76ers Chair of Basketball Operations Jerry Colangelo and GM Sam Hinkie "may see different paths in getting to the destination, but, for the most part, it appears" they are "somewhat on the same page," according to Bob Cooney of the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. Colangelo said, "I've learned a lot in just a few weeks here. I think we've done some tweaking. ... But as far as the plan, whatever the people think the plan is, nothing is changing in terms of a course." He added, "The reality is, and I've come to understand this, Sam has done a really great job of accumulating assets. ... And now it's a matter of when do you pull the trigger on using all those assets or any of those assets?" Hinkie said, "We're all trying to find the rhythm. I've been out to Phoenix a good bit and he's been here on occasion as well and caught up with our team on the road. If anything, I'm a learner, so I've asked a whole bunch of questions, which has been fun." Cooney noted where they want to go "isn't the question." When it may happen, after three seasons of "seemingly endless losing, is at the forefront" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 1/14). In Philadelphia, Bob Ford wrote Colangelo "sees hope, and that was his message during a two-day trip to the East Coast during which he met with everyone in the organization from ownership to office staff." Colangelo wants to "actually drive the car that Hinkie has been assembling, which is a cool idea after all this time." It is also "great to hear someone say the time has come to use" the draft picks that have been assembled. The man "might turn out to be wrong," and it "could all still fall apart." But Colangelo "was in town on Wednesday and he was selling hope." People are "lining up to buy some" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/14).
I HAVE PEOPLE SKILLS: The DAILY NEWS' Cooney wrote one of Colangelo's "best attributes throughout his nearly 50 years in the business" has been "dealing with people." Colangelo has "made lifelong friendships, built trusting relationships with coaches, players, executives and agents due to his affable nature." Though he has been with the Sixers "only a little more than a month, Colangelo has been more accessible to the media during that time than Hinkie has been during his career" with the organization. Colangelo "believes in letting the fans know what he sees, what his plans may be, how he envisions the future playing out," while Hinkie "chooses to be introverted." The latter's relationships with agents and execs through the NBA "have been questioned." Former 76ers players have said that Hinkie "isn't very good at conversing." Cooney: "Whatever plays out, it behooves Hinkie to learn lessons from Colangelo" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 1/15).
