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By Dan SavageJuly 11, 2014
ORLANDO -- It was a near perfect 2014 Southwest Airlines Orlando Pro Summer League for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Prized 2013 first round pick Nerlens Noel eliminated any concerns that he would not be the same player after knee surgery sidelined him for the last 18 months. Young players such as Hollis Thompson and Casper Ware shined all week. And as a unit the 76ers excelled at playing unselfishly and committing to the defensive end, which helped them earn a Summer League championship.
Thompson scored 21 and Ware notched 19 points, seven assists and five rebounds as the Sixers (4-1) pulled past the Grizzlies (3-2) for a 91-74 victory on Friday to capture the Southwest Airlines Orlando Pro Summer League title.
For a Philadelphia franchise that finished with the second-worst record in the NBA last season, it was a step in the right direction.
“I think they all came in with the right attitude and more importantly they were just unselfish all week,” said Sixers Summer League Head Coach Lloyd Pierce. “Defensively they were committed to each other and offensively we had a lot of great looks.”
Ware capped off a stellar week in which he averaged 19 points and 5.2 assists per game with another solid performance as he attempts to prove that he belongs on Philadelphia’s roster next season.
“That’s what I wanted to do,” Ware said. “Just come out here, show I could play and get better.”
While Noel rested again on Friday, he finished the week averaging 13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2.3 steals per game.
His impressive numbers caught the eyes of teammate Michael Carter-Williams, who spent much of the week watching his squad.
“I thought he was going to play hard and block shots,” Carter-Williams said. “I didn’t know where he was offensively, but he’s definitely improved a lot, especially with his left hand from the free throw line. That really surprised me. He’s getting better each and every day and just working hard.”
The play of the Sixers overall had Carter-Williams excited about next season.
“They played really well and played together,” he explained. “Everyone was attacking the glass and doing all the little things to get them to win the championship.”
Deon Thompson led Memphis with 15 points, while Jarnell Stokes delivered another solid outing, notching 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Jamaal Franklin and Jordan Thompson rounded out four Grizzlies in double figures with 11 points apiece.