Minutes, and numbers, pile up for Sixers' Hawes

Statistically, 76ers forward-center Spencer Hawes is off to the best start in his seven-year NBA career, and he attributes it to one simple factor - not having to look over his shoulder.

Now in his fourth season with the Sixers (5-8) after playing his first three in Sacramento, the 25-year-old Hawes has prospered knowing that his playing time will be consistent.

Hawes is averaging a career-high 33.2 minutes. He is also averaging career highs in scoring (16.2 ppg.) and rebounding (10.2)

"The biggest thing is minutes," Hawes said after Thursday's practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. "Having the continued opportunity and the trust of the coaching staff and other players has paid dividends."

Hawes is coming off his best game of the year - Wednesday's 108-98 loss to the visiting Toronto Raptors. Normally a center, he started at power forward because Thaddeus Young missed the game for personal reasons.

Hawes responded with 28 points and 10 rebounds in just more than 37 minutes. He shot 10 for 13 from the field, including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. It was his career high for points as a Sixer and two shy of his overall career high of 30 points, scored while with Sacramento on Jan. 1, 2010 in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

This year the 7-foot-1 Hawes is the Sixers' leading shooter in three-point percentage. He has hit 23 of 47 (48.9 percent) from beyond the arc.

"I really didn't know he could step out and shoot it the way he can until I got here," said shooting guard James Anderson, who spent last year with the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets.

First-year coach Brett Brown has received more than he expected from Hawes.

"He has surprised me all over the place," Brown said. "I see an extremely versatile player that is a hell of a teammate."

There is much more.

"His ability to pass - look at backdoor cuts he has hit our guys on - and his ability to go to the three-point line and change games is something we have seen," Brown said.

In short, Brown has been extremely pleased with a player who can become a free agent after this season.

"He is a really good player that is young," Brown said. "His better days are ahead of him."

It's interesting that Brown called him "young," because on this Sixers team Hawes is considered an old veteran.

Hawes entered the NBA at 19 after playing just one season at the University of Washington.

"I am a young, old 25-year-old," Hawes said, laughing.

He admits that 13 games in, this season has been his most consistent as a professional.

"I have played like this for stretches, but as a whole this is the best I have been playing," he said.

Notes: Young remained away from the team Thursday. It was unclear whether he would play Friday. . . . The Milwaukee Bucks (2-8) have lost six in a row going into Friday's game. Bucks center Larry Sanders (right thumb) and swingman Carlos Delfino (right foot) are out. Point guard Brandon Knight (hamstring) is doubtful, according to a Bucks official. . . . Entering Thursday, Milwaukee was 28th in the NBA in scoring (89.4 ppg.). The Sixers were ninth (103.2 ppg.)