Dear 76ers Fans: Development is Worth More Than Wins

The Philadelphia 76ers have had a tough time getting wins this season, but fans should realize that some things, such as development, are more important.

If there is anything Philadelphia 76ers fans know about general manager Sam Hinkie, it’s that the man has a plan and a vision. It’s a plan that requires a lot of patience that will have the lowest of low points, and some very high points. It is a roller coaster. Nine times out of 10, success is not linear. As Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill would say, “Dreams Worth More Than Money.” Well, if you were to flip that saying to something 76ers related, it would be “Development Worth More Than Wins”.

Recently I wrote a piece about who should start with Ish Smith between Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel. After thinking about that a little more I am having a change of perspective and realize that the answer to that question has three different answers and the answer someone gives depends on which of the two types of fan they are: Do you as a 76ers fan want more wins now to save from being laughed at by fans of other teams, or would you rather build a dynasty?

If you are the first type of fan, you should be in favor of splitting Okafor and Noel into separate lineups. The fact of the matter is, both players are better suited to play the center position at the moment so when both are in the same lineup, the team suffers. Having them play separately for most of the game would allow both of them to be at their most comfortable position, which leads to more effective play, which leads to more wins.

I happen to be the second type of fan, so what I have to say to the first type of fans is that at this point in the season with a team that is 2-31, what is the point in sacrificing development for wins? The chance this team makes the playoffs is very low. Why not make sure the players develop as much as they can now while the team is bad rather than doing it when the team is actually ready to challenge for a playoff spot?

Taking shortcuts just leads to disappointment and results that none of us want. If Noel doesn’t learn to become at least an average shooter and improve the rest of his offensive skills to become a good power forward now, when will he? This is what the process is all about. Developing isn’t about staying to what you do best all of the time. Developing is doing those things you do best, while making your weaknesses strengths and becoming comfortable doing things you are not comfortable with. To become a dynasty, which is what we all want, the team will need to limit as many weaknesses as they can.

Having Noel playing center all of the time and having Okafor play against bench players isn’t going to do that. If we want these two cornerstones to be the best that they can be, they need to have as much real game experience as they can against the best players which are the starters. When the team hopefully makes the NBA Finals one day, these guys won’t be playing against bench players but starters. Even if they do play those bench players in the NBA Finals, many bench players on a championship team would be starters on another team. Playing weaker competition does not make a player better. Playing better competition does.

Believe me, I am very much human, so of course it doesn’t feel good to have your favorite team be the laughingstock of the NBA. But all that really matters is who has the last laugh and if we just buckle in and “Trust the Process” there is a very good chance we’ll have that last laugh.

Okafor and Noel must learn to play together and grind this tough time out if we want to win championships. If we look at past championship teams, most of them have multiple players that are versatile. When a team has multiple players that can play multiple positions effectively it makes for a team with a lot less weaknesses.

Okafor making the team worse does not matter to me because this team wasn’t going to make the playoffs much less the NBA Finals anyway. It doesn’t matter to me if he doesn’t fit with the teammates of a team with 31 losses in 33 games played. It should be said the other way around. His teammates don’t fit him. Okafor and Noel have more potential and talent than anyone on the team not named Joel Embiid (who is injured). Okafor, Noel, and Embiid are the guys we should care about first and foremost. The rest of the guys have a slim chance of even being on the team when it’s time to start contending anyhow.

Hinkie’s goal isn’t to “not be a laughingstock.” Hinkie’s goal is to win championships. When you settle for “just don’t be a laughingstock,” it’s right back to square one with the team being mediocre and having multiple seasons going 41-41 with no shot of a championship. Noel and Okafor in the same lineup right now is sure to bring ugly and inefficient basketball. I’m not refuting that. I’m just saying it will pay off in the long run. Development right now means so much more than wins this season.