5 Most Well-Liked Philly Sports Figures Right Now
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's nearly impossible to get the entire city of Philadelphia to agree on something, or someone for that matter. And when it comes to sports, forget it. It is impossible.
With three of our major sports teams in transition periods and the other---the Eagles---on the heels of a roster overhaul, it's hard to find a sports figure in this town who everyone likes.
Here are the top-five most well-liked sports figures in Philadelphia, right now.
5. Nerlens Noel
As a 20-year-old rookie, Noel was the only NBA player to finish in the top-10 in steals and blocks per game. He also finished eighth in the NBA in defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) and 11th in defensive win shares, ahead of Anthony Davis. Noel fell a few blocks short of achieving 200 points, 160 rebounds, 40 steals, and 40 blocks in the month of March. The last player to do reach those monthly totals was Hakeem Olajuwon in 1985-86.
Everyone in Philly likes Noel, some just more than others, often subconsciously depending on your opinion of Sam Hinkie (we'll get to him). Whether you like, trust, or believe in Hinkie or not, there's no denying Noel had a historically dominant defensive rookie year.
4. Maikel Franco
Franco, just 22-years-old, represents promise for the Phillies' future. In 42 games played this season, Franco is hitting .297 with 10 homers, nine doubles, and 32 RBI's. He's slugging .545.
Plus, he's got that cute Chooch-like accent that you can't help but love.
3. Chip Kelly / Sam Hinkie
I put these two, Kelly and Hinkie, in the same category because they are very similar in that: they have a plan, they are sticking to their plan---which is to be great, not good---and they are polarizing. They don't want to win playoff games, they want to win titles. Championships. And either you're with them or you're not, but they're not afraid of anyone. Not the fans, not the media, not nothin'!
Either you love them or you hate them, but if you are a Philly sports fan you definitely have a strong opinion on each of them.
Ps. It's seems rather hypocritical to like one, but not the other.
2. Ron Hextall
Entering his second season as Flyers general manager, "Hexy" had arguably the best NHL Draft of any GM (plus, he managed to trade Chris Pronger's contract and get a third-round pick for Zac Rinaldo).
Flyers fans are finally in agreement when it comes to the man making roster decisions. Philly's hockey team seems to get it and there hasn't been a single criticism of Hextall after making some critical personnel decisions.
1. Brett Brown
Brown has to be the most loved 37-127 head coach in sports history. Even Howard Eskin and Angelo Cataldi, the loudest Hinkie haters on the planet, haven't said a bad word about Brown. In fact, they often support the Sixers' head coach.
Brown is passionate, intelligent, experienced, and genuinely amiable. His interviews are harmonious and maybe, Philly sympathizes with him.
