While that might cause a sizeable fan revolt considering the animosity that built up watching Bynum go bowling, dancing and everything but play basketball, Hinkie and majority owner Josh Harris say they’re in favor of what they call “intelligent risk.”
Then again, if anyone outside of Philly knows the impact of how an injured big man – along with an ailing franchise player at forward – can ruin a team, it’s Hinkie. In Houston, he experienced the imperfect storm of seeing both Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady go down at the same time, devouring $40 million of cap space.
“Superstar players are important, and when they get injured it’s hard to recover,’’ conceded Hinkie, whose resume includes an MBA from Stanford and a stint consulting NFL teams on the draft prior to turning to hoops. “We clawed our way out in Houston with our two best players and $40 million of our $70 million payroll sitting out a couple of years.
“That’s a really hard hole to dig yourself out of. It’s fair to say I like smart risk and I’m not afraid to be aggressive if I see something where I think you can find an edge and push your chips to the middle in a big way. But for sure I like to be measured as well.”
Having seen his franchise burnt almost beyond recognition by the Bynum debacle – a trade which cost the Sixers Andre Iguodala, Nic Vucevic, Mo Harkless and a future draft choice along with the $16.5 million of what businessman Harris calls “sunk money” – you wonder if they are willing to light the match again.
But both Hinkie and Harris, whom he says he researched thoroughly – both pro and con – before deciding to leave Houston, know you just don’t win in this league without stars. The fact only eight franchises have worn the ring in the past 30 years bears that out.
“Getting superstar players isn’t easy or else everyone would do it,” reasoned Harris, who actually interviewed Hinkie for the same position last year before deciding to promote Tony DiLeo, who won’t return. “There’s always gonna be some element of risk involved.
“It’s likely to be a big, long contract with lots of money. There’s likely to be some uncertainty, but the name of the game is taking intelligent risk. Certainty and winning championships aren’t going to be consistent. What I’ve learned over time is you have to make smart decisions. The outcomes don’t always follow. They didn’t follow this season with Andrew. But typically, if you make enough smart decisions, the outcomes come around.”
How much hope that leaves Sixers fans is anyone’s guess. They don’t know who their coach will be or what players they will be rooting for next season, since several besides Bynum also are free agents. Hinkie has been around the NBA block long enough to know not to tip his hand, especially when it is considered tampering if he mentions anyone who wasn’t under contract here last year.
Hinkie says nothing is off – or on – the table. He won’t give a timetable for replacing coach Doug Collins, saying he has got some people in mind besides the previously speculated Brian Shaw, Mike Malone, Jeff Hornacek and current Sixers assistant Michael Curry.
Even re-signing Bynum, assuming he would be willing to give up his hobbies of bowling and flamenco dancing in Spain to play some hoops.
“I think of Andrew like the thousands of other young men walking around the world that are unrestricted free agents that have the potential to play NBA basketball,” he said. “He is one of those and I am duty-bound to consider them.
“There’s two differences. One, because he was under contract here, there’s an exclusive negotiating period. Two, I think the Sixers should have an enormous information advantage. “My first duty is to get up to speed on that information.”
That and line up a coach, get ready for the draft, then fill out the roster.
Hinkie says he’s welcomes the opportunity, as daunting as he knows it is.
“The challenge in front of us is not for the faint of heart,” said Hinkie, who woke up Tuesday in Houston, then boarded his flight on a one-way ticket here. “It humbles me, in fact.
“But it also invigorates me to get to work, because I think this ownership group wants to build something lasting like I do. And think they will do whatever’s necessary to build a championship-caliber team.’’
That’s the blueprint Hinkie will follow, hoping all the data and information he assimilates from traditional means as well as analytics translates into something special. And if Sixers fans are a bit skeptical, well after 30 years of disappointments – few bigger than this past one – who can blame them?
Sam He Am. And like the character in the children’s book, his goal is relatively simple:
Find the next Doctor J. Not the next Doctor Seuss.
Jon Marks has covered the Philadelphia 76ers from the days of Dr. J and his teammate, Joe Bryant (best known as Kobe’s dad). He has won awards from the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association and North Jersey Press Club. His other claim to fame is driving Rick Mahorn to a playoff game after missing the team bus. Follow him on Twitter.
MJ is definitely the king. Every time i listen his records i feel as he is still alive. Absolutely one of the biggest pop music celebrities ever been born!