MCW - Rookie of the Year

"Oh Lord, I'm the rookie and the vet…" - @Drake

A year ago, the Philadelphia 76ers traded away All-Star Jrue Holiday, and their immediate future depended on the 2013 NBA Draft.

Playmaker

Michael Carter-Williams dazzled fans while proving a lot of people wrong about his game and toughness. By the end of the season he walked away with a solid start to his professional career, and he has the hardware to prove it. He won the NBA Rookie of the Year award, giving Philadelphia a much needed bright spot in the midst of a 19-win season.

I had an opportunity to ask Carter-Williams about his basketball journey from childhood to the present day:



Words and photo: @axgilbert

Spotlight

"Now the boy is the man..." - Drake

The Philadelphia 76ers are getting national recognition...and the main ingredient to the team's early success is Michael Carter-Williams.

Consistency

The Sixers have been playing well since the season began last week, and while it is tough to gauge how things will play out, it's evident that this group of young talent, is doing their best to win games, and establish a blue-collar identity.

Carter-Williams has quickly become a fan favorite, however as a point guard he understands that everything is about the team and what he can do to make everyone better.

His low-key demeanor and never quit attitude will take him far as a professional athlete, especially in a city like Philadelphia.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

October

"I got a decent set of manners, and a job that fills up any empty schedule or planner..."

Drake - Unstoppable

This is my favorite time of the year because it usually means that the Yankees are in the World Series.

Brand New

April and October are the best months for baseball because they signify both the beginning and the end. The Yanks will not play to defend their '09 crown, and part of me can appreciate that nothing is guaranteed in life, and the Bronx Bombers can begin preparing now for next year.

As for the Philadelphia Phillies...they lost too, so as far as I'm concerned...it's officially basketball season. I expect the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, and Boston Celtics to play and battle on a higher than average level...while the Miami Heat have endless potential that will make this first season watching them one to remember.

I want to wish the San Francisco Giants, and Texas Rangers all the best in the fall classic, however when Game 1 begins on Wednesday...I plan to watch the 76ers play against the Heat.

Baseball season ended a little early for me, however the spring will be here before you know it, and all will be well with the world again.

The NBA saga however...continues on October 26th.

MVP - Most Valuable Points

Jubilation

"We can do it real big, bigger than you've ever done it..."

Drake - Best I Ever Had

The Eastern and Western Conference Finals are some of the best games of this year...and what I like best is that each team boasts a key member of the 2008 Olympic team.

Full 48

The Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted the Orlando Magic 96-95, however just like the Lakers in their first game against Denver...the Lake Show won, but they really should have taken a loss. 

The Cavs blew another big lead, and the Magic were about to win 95-93 to go up 2-0 in the series...however after Hedo Turkoglu all but closed the door on Cleveland, LeBron James sank his only 3-pointer of the game with 1 second left in the 4th quarter.

If this were a baseball game, then James hit the walk-off homerun, as the venue now switches to Florida for Game 3 on Sunday.

He are a few key points from tonight:

The Magic have too many weapons (Howard, Turkoglu, Lewis, Pietrus, and Lee), and if they play their game...they can actually win this series.

Hedo Turkoglu has been playing at the point guard position...in Game 1 he had 14 assists, tonight he had 4 assists, with 21 points.

Orlando split the first 2 games in Cleveland, that's all you can ask from a road team.

Cleveland plays extremely well, and they have to learn to finish Orlando out...as tonight's game will show, both teams have to play for the full 48 minutes.

Mo Williams seemed to find his stride, so expect the guard play from the Cavs to get better in Game 3.

Photo: Tony Dejak/AP Photo