Unfortunately, Sam Hinkie is in a position to fail.  There is no other way to look at it.  He is a smart guy, but he isn’t that smart.  The Eastern Conference was underwhelming this year, but in the NBA things go in cycles.  Over the next 4 years, there is no realistic way for the 76ers franchise to taste the kind of success that the fans of the organization are clamoring for.

The 76ers cupboard is bare, similar to the Eagles, Phillies and Flyers.  The only thing more disappointing than what is going to happen the next few years is the shock and confusion over what is plain to see for the trained basketball eye.

After the jump, I’ll go ahead and rank how the franchises in the Eastern Conference will perform over the next 4 years.  The criteria involves a wide range of elements — Championship Equity, Room to Improve, Salary Cap Factors and Fan Expectations, etc.

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On Tuesday night, the 76ers were officially locked into the 11^th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.  The Sixers also have selections in the second round at #35 and #42.  So there are some very important decisions to be made for this franchise come the end of June.

With a high first round pick and two second round picks stashed in their pocket (the 35^th pick came to Philly via the New Orleans Hornets)the 76ers could do several things.

First, Sam Hinkie and company could package a combination of picks to move up in the Draft or combine them with a player in a deal as well.  However, the Sixers could decide to keep their second round picks and add some young, inexpensive and talented (a.k.a. low risk/high reward) pieces to their roster.  This was the preferred thinking of the Houston organization that Hinkie recently departed, so odds are he could be leaning in this direction.

Which brings up the question, “What kind of players will be available at 35 and 42 in the 2013 NBA Draft?”

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Back in 1993, the Orlando Magic rocketed from their slotted #11 position to the first overall pick in the draft thanks to the NBA’s ping-pong ball lottery system.

Last night, the 76ers were not fortunate enough to see that Draft Lottery miracle repeated 20 years later.  As you know by now, the Sixers officially own the #11 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, which is exactly where the odds said they would end up.  The tie shunning Joshua Harris seemed about as thrilled as everyone else in Philadunkia nation with the outcome.

“We had a small probability of being super happy and a small probability of being slightly sad.  We’re neither.  We’re right where we were expected to be,” a weary and somewhat disheveled looking Harris commented.

To be honest, it’s not the most exciting draft position to be in, but after the jump, we’ll take a look at some facts about and ideas for the 11th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

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After Sam Hinkie spent a lovely week in Chicago evaluating the prospects who were invited to participate in the 2013 NBA Draft combine, Philadunkia nation has had Cody Zeller shoved down their throats.  A number of draft “experts” are predicting the 76ers will select Zeller in late June.  Additionally, Philly.com reported that the Sixers interviewed the sophomore big man out of Indiana and that the conversation went swimmingly.

Whether Zeller is available when the Sixers first round pick arrives and whether they select him largely depends on three factors:

1)  Will Zeller still be available at #11.

2)  Do the 76ers like other players more than Zeller.

3)  What pick the Sixers draw in tonight’s NBA Draft Lottery.

Based off of the combine’s results and reactions, there seems to be a decent level of talent in the first ten picks and then a there is a drop off.  One prospect that is on the rise after the Chicago combine is France’s Rudy Gobert.  Gobert with his 7-9 wingspan and impressive shooting touch, really impressed the NBA scouts and front office types and appears to be moving up draft boards.  If Gobert continues to wow scouts during individual workouts and other pre-draft camps, he may crack the Top 10.  Gobert is another name that has been linked to the Sixers by draft “experts”.

So, can the 76ers move up in 2013 Draft and grab Zeller or Gobert?

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There seems to be a lot of different opinions regarding how the Sixers should handle the 2013 off-season.

Some of Philadunkia nation thinks that the organization should still plan to build around Bynum, while a large percentage of people don’t want to see him anywhere near this team or city again.

Then there are those who feel that the Sixers actually aren’t too far away from contention and could compete with a couple tweaks.  However for every one with this view there are at least two others who feel that the team needs to be  completely blown up.

The only thing certain now after the disappointing season that was for the Sixers, is uncertainty.

The hiring of Sam Hinkie is the first stride on a long staircase the Sixers are facing this summer.  Finding a “basketball guy” to support Hinkie’s analytics, selecting a head coach, making draft picks, and filling out the roster with free agents are all still left on the agenda.  With a new regime in town it is difficult to tell exactly how any of this will turn out.

With that being said, the smart thing for the Sixers to do this summer is — as little as possible.

