The Sixer Sense
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Wake Up With The Sixer Sense — Sixers Aren’t Historically Bad

By Josh Wilson

Jan 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Isaiah Canaan (0) leaps over Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) to pick up a loose ball during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 114-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Isaiah Canaan (0) leaps over Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) to pick up a loose ball during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 114-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ish Smith is being credited with the sudden Philadelphia 76ers no longer being historically bad. At the same time, this historically bad season is being speculated, and some are wondering, if everything works out, will Sam Hinkie be sen remembered?

Okafor’s Array of Shots, Noel’s Defense on Rise — Sixers.com

"The four steals he swiped matched his second-highest total of the season, as did his four blocks.  His per-game averages in both of those statistical categories have increased over the Sixers’ past 11 games. “I think he’s just playing good basketball post-Christmas,” said Brett Brown.  “I think that he’s playing Nerlens Noel-type basketball, where he’s doing it with energy, he’s doing it with A-plus athleticism.  All those things translate into deflections, steals, blocks.” Noel ranked tenth in the NBA in steals and eighth in the league in blocks a year ago en route to first-team all-rookie honors.  Brown feels the timing in the spike of Noel’s defensive production is no coincidence."

The 76ers Aren’t Historically Bad Anymore — Deadspin

"The 76ers are now exactly where they want, and where they could’ve been all along. They are still so bad that they’re going to finish with either the worst or second worst record in the league, but are winning enough games to prevent complete disillusionment from settling in. Enough to reduce media and fan criticisms, and to make the players enjoy coming in to work. No one (that you should take seriously, at least) is suggesting that the 76ers should’ve overpaid for the Enes Kanters, Wes Matthewses, and Jae Crowders of the world this summer. But the value of having a few decent and cheap NBA-quality players on the roster is self-evident. Young players don’t develop in a vacuum, and it does a player like Isaiah Canaan little good to go up against the even worse Tony Wroten in practice every single day. The biggest mistake Hinkie and his fervent supporters make is vehemently asserting that it has to be all or nothing, that the only possible way to leap over the Valley of Mediocrity is exclusively churning for high lottery picks. That’s a perfectly fine primary strategy, but one that has to be complimented by an understanding of the reality of the NBA, the awareness that once you select those hopeful future stars you need to provide a stable and nurturing atmosphere for them to reach their potential."

If it all works out, how will Hinkie be remembered? — Philly.com

"So how will Hinkie be remembered? For the third consecutive season, he has constructed a roster for the sole purpose of trying to finish with the league’s worst record. And unlike in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 campaigns, there’s a sense that this team is destined to finish last. The Sixers posted the league’s second-worst record, 19-63, two seasons ago. They finished with the third-worst mark, 18-64, last season. But that didn’t bring them the top pick; the Sixers picked third in each of the last two drafts. The second half of this Sixers season began Saturday night. They embarked on their final 41 games with a five-game cushion over the Lakers for the league’s worst record. So one would assume that Hinkie would deserve the credit if the Sixers finish last and are lucky enough to get the first overall pick in the lottery. But not everyone will give him credit if this rebuild works out."