The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Sam Hinkie Understood Joel Embiid Held Team Future

By Bret Stuter

Oct 8, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie (R) talks with chief executive officer Scott O
Oct 8, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie (R) talks with chief executive officer Scott O /
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Nov 21, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid warms up before action against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid warms up before action against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Sports Science

From the moment he drafted Joel Embiid, Hinkie began a crusade to recruit the premier expert in the field of sports science and medicine, Dr. David T. Martin.   That wooing lasted a year, but finally the team announced Dr. Martin’s new role with the team.

Fortunately, the team had engaged Martin in overseeing Embiid’s progress long before formally hiring him.  The struggle was investing so much time, money, and effort to ensure two grueling years of surgery and international rehabilitation could deliver all of Joel Embiid’s potential.

But so much focus on just one player?  Despite the social media acceptance today, it was ridiculed on a daily basis throughout the ordeal.  It came down to Hinkie’s belief in the potential of Embiid, as well as the significance to any NBA franchise to find that one special player. To Hinkie, Embiid was that one special player. The challenge? He only had workout tapes and analytics charts to confirm his belief.