The Philadelphia 76ers and the Unravelling of the Hinkie Era

By Dan Falcone | Feb 3, 2016

Nov 18, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Sixers flight squad holds a giant Philadelphia 76ers flag on the court to start the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Wells Fargo Center. The Pacers won 112-85. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Unravelling of the Hinkie Era

The Philadelphia 76ers GM Sam Hinkie is no savior. He did little for the rebuild and now that Jerry Colangelo is here, we can start to build. Further goes the oversimplified argument:

“They tore down a team, which is relatively easy,” said a league executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “There is no pressure. You take in salary, and you get draft picks by doing different things.

“But to build a team is a real skill. You need a skilled basketball person to build a team. That’s why they brought Colangelo in.”

It’s obviously true that Colangelo was “brought in,” but not for reasons mentioned by Hinkie opponents. Everything is in place for Colangelo to build on. Hinkie’s bold implementation was in fact, bold, and it does not reflect any incompetence.

Hinkie might be tough to work with, and yes, he may even engage in feuds with agents, possess a stunning amount of cunning and duplicity, while off-court problems plagued the young roster. Colangelo was brought in correctly, I feel, to improve the cosmetics and the overall brand of the Sixers. That is different from the sheer building.

More from Sixers News

The culture is indeed important for the Sixers rebuild.

"Throughout his three-year tenure with the 76ers, Sam Hinkie has stuck to his conviction that in order for the franchise to become a consistent post-season contender, the right type of environment must surround the team. Consider Jerry Colangelo a supporter of this theory as well."

Here’s how you know that Hinkie is still relevant and vital to the cake, while Colangelo remains the icing. Both are important, one is more fundamental, and without foundational elements, you lack the final product.

And then there’s the trade deadline.

Keith Pompey reports,

"“Now, it seems, Colangelo is content to let the trade deadline slip by and allow Sam Hinkie’s plan of acquiring assets to play out. Don’t look for a roster makeover at the Feb. 18 deadline, Colangelo said Tuesday. He wants to let the dust settle on what Hinkie has already done, evaluate the results and start fresh in the offseason.”"

ALSO ON SIXER SENSE: Philadelphia 76ers Culture Next Step In Process

My theory? Colangelo, once inside the franchise, saw the organization to the Hinkie chaos. Let’s emulate the conversation in the words of the great playwright William Shakespeare, as spoken in his classic play “HAMLET.”

Hinkie:
What is the matter, my lord?

Colangelo:
Between who?

Hinkie:
I mean, the matter that you read, my lord.

Colangelo:
Slanders, sir; for the satirical rogue says here that old men
have grey beards, that their faces are wrinkled, their eyes purging
thick amber and plum-tree gum, and that they have a plentiful
lack of wit, together with most weak hams; all which, sir, though
I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it not honesty
to have it thus set down, for yourself, sir, shall grow old as I am, if
like a crab you could go backward.

Hinkie:
Though this madness, yet there is method in.