3. He understands his coaches
Morey’s record is not perfect, but he has always shown a willingness to build with coach in mind. The Sixers won’t be getting rid of Morey or Doc Rivers anytime soon, and the two have a strong working relationship from Morey’s time in Boston. It would make sense for Morey to build the roster with Rivers’ coaching habits in mind.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but Morey has proven particularly effective at maximizing the strengths of not only his stars, but his coaches. Look no further than the Mike D’Antoni era in Houston. Say what you want about the Rockets’ inability to build a championship — that team was a buzzsaw year-in and year-out, in large part due to D’Antoni’s undiluted ability to embrace his stylistic preferences.
The Rockets were not seven seconds or less, but they were up-tempo with a spaced floor and elite guard play. Few stars were more perfect for D’Antoni than James Harden and Chris Paul — something Morey was no doubt aware of when putting that trio together.
You can even trace back to the Dwight Howard saga, which is one of the few blemishes on Morey’s record. Even that made sense when you factor in who was coach: Kevin McHale, one of the most dominant interior players of all-time. A big man for a big man coach.
Rivers’ offenses have always been heavy on pick-and-rolls, with a serious focus on strong perimeter play. The Sixers are a rare beast due to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons’ unique dispositions, but even so, expect Morey to target shooters and ball-handlers. You know, what fans have been clamoring for since the Colangelo days.