February 1, 2025

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Forner Sixers Guard Mac McClung to Compete in NBA Dunk Contest

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Forner Sixers guard Mac McClung, now a member of the Orlando organization is back in the NBA dunk contest trying to make it three-straight dunk contest championships.

McClung joins Stephon Castle, Matt’s Buzelis and Andre Jackson Jr. in this year’s event, which is being held in San Francisco.

27. Freddie Mitchell (Eagles Wide Receiver 2001 to 2004)

The 25th overall selection in the 2001 NFL Draft was supposed to upgrade the Eagles’ underwhelming Receiving Corp. But Freddie Mitchell had just 90 catches in 4 mediocre seasons in an Eagles uniform.
But Mitchell’s claim to fame was catching a pass from Donovan McNabb on the “4th and 26” play during the playoff game versus the Green Bay Packers. The man nicknamed “FredEx” caught one postseason touchdown during his disappointing Eagles career.
26. Cutter Gautier (Flyers First Round Pick in the 2022 NHL Draft)

(Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

26. Cutter Gautier (Flyers First Round Pick in the 2022 NHL Draft)

Philly Sports Fans had Deja Vu of JD Drew from 25 years earlier. One of the top Hockey prospects of the last few year, Gauthier was considered a huge win for the organization when they landed him at the 5th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
But a year after he was drafted, the Flyers fired General Manager Chuck Fletcher and overhauled the Front Office. Now with former Flyers players Keith Jones and Danny Briere overseeing Hockey Operations, there was a sudden falling out between Gauthier and the organization that led the Sweedish Hockey prospect to declaring he would not play for Philadelphia.
In response, the Flyers traded the disgruntled prospect to the Anaheim Ducks for Defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 NHL Draft 2nd round draft pick.
25. Jonathan Papelbon (Phillies Closer 2012-2015)

Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images

25. Jonathan Papelbon (Phillies Closer 2012-2015)

The Phillies signed the four-time All-Star Closer to a four-year, 50 million-dollar contract before the start of the 2012 MLB season. But Papelbon joined the Phillies as the organization was descending from the team that was one of the best teams in baseball from 2007 to 2011.
Jonathan Papelbon did his job on the field, tallying 123 Saves for the Phillies, his volatile behavior and playing for a team that never had a winning record during his four years in Philadelphia took a toll.
Papelbon had an adversarial relationship with both Phillies fans and Philadelphia Sports media. He would be traded to the Washington Nationals in July 2015 for Pitcher Nick Pivetta.

 
24. Larry Hughes (Sixers Guard 1998-2000)

24. Larry Hughes (Sixers Guard 1998-2000)

When the Sixers selected the Guard from the University of St. Louis with the 8th Overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, Larry Hughes was already at a disadvantage. Hughes was drafted to be the replacement for Jerry Stackhouse as superstar Allen Iverson’s running mate.
Hughes struggled as a three-point shooter at the NBA level with the 76ers (18.4% in 100 games for Philadelphia) and his five games with more than 20 points scored left Head Coach Larry Brown struggling to balance the offense around future NBA MVP Allen Iverson.
While players drafted after Hughes such as Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, and Cuttino Mobley were becoming important scorers for their respective teams, Philadelphia was trading Hughes to the Golden State Warriors in a 3-team trade that landed Toni Kukoc in Philadelphia.
23. Rich Kotite (Eagles Head Coach from 1991 to 1994)

Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger/ALLSPORT/Getty Images

23. Rich Kotite (Eagles Head Coach from 1991 to 1994)

When the Eagles organization fired popular Head Coach Buddy Ryan, Philadelphia Sports fans were already mad that Offensive Coordinator Rich Kotite received the promotion to Head Coach. Even though the Eagles were 21-11 during his first two seasons as Head Coach, the team never finished the season higher than second place in the division during his tenure.
While the fans were calling for Kotite to be fired, the organization did not listen to the Philly Sports Fans until the Head Coach lost seven straight games to end the 1994 NFL season.
22. Andre Iguodala (Sixers Guard/Forward 2004-2012)

Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images

22. Andre Iguodala (Sixers Guard/Forward 2004-2012)

When Andre Iguodala was selected with the Ninth overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, the athletic swingman had unrealistic expectations placed on him for the next eight years.
The man labeled “the next AI” was supposed to be the former NBA MVP Allen Iverson’s latest sidekick until the organization traded the original “AI” in December 2006.
Andre Iguodala was expected to become the Sixers’ next great player but he never averaged more than 19.9 Points Per Game. The 76ers were never able to construct the right roster around “Iggy” so they would trade him away as part of a 4-team trade.
While Andre Iguodala would go to become the 2015 NBA Finals MVP and win three NBA Championships with the Golden State Warriors, the centerpiece of the trade that sent Iggy out of Philadelphia was the Sixers receiving two-time NBA Champion Andrew Bynum, who never played a game in a 76ers’ uniform

21. Riley Cooper (Eagles Wide Receiver 2010-2015)

21. Riley Cooper (Eagles Wide Receiver 2010-2015)

Selected by the Eagles in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 6’3″ Wide Receiver was just a depth player for the first 3 years of his career. Cooper had a breakout season in 2013 when he had 8 Receiving Touchdowns. His performance allowed Head Coach Chip Kelly to get rid of star Wide Receiver Desean Jackson. If getting rid of DJax wasn’t unpopular enough with Eagles fans, Cooper was caught on camera having a confrontation with a black security guard and using the n-word multiple times.
In spite of this incident, the Eagles gave Cooper a 5 year contract extension worth up to $25 million. Cooper had a total of 5 Receiving Touchdowns his final two seasons with the Eagles before being released in February 2016. After spending two seasons out of football, Cooper announced his retirement in December 2017.
20. Odubel Herrera (2015-2022)

Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

20. Odubel Herrera (2015-2022)

The 2014 Rule 5 Draft.selection was converted into a Centerfielder by the Phillies ahead of the 2015 MLB season. While Herrera was never more than an above-average Outfielder defensively, his bat was good enough to earn a selection to the 2016 MLB All-Star Team.
But after hitting 22 Home Runs in the 2018 MLB season, Herrera was arrested for Domestic Violence in Atlantic City. He did not play baseball from the Summer of 2019 until he rejoined the Phillies for the 2021 MLB season. Herrera’s off the field legal issues combined with the regression as a hitter along with ongoing complaints about his lack of effort led to him to be released by the Phillies in August 2022.
19. Mike Richards (Flyers Forward 2005-2011)

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

19. Mike Richards (Flyers Forward 2005-2011)

Selected in the First Round of the 2003 NHL Draft by the Flyers, the Canadian Center was developed to be the next star and Captain of the Orange and Black. But despite six productive seasons in Philadelphia, Richards became a polarizing figure. The Flyers Center had an adversarial relationship with the Philadelphia Media that tainted public perception of him along with his souring his relationship with the fans.
There were numerous rumors and reports about Richards excessive drinking and partying that reporters claimed led to him missing practice and having poor play in games. Richard denied many of these rumors and reports while accusing the media of attacking him and his teammates. The rumors about his off-ice activities and behavior never went away so the Flyers traded him to the Los Angeles Kings in June 2011. Richards would win two Stanley Cups with the LA Kings while the players acquired in the trade (Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn) only got the Flyers a total of 12 playoffs wins over a seven year period.

 

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