76ers Sign Free Agent Center Francisco Elson

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they have signed free agent center Francisco Elson. With the addition of Elson, the Sixers roster now stands at 14.

“We are happy to pick up Francisco Elson, a veteran big man who can help bolster our front court,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said.

Elson (7-0, 240) has appeared in 467 games with 149 starts while averaging 3.7 points (47.8% FGs, 70.0% FTs) and 3.5 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game. In 2006-07, he saw action in 70 games with 41 starts for the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs.

This is Elson’s second stint with the Sixers. He was acquired via trade from Milwaukee along with Jodie Meeks in exchange for Primoz Brezec, Royal Ivey and a second round pick on Feb. 18, 2010. The native of the Netherlands only appeared in one game for the Sixers following the trade but played in 62 games for Utah last season.

Philadelphia 76ers: How Far Can They go This Season?

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04:  Carl Landry #24 of the New Orleanss Hornets shoots the ball over Evan Turner #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers at New Orleans Arena on January 4, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers just defeated the Toronto Raptors in a blow out, 97-62, making their start to the season even more appealing. But let’s take a deeper look, huh? If they keep playing like this, just how far can they go this year? It’s an intriguing question, so let’s try and break this down.

97 points scored against the Raptors and no player recorded more than 14. Wait… what? Yes, that is a true statement. And it also just goes to show you how unselfish and spread out this team is.

Fact: The Sixers are outscoring opponent’s by 15.3 points per game.

This not only has to do with their offense, but the defensive game as well. Currently, the Sixers rank as the second best defense in the NBA, holding teams to just 89.5 points per game. On top of that, they have the third ranked offense, scoring 101.5 points per game.

Impressive from a team who has nine players 25 years old or younger, wouldn’t you say?

One of the most interesting things about this team, that only very few other teams can relate to, is that they don’t have one go-to superstar. The thing is though, they are still winning games and playing real basketball.

It is very rare to find a game when only one player does the majority of the work (like a lot of teams nowadays). Basketball is a team sport and the Sixers define it so well.

Fact: The Sixers are the best 4th quarter team in the NBA, scoring more than 30 points per quarter.

That is a special title to have, especially knowing that they do not have a superstar. They pretty much go with the guy who is hot during the game. Yet, they still show up at the most important time of the game, one aspect that not all teams can do. True, when it comes down to real crunch time the Sixers have trouble sometimes finishing, but they are still young. Look at what they are doing now and just picture how much better they can get in a couple years.

It’s scary.

Each player has their own role and do their best to flourish in it. As a team, they all share the ball and play unselfishly. No player on this team cares about the individual stats.

Everybody is contributing, everybody is playing defense, everybodyis contesting shots and making all the right plays on offense. It’s been a true team effort.

This team has heart, and a lot of it. They have talent and they have showed they want to win more than any other team in this league. The Sixers have the fourth seed right now and are leading the division with a lot of games left to play and a lot to prove to other teams.

So just how far can they go?

Well as you can tell, this team has a lot of capabilities, and just when you think they have reached the top, they do something else to show they are that much better.

Lou Williams Leads Three-Point Shooting Spree As Sixers Sink Warriors; 107-79

Holiday, Williams 42 Points Not Enough As Sixers Fall In Utah 102-99

Jrue Holiday had a season-high 22 points and Spencer Hawes had a double-double — 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Lou Williams came off the bench to give the Sixers 20 points, his second time this season with at least 20.

Williams missed a potential game-tying layup and three-pointer in the final moments of the fourth quarter.

Derrick Favors, who the team passed for Evan Turner in last year’s draft, scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for the Jazz.

“We had pretty good control of the game then the physicality of the game changed,” 76ers coach Doug Collins said. “I thought they started knocking us around; some loose balls and stuff. I thought that was the difference.”

Next Game: Tonight at Golden State Warriors, 9 ET.

Scorching Sixers Catch Fire In Phoenix; Smoke Suns 103-83

Sixers Bounced By Blazers; 107-103

The 76ers shot better than 48 percent from the floor, received a team-high 25 points off the bench from guard Lou Williams, and a near triple-double from center Spencer Hawes (10-14-9) — yet, they still lost at Portland in their opener 107-103.

Andre Iguodala hit four threes and had four blocks to go along with 22 points.

Doug Collins’ crew had seven players post double-figures in scoring.

Despite an efficient offensive night scoring the rock, the Sixers were careless, turning the ball over 20 times — leading to 28 points by the Blazers.

Next Game: Wednesday at Phoenix Suns, 9 ET.

Holiday, Sixers Silence Wizards 101-94

76ers-Wizards Preseason Opener Highlights