feet and gets out of his stance well. He has success stopping pass rushers’ first moves and stopping their momentum. Although, he seems like a good potential prospect for the Eagles, there are two major concerns about Ryan Ramcyzk. First, his lack of strength at the tackle position. He has a tendency to get bull rushed and not be able to hold his ground. Another concern is his recent injury history. Ryan Ramcyzk had to get surgery for a torn labrum. The Eagles should not select him unless the hip is completely healthy.

Ethan Pocic is a guard/center combo that could be the perfect fit for the Eagles. Since the Eagles have a need at both positions, his versatility makes him an attractive prospect. He is a balanced offensive lineman. He doesn’t have overbearing strength or great technique but he does everything well. He can hold his block at the line to give the quarterback time or get down field quickly to block for a screen pass. Ethan Pocic is an intelligent player who gets the mental aspect of football as well. The Eagles shouldn’t use a first round pick on him but they could defiantly target him in the second round.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2017OT.php

The Philadelphia Eagles are about to start preparing for the most important part of there season the NFL draft. After drafting their franchise quarterback Carson Wentz last season, they must begin to build around him immediately. The Eagles 7-9 record was a good start for a first year head coach and quarterback. There are positions where talent and depth must be added. We need young difference makers on both sides of the ball that that can assist Carson Wentz as he leads the team. The positions most football analysts have identified as needs for the Eagles are wide receivers, cornerback, offensive line, running back and defensive end. I will be focusing cornerbacks in this blog.

The cornerback prospects in this draft are very good. The cornerback position may have the most talent out of all the positions. The fact that Quincy Wilson from the University of Florida is the number one rated corner says a lot. His 6’1 height and length gives him the physical intangibles most number one corners need. In addition to that, he has good hip fluidity which allows him to change direction quick. He is a proven commodity coming out of one of the best conferences in the country. He has all the potential to be a number one corner for years to come. He could go as early as the top ten draft picks in the draft. The Eagles will have to aggressive to draft him.

Marlon Humphrey from the University of Alabama is the second best prospect in the upcoming draft. While Quincy Wilson has the same height as Quincy Wilson they are two very different players. Marlon Humphrey is not as smooth through his transitions as Quincy Wilson but he tackles better and is stronger. He depends more on his strength and athleticism more so than his skill. You can pick a more polished but not as strong corner in Wilson or a less polished but strong corner in Humphrey. Marlon Humphrey will be a top 15 pick so that is tangible for the Eagles. We will see if the Eagles like physicality or skill if they choose one  of these corners.

Sidney Jones is a six foot cornerback out of The University of Washington. The one glaring weakness in his scouting report is his strength. He will need to add weight to his 180 pound in order to be successful in the NFL. Besides his strength, he has the potential to be a great corner on this league. He has quick feet and length that allows him to stick to the wide receivers he is assigned to. He also has good 50-50 ball skills that are complimented by his good hands. He is used to guarding the other team’s top receiver and playing against high levels of completion coming out of the PAC-12. Sidney Jones could fall in top 15 which would be ideal for the Eagles. Any of these corners could be available when the Eagles choose.

https://walterfootball.com/draft2017CB.php

The Philadelphia Eagles are about to start preparing for the most important part of there season the NFL draft. After drafting their franchise quarterback Carson Wentz last season, they must begin to build around him immediately. The Eagles 7-9 record was a good start for a first year head coach and quarterback. There are positions where talent and depth must be added. We need young difference makers on both sides of the ball that that can assist Carson Wentz as he leads the team. The positions most football analysts have identified as needs for the Eagles are wide receivers, cornerback, offensive line, running back and defensive end. I will be focusing wide receivers in this blog.

Mike Williams is a 6’3 wide receiver from Clemson University. Since this team just won the National Championship he will be coming off a team that knows how to win games. That mentality will surely be an addition for the Eagles who are still building their character as a team. Running 40 yard dash time of 4.48, Mike Williams is not the fastest receiver available but his route running ability and strong hands will make up for his lack of speed. He has the potential to be a top 20 pick in the draft which would put the Eagles in range to select him.

John Ross is a 5’11 wideout from University of Washington. His is coming off a strong season which surely helped his draft stock. Even though he is the second rate receiver on my potential targets for Eagles there is a huge drop off from Mike Williams. As a result of a lack of elite speed and height John Ross will most likely be a slot receiver in the NFL. However, he could he explosive in his role as a slot receiver. He has good hands and quick breaks of the line of scrimmage. He could be drafted in the late in the first round or early in the second round so the Eagles would mostly have to move back to draft John Ross.

