Right now, somewhere out there in Philadelphia there is probably a scorned boyfriend who got dumped by his girl and after two years he still has refused to let her go. He monitors her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts dozens of times per day, texts her an "I miss you" once every few days, and hasn't started dating again because every woman he sees doesn't compare to the girl who broke his heart. And this guy's friends routinely tell him that everything is going to be ok and that "There are plenty of fish in the sea" or some other cliched advice. One friend might be upfront and bluntly tell him that he's pathetic, and after two years he needs to grow up, stop acting like a teenager, to move on with his life, and stop holding a candle to one woman in a city of hundreds of thousands.
Sixers fans find themselves in a similar predicament. Sam Hinkie, a man whom a large portion of the fan base worshipped was forced out of town by commissioner Adam Silver and Jerry Colangelo. Sam Hinkie's power within the organization was so withered down that he was essentially forced to resign from his post as general manager. Jerry Colangelo subsequently hired his son Bryan Colangelo, in a move that outraged many Sixers fans. It wasn't so much his track record or general managing abilities that angered fans, though his track record wasn't exactly the greatest. It had more to do with the slimy way everything went down. How the Sixers broke no rules under Sam Hinkie, still had the NBA commissioner meddle in their affairs, and bring in an aging executive whose face and persona oozes "curmudgeon." How Jerry went on to hire his son, which was perceived in Philly as the most nepotistic move the world has seen since Pope Alexander VI appointed his son Cesare commander of the Papal army. It was was like an obese man being proud of losing 100 pounds after tireless training, only to step on the scale one day and find himself at 300 lbs again. A total nightmare for Sixers fans. Back to the same ol'. The young, forward-thinking GM with fresh ideas gone, and in comes the retread hire to take ourselves back to that treadmill of purgatorial mediocrity forever and ever until the end of our days.
Except it didn't happen. Bryan Colangelo came into town and essentially continued 'The Process' on, in the way everyone wanted. People feared he would try to artificially speed up the rebuild by giving mega-contracts to guys like Harrison Barnes and Allen Crabbe. It didn't happen. Many thought he would trade away all of the Sixers' stockpiled draft capital for aging veterans. It didn't happen. It hasn't been perfect. The Bayless signing(which few took issue with at the time) hasn't turned out so well, albeit with a bad wrist that seemingly still hasn't fully healed and has clearly affected his play. Markelle Fultz, the consensus #1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, and called by some "A James Harden clone" and projected perfect fit next to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons shockingly altered his gorgeous shooting form in only a couple offseason months; and that combined with reported shoulder issues, has not been close to what the Sixers envisioned when trading up to snag him, to put it lightly.
If you want to be overly critical, you can even say he mishandled the Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor situations. The return value for both wasn't what fans had hoped for, but I personally have always felt the fans had their expectations set way too high. Every GM in the NBA knew that Bryan Colangelo was stuck between a rock and a hard place. They had to trade at least one of them, both had their share of issues(be it skill or health) which detracted from their value. Fans deluded themselves into thinking they could get quality first round picks for both, which didn't happen. No one knows for sure what every single offer for those players contained, but I highly doubt that if a quality trade package was ever given to him, he wouldn't have accepted it without blinking. I just don't believe the offers were there and I think fans and pundits severely miscalculated their value around the league. However, if you want to blame Bryan for inheriting a tricky situation of big men, I'll even grant you that. Overall, everything is still looking incredibly bright. Once Fultz recovers his jumper, you are going to be adding the perfect compliment to your young superstar duo. Cap room has been preserved to pursue a max level cornerstone free agent in 2018 or 2019. And the Sixers are an attractive destination again to free agents, as was shown by Atlanta Hawks roster casualties Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova committing to the Sixers when each were pursued by several contending teams.
Sure, a big reason the Sixers are currently a destination is because of the foundational pieces Sam Hinkie's work left behind. But Sam Hinkie isn't here anymore. A lot of contending teams have foundational pieces to attract free agents. They chose the Sixers, and Bryan Colangelo was the man who made that happen. He also was able to lock up Robert Covington on favorable terms, and land sharpshooting free agent JJ Redick on only a one year deal to provide much-needed floor spacing in the starting lineup, and retain cap flexibility in the process.
