PHILADELPHIA — This cruel joke someone’s been playing on the Philadelphia 76ers these past few years–especially lately–has got to stop. It’s one thing screwing around with the production on the court, resulting in just 71 victories over the past three years while the franchise has been stockpiling draft picks and injured big men. That’s rebuilding basketball, Sam Hinkie style. But what’s happened off the court in the last year alone isn’t just heartbreaking, it is downright tragic. One-by-one, Philadelphia’s most iconic big men have
Marks: “Super Stat” Harvey Pollack in the Fight of His Life
Editor’s note: This story originally was published in February, when our Jon Marks had the chance to spend some time with Ron Pollack, the son of legendary statistician Harvey Pollack, who died Tuesday at the age of 93. PHILADELPHIA – The vigil begins early. Ron Pollack arrives at Hahnemann Hospital at 8 o’clock every morning – just in time for doctor’s rounds – and heads immediately for the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit. He brings his I-Pad and other electronic
Marks: Harvey Pollack is One of a Kind
PHILADELPHIA – “Now wait a minute.” That’s your cue that Harvey Pollack is about to launch into a story. And he’s got a million of them. The man who’s been more symbolic of the NBA than even the logo — since he’s been around since the very beginning – has a mind that never stops. Just ask him one simple question and be prepared for a detailed answer so complete it will make your head spin. [Read more…]