Over at Philly Mag, our pal Derek Bodner wrote a strong piece about Sam Hinkie’s missteps in completely punting on communicating his plan to the outside world. There is so much of the Hinkie Era that needs to sort itself out before anyone can fairly (key word there) pass judgment, but looking back at all of the events that led to his resignation, the perception of Hinkie and the Sixers certainly didn’t do him any favors.
(By the way, this will be the last Hinkie-centric post. I promise.)
- MORE SAM HINKIE COVERAGE
- Reflecting on the last three years
- Podcast reacting to the news
- Bryan Colangelo's hiring was questionable
- First-round draft pick tracker
Of course, this is the same perception that Hinkie chose to do next to nothing about. If you will recall, the Sixers’ former GM and president of basketball operations touched on this subject in his well-known letter:
We often chose not to defend ourselves against much of the criticism, largely in an effort to stay true to the ideal of having the longest view in the room. To attempt to convince others that our actions are just will serve to paint us in a different light among some of our competitors as progressives worth emulating, versus adversaries worthy of their disdain.
Hinkie thought “radio silence” was a strategic advantage, and maybe it was. It certainly didn’t directly have much of a negative effect on the ability to do his job, as many have suggested.
Ah, but the perception. Here’s Bodner:
The damage Hinkie did – to his reputation with agents, other general managers, and reporters – was never as big of a threat to Hinkie’s ability to actually perform his job as it was portrayed to be. The reports that he had poor relationships with numerous agents and generally managers had merit, for sure. I don’t think you’d find anyone to suggest that such relationships weren’t strained. But agents and general managers are pragmatic people. They want to sign the biggest contracts possible. To make the best trades possible. As long as Sam Hinkie gave them the best chance to do so, they were going to work with him. They owed themselves, and their clients, that open-mindedness.
Where those reputations damaged Hinkie was in the court of public opinion, a court dominated by the whims of the very people Hinkie spent so much time disregarding.
Bodner gives a couple of solid examples (Kristaps Porzingis’ agent telling Hinkie no to a pre-draft meeting, Jahlil Okafor “letting losing get to his head” even though two of the three incidents happened before the season) of how perception can warp the narrative. Stuff like that happens, and boom, it looks like the inmates are running the asylum because you never get the benefit of the doubt.
Hinkie didn’t care about perception, though, which in hindsight is too bad. Nothing is guaranteed, but there’s a chance he would still be here if he did.
Other Sixers news, notes and analysis from around the web:
I still really like Sam Hinkie: Miles Wray, Hardwood Paroxysm
Then again, here is the other point of view: If you looked closely enough, Hinkie wouldn’t have needed to defend the plan:
Bring enough creativity and imagination to the table, and even the failures are: Fun. And when success comes? The thrill of figuring something new out in your own way couldn’t feel more electric, couldn’t feel more fun.
This is ultimately the only point: Sam Hinkie’s Sixers were fun. They were really fun. I hope Bryan Colangelo’s Sixers are also fun — although I have my reservations — and I think the next team that Hinkie works for will also get more fun. I wished the media would have worked harder to recognize this. Lots of people worked really hard to dredge up hate and negativity and insults towards Sam Hinkie’s Sixers, which I think was a waste of time. I watched them pretty closely, and had fun instead.
Mock Draft 6.0: Lottery odds set and there's a new top three: Chad Ford, ESPN (Insider Only)
In his latest mock draft, Ford has the Sixers taking Ben Simmons with the top pick:
Sixers fans are hoping for much better results and they should get it whether the pick is Simmons or Duke forward Brandon Ingram. Ingram fits more of a need for the Sixers. Simmons has a higher upside.
I think the ceiling will likely win the debate, which is why Simmons is here, but as we get more familiar with what's happening in Philly, that could change.
How age impacts the search for stars in the NBA Draft: Marc Whittington, Liberty Ballers
In-depth piece by Whittington on how much of a role that age plays in trying to draft a superstar. I generally tend to lean toward the one-and-dones, but the Warriors’ three best players all were in school for at least three years:
Overall, I think it's clear that the age of prospects certainly plays a role in their development in the NBA. The first portion of this analysis suggests that it matters, but not to the extent that we should write off all 3rd or 4th year college prospects who have demonstrated true skill. The second portion showed that, while players of all ages have reached star status, younger players are more likely to do so, and older players are unlikely to become game-altering, primary superstars.
But what, I think, is shown overall, is something that we already knew: Age matters, but it's only an element in the evaluation process. Skills matter first and foremost; if two players are equal in skill, the tie goes to the younger player.
Sixers hoping to add free agents to the process: Bob Cooney, Philadelphia Daily News
If the Sixers are going to dip their toes into the free agent waters this summer, I like some of Cooney’s suggestions here:
If the point guard spot is adequately handled via trade or draft, then a prime target should be Charlotte's Nicolas Batum. The 6-8 small forward has shown his versatility this season with the Hornets, who acquired him from Portland in the offseason. Brown loves this guy and all the positive energy he can bring to the floor. A multidimensional player with some veteran savvy would do wonders for this club.
Imagine if they could land a sharpshooter like Ryan Anderson from New Orleans, the type of stretch power forward Brown so covets. Or maybe Atlanta's Kent Bazemore and his ridiculous athleticism would be a terrific match in this painfully young roster.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann