| 22 May 2010
So I'm breaking a pretty long silence to finally update the blog and tell my quick thoughts about two HUGE facts that will change the future of the franchise for the upcoming years.
A boatload of work and several 'real life issues' have been keeping me away from blogging as of late, unfortunately (?).
In case you are interested in getting more frequent updates, you better follow Twitter4guidos (=Sixers4guidos on Twitter...), where it's easier for me to be more active.
My tweets about the Sixers come on a daily basis there.
FACT #1
Sixers made their 6.03% of chances work well as they landed the second overall pick in the 2010 draft. That basically means getting Evan Turner, if all reports are correct.
I followed the lottery live, tweeted about that, and it was extremely exciting - not to mention fun. Well worth going to bed at 3 AM, for once.
Negadelphians hopefully STFU as our chances were very slim there. I must say all the tanking didn't pay off, ping pong balls didn't help much Nets, Kings and other teams.
FACT #2
I officially give up on Sixers' GM Ed Stefanski as I absolutely HATE the signing of Doug Collins as our new coach for the next four (?) years.
Bullet points to follow and explain why.1) I think he's too old & washed up: Collins is 58 y/o and hasn't coached a team since 2003, are you kidding me?
2) I think his style (control the tempo, halfcourt offense, every play called etc etc) doesn't fit well with this team (= young, athletic, needs to run and play in the open court as much as possible).
3) He's a former Sixer. This franchise seems obsessed with bringing back (= 'home') former Sixers, "Philly guys", local heros etc etc. Unfortunately, it's a proven fact that most of these moves turn into epic failures.
Just to name the last ones, Cheeks, Mc Kie, Malone, Ruland (all coaches or assistants of mediocre coaches, in mediocre teams) and, may I add now, Stefanski himself.
Collins will surely be an upgrade over Jordan, but that's not saying much, honestly. His 332-287 record has "mediocre" written all over it.
And how about the fact that Sixers will be paying Eddie Jordan (6 mill) AND Doug Collins for the next TWO years ?? We just finished paying Cheeks (that got TWO one year-extentions).
I would have gone with Byron Scott, Avery Johnson or an emerging coach (Thibodeau, Budholzer, Laimbeer). Mike Woodson would have been a good choice as well, I think he did a terrific job in Atlanta. They all were available.
Instead Stefanski, clearly worried to lose his job, went with the "safe" choice, the veteran coach that will improve the record next year and, probably, save his ass.
LAME.
"Doug Collins is a terrific motivator, teacher, and manager," said Comcast-Spectacor president Peter Luukko in a team statement. "We believe he is the right coach for the Philadelphia 76ers and the one who will lead us back onto the right track."
I totally disagree. And just hope to be proved wrong.
