The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Joel Embiid Is The Anti-Andrew Bynum

By Bret Stuter

Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 12
Next
Nov 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie prior to a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie prior to a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Diagnose the problem

It takes courage to tell a prospective employer “Here’s where you went wrong”, but that is the nature of Sam Hinkie.  In fact, the key to a long career in the NBA is to avoid waves.

Hinkie splashed around in the pool. He could have avoided commentary about the Andrew Bynum trade, but in order to cure the disease, Sam Hinkie was obligated to name it.

and so, the cure began.

Much of the literature of Sam Hinkie’s tenure about the Philadelphia 76ers was focused on a strategy to tank.   The misconception that Sam Hinkie attempted to toss a team that was so bad into the hands of head coach Brett Brown, that the subsequent NBA draft would be loaded with talent to make his job easier.

The job was never that simple.  The undertaking involved a team without draft picks, prospects, or salary cap.  The ownership made it very clear that the goal was not to achiever .500, but to win NBA championships. To do so, the team had to distance itself quickly from past failures

To do what the owners wanted, the team needed to commit to a seven year plan.  That plan’s goal would be to deliver a championship to the city of Philadelphia.

Next: Necessary Ingredients