The 76ers' plan to win (yes, really)

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

The problem with Hinkie's plan is that he is so star or bust right now that he is trading away guys that can be good role players that are needed around stars. To me, when does it end because there is an end date of acceptability to this plan. He's had a couple years already. He's not going to be able to keep rolling over players for picks year after year until he hits it big because that could go on for a decade and never hit it big. Just look at us. We had 1 hit in the last decade in Love and everyone else has been varying degrees of role players or busts.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

The 76ers strategy is high-risk and outside the norm, to be sure, but I would be on board with it if I were a 76er fan. I generally take the long view and try to project where my team is going to be in 3-4 years...ha, as a Wolves fan I have had a lot of practice looking to the future! What would be most frustrating to me would be to have a team that constantly made the playoffs as a 7 or 8 seed with a quick exit, and no prospect of ever challenging for a championship. I think Hinkie thinks the same way, and is willing to roll with his boom or bust strategy.

To have Noel and Embiid on board, with Saric not far behind, and three draft picks this year that I think will all be lottery picks, I would be quite excited to be a Philly fan this year, and patient with all the losses. I was never on board with MCW as a PG...turns the ball over way too much and doesn't shoot well...so I had no problem with them unloading him last week. I saw it very similar to Flip's deal with Thad...and admission that things didn't quite work out as hoped. One of their three lottery picks needs to be a franchise PG, and if Mudiay (or even Russell) isn't the guy for them, there will be PGs available to pick with one of their 2 late lottery picks. I think they have their starting SF in Covington...I thought he was a mirage when he had that big game in their first victory over us, but he has followed it up with consistent play all year. His combination of length, shooting and defense makes him a good option for Philly, and he seems to be getting better. We don't know how Embiid will bounce back from injury or if they can use Noel and Embiid at the same time, but there's no question they will be strong defensively in the middle.

I'm not ready to join the anti-tanking pitchfork nation either, because I think Hinkie is enacting a strategy to ensure Philly won't be mediocre. It may cost them ticket sales in the short-run, but we know fans come back once a team starts winning.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

How was MCW supposed to succeed in Philly? He is an Elfrid Payton, Rubio, etc. type PG who was asked to carry the team offensively. Imagine Ricky being asked to be the leading scorer for us because there is literally nobody else who can do it. If you put shooting around guys like MCW they can work. They can't work as #1 options.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Fair point, Khans...MCW certainly didn't have much talent around him. I just never liked the pick in the first place. I loved the way he could beat his man off the dribble and get to the basket, but his poor free throwing to some extent negated that talent. I know where you are coming from when you call him a Rubio-type PG, but I have always seen him as Rubio-light. Neither is a good shooter, but Rubio's huge superiority in free throw shooting has always shown me that at least the potential has always been there for shooting improvement. And they are both creative play-makers, but Ricky takes care of the ball better and will always have a better assist to turnover ratio. I thought the sixers picked him too early in that draft, and I think they realized he wasn't the answer at PG. But this is coming from a guy who just didn't like MCW very much in college.

[Coolbreeze44]

I think Kidd and the culture in Milwaukee is going to do a ton of good for MCW. Really looking forward to seeing how he does there.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

I think Kidd and the culture in Milwaukee is going to do a ton of good for MCW. Really looking forward to seeing how he does there.

Kidd couldn't shoot either. I think he is the best coach for MCW.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

At least I'm glad Philly already has Noel and Embiid, so its highly unlikely they go for another big, especially after trading away MCW. If we get a top 4 pick I think we can still get Towns or Okafur.

[Coolbreeze44]

Philly has the draft pick ammunition to get whoever they want in this draft. I don't think they are too concerned about it at this point. I also think you will see them trying to win some games this year because of it.

[TheFuture]

At least I'm glad Philly already has Noel and Embiid, so its highly unlikely they go for another big, especially after trading away MCW. If we get a top 4 pick I think we can still get Towns or Okafur.

I'm actually concerned they go for Towns and trade noel.

[Lipoli390]

I have no problem with what Hinkie is doing. And I'm not going to join the national hysterics over tanking. Hinkie is implementing a long term strategy, amassing assets intended to ultimately build a championship team. He's not "trying to lose." If that were the case, he'd fire his current head coach who is doing a great job getting the players to overachieve. Losing is simply the natural consequence of Hinkie's long-term strategy. It's a risky strategy because it depends heavily on future draft picks -- which are inherently unpredictable. But it's also a reasonable strategy. In a nutshell, it's a high risk/high reward strategy. If it succeeds, the Sixers will eventually become an elite team in 5 years and remain so for a long time. If not, Hinkie will be fired in 5 years.

That article was an extremely good read and provided great insight on hinkies long term plan. I do like his view and respect that he has put the time/math into it to come out with a formula/plan. But math is only applicable to a point. There are many life variables that I believe you cannot quantify fully. I think at some point you are getting to cute with your idea like I believe hinkie has. KJ and MCW being dealt is that reason for me. Those players fit his formula, yet he dealt them for more future picks. A perfectionist like hinkie is never fully satisfied with an outcome. That's why I am skeptical that he will achieve what he States he can in 5 years.

Rubiooo - I think you nailed it with your reference to Hinkie's perfectionism. It could end up yielding a great result. But it might be his undoing.