Opinion Section:
The Sad End of an Era- The Grand Architect of Tanking Itself Steps Down
Written by Joshua Miller
Sunday, April 24th, 2016
It is a tragic time in Philadelphia. On April 6th, 2016, General Manager and President of Basketball Operations Sam Hinkie resigned from his renowned and controversial post. During his time as a 76ers executive, the vast majority of 76ers fans failed to see the significance of his works. Among his most notable and brilliant acquisitions include the the trading of virtually nothing in exchange for a coveted first-round pick, a promising young player, and other valuable assets. In several other transactions, Hinkie, by accumulating cap room, similarly traded for first-round picks in exchange for almost nothing, yet the public still criticized him while pointing towards the Sixers' endless struggles during the court. During Hinkie's time, the 76ers were indeed, in short, terrible. This season marks their third straight tumultuous season of non-stop losing. However, only the true fans—the dedicated and loyal ones—recognize the intricate beauty of Hinkie's works. This year, the 76ers can potentially own four first-round picks—all thanks to Sam Hinkie. Furthermore, from the years 2019 to 2021, the 76ers own eight second-round picks. This alone represents the ingenious mind of Sam Hinkie. Time will tell if the revisions that he made emerge to fruition, but I believe that they will. If he was granted additional time, he certainly could have explicitly depicted his plan in terms of success on the court. After all, two of his most prized draft picks, Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, whom both have great potential to become superstars, have never played a single minute in an NBA uniform; if these two players had played this season, the 76ers certainly would have compiled a more successful season and shown quantitative progress. In essence, in spite of the Sixers' struggles in-game, the public was missing the essential message of the rebuild: acquire young talent over several years to develop the team into an annual powerhouse. As a result, the current status of the team withheld some meaning, but was relatively insignificant in terms of the grand scheme. The real focus all rested in the future (#SecondPicksForDays). Possibly the most tragic aspect of it all is that Sam Hinkie will never be able to use all of the 2nd round picks that he garnered to select diamonds in the rough in the draft. So, when the 76ers rise to the top of the world and become a team to be reckoned with in the near future, they have the most ingenious of the geniuses, the most daring of the world's challengers-- the savior of the 76ers-- to thank: the one and only Sam Hinkie (You The Real MVP).
RIP #TrustTheProcess 2013-2016
The Sad End of an Era- The Grand Architect of Tanking Itself Steps Down
Written by Joshua Miller
Sunday, April 24th, 2016
It is a tragic time in Philadelphia. On April 6th, 2016, General Manager and President of Basketball Operations Sam Hinkie resigned from his renowned and controversial post. During his time as a 76ers executive, the vast majority of 76ers fans failed to see the significance of his works. Among his most notable and brilliant acquisitions include the the trading of virtually nothing in exchange for a coveted first-round pick, a promising young player, and other valuable assets. In several other transactions, Hinkie, by accumulating cap room, similarly traded for first-round picks in exchange for almost nothing, yet the public still criticized him while pointing towards the Sixers' endless struggles during the court. During Hinkie's time, the 76ers were indeed, in short, terrible. This season marks their third straight tumultuous season of non-stop losing. However, only the true fans—the dedicated and loyal ones—recognize the intricate beauty of Hinkie's works. This year, the 76ers can potentially own four first-round picks—all thanks to Sam Hinkie. Furthermore, from the years 2019 to 2021, the 76ers own eight second-round picks. This alone represents the ingenious mind of Sam Hinkie. Time will tell if the revisions that he made emerge to fruition, but I believe that they will. If he was granted additional time, he certainly could have explicitly depicted his plan in terms of success on the court. After all, two of his most prized draft picks, Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, whom both have great potential to become superstars, have never played a single minute in an NBA uniform; if these two players had played this season, the 76ers certainly would have compiled a more successful season and shown quantitative progress. In essence, in spite of the Sixers' struggles in-game, the public was missing the essential message of the rebuild: acquire young talent over several years to develop the team into an annual powerhouse. As a result, the current status of the team withheld some meaning, but was relatively insignificant in terms of the grand scheme. The real focus all rested in the future (#SecondPicksForDays). Possibly the most tragic aspect of it all is that Sam Hinkie will never be able to use all of the 2nd round picks that he garnered to select diamonds in the rough in the draft. So, when the 76ers rise to the top of the world and become a team to be reckoned with in the near future, they have the most ingenious of the geniuses, the most daring of the world's challengers-- the savior of the 76ers-- to thank: the one and only Sam Hinkie (You The Real MVP).
RIP #TrustTheProcess 2013-2016
What's next for the Sixers? Nobody should be optimistic with Colangelo and his son's sinister plans.
References:
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/owner-jerry-colangelo-of-the-phoenix-suns-smiles-with-head-news-photo/72308381
http://www.businessinsider.com/sam-hinkie-explains-sixers-tanking-plan-2015-2
http://www.businessinsider.com/sixers-trade-stauskas-picks-kings-deal-2015-7
http://nba.derekbodner.com/sixers-wiki/future-draft-picks/
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/owner-jerry-colangelo-of-the-phoenix-suns-smiles-with-head-news-photo/72308381
http://www.businessinsider.com/sam-hinkie-explains-sixers-tanking-plan-2015-2
http://www.businessinsider.com/sixers-trade-stauskas-picks-kings-deal-2015-7
http://nba.derekbodner.com/sixers-wiki/future-draft-picks/