The Sixer Sense
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NBA remains ripe for Sam Hinkie return

By Bret Stuter

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 17: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and J. Cole attend the 2018 JBL Three-Point Contest at Staples Center on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 17: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and J. Cole attend the 2018 JBL Three-Point Contest at Staples Center on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 7: Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie speaks to the media with owner Joshua Harris looking on prior to the game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 7, 2015 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 7: Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie speaks to the media with owner Joshua Harris looking on prior to the game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 7, 2015 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Less NBA certainty will open the door for more Hinkie

Regardless of the business model, the ability to project loathes uncertainty. And to build a winning NBA roster, front office executives NEED certainty.  If you haven’t read the Sam Hinkie resignation lette in its entirety, I recommend that you do.

Affectionately named The Manifesto – it is not a blueprint to tanking, or to getting the best pick in the upcoming draft. It’s not even a document describing how to avoid risk.  In fact, it encourages TAKING risk.  Or more eloquently described, as having the longest view in the room.  He stressed intellectual humility.  And there is the keystone.

Uncertainty is empowering, if you are honest with yourself

Admitting he did not know the future, he took steps to stack the odds in his favor. And he arrived at one incredibly important conclusion. If you have success today, it’s due to the hard work of 3-5 years ago. Sadly, he did the work. He was not retained to witness the benefit.  But I’m not here to praise Hinkie, nor to bury him, as Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report seemed intent on doing in his recent and well-written article – There Will Never Be Another Process, or a GM Job for Sam Hinkie.  I don’t like to use the word “NEVER”. I cringe when I read it as well.  He cites some great facts. But he misses key components which loses his aim. Instead of hitting the target, his article lands harmlessly, far from it’s intended target.