By Jack McCaffery

jmccaffery@21st-century-media.com

PHILADELPHIA >> With too many injuries, too few players, too much front-office caution and too little time, the 76ers long have been down to minimum of possible 2016-2017 achievements. Through it all, though, Brett Brown has hoped for one reasonable achievement.

“The only goal that we set, from a numerical standpoint, from our second day at Stockton,” Brown said Tuesday, before a 141-118 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. “was that we wanted to be a Top 15 defensive team. If you go back to the tenets of, 'Who are we?,' we'd better grow this through defense, space and pace. It has to begin with that. And as we sit, with four games left after tonight, we're 14^th.”

That has been Brown's philosophy in his four years as head coach. And for most of this season, at least the Sixers seemed to comprehend the concept. But without their two most capable defenders, Robert Covington and Joel Embiid – three, including the traded Nerlens Noel - their defense has been decaying. And by Tuesday, it had practically vanished.

The Sixers allowed 40 points in the first quarter and 41 in the second, the Nets' 81-point output being a Wells Fargo Center floor record for a half. Down to what would have been its fourth center entering the season in Richaun Holmes, Brown's team had little presence in the middle. Without Covington, projected as at least a second-team NBA All-Defense choice, their perimeter defense was not much better. In the first quarter, the Nets, often left open, mad 15 of 21 shots, including six of nine from three-point range, for a staggering 71.4 percent success rate.

“None of us could guard any of them,” Brown said. “I could leave now and that should be the headline.”

That was about it.

“It was hard,” Dario Saric said. “It was under any NBA level. I always try to talk honestly and I apologize to Philly fans. I hope we have the opportunity, with three more games at home, to try to show who we are.”

In allowing the 19-59 Nets to score 141 points on just 75 shots, the Sixers dipped from No. 14 to No. 17 in the NBA's overall defensive ratings. With only four games remaining, there can't be too much volatility in any season-long statistic. But the Sixers will play those games without Covington, who has a torn meniscus in his right knee.

“It's hard,” Brown said. “When you take away Nerlens and you take away Joel Embiid and you take away Covington, it's hard. So you just have to rely on more team concepts. You've got to do everything by committee. It's not like you can make mistakes and there's Joel and Nerlens at the rim to put that fire out.”

The Sixers have surrendered 112, 122, 107, 107, 101, 99, 122, 113 and 141 in their last nine games, and were ranked No. 23 in average points allowed before eight Nets to score in double figures.

With that, Brown's singular goal was moving out of reach.

“That's the only numerical stat that I reference to our team,” he said. “The 30 wins and other things, I understand. But for me, it is that: It is being a Top 15 team with the understanding that we want to get in the top 10 next year.”

A baseball forecast for 2017:

N.L. East champion: The Mets, in a breeze.

N.L. Central champion: The Cubs, on a roll.

N.L. West champion: Dodgers, narrowly.

N.L. Wild card: Giants.

N.L. Wild card: Pirates

A.L. East champion: Yankees, pulling away late.

A.L. Central champion: Indians, still around.

A.L. West champion: Angels, as Mike Scioscia finds a way.

A.L. Wild card: Blue Jays.

A.L. Wild card: A's.

N.L. champion: Mets.

A.L. champion: Indians.

World Series champions: Indians … it's their turn.

N.L. MVP: Giancarlo Stanton is on a mission.

A.L. MVP: Mike Trout, from start to finish.

N.L. Cy Young: Noah Syndergaard, none better.

A.L. Cy Young: Corey Kluber will dominate.

- Jack McCaffery

Projecting the Phillies' 2017 achievements, 162 games in advance:

TEAM MVP: Tommy Joseph. While technically a surprise last season after having all but fallen out of the Phillies' plans, he was the centerpiece to the odd 2012 trade of Hunter Pence to the Giants.

Relieved of concussions, and his eye trouble corrected, the powerful Joseph can be a middle-lineup force.

BEST PITCHER: Jerad Eickhoff. His mix of control – he hardly walks anyone – and velocity, along with a wicked curveball, will make him an All-Star at age 26.

MOST IMPROVED: Maikel Franco will improve on his plate discipline, stay healthy and add to his status as a franchise centerpiece.

BRIGHTEST SURPRISE: Despite a shaky spring training, a healthy Aaron Nola will show the talent that made him the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 draft.

BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Freddy Galvis can be the Phillies' best defensive shortstop ever … Larry Bowa and Jimmy Rollins included.

ALL-STARS: Eickhoff, Joseph.

TOP ROOKIE: Brock Stassi can become a quick fan favorite.

BEST NEWCOMER: Pat Neshek will be a settling, effective bullpen force.

- Jack McCaffery  

A look at the 2017 Phillies, by the numbers:

0: Members of the 2008 championship team on the Opening Day roster.

1: Cesar Hernandez's spot in the batting order.

1.14: The WHIP of Jerad Eickhoff in his first two seasons, second lowest by any Phillie since 1901.

