Papa John's eases promotional rules due to 76ers' futility: Report

How bad are the Philadelphia 76ers?

Bad enough that pizza chain Papa John's lowered its qualifications in a joint promotion to give fans a discount on pies every time the team won.

Sixers fans, who already are starving for wins this season, can now get the half-priced pies when the futile 76ers score only 90 points — without winning!

Sadly, that's still a reach because the team averages 88 points per game.

After initially offering a 50 percent discount on orders the day after a 76ers win, the company made it easier to reward fans with a sad, but way more realistic level of accomplishment.

The worst part, according to the Bleacher Report, was how Papa John’s delivered the new deal. CrossingBroad.com’s Kyle Scott posted a picture of the email fans received Thursday regarding the bargain. The subject reads: “50 Percent OFF Today — Sixers Won!”

But they did not.

Philadelphia lost 101-90 to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. They only won within the parameters of Papa John’s new, arbitrary rule—a rule that would give the franchise five total victories for the season if the 76ers could win games just by scoring at least 90 points.

Sounds like a pie in the sky deal. 

Brook Lopez breaks foot, out for season: Report

The New York Daily News is reporting that Brook Lopez, the Brooklyn Nets star center, broke his foot and will miss the rest of the season.

Stefan Lopez tweeted the bad news Saturday morning:

Confirming report that Brook Lopez broke his foot and is out for the season.
— Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) December 21, 2013

Lopez played 44 minutes Friday night against the 76ers after missing the previous two games with an ankle sprain. The seven-footer scored 22 points but looked soft in the paint during Sixers' 121-120 overtime victory in Philadelphia.

No further details were available.

Dr. J says dental braces led to conception of his daughter: Report

An outrageous excerpt from Julius "Dr. J" Erving's new autobiography reportedly claims the former NBA superstar conceived daughter Alexandra Stevenson when her mother wasn't able to give him oral sex due to braces on her teeth.

According to Richard Johnson of the N.Y. Post, the Hall of Famer writes in his new book, "Dr. J," he wouldn’t have fathered the 32-year-old professional tennis player if her mother didn't have the bands of mouth metal getting in the way.

Johnson writes in the Page Six section:

The hotly anticipated book is supposed to be under lock and key until its official publication on Tuesday, but I found an early copy at a downtown bookstore.
Erving tells how he met Samantha Stevenson — whom he describes on the page as “a smart single woman — a pretty white girl, a bit of a hippie giving off a vibe of availability” — in 1978 when she was covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sport magazine.

“She becomes someone who helps me unwind if I’m feeling high-strung or stressed. I can drive over and spend a relaxing evening that might even include oral sex,” Erving writes. “I can only remember one time that we actually had intercourse, and that was because she had just gotten this new orthodontia to straighten her teeth. With wire and gleaming metal bristling in her mouth, oral sex was not an option.”

But Erving, known for his Dante de Blasio-like Afro and his thunderous dunks, felt terrible in 1999 when his and Samantha’s out-of-wedlock daughter — playing in the semifinals at Wimbledon — was caught in a media firestorm over her famous father. 

“I’ve paid a terrible price for my sins and there is some justice in that. But should Alexandra have had to pay a price? What sin did she commit?”

Who knew the "Dr." was for dentistry?

Nerlens Noel's vow to teams that passed on him: 'I'll make them pay'

Nerlens Noel had every reason to believe he would be the first pick of the 2013 NBA Draft but, after he was slowly passed over by a couple of teams, it was apparent the 6-11 big man would become the focus of the night for all the wrong reasons—and that includes being traded.

After five picks in Thursday nights' NBA draft — with a camera continually directed on the young man's perplexed face —  the Kentucky star finally heard his name when the New Orleans Pelicans selected him with the sixth pick.

When the snubbed Noel realized he'd be teaming up with last year's No. 1 pick, Anthony Davis, he found a reason to force a smile. "I'm just happy to be with the Pelicans," said the semi-enthusiastic Noel.

Before you could say Twin Towers, that consolation was over.

The Pelicans dealt Noel and a 2014 first-round draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for Jrue Holiday and this year's 42nd pick.

Which is why Noel will have one goal when takes the court next season.

"I'm going to make them pay," Noel said of the teams that passed on him.

The Sixers took a big chance on Thursday when they traded their best player to land Noel, but if he makes good on his promise, it will be well worth it. Noel has the potential to be one of the most athletic centers in the league. His combination of speed, size, and athleticism could make him a franchise changing player if he can return from his ACL injury to be the player he was at Kentucky.

Noel will have every chance to make good on his word. The Sixers traded their franchise player to get Noel, effectively handing the team to him. When he's healthy, he'll start, and he'll be the focal point of the team.

Now Noel has to be true to his word and prove those teams wrong.

Andrew Bynum flamenco dancing in Spain (VIDEO)

The NBA playoffs seem to be the last thing on Andrew Bynum's mind these days.  And who can blame him. The Philadelphia 76ers player — with both knees just six weeks from season-ending arthroscopic surgery — was spotted doing a mean flamenco in a festive restaurant in Spain — far from his critics in the City of Brotherly Love.

The much maligned center with the bum knees looked like he was incorporating some new kind of Andalusian therapy in his off-season rehab. At least it looks safer than bowling.



Philly fans might lose their lunch at seeing their big man getting outdone a couple of 50-something women on the dance floor. A better sight might be the menu at the Basque restaurant Meson Txistu where the big fellow dined.

Tapas anyone?

Jeremy Lin doubtful of a Round 1 return

Jeremy Lin said he is "cautiously optimistic" that he will play again for the New York Knicks this year, but doesn't think it will be until the second round of the playoffs.

The Knicks point guard speaking before yesterday's 100-99 overtime win over the Chicago Bulls— and six days after surgery for a torn left meniscus— said he does not want to rush back.

"I think unless something goes really well I wouldn't get there," said Lin about returning for the first round.

"It depends on how far and how long it goes," he continued.  "But obviously I want to be 100‰ and then come back, hopefully see what I can do.  By then it'll be a different team identity ... chemistry.  So it gets tricky, too.  Yeah I'm doing everything and we're doing everything we can to get back as soon as possible."

One thing that is going well is the Knicks— even without Lin and Amar'e Stoudemire.  The team beat the first place Bulls to keep pace with the Philadelphia 76ers and a slim one game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks for the final playoff spot.