Christopher Croom
Steve Ballmer was recently at an event covered by the L.A. Times writer Helene Elliot. His function was primarily about firing up the crowd of season ticket holders for the upcoming season—a wise move on the part of any owner.
However, amid many points of discussion, the progress of his team came up. It is unclear how the topic came if, if provoked at all, but during his statement he said the following regarding tanking,
"“That ain’t us. Nuh-uh, no way,” he said. “People can do it their way. We’re going to be good our way. We’re not going to show up and suck for a year, two years. I think we got higher expectations on us than the long, hard five, six years of absolute crap like the 76ers put in. How could we look you guys in the eye if we did that to you?”"
It must come easy for this guy.
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There are a few things to consider, in building a winning franchise (notice I did not just say “team”)—and all things must be considered from the top to the bottom, and the view must be longer than one or two years.
By nature, top talent looking for championships do not sign with losing franchises. Look around sports. How often to you see game changing talent go to a franchise who doesn’t look like they’re doing anything to improve themselves? How come no one has wanted to be a Knickerbocker in recent years? It’s a top four NBA market, and no one wakes up saying, “Yup. Today, I become a NY Knick!”
The Knicks have only recently made some moves that give the appearance of life.
Yet, how does a team—a franchise—a whole organization, come to make the necessary changes to help themselves succeed? By thinking outside of the box.
“Tanking,” as some have said, is only tanking when all you have in mind is that next pick. However, we all know Sam Hinkie did much more than that. Sam Hinkie worked on correcting the payroll and obtaining assets. T.J. McConnell and Robert Covington are clear evidence of that. These are two talented players who look to serve some part in the anticipated upcoming success of the Sixers.
Ballmer said that his organization has higher expectations that the Sixers did. Are you sure? NBA fans watched the Clippers team make the playoff year, after year—and get bounced—year, after year. What major changes did they make to get to the next level? Who did they pursue?
Well, I guess its fair to say Ballmer has only owned this team for four years. Nevertheless, what has he done in four years? Doc Rivers was brought in to coach; that is a great move… but other than that? Nothing.
As it stands, Ballmer has recently gutted the team. The LA Clippers are not a team of household names, though they do have talent. They were not able to obtain the number of draft picks Philadelphia has for the foreseeable future, nor have they been able to organically find generational talent.
To their credit, they will have a lot of money to spend in this next free agency round. Will anyone want to come there? Can they get Kawhi Leonard?
All in all, I think before Steve Ballmer runs his mouth about a process that worked and has set up a franchise for the long run, he should wait to see what the outcome of his own plans and transactions are.
You can’t just throw money around. You must build a winning culture people want to be a part of. When you do that… then come talk about Philly.
Instead, maybe you should take notes. One day, you just might need to trust the process, too.