Sixers Rebuild: Sam Hinkie Is Recreating The 1982-83 Team

Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center

(21) dunks during warm ups before playing against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Bigs

As you can see, both teams are built around size. The 82-83 team held a roster with 7 players with a height of 6’9″ or over and the current roster, as of now, holds 8 players of the same characteristics. The 82-83 team was very reliant on its depth at the big man position. Star center Moses Malone served as an anchor on both sides of the ball and took much of the load underneath. At the power forward position, veteran Bobby Jones and Marc Iavaroni mostly split minutes. Off the bench, big men Earl Cureton and Clemon Johnson provided more than serviceable minutes.

Sam Hinkie’s roster is built with a similar style of front court depth. Rookie Jahlil Okafor is certainly not Moses Malone, but will serve as the offensive anchor. Power forward Nerlens Noel will take on most of the defensive tasks down low, while also being responsible for opening up the floor with Okafor. Newly acquired veterans Carl Landry and Jason Thompson can provide off the bench with ease, and rookie Richaun Holmes will develop into a hardworking offensive big. Injured prospect Joel Embiid may still be a unique piece to this strategy.

The quantity of players with incredible size is evident in both rosters and Sam Hinkie has realized that building through the front court has worked in the past for the organization. It obviously helped that the Sixers acquired a superstar like Moses Malone, but if any of the current bigs can turn into a spectacular force, the dominance of Philly big men can return sooner than later.

Next: Defense