2: The number of 2016 All-Stars – Odubel Herrera and Michael Saunders - who will be in the starting outfield.

3: The number of years that Cameron Rupp's father once pitched in the Montreal Expos system.

4: The number of projected Phillies starters who hit at least 20 home runs last season – Maikel Franco, Michael Saunders, Tommy Joseph and Freddy Galvis.

5: Positions (first, second, third, short, left) played by Andres Blanco last year.

6: Saves blown in 2016 by Jeanmar Gomez.

7: Countries represented by major and minor league Phillies in the World Baseball Classic.

8: Seasons since the last Phillies world championship.

9: Times in his 11-year career that Howie Kendrick has hit .285 or better.

10: Seasons since MVP Jimmy Rollins called the 2007 Phillies the “team to beat.”

11: Consecutive appearances by Joely Rodriguez last season in Reading without allowing an earned run.

13: Times Hernandez was caught stealing last season in 30 attempts.

14: Wins in April for the 2016 team, against 10 losses.

16: Strikeouts by Vince Velasquez of San Diego Padres last April 14.

18: Games for the Phillies played by Pete Mackanin in 1978 and 1979.

20: More games lost than won by the 71-91 2016 team.

23.0: Consecutive scoreless innings thrown by Aaron Nola from April 22 through May 8 last season.

33: The 2011 round Brock Stassi, who won a spot on the Opening Day roster, was drafted in.

37: Saves from Gomez in 2016.

39: Joaquin Benoit's age.

46: The uniform number of the late Dallas Green, the Phillies wearing a patch this season in his memory.

102: Strikeouts by Hector Neris last season, second most by a reliever in Phillies history. Dick Selma had 153 in 1970

155: The number of games started by Herrera in center last season, most in the National League.

.194: The batting average that Pat Neshek held opponents to last season in Houston.

230: Reporting weight at spring training for bulked-up Edubray Ramos.

.306: Maikel Franco's batting average over the final 26 games of last season.

333: The pick in the 2004 draft that the Mariners spent on Michael Saunders.

382: The career home runs gone with the buy-out of Ryan Howard.

.500: The modest goal for the record, at least early in the season, set by Mackanin.

.944: OPS of revived Aaron Altherr in spring training.

.987: Freddy Galvis' fielding percentage last season, tops among National League shortstops.

9,208: Total victories in Phillies history.

10,317: Total losses in Phillies history.

23,643: The Phillies' disappointing average home attendance last season, 24^th best in baseball.

17,200,000: The dollars Jeremy Hellickson accepted for one year as a qualifying offer, rejecting free agency.

WILMINGTON, Del. >> Roy Jones Jr., the former world heavyweight champion, showed enough of his familiar skills Friday night to win the WBF cruiserweight championship with an eighth-round TKO of Bobby Gunn.

Before a packed Chase Center, with a capacity of about 2,200, Jones won just about every round (six of the seven scored on the Daily Times card) and staggered Gunn late in the seventh round. Gunn's corner waved off the fight before the eighth round, which technically had begun. Thus, Jones' victory occurred at seven seconds into the eighth round.

Gunn, better known earlier in his career as a bare-knuckle champion in Canada, fell to 21-7-2 as a pro. Jones, a certain Hall of Famer to be, is 65-9. Asked if his career would continue, Jones indicated it would, as long as it was worth his while.

Gunn was impressed by Jones, who has won world championships in four weight classes and is recognized as one of the best, all-time, pound-for-pound: "I enjoyed seeing him beat me up."

Jones, 48, has won 10 of his last 11, though against dramatically downgraded competition from when, in the 1990s, he was voted as the fighter of the decade.

Earlier Friday, Kanat Islam showed why he was ranked No. 4 by the WBA with an impressive first-round knockout of Robson Assis. His forehead severely bleeding from an early head-butt, Islam, of Kazakhstan, used his remarkable hand-speed and instinct for violence to overwhelm Assis of Brazil.

The KO came at 2:12 of the first, and Islam's camp immediately called out Floyd Mayweather. He improved to 23-0. Assis is 16-4.

Also, popular lightweight Joey Tiberi Jr., of Delaware scored a fourth-round TKO over game Bryan Simmons of St. Joseph, Missouri at 2:04 of the second. Tiberi improved to 14-2. Timmons is 5-9.

Frank DeAlba of Allentown (21-2-2) won a unanimous decision over German Emeraz of Mexico (55-42-1) in a junior lightweight prelim. And Dagoberto Aguero of the Dominican Republic impressed in improving to 11-0 with a super bantamweight majority decision over Olimjon Nazarov of Uzberkistan (14-5).

By Jack McCaffery

jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com

PHILADELPHIA >> Doug Pederson was at his office desk early Sunday morning, still preparing to coach the Eagles against the Washington Redskins. When the phone rang, his job would grow more complicated.

