The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Thinking outside the box: Why Doug Collins is a visionary, and more

By Jack Coolahan

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 24: Head Coach Doug Collins of the Philadelphia 76ers in a game against the Sacramento Kings on March 24, 2013 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 24: Head Coach Doug Collins of the Philadelphia 76ers in a game against the Sacramento Kings on March 24, 2013 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Some Philadelphia 76ers fans tend to follow the herd when it comes to forming opinions. Here’s why you shouldn’t.

As members of the Philadelphia 76ers fanbase, sometimes we can become victims of groupthink. By reading the same articles and tweets, we can lose our ability to think critically and form unique opinions.

It’s easy to blindly trust advanced analytics and never disagree with our favorite writers. We have created a virtual force field that vaporizes unpopular opinion. Well, fasten your seatbelts, because we’re a taking a trip back to reality.

Okafor surge on the way

On Nov. 9, Philadelphia Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey tweeted this:

"“#Sixers’ Brett Brown thinks @JahlilOkafor will be a “Beast” after Thanksgiving once he gets his fitness level up.”"

Many dismissed these comments as a desperate attempt by Brown to raise Okafor’s trade value. I, for one, am kicking myself for not predicting a post-Thanksgiving surge by Okafor sooner.

More from Sixers News

While the rest of the NBA chows down on massive turkey dinners, Okafor, a vegan, will be spending his Thanksgiving sipping on kale smoothies. In relation to the competition, Okafor’s “fitness level” will be through the roof.

Even so, showcasing Okafor immediately after Thanksgiving could backfire on Sixers management. If he cannot defend the pick-and-roll while the entire opposing team is in a food coma, the Sixers will be lucky to trade him for a top-59 protected second round pick.

An error in judgment by Bryan Colangelo

Also on Nov. 9, Sixers guard and first overall pick Markelle Fultz scored 0 points in 0 minutes in a 109-108 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Kings guard Garrett Temple made a clutch three pointer in the final minute of the game and finished with seven points.

Therefore, the Sixers would have won the game if, in June, Bryan Colangelo had had the foresight to trade the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft for Garrett Temple. If the Sixers miss the playoffs by one game, we will know why.

We’ve seen this Warriors team before

In Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Markelle Fultz, the Sixers have three foundational pieces to build a contending team upon. Now, Bryan Colangelo needs to accumulate elite supporting players to fill out the roster. People don’t realize that to acquire Embiid, Simmons, and Fultz, the Sixers had to give up a championship-winning bench.

Andre Iguodala, JaVale McGee, and Nick Young all honed their skills in Philadelphia before moving to Silicon Valley. Warriors owner Joe Lacob once said that Golden State was “light years ahead” of the rest of the NBA. Wrong. The Warriors plagiarized their dynasty blueprint from Ed Stefanski and Doug Collins. Don’t come to me acting surprised when Arnett Moultrie scores 16 points in Game 3 of the 2019 Finals.

Ric Bucher Knew

Back in Nov. 2015, NBA reporter Ric Bucher tweeted this: 

"“I’m ready to Trust The Process. The Knicks’ process. Inducing young talent to lose year after year isn’t a process, it’s negligence. #76ers”"

 Last summer, as Phil Jackson threatened to trade Kristaps Porzingis and the Sixers traded up for Markelle Fultz, Sixers fans on Twitter mocked Bucher by retweeting his tweet. Well, with the Sixers currently trailing the Knicks in the standings by one game, it seems that Bucher was right.

Next: 2018 Rookie of the Year ladder 1.0

You have to admire his faith in Jarrett Jack’s ability to run the offense. Plus, Joakim Noah’s return from suspension could prove Bucher even more correct. Last season, while taking performance enhancing drugs, Noah played like a 40-and-over rec leaguer. Still, let’s see if he can regain his 2012 form after signing a monster contract with New York.

Editor’s note: There are some obvious hot takes here, with which many of you will disagree. These views are held by the writer and don’t always represent the opinions of everyone on the TSS’ staff. Please keep the comments section civil as well. Happy debating!