The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Are Now Phoenix Suns II

By Bret Stuter

Feb 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie prior to a game against the Sacramento Kings at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie prior to a game against the Sacramento Kings at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns II

With the exception of head coach Brett Brown, the 2016-2017 Philadelphia 76ers decision makers are the same as that of the Phoenix Suns at the turn of the century.  From the hiring of Mike D’Antoni as head coach until Bryan Colangelo resigned to assume the general manager duties of the Toronto Raptors.   While Colangelo experienced success with the Phoenix Suns, he did not achieve similar results in Toronto.

Since the assembly of new faces onto this team will likely struggle early, I am no longer certain that head coach Brett Brown will be part of the long term solution to this team either.  Brown clearly worked very well with Sam Hinkie, embraced his analytics use in player decisions, and developed the roster as best as he could.  But with a new general manager, and with the history of the Colangelo/Colangelo/D’Antoni relationship already firmly entrenched, the first sign of any struggle by the organization next season will be reason enough for the team to part ways with Brown, and promote D’Antoni.

While many of us had hoped for the Sixers to convert the abundance of big men into a big ball version going forward, that seems highly unlikely now that Sam Hinkie is no longer with the team.  It was his vision of securing the post with huge highly talented bodies.  Now, the Colangelo X 2 plus D’Antoni suggest that the team will pursue the Golden State Warriors and their own model they had introduced in Phoenix at the turn of the century.  Two way, ball handling, perimeter shooting small ball roster could be the plan now.  In these early stages, where speculation can only be based on history from some long ago, that appears to be the most logical direction for this team now.

Next: Sam Hinkie to Philadelphia 76ers: It’s Not Me, It’s You

With the imminent hiring of Bryan Colangelo, the Philadelphia 76ers have reassembled the same group that had some success in Phoenix with Steve Nash and company.  Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?  On the verge of everything Sam Hinkie has worked for to finally come together, but just weeks before he is slated for demotion as a result?  I bet Alanis Morissette would have a field day writing a song about this one.  But I’m glad she never will, I won’t need any reminders over the events of this day.