Have Philadelphia 76ers Bubble Players Turned The Corner?

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Dec 6, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas 911) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Philadelphia 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Hot Or Mild Sauce

Nik Stauskas, a.k.a “Sauce Castillo”, has been a young prospect trying to find his way in the NBA. This year, it appeared as though he had mastered the concept of playing professional basketball.

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He had given up his social media, he was spending extra time in the gym, and the results were paying off. In fact, he was pushing hard for rotating in as the team’s starting shooting guard, despite productive dependable play from veteran shooting guard Gerald Henderson.

And then, cold December 2016 blew in, and blew him off-track.

It’s a stark contrast so far, almost enough to speculate possible nagging injury. Through November 2016, the team had the “Hot Sauce”. Stauskas averaged 25.3 minutes per game, scored 10+ points, rebounded 2+, assisted 1.5+, blocked .5, and manufactured .5 steals per game. And he did it all on better than 50 percent shooting from the floor, 45 percent shooting from three point range, and 77 percent shooting from the foul line.

Stauskas seemed to be a player who finally “got” it. His work ethic improved and results were showing. He even won over the hearts of Philadelphia 76ers fans.

But then December happened…