The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers President Bryan Colangelo focus on winning today

By Bret Stuter

(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 24: General Manager Bryan Colangelo attends a press conference after being selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft on June 24, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 24: General Manager Bryan Colangelo attends a press conference after being selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft on June 24, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Conservative approach young players, aggressive with veterans

The team has several patterns going on this year, patterns which are quite telling indeed about the unspoken philosophy of this team. We know this team is ultra conservative when it comes to the younger players. We know the team has been very conservative in managing the playing minutes of Joel Embiid. And last year, the team was also very conservative in how they managed Ben Simmons benching for an entire season.  This year, that same conservative perspective will likely keep Markelle Fultz on the bench for the rest of this season.  Young players. Conservative approach.

Look at the players who do not get much playing time, despite the ineffectiveness on the basketball court of other players. The team gets points and defense out of Justin Anderson, but Anderson does not get many playing minutes. Jerryd Bayless and Amir Johnson got the lion’s share of minutes, despite the ineffectiveness of either to score.

MUST READ: In-Depth look at Bryan Colangelo’s track record with free agency

Veterans? Pedal-to-the-metal approach

When the team had a chance to offload Jahlil Okafor, the team jumped at the chance. But it was not just a player for player swap. The team packaged Jahlil Okafor, Nik Stauskas, and a second round pick for the temporary rental of power forward Trevor Booker.  And weeks later, as the Atlanta Hawks bought out both shooting guard Marco Belinelli and power forward Ersan Ilyasova, the Philadelphia 76ers signed both.

Signing Marco Belinelli was simple to do. Despite injuries which benched both Furkan Korkmaz and Markelle Fultz, the team carried the open roster spot since the early December 2017 trade.  Nearly ten weeks passed before the team’s roster returned to a permanent 15. When the team elected to sign Ilyasova, they had to vacate a roster spot. This time, the team cut Trevor Booker, the same player the team had traded two players and a pick for. Picks are simply not that easy to come by in the NBA. Both Belinelli immediately found themselves in the team’s rotation.