Ed Condron

It's difficult to win without a solid big man in the NBA. The Sixers are one of the Cinderella stories in the game leading the Atlantic Division and with the third best record in the Eastern Conference.

However, center Spencer Hawes, who has been having a good season when healthy has had injury issues. Hawes has been in and out of the lineup due to an Achillies tendon issue.

The Sixers know how significant that injury can be if they look just across the street at Citizens Bank Park. Phillies slugger Ryan Howard, who took in Friday night's game versus the Dallas Mavericks, had surgery on his Achillies tendon in the off-season..

Hawes, who is in a walking boot, figures to be out more than a month or more, due to his foot trouble.

You would think that would leave the Sixers in perilous position since the backups for Hawes, Lavoy Allen and Nick Vucevic, are rookies.

No experience, no problem for the green centers. Each has played beyond expectation. In a losing cause versus the Mavericks Friday night, the young tandem combined for 24 points and 11 rebounds.

"I can't tell you how proud I am of them," coach Doug Collins said. "They've been tremendous."

Vucevic , who played for USC, was the Sixers first round pick. He has a very good skill set. Vucevic can score, play defense and has quick feet.

"I'm just trying to play as well as I can here," Vucevic said. "We have to pick it up now that he (Hawes) is out. I just want to play good basketball and help us win."

Allen, who was a second round pick from Philadelphia's Temple University, is a local boy made good. Allen was the go-to guy at Temple. He was their inside scorer and top rebounder.

However, Collins felt that he dropped in the draft due to a bad motor. The Sixers thought that if he could give total effort, they could have one of the steals of the draft.

Well, it's looking like they have a pair of first rounders at center since Allen has played beyond expectations.

"Lavoy has been terrific," Collins said. "We needed him to pick it up with Spencer and Nik unable to play (at the same time in early February). When you watch tape and see what he can do and the size of his body in the paint. He's been great."

Allen showed what he could do against the Chicago Bulls two weeks ago. In a 98-82 win over the vaunted Bulls, Allen scored a career high 15 points on 7-10 shooting.

Not bad for a guy, who many questioned could make the Sixers in training camp. But there are few questions now about his dedication or game.

"I'm just trying to give it my all," Allen said. "I just want to make a difference. Someone has to play in the middle and I'm doing the best that I can."

 

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Big Guys Fill Big Void for Surprising Sixers