Philadelphia 76ers: Full Report Card Grades for Every Player at All-Star Break

Rocky VII is in theaters.

This time around, Balboa isn’t attempting another comeback.  In Stallone’s latest sequel, the Philadelphia 76ers are the overwhelming underdog and in the 2011-2012 campaign, they’ve displayed the ability to challenge for the heavyweight title belt.

Philly doesn’t boast a single star on their roster, let alone a superstar.  While they aren’t a top-heavy team, Philadelphia possesses the deepest rotation in the NBA.  Not elite isolation extraordinaires, but teamwork featuring flawless chemistry will make the 76ers a dangerous ballclub this postseason.

Here are full report card grades for every player at the All-Star break.

PG: Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday was one of the most improved players in the NBA last season, but this year, he's taken a small step back.  After averaging 6.5 assists in the 2010-2011 campaign, Holiday is now averaging just 4.6.

Putting the ball in the basket has been a bit of a challenge as well as he's shooting just 42.2 percent from the field.  On February 17th against the Dallas Mavericks, Holiday shot an embarrassing 0-of-9 on the night.

Philadelphia will be able to push the Miami Heat or Chicago Bulls with a scorching Holiday, but if he fails to improve, such a feat will be nearly impossible.

Grade: C-

SG: Jodie Meeks

Jodie Meeks is a solid shooter.  And that’s pretty much it.

His 40.9 percent shooting from downtown forces defenses to play him tight allowing the 76ers athletes more room to penetrate.  Other than that, though, Meeks doesn’t do a great deal and would be much better suited coming off of the bench.  Monta Ellis rumors were on fire this past offseason for a reason.

But Meeks is an efficient scorer and doesn’t turn the ball over so it isn’t like he’s a liability.  He simply plays within his role.

Grade: C

SF: Andre Iguodala

On the best defensive team in the league, Andre Iguodala is the best defensive player.  While he's failed to live up to superstar expectations, Iggy has turned into the ultimate role player.

He is an elite perimeter defender, leads the team in assists with 5.3 a game, is third in boards with 6.4 and has even improved his three-point percentage to a career-high 37.4.  Fans will look at his 12.4 points per, his lowest totals since his second year as a pro, as a decline, but that's not the case.

Other than Holiday, Iguodala is the only 76er that plays more than 28 minutes a game.  He is the squad's unquestioned leader and has been be a strong constant in the team's rapid growth.

Grade: A-

PF: Elton Brand

Elton Brand will never live up to his contract, but this season, he's not even close to doing so.  His 10.1 points a game wouldn't be so poor if it weren't for a 45.5 field-goal percentage.  That and his 6.7 rebounds just aren't satisfying enough numbers for a starting power forward.

At 32 years old, though, at least Brand adds a veteran presence to one of the youngest franchises in the league.  Flashing any of that ability that once made him an All-Star will do wonders for the 76ers.

Grade: C

C: Spencer Hawes

With so many starters failing to step up, how are the 76ers one of the biggest surprises in the league this season?  Spencer Hawes.

The 7'1", 245-pounder has only played in 14 games, but Philly is a miraculous 12-2 when he's suited up.  Who knows what Doug Collins did, but whatever it is, it worked.  

Hawes wasn't a starting-caliber center last season, not even close.  But now, he is averaging 10.5 points along with 8.3 rebounds while shooting an impressive 56.8 percent from the field.

Grade: A+

6. Lou Williams

Lou Williams is a front-runner for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.  He is a starting-caliber talent, but off the bench, he provides a spark that opposing benches can’t match.

Williams is averaging a career-high 15.6 points per game along with 3.7 dimes.  His greatest weakness is his 40.7 field-goal percentage, but he still boasts a player efficiency rating of 21.73.

Grade: A

7. Thaddeus Young

Thaddeus Young is yet another 76ers bench player that is capable of starting for more than a handful of other teams.  After catching fire down the stretch last season, he was arguably Philly’s best player.

This year, he’s averaging 12.6 points and 4.6 boards a game.  He is a matchup nightmare that is too strong for 3s to defend and far too fast for 4s.

Grade: A-

8. Evan Turner

And the project continues.  Evan Turner definitely hasn’t been able to make an instant impact to the 76ers like John Wall, the player selected just one spot ahead of him, has for the Washington Wizards.  Turner’s numbers are on the rise, but it isn’t like they had room to fall from last season.

He is averaging 8.2 points and 5.6 boards a game this year which really aren’t bad numbers for a third option off the bench at all.  Turner is proving to be a major X-factor because his shooting percentage is 48.9 percent in wins and 36.9 in losses.

Grade: C+

9. Lavoy Allen

Lavoy Allen is the face of this underdog team.  Not as in the face of the franchise, but as an underdog that isn’t supposed to be receiving the minutes that he’s getting right now.  He wasn’t even supposed to be drafted, but out of Temple, his home-town team reached for him in the second and he’s rewarding them.

In 17.5 minutes a game, the rookie power forward is averaging 5.3 points and 4.9 boards per.  Not too many second-round selections have a 15.4 PER this season, but Allen does.

Grade: B-

10. Nikola Vucevic

In an extremely thin draft class, not much was expected early of the first-round pick out of USC, but Nikola Vucevic has played efficiently.  He and Allen are the reason that Collins’ arsenal of weapons is so vast.

Averaging 6.6 points and 5.0 rebounds a game, Vucevic shoots 54.2 percent from the field.  The true seven-footer isn’t up for Rookie of the Year, but he hasn’t disappointed in year one.

Grade: B

11. Tony Battie

Thanks to injuries, Tony Battie has started nine games this season for the 76ers.  Battie starting wasn’t a good thing back in 2002 and the 36-year-old version isn’t any better.

The 6’11”, 240-pounder is nothing but a big body at this point in his career.  Giving him a low grade is unfair for the minimal minutes that he receives, but shooting 43.8 percent as a power forward is horrible.  At least he’s a veteran presence.

Grade: D+

12. Andres Nocioni

Andres Nocioni plays fewer minutes than he gets paid…in millions.  While he earns, and I use that term loosely, $6.65 million this season, he only plays 5.4 minutes a game.  Thankfully for the 76ers sake, his contract has a team option for next season. Adios.

Averaging 1.8 points plus 1.3 rebounds equals the worst $6.65 million ever spent.

Grade: F

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.  Check out his 25 Most Disappointing Unfulfilled Legacies in NBA History.

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