Corey Davis is 6’3 receiver from Central Michigan. He did not play for a major school in a big conferences like the other two prospects before him. The only concern is he hasn’t had exposure to the higher levels of college football as a result of his conference play. Players coming out of the four major conferences sometimes have problems adjusting. Regardless, Corey Davis was just so dominate this season he got a lot of attention. He is similar to Mike Williams from Clemson when you compare the size, smooth route running and strong hands. He also has great 50/50 skills in the air. He has the potential to be a number one receiver if he continues to develop. He could be drafted around the mid first round or late first round which puts the Eagles in a good position to choose him.

It will be interesting to see how things develop with these top receiving prospects.

https://walterfootball.com/draft2017WR.php

The Philadelphia 76ers have cooled off from their hot January start. They have lost 6 of their last 7 games and have seemed to hit a mid season wall. The confidence and spark that was there in the early parts of January is now gone. They just couldn’t sustain their upright movement in the standings. The things the we’re doing well like defense and ball movement are non existent. For example, in their last 7 games all the opponents have scored over 100 points. Defense is what we elevate this team to the next level and must be a priority. In addition, the Sixers do not have the offensive firepower to get into these types of games with opposing teams. Focusing on the fundamentals should still be the message Head Coach Brent Brown is still relying to the team. With five games left before the All Star break this team can take some momentum into the second part of the year and see what that takes them.

Looking forward to after the all star break for this team there are two major developments unfolding. First, the return of Ben Simmons has been rumored to be coming after the all star break. For a team that needs a push this will surely be the push they need. As I mentioned in my previous blog no one knows for sure if we will see Ben Simmons in the second half of the season. Most people are speculating considering his time since his injury and his progress so far that February seems like the most logical return date. If Ben Simmons returns he will be able to play at the most 26 games with the team. This is considering no restrictions or injures. I’m sure the Sixers will continue their current trend of not allowing players coming off major injures to play back to back games. Ben Simmons would just be available for just 22 games if that factor is added in. The Sixers also will not allow Ben Simmons to get too many minutes when he ones back. I believe they will most likely start Ben Simmons at a 20 minute per game restriction they may increase to 25 by the end of the season. Altogether, I still believe we need to see Ben Simmons on the floor even if it’s only a small sample size this year.

The Sixers current dilemma at the center position may finally be fixed in the coming days. Jahlil Okafor has been involved in advanced trade talks that could move the center to another team.
This would allow the Sixers to have a more balanced roster. Right now as a result of the Sixers having 3 centers with starting potential only two play on a game night. With Joel Embiid and Nerlins Noel playing well in their roles this has left Okafor out. It has been reported that the Sixers want first round in exchange for Okafor’s services. I believe they should look to get a guard who can’t shoot or a solidified defender. They need to know what they’re getting if they trade Okafor.

TRUST THE PROCESS!

Sixers basketball is officially buzzing again. The Sixers are finding ways to finish games which has been the difference in their recent success. The team is coming off of the best stretch they’ve had so far in the season and the past seasons being 5-1 in the last six games. Somethings I have noticed are, more consistent bench play, better ball movement, and confidence. The team is ranked tenth with assists per game. The Sixers bench is ranked third in points during the month of January. When I watch the team the body language is positive. The team just seems to be gelling at the right time. I think getting low seed in the playoffs could be a goal for this team moving forward. Right now the Sixers are 13th in the standings and 6 games back from the 8th seed. The eastern conference is wide open for any team to make a push though.

However, the star player and main attraction every game has been Joel Embiid. I was expecting Joel Embiid to have a positive impact but not this big. Right now he is the front runner for winning the rookie of the year award. He is not only the best rookie in the league but one of the best players. I think has defiantly been the best center in the east, but opinions don’t matter unless you back them up with facts. Joel Embiid is averaging 19.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2.4 blocks. He is averaging a great stat line only playing around 25 minutes a game as well. NBA fans also think Embiid is deserving of all the attention with him being fourth in the all star voting for this year’s game. He has surely solidified his position as an all star.

The next big step the Sixers will take this season is the debut of their number one draft pick last season Ben Simmons. Ben Simmons fractured his foot during the last day of preseason in late summer. The Sixers and Ben Simmons have teased the fans with pictures and videos with him training with the team. Just recently, he began traveling with the team as well. This is a substantial step in his rehabilitation process. Sixers Head Coach Brent Brown stated in October that we may expect a January return, but he later recanted his statements. Philadelphia fans are anticipating Ben Simmons’ once in a generation type talent. Ben Simmons will elevate this team immediately. A 6’10 point guard can see over any guard defending him. Ben Simmons has a developed post game which he will be able to utilize with his size as well. Ben Simmons will be able to pass, score, and of that isn’t enough he will be able to rebound too. With all this being said no one is sure when Ben Simmons will be able to play. We have to just remain patience and do what we’ve been doing Trusting The Process.