The Sixer Sense
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The Philadelphia 76ers Sam Hinkie Had Much Riding on Joel Embiid

By Dan Falcone

Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) passes balls behind his back before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) passes balls behind his back before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Would History Have Been Kinder To Former General Manager Sam Hinkie If Joel Embiid Had Played In 2015-2016?

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Emiid never got on the floor, and this ultimately spelled Sam Hinkie’s doom.

Okay, former president and general manager Sam Hinkie is no longer with the Sixers.  In resigning, he wrote a very strange pseudo intellectual letter, which was maddening, of a reactionary corporate element, while upsetting in signing off. But why was he phased out and when did this all start? The Sixers are clearly not better off without him, although his legacy will be the upcoming 2016 draft, and the four selections in the first round.

Indirectly, I believe the Joel Embiid project (that never came close to materializing) spelled Hinkie’s downfall. This led to Hinkie out-thinking himself and drafting Jahlil Okafor, which was an error in my view. The arrival of Okafor necessitated a rewrite of the plan, one intending to trade Okafor, another potential Rookie of the Year. Ultimately, it was the Sixer’s board room which raised eyebrows. My honest impression? Hinkie wanted to rehabilitate Embiid, keep Brett Brown, and trade Okafor. Time will only tell if no one in the front office wanted any of this. We do know that many were already skeptical of the The Process the first place.

Another significant reason why losing Hinkie is so upsetting?  It may mean that the prospects of an Embiid improvement appear dim. He truly had a pro-level game and a pro-level approach from evaluating him at Kansas. Anyone who can perfect the “Dream Shake” does indeed have solid pro-tential.

Tyler R. Tynes once wrote of Emiid’s game: “[Embiid] has the upside offensively to make a difference, has shown advanced post moves and counter moves as well as a mid-range game, very quick for his size and shows strong shooting mechanics. Has jump hooks with both hands, up-and-under moves, dream shakes, post-spins, solid footwork and drop-steps.” His moves are almost impossible-to-stop considering his size and speed.

Embiid can compete and screen. He gave up his body to free people and got high percentage touches doing it. Embiid has the attributes of a good teammate. He is a positive person and interacts well with the team.

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Hinkie once had hope:

"“I do believe in being open to our players with where we are. Joel has been in our last few draft workouts,” he said. “They (Noel and Embiid) both worked out [Monday] together and individually. I ask them questions about their old college teammates. I ask them questions about their old high school teammates. I ask them questions about the draft and who they like because I am curious, and because they have better information in some ways.”"

Embiid was expected to play in the following year’s Summer League.

Unfortunately, he never got any better.

Did Adam Silver secretly intervene and advocate for a Hinkie phase out? We will perhaps never know. Enter Jerry Colangelo and his possible fever dream. Critics of Sam Hinkie might be rejoicing. They also might be pretending that he wasn’t effective. This is in error.

First, people need to separate the letter from his ability. I didn’t like the letter, but I liked and understood his process. Hinkie sold himself short in the letter in terms of his basketball sense. The letter did not hit its stride until: “A healthy respect for tradition” (paragraph three). Hinkie relieved a roster of drastically underachieving NBA purgatory veterans that were immensely overpaid. The Philadelphia have meandered aimlessly since 1983 and Hinkie grabbed assets.

The Sixers have three quality 7-footers in the potential works. He selected the 2014 Rookie of the Year and managed to parlay him into a potential lottery pick that landed several spots ahead of Michael Carter-Williams. Hinkie acquired one of the best players in the world in Dario Šarić.

The recently injured and recovering tandem of Robert Covington and Jerami Grant are players with great upside. Hinkie had an eye for their talent while he was busy setting up the Sixers unprecedented 2016 first round which will feature four picks.

Sam Hinkie has given the Bryan Colangelo quite a situation: The 76ers stand as an organization with unmatched cap flexibility and free agency cash leverage.

Next: 76ers Trying To Move On From Sam Hinkie Era

With or without Embiid, the losing will soon end and we will have someone to thank as Sixers fans:  Sam Hinkie.

Strange letter and all.

Go Sixers.