The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers coaching staff annual review

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Brett Brown, Julies Erving and Jazmin Erving talk to children during Q
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Brett Brown, Julies Erving and Jazmin Erving talk to children during Q /
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PHILADELPHIA,PA – OCTOBER 30: Sam Hinkie of the Philadelphia 76ers speaks with Joel Embiid
PHILADELPHIA,PA – OCTOBER 30: Sam Hinkie of the Philadelphia 76ers speaks with Joel Embiid /

Video and Analytics

Former Philadelphia 76ers Sam Hinkie knew that a journey heading into the unknown required new tools to navigate in the midst of NBA turmoil. So he invested heavily into basketball analytics. As the team incorporated that technology, the goal was simply to create efficiencies for the coaching staff.  Reinforce players weaknesses, leverage player strengths.

But a curious byproduct of analytics became obvious.  Analytics can guide any NBA team to compete for a championship game if the team is wise enough to understand how to get there. Not many teams can stomach the time required to get there. It’s a multi-year commitment and requires faith in the process, and sticking to the plan.  The Philadelphia 76ers were shaken enough to jettison Hinkie along the way.

Trust the process of analytics

Now the team’s future is in the hands of new team president Bryan Colangelo. But the route to a championship is still mapped by analytics, video analysis, and coaching up players shooting. For that, the team has:

VIDEO COORDINATOR Connor Johnson
SHOOTING COACH John Townsend

Much like strength and conditioning, results of the investment do not suddenly appear in the box score. It’s a gradual improvement, and over time raises the play of everyone on the team. If you want proof, look at players who played on the Philadelphia 76ers, and then played elsewhere. In recent years, their best production was in Philly.

Next: Before The Process: Top 10 Philadelphia 76ers of the 2000s

It’s a brand new season with brand new expectations. But you can’t just look at the roster and get a complete understanding of this team.  This is a well coached squad and the coaches have earned their moment in the spotlight too.  But the ultimate question is whether this coaching staff can get the team to the promised land.  They’ve managed to build optimism despite being outplayed and outmanned for three seasons.  Now that the talent level is surging, let’s discuss this over the playoffs.