For the second time in three games, veteran guard Brandon Brooks had reported a game-day stomach illness that would prevent him from playing. The result, which was complicated by a variety of in-game offensive-line injuries, was that the Birds would lose, 27-22. The more lasting challenge would be for the Eagles to find out why Brooks, who also missed the Nov. 28 game against visiting Green Bay, has twice had such trouble just hours before kickoff.

“That's something we're going to continue to explore today with him and just see,” Pederson said Monday at the NovaCare Complex. “It's obviously unfortunate, but we need to get to the bottom of it and just find out why.”

Brooks, 27, has reported to have battled ulcers. Oddly, however, that distress has not caused him to miss any practices. He even was at the Linc Sunday, prepared to participate in pregame drills, before reporting that he would be unable to play.

Why?

“That's something that our medical team will dive into,” Pederson said, “and try to find out.”

Brooks, who was signed in the offseason as a free agent, missed a Houston Texans game against the Buffalo Bills last season.

Clearly, Pederson didn't expect Brooks' trauma to be lasting, announcing Monday that the guard would be ready to practice Wednesday. And when asked if Brooks were still a starter, Pederson indicated, “Yes.”

Pederson did admit that the uncertainty surrounding Brooks complicates his preparation. Against the Redskins, rookie Isaac Seumalo would start in Brooks' place.

“Well, it can be a challenge,” Pederson said. “I think for us, as coaches, and as a staff, by giving Isaac these reps during the week, it definitely prepares us for anything. It's obviously no different than if Brandon were to go down with an injury, say, in the first quarter and Seumalo has to go play.

“It is a difficult situation, but at the same time, we feel comfortable with Isaac and giving him the time during the week to be ready and handle the situation.”

As it would happen Sunday, Brooks' late sick-call was the first in a series of offensive-line complications. During the game, right tackle Allen Barbre sustained a Grade 1 right hamstring-strain, according to Pederson. Matt Tobin would replace Barbre and suffer a Grade 2 left-knee sprain that likely will cost him the rest of the season.

Also, long-snapper Jon Dorenbos broke his wrist, requiring surgery, and will be placed on the injured-reserve list. Tight end Brent Celek, also the backup snapper, reported a stinger during the game.

It was the nature of the Brooks absence, though, that was the most mysterious.

“It's happened on the actual day of the game,” Pederson said. “There is a little bit of history there, but it's something our medical team will do more to investigate as we go.”

Pederson said he spoke with Brooks Monday morning.

“He definitely wants to explore the reasons why this is happening,” the coach said. “If we can help him, I want to help him and make sure it doesn't happen again.

“Again, medically, I don't know what it is. I'm not Brandon, so I can't speak for him. But it’s something we’ve got to get to the bottom of and help him as an athlete.”

Tobin was injured on the Birds' next-to-last offensive play, then was beaten by Ryan Kerrigan, who sacked Carson Wentz, forcing a fumble with 21 seconds left. By then, Pederson's only remaining available offensive lineman was backup center Josh Andrews. Guard Dillon Gordon was a pregame scratch.

By Monday, Pederson was still unsure of how his line will look Sunday when the Birds visit the Baltimore Ravens.

“Well, we're looking at all that,” he said. “We still have Dillon Gordon. But there's going to be probably opportunity to work out some guys and bring some guys in and try to fill those spots.

“The next couple days will be big days for us.”

Before the Flyers would entertain the Anaheim Ducks Thursday in the Wells Fargo Center, in the home opener of the 50th season, Dave Hakstol met with the press.

This was the conversation:

On 50^th year, particularly Ed Snider:

“I think he's a central figure to everything our team does and I think his presence is always here and always felt. I'm not sure exactly what's in store for the pregame ceremonies, but I am looking forward to it. I think there's going to be a lot of emotion that comes with it and is attached to it, and those are emotions that are positive for our team.”

No championship for a long time, but much success, Hall of Famers, good teams, more. Can that tradition provide a benefit on the ice?

“You always build on your history and your tradition. You have a responsibility to those who have come before you, to those who have built this organization that have come before us. We have a responsibility to them to not just respect that but to also build on it.”

How would you characterize that first road trip?

“I haven't looked for a way to characterize it. We played a (heck) of a game in L.A. We found a way to get a point on a tough back-to-back the next night. And it was a disappointing finish to the road trip in Chicago. But there were a lot of real good spurts of hockey. There was not a full, complete 60-minute hockey game really in any of the three. So it's early in the year. But those are things that you have to work on and build on.”

Was the comeback something that can be built upon?

“That's a positive. I'm not looking for positives. I know what the positives are. We didn't like getting into a hole. Quite honestly, we played a pretty good first period in Chicago. We played a pretty darn good first period, and all of a sudden, we were down, three-nothing. We got through the second, didn't get a whole lot done. I am impressed with our players, to go out and tie the game up. And like I said, from there, we are disappointed to not come away, once we were back, to not get some road points.