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“Hope is a dangerous thing.  Hope can drive a man insane”

That quote from Shawshank Redemption holds true for 76er fans, now more than ever.  Hope is all that is left, I guess.

Seriously, sit back and think about the Philadelphia 76ers for a moment.  Not much, right?  Maybe Sam Hinkie pulls a rabbit out of his hat, a bunch of other things go right and certain guys elevate their game in 2013-14.  Still, how much will that help?

$12,000,000 in cap space is just enough to do something stupid, but not enough to pull off a miracle.  Between Turner, J-Rich and Kwame; the 76ers have more than 25% of their roster as dead weight.  Even getting players at their true value won’t be enough to do anything but keep the team in an awkward spot.

Our man Bynum looks ready to screw the franchise for the next 5 years by being Shawshank quote incarnate.  If not Bynum, it will be some other player.  Let’s just hope that Hinkie’s advanced analytics inform him that he should avoid the players I am write about after the jump.

(WARNING: LOOK AWAY NOW if you really like OJ Mayo…)

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In a classic Lonely Island video, Seth Rogen asks Andy Samberg if he’s, “in charge around here?” To which, Samberg replies, “I’m da boss.”

At the Philadelphia 76ers’ introductory press conference for new General Manager Sam Hinkie, Managing Owner Josh Harris might as well have said, “I’m da boss,” as well.

During a lovely affair at PCOM, Harris and Hinkie basically announced that the Sixers will be moving in a new direction, and that Josh is the man leading the pack.

At the presser Harris mentioned how similar he and Hinkie are in their philosophies towards building this franchise.  Josh also made it clear that Hinkie will “diligently” make roster decisions, take “smart risks”, add a “championship-caliber coach” and be “aggressive and push (his) chips into the middle.”

Even further evidence that Harris is now the man TCB-ing for this franchise, was the fact that Adam Aron — the face of the franchise for the last year — took an deep backseat at yesterday’s press gathering.  That only gave credit to the rumors that former NBA GM John Nash started on SportsRadio 94 WIP that Aron will also assume a more limited role on the business and basketball side of the franchise.

So, let’s put all of this information together.

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It’s official.

After being introduced to both the media and the city of Philadelphia by owner Josh Harris earlier today, Sam Hinkie is now the President of Basketball Operations and General Manager of the 76ers.

Much has been said about Hinkie, whether it be on his tenure with the Rockets, his successful investment career, or his firm belief in analytics, but today he got to answer a few of Philadelphia’s questions for himself.  His remarks should only strengthen the support that the organization has received for this hire.

Hinkie put organizational culture at the forefront of his comments throughout the press conference.  From the get go, it was clear that Josh Harris and Co. were a big reason he accepted the position.  He stated the ownership group is “committed to building a basketball operation that is data-driven, strategic, and relentlessly innovative.”  Hinkie added that, before accepting the position, he spoke with both investors and competitors from within the basketball and investment realms to ensure that the franchise was headed in a direction he agreed with.

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You can debate whether or not you think Jrue Holiday is an all-star caliber point guard, but what you cannot deny is that Jrue’s “star” is rising around the Association.

Players and coaches in the NBA commented on it frequently this past season.  We certainly noticed his rise in skills and popularity here at Philadunkia during 2012-13.  Now it seems adidas is finally jumping on the Jrue Holiday bandwagon.

Holiday has been an adidas endorser since he entered the League, but now “The Jruth” (as well as John Wall and Damian Lillard) is featured in the shoe company’s latest basketball campaign.

Titled “Quick Ain’t Fair,” the new commercial is for the adidas Crazyquick basketball shoe.  In this extended version, Jrue and Lillard give fans a behind the scenes look at the Crazyquick spot.

View Jrue’s new shoe commercial after the jump.

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On Friday Yahoo Sports reported via Twitter that the Sixers have reached an agreement to hire Houston Rockets assistant GM / executive VP Sam Hinkie to a multi-year deal to be their new president and GM.

Although the 76ers organization has yet to comment on the rumors, it seems certain that Tony DiLeo is officially out and Hinkie will be the new man in charge of the 7-6.

As you probably know by now, Hinkie was Daryl Morey’s right hand man in Houston and was involved in all decision-making on Rockets personnel moves.  Now he’ll be charged with rebuilding the 76ers — which will be a big challenge.

After the jump, the Philadunkia scribes express their opinions on the Hinkie hiring.
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