Yet none of those positives seem to be enough for Sixers fans. Instead of praising the good moves he makes, people focus on the negatives. Instead of appreciating the good in the players he brings in like, say, Amir Johnson, people nitpick the flaws. Instead of having hope in Markelle Fultz returning to his collegiate form, fans declare him a bust at the age of 19 and blame Bryan for a failure of a trade. The Sixers, with their schedule are on pace to have a win total in the mid or high 40's, which would be ahead of schedule to most, yet there is still dissention among the fans. The way you'd hear the fans talk about the way they perceive all the moves he's made, you'd think their future prospects were forever tarnished, yet here we are with a chance to nab a 4th seed in the NBA Eastern Conference playoff standings. And on top of it, the biggest buzz in the city right now is that the Sixers may be the team to land the greatest player in the NBA, and a top 3 all-time talent in LeBron James. Sounds like the Sixers are in a very good situation to me. Thanks to both Sam Hinkie and Bryan Colangelo. Yes, both, Sixers fans. Would I prefer to still have Hinkie here? Of course. But he had his mistakes too, none of which people seem to acknowledge. Excuses are made for him, like "It wasn't his choice to draft Okafor" which can neither be proven or disproven, but the smallest mistake Bryan Colangelo makes everyone will take him to task for it. "Bryan should have known Markelle Fultz would be a headcase." Really? You mean the guy mentally strong enough to bounce back and become the #1 pick in the draft after being cut from his high school basketball team? Bryan should have somehow greenseer'd Fultz's future shooting woes that never had shown the slightest inkling of ever existing? That's called having an agenda, and that's what happens when one is worshipped at a god-like level, as Sam Hinkie is in Philadelphia.
Just like the scorned boyfriend who is so heartbroken, he can never regain the ability to find beauty in another women again, Sixers fans have essentially become the same way. Due to lingering distaste with the whole situation, lines have been drawn in the sand, and agendas have been set. When you're still lamenting a lost love, you'll never be able to find beauty in another. That next love may not be perfect, they may not be the one of your dreams, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't give them a chance. If you look hard enough and move on, you can come to understand that maybe things aren't so bad after all and come to appreciate that next one more and more. So I'm going to be that friend that needs to speak up and put it to you bluntly. MOVE ON. I liked Sam Hinkie too, but there are plenty of GM fish in the sea, and the one right here in front of you isn't doing too bad. I think in life everyone kind of wants the same thing. To find a woman you like, find a good paying job, a decent house, maybe some kids, and to live relatively happy. And in sports, we all want a championship. Instead of lamenting, judging, and ridiculing put the past behind you and focus on winning a championship. Instead of wasting time pettily and childishly retweeting 3 year old negative Hinkie takes like the boyfriend creeps his ex's Facebook daily, celebrate your team's victories. The GM battles no longer matter. Let's make the best of the situation we're in and let the past be the past. We're climbing that mountain pretty damn fast, and if you continue to keep your head in your bucket of Hinkie sorrows, you're going to miss the whole journey that was right there in front of you.
Monday, February 26, 2018
Saturday, February 10, 2018
What the Eagles have to do to repeat as Super Bowl champions
No introduction here, let's get right to the things the Eagles need to do in the offseason if they want to repeat as Super Bowl champs.
1. Have just the right amount of turnover. You'd think when you win a championship, bringing the entire team back in full is the best case scenario, but that usually isn't the case. Championship teams always need some turnover so you can bring in younger, hungry guys who have never won before to come in, and be extra motivated to achieve with the other guys in that locker room achieved. Players are human beings and complacency is only natural. You don't want to replace too many guys though, as this team has a blueprint for success and they've developed that family chemistry more than any team I've ever seen.
2. Add offensive line depth. Jason Peters will be coming off a torn ACL and MCL, and the Eagles are one serious OL injury away from being paper thin there. They need depth at LG and OT. This should be a priority in the draft. The Eagles had the top scoring offense in the NFL for almost the entire season and if they want it to stay that way they need to be deep on the o line. The draft would be the best place to address this and to address it early.
3. Add linebacker depth. Jordan Hicks has been injury prone, and the Eagles don't have a lot of quality depth at either LB position. They could use some young, high-upside talent there they can develop going forward. Guys like Ellerbe, Goode, and Grugier-Hill did solid jobs stepping in, but I don't think you want to be relying on those guys again if you have the choice.
4. Find a young stud running back. The Eagles had a dominant rushing attack this season piecing it together with a committee, and I would not be opposed to going that route again if the Eagles have to, but ideally you want a stud workhorse back of the future if they can find one in the draft. Blount is up there in age, Ajayi has questions about his knees moving forward, and Clement was a real surprise this season, but we simply don't know yet if he can handle the burden of a majority workload yet.
