Former Philadelphia 76er Charles Barkley Believes In Sam Hinkies Rebuild

Once a skeptic of the process, former Philadelphia 76er Charles Barkley believes in this Sixers team approach to rebuilding the franchise

He retired from the game in 2000, having ties to both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns. Of course, his Philadelphia 76ers ties gives him plenty of reason to comment on the outlook of the current team. But his ties to the Phoenix Suns gives him the additional perspective of knowing Jerry Colangelo and the role the new advisor to the owners might play going forward. So when the one-time skeptic of the Philadelphia 76ers, and a critic of president and general manger Sam Hinkie’s rebuild, does an about face and talks openly and optimistically about the team’s future, it’s worth a pause and a listen.

"“I’m very high on the Sixers’ plan. The Sixers got some good young talent. Ish Smith is playing great. [Nerlens] Noel, he’s got a chance. I’m telling you, he’s got a chance. I’m telling you, Noel, [Jahlil] Okafor, the kid [Dario] Saric…[Joel] Embiid. I hope [Embiid] gets healthy. If he can play, the Sixers might make the playoffs next year, I’m telling you. If Embiid can play, Saric comes over here. They’re going to get another lottery pick next year. There’s a chance the Sixers could make the playoffs next year. You know you’ve got a center in Okafor, a power forward in Noel. Saric is coming over. You’re going to have some nice pieces. So the Sixers are going to have a quick turnaround.” – Charles Barkley on 97.5 FM The Fanatic"

That’s quite a mouthful for a guy who has been down on the Sixers. Especially so for an analyst who is so down on basketball analytics, the same sports methodology which the Philadelphia 76ers are at the forefront of.  In fact, Sir Charles has been one of the most vehement detractors of teams who have implemented the concept of tendencies and chart tracking to base basketball decisions upon.

His criticism of analytics is well documented, and despite the vast amount of vitriol in the topic, he does make a point with the unquestioned reliance upon theory over reality.

"“First of all I’ve always believed analytics was crap. The NBA is about talent. All these guys who run these organizations who talk about analytics, they have one thing in common: they’re a bunch of guys who have never played the game, and they never got the girls in high school, and they just want to get in the game. I’m not anti-analytical, but I think that basketball is about talent and coaching and things like that,” Barkley said. “I didn’t have (a) problem with anything today. And I never have a problem with somebody disagreeing with me. I still believe the game is about talent. Are stats important? Yeah, they’re a small part of it, but the game still comes down to talent.”” – Barkley in an interview after his on screen rant."

ALSO ON SIXER SENSE:   If You Build It, Philadelphia 76ers Will Come

It’s not just the use of basketball analytics which has caused the outspoken Sir Charles to speak out. While he was lukewarm about the team’s rebuild, he was not a fan of ticket prices which remained steady or climbed.

"“I don’t mind teams — quote, unquote — tanking. I think the Sixers have done a good job. They have to make sure (Joel) Embiid can play and Nerlens Noel has great potential. But at some point they have to put it into action. To be honest with you, I love the kid (D’Angelo) Russell. I think he’s going to be a terrific player in the NBA and I really root for the Sixers. I root for the Sixers and the Phoenix Suns, and Philadelphia is a great sports city. The only problem I have with the Sixers is they should stop raising ticket prices. When you’re tanking, or you’re rebuilding, you should lower ticket prices or keep them the same. I think the Sixers have done the fans a disservice by raising ticket prices the last three or four years because the product hasn’t been worth it. That’s my biggest problem. I have no problem with them rebuilding — that’s the way you have to rebuild now. But they should have lower ticket prices every year for the last few years because they haven’t been worth watching.” – Charles Barkley"

Apparently, the Sixers are worth keeping an eye on now. If you don’t believe me, just ask Charles Barkley.