The Sixer Sense
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Roundtable: Thoughts on Bryan Colangelo’s alleged burner accounts

By Christopher Kline

BOSTON, MA - MAY 9: Bryan Colangelo of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics on May 9, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 9: Bryan Colangelo of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics on May 9, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 16: Bryan Colangelo of the Philadelphia 76ers has a conversation during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 16: Bryan Colangelo of the Philadelphia 76ers has a conversation during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Ken Jaskulski

76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo has been accused of using Twitter “burner” accounts to blast current and former 76ers players, the coach and former GM Sam Hinkie.  IF these allegations are true, Colangelo should be fired immediately.

Before going further I must admit my bias against Bryan Colangelo.  I have never liked him as a general manager, never thought he accomplished anything of substance for any organization of which he worked, and obtained his positions in part because of his father’s influence. That being said, Colangelo should be removed as General Manger of the Philadelphia 76ers before he derails the process any further.

THE THREE WORST 76ERS TRADES OF ALL TIME

Colangelo’s trade with Boston last year ranks as the third-worst trade in 76ers history. The worst trade(s) ever first and foremost was the trading of Moses Malone for an injured Jeff Ruland and Cliff Robinson. The 76ers sent the first pick of the draft (that turned out to be Brad Dougherty) to Cleveland for Roy Hinson.

The second worst 76ers trade was the trade of Charles Barkley to Phoenix for Jeff Hornacek, Andrew Lang and Tim Perry.  Granted Barkley wanted out-of-town, but come on now — that’s the best Philly could get for a top-50 player of all-time?

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

Colangelo’s trade with Boston last year to move up in the draft now ranks as worst 76ers trade number three. Philadelphia gave Boston next year’s Sacramento first-round pick to move up in the draft from third to first and select Markelle Fultz.

PAINFUL TO WATCH

As a 76ers fan it kills me to watch Jayson Tatum play.  Danny Ainge may have taken Jayson Tatum with the first pick anyway and the 76ers would have gotten Fultz with the third pick without having to give up next year’s Sacramento pick, which will become a valuable asset.  But to quote Steven A. Smith, “Bryan Colangelo ain’t no Danny Ainge”.

GRADING COLANGELO

Colangelo’s body of work has been mediocre at best.  Robert Covington could have been extended at a lower number and his lower picks cannot win playing time.  Jerryd Bayless was a mistake signing and is still on the books at $8.75 million next year.

Brett Brown deserves an extension, however two years should have been enough to see how he can coach with a team that is now expected to win instead of tanking.

Any general manager would have drafted Ben Simmons and while his signings of Ersan Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli to strengthen the 76ers bench were a plus, all Colangelo did was do a better selling job. Colangelo’s obsession with European players that can shoot has brought us TLC and Furkan Korkmaz, neither of which can get playing time.

DERAILING THE PROCESS

Assuming Colangelo is responsible for these Twitter accounts, it shows a distinct character flaw to blast past and current players within the organization. More importantly, now the 76ers organization as a whole will be the butt of jokes throughout the league and all of basketball.

Philadelphia 76ers basketball is on an upward trend and their only viable option at this point is to fire Colangelo to limit the damage to the organization.

GOING FORWARD

Since Colangelo probably won’t be around much longer, I feel obligated to help out. The Sixers should select Donte DiVincenzo, if he is available, at 10.  DiVincenzo is a local kid that is athletic, get his own shot and fearless.

He would be on a rookie contract, which eliminates the need to resign Belinelli at a higher number and is insurance in case Fultz doesn’t come out of his funk.  DiVincenzo passes my eye test even if the analytics folks don’t agree.  Philadelphia better get this pick right, because it will be the last high selection they get for a while.

LeBron haters better pray that Philadelphia can either max contract LeBron or at least sign Paul George to help the Sixers compete with Boston next year and going forward. Forget the crap about chemistry — LeBron James is the best player on the planet, period and makes Philly an Eastern Conference finalist.  It will also help Sixers fans forget this Colangelo mess.

Next: Does Colangelo report damage the Sixers' reputation?

76ers management, if you’re reading this, I’ll volunteer to provide free consulting help if Colangelo is removed.  My only condition is that I get authority to make some deals. I promise I won’t even speak to Danny Ainge.