5. Find a young speedy WR. Torrey Smith had issues catching the ball this season, and went lengthy stretches of the season where he was totally invisible. To his credit, he played his best ball in the playoffs, and I'll always love him for that. We don't know yet if Howie is going to keep him on the roster for next season, but either way, this team should have their eyes open for a young deep threat to groom. Mack Hollins could very well excel in that role with more playing time, and we'll see what Gibson does in his 2nd year, but you can never have enough speed for your offense.
6. Get healthy. The Eagles just need to flat out get healthy. Get Wentz, Hicks, Peters back and playing at a high level first and foremost. It's amazing the Eagles were able to win a championship without them, but I'd rather not have to try and do it again. Those are key guys who will be motivated to come back and play in the Super Bowl this time around, and we have to get them back to 100% and feeling comfortable.
7. Howie, work that cap magic. The Eagles are currently projected to be over the cap, and will have very little salary cap space once the dust settles on March 14th. I don't expect the Eagles to be very active in free agency, and frankly this free agent class isn't very good. That said, you always need some cap room to fill in needs here and there, so it's up to Howie to restructure deals, re-sign players, and make all the cap stuff work out. Howie's management of the cap is a huge reason the Eagles won the Super Bowl to begin with. Fitting in key guys on team-friendly deals at a good price.
1. Have just the right amount of turnover. You'd think when you win a championship, bringing the entire team back in full is the best case scenario, but that usually isn't the case. Championship teams always need some turnover so you can bring in younger, hungry guys who have never won before to come in, and be extra motivated to achieve with the other guys in that locker room achieved. Players are human beings and complacency is only natural. You don't want to replace too many guys though, as this team has a blueprint for success and they've developed that family chemistry more than any team I've ever seen.
2. Add offensive line depth. Jason Peters will be coming off a torn ACL and MCL, and the Eagles are one serious OL injury away from being paper thin there. They need depth at LG and OT. This should be a priority in the draft. The Eagles had the top scoring offense in the NFL for almost the entire season and if they want it to stay that way they need to be deep on the o line. The draft would be the best place to address this and to address it early.
3. Add linebacker depth. Jordan Hicks has been injury prone, and the Eagles don't have a lot of quality depth at either LB position. They could use some young, high-upside talent there they can develop going forward. Guys like Ellerbe, Goode, and Grugier-Hill did solid jobs stepping in, but I don't think you want to be relying on those guys again if you have the choice.
4. Find a young stud running back. The Eagles had a dominant rushing attack this season piecing it together with a committee, and I would not be opposed to going that route again if the Eagles have to, but ideally you want a stud workhorse back of the future if they can find one in the draft. Blount is up there in age, Ajayi has questions about his knees moving forward, and Clement was a real surprise this season, but we simply don't know yet if he can handle the burden of a majority workload yet.
5. Find a young speedy WR. Torrey Smith had issues catching the ball this season, and went lengthy stretches of the season where he was totally invisible. To his credit, he played his best ball in the playoffs, and I'll always love him for that. We don't know yet if Howie is going to keep him on the roster for next season, but either way, this team should have their eyes open for a young deep threat to groom. Mack Hollins could very well excel in that role with more playing time, and we'll see what Gibson does in his 2nd year, but you can never have enough speed for your offense.
6. Get healthy. The Eagles just need to flat out get healthy. Get Wentz, Hicks, Peters back and playing at a high level first and foremost. It's amazing the Eagles were able to win a championship without them, but I'd rather not have to try and do it again. Those are key guys who will be motivated to come back and play in the Super Bowl this time around, and we have to get them back to 100% and feeling comfortable.
7. Howie, work that cap magic. The Eagles are currently projected to be over the cap, and will have very little salary cap space once the dust settles on March 14th. I don't expect the Eagles to be very active in free agency, and frankly this free agent class isn't very good. That said, you always need some cap room to fill in needs here and there, so it's up to Howie to restructure deals, re-sign players, and make all the cap stuff work out. Howie's management of the cap is a huge reason the Eagles won the Super Bowl to begin with. Fitting in key guys on team-friendly deals at a good price.
Friday, February 9, 2018
With the help of the Eagles, Philadelphia has taken embracing the underdog status to a whole other level
Philadelphia has always been known as the city that has embraced the underdog status. Dating all the way back to Rocky, sometimes being anything but the underdog has made the fans feel a little bit uneasy. Almost like if Philly has a sports team that is too good, something will go wrong and break all of our hearts in the most devastating way. However, with being the underdog, there was almost still a little bit of insecurity lingering. "Why doesn't anyone think we're going to win???" "Why don't the analysts give us any respect???" were always questions uttered from the mouths of Philadelphia sports fans. We embraced the underdog status, but the amount of perceived disrespect for our sports teams bothered us.
