The Sixer Sense
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If You Rejoiced At Sam Hinkie’s Resignation, You Looked At The Wrong Numbers

By Bret Stuter

Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jerry Colangelo (R) is introduced as special advisor to the Philadelphia 76ers during a press conference with owner Joshua Harris (M) and general manager Sam Hinkie (L) before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jerry Colangelo (R) is introduced as special advisor to the Philadelphia 76ers during a press conference with owner Joshua Harris (M) and general manager Sam Hinkie (L) before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie (L) listens as owner Joshua Harris (M) introduces Jerry Colangelo (R) as special advisor before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie (L) listens as owner Joshua Harris (M) introduces Jerry Colangelo (R) as special advisor before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

True Proof In The Process

The reason is simply that other GMs were shackled by the win now concept.   Sam Hinkie could separate draft picks from other team because his team had plenty of salary cap space to absorb contracts of overpaid players from other teams. Those contracts are aplenty in the NBA, because the majority of teams operate based on the win column.  Managing a team on the win side does not eliminate the inherent risks of trades, of the NBA draft, nor of the risk of overpaying for players in contract negotiations.  In fact, there is a reality that it increases the risk as it drives team to act with the emotional component of fear of failure.  That skews random probability.

The reason managing wins is more popular has nothing to do with the effectiveness.  It simply gives a better appearance.   It looks better to owners and fans.   “Nothing that a new coat of fresh paint can’t fix” sells.   Sam Hinkie did not renovate the old decay.  He opted the more difficult and more effective route.   He bulldozed the organization to rubble, and is in the process of rebuilding the team brick by brick.  At least, that was his plan.

Let’s look at where the Philadelphia 76ers are, today, at the moment the former president and general manager of the team resigned.   The team currently has five first round draft choices on the roster: Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel, Nik Stauskas, Joel Embiid, and Elton Brand.  Of this group, only Elton Brand‘s contract expires at the end of this season.   The team also retains the rights to Dario Saric, another first round draft selection, who will join the team in the 2016 NBA season.  If the lottery balls are favorable to the Philadelphia 76ers this year, the team will add another four first round selections to this team.  That is as many as 9-10 first round draft pick players on this team, with no stress on the cap space.  None whatsoever.   Should the team pursue free agency in the same age and talent range of the existing core of players, the team will be able to bring on several top free agents if desired.

In short, Sam Hinkie has given everyone in the NBA someone and something to scoff at and hate in the NBA, purposefully.  In his resignation letter he stated his goals as

"Replenish the talent pipeline, improve the quality and quantity of players on the roster, shift the style of play towards tomorrow’s champions, and become a culture focused on innovation. – Sam Hinkie via his resignation letter"

Where is the proof? The talent pipeline for the Philadelphia 76ers is running at full capacity. The quality and quantity of players on the roster is up for debate, but only in the context that this is a very young and rapidly improving group.  Teams, and players, take time to build.   That time is not one season, but several seasons with a consistent roster. So far, the team is only now in a position to exercise those attributes going forward.  The  innovation aspect cannot be questioned, even by the most irrational and emotional critics.   If you are truly measuring someone’s performance, you truly must adhere to the metrics established to track that process.

Jerry Colangelo is a win manager.   He manages his NBA teams to win.  They have never won a championship in this NBA.  Neither Jerry Colangelo, nor his son Bryan Colangelo, have won championships in the NBA.   They managed to win plenty of NBA games, however.

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