Philadelphia 76ers thank Spencer Hawes in return

Former Philadelphia 76ers forward Spencer Hawes received a nice welcome back to Philadelphia on Friday night. 

There hasn’t been much to celebrate for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014-15. So when a former member of the franchise returned back to the City of Brotherly Love, the organization took the opportunity to welcome him home.

That player was Spencer Hawes, a key  member of the gritty 76ers team who shared the floor together under head coach Doug Collins.

Hawes played for the Sixers from 2010 to 2014, after being drafted by the Sacramento Kings 10th overall out of the University of Washington in 2007. Hawes was traded before the 2014 trade deadline to the Cleveland Cavaliers with general manager Sam Hinkie in full fantasy mode.

In his four years with the Sixers, Hawes averaged 10 points per game and 7.0 rebounds in 253 games. The Sixers made the playoffs in the first two seasons Hawes was on the team. They appeared to be a franchise headed in the right direction. Then Doug Collins resigned, and Sam Hinkie decided to tear it all apart.

Hawes signed with the Clippers in the offseason. He’s a valuable bench player for the Clippers, playing over 18 minutes a game, while scoring 6.2 points and grabbing 3.8 rebounds per contest.

In the picture used on the jumbotron, Hawes has a fairly conservative buzzcut. He now sports a wild, long-haired look. It’s quite the contrast.

This is the only time the Clippers play in Philadelphia this season. And it was the first Hawes returned to Philadelphia.

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