Then in January of 2018 all of that started to change. An Eagles team lost their MVP quarterback in Carson Wentz, all pro middle linebacker in Jordan Hicks, hall of fame special teams player and dual-threat running back in Darren Sproles, hall of fame left tackle in Jason Peters, and best special teams coverage man in Chris Maragos. They heard the doubters, they felt the negativity. But something this time was different. Instead of letting the noise get to them, they let it fuel them. Rather than trying too hard to prove doubters wrong and end up making mistakes, they just continued to play with cool unwavering confidence. Instead of letting it tear them apart, it drew them closer together. The Philadelphia Eagles laughed and spit in the face of all the loud-mouthed pundits and rode that underdog status with almost 60 years of pressure and disappointment on their shoulders all the way to a Super Bowl championship. It was the perfect synergy. Usually, Philadelphia wants a team to play the way the city identifies with itself. The blue collar, hard-working underdog. For maybe the first time ever, it was the team that set the example the city could identify with. There was no lingering insecurity with this Eagles team. They were confident. They knew they were the best, and they weren't going to let anyone or anything stand in their way.
And suddenly you can feel that new standard resonating throughout the city. No longer do you hear fans whining about the lack of respect and how much people hate Philadelphia. Now, it's singing "No one likes us, no one likes us, no one likes us, we don't care. We're from Philly, fucking Philly, no one likes us, we don't care!" joyously in the streets. It's wearing underdog masks with the pride a college graduate would show off their diploma. The script has been flipped. Philadelphia, the ultimate underdog city has fed off the swagger of its football team, instead of the team just feeding off of its fans. It's why this championship team is more special than any other our town has ever seen. It's a match made in heaven, and you can feel it already spreading to the other teams in town. Philadelphia now has a new swagger and its teams now feel like they're supposed to win regardless of the odds instead of just hoping they can somehow pull it off. The fans set the expectations, the Eagles set the standard, and everyone else is just following their example. Personalities of equal temperament and measure uniting with one common attitude. "Philly vs Everybody" and fuck the haters. Spoken like a true Philadelphian, with a team that couldn't be more 'Philadelphia' and has redefined what makes Philly Philly. Pun intended.
Then in January of 2018 all of that started to change. An Eagles team lost their MVP quarterback in Carson Wentz, all pro middle linebacker in Jordan Hicks, hall of fame special teams player and dual-threat running back in Darren Sproles, hall of fame left tackle in Jason Peters, and best special teams coverage man in Chris Maragos. They heard the doubters, they felt the negativity. But something this time was different. Instead of letting the noise get to them, they let it fuel them. Rather than trying too hard to prove doubters wrong and end up making mistakes, they just continued to play with cool unwavering confidence. Instead of letting it tear them apart, it drew them closer together. The Philadelphia Eagles laughed and spit in the face of all the loud-mouthed pundits and rode that underdog status with almost 60 years of pressure and disappointment on their shoulders all the way to a Super Bowl championship. It was the perfect synergy. Usually, Philadelphia wants a team to play the way the city identifies with itself. The blue collar, hard-working underdog. For maybe the first time ever, it was the team that set the example the city could identify with. There was no lingering insecurity with this Eagles team. They were confident. They knew they were the best, and they weren't going to let anyone or anything stand in their way.
And suddenly you can feel that new standard resonating throughout the city. No longer do you hear fans whining about the lack of respect and how much people hate Philadelphia. Now, it's singing "No one likes us, no one likes us, no one likes us, we don't care. We're from Philly, fucking Philly, no one likes us, we don't care!" joyously in the streets. It's wearing underdog masks with the pride a college graduate would show off their diploma. The script has been flipped. Philadelphia, the ultimate underdog city has fed off the swagger of its football team, instead of the team just feeding off of its fans. It's why this championship team is more special than any other our town has ever seen. It's a match made in heaven, and you can feel it already spreading to the other teams in town. Philadelphia now has a new swagger and its teams now feel like they're supposed to win regardless of the odds instead of just hoping they can somehow pull it off. The fans set the expectations, the Eagles set the standard, and everyone else is just following their example. Personalities of equal temperament and measure uniting with one common attitude. "Philly vs Everybody" and fuck the haters. Spoken like a true Philadelphian, with a team that couldn't be more 'Philadelphia' and has redefined what makes Philly Philly. Pun intended.
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