Colangelo: 'Good To See Fans Recognize Hinkie Deserves Credit'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- "Trust the process" is a term created and used by, Sam Hinkie supporters.
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Although the former Philadelphia 76ers general manager resigned in April, the slogan did not. In fact, Hinkie was celebrated when the Sixers won the first-overall pick during the draft lottery in May and more recently, budding stars Joel Embiid and that aforementioned pick -- which turned into Ben Simmons -- used the phrase on social media.
Bryan Colangelo replaced Hinkie as president and general manager was able to select Simmons with the first-overall pick. He's fine with fans giving credit to Hinkie.
"Well, I've been complimentary of Sam through everything," Colangelo told the 94WIP Mike & Ike Show. "There was a reason that the organization decided there needed to be a shift in management and leadership. That was not my decision, but I have been, again, complimentary of Sam throughout this couple of months that I've been here. There's no doubt that he did some things that were controversial, made some hard choices, had to stomach a lot of the pain and suffering but there's other sides to the business that probably needed to be addressed and I think that's probably one of the reasons that I'm here today.
Listen: Bryan Colangelo on the 94WIP Mike & Ike Show
"At the end of the day, Sam is a really smart, smart basketball mind. He's a guy that deserves credit and it's good to see that the fans recognize that."
Related: Sam Hinkie: 'Avoiding Media Out Of Respect For 76ers'
One of the criticism of Hinkie the GM, was his relationship -- or lack thereof -- with agents around the league. Colangelo says his relationship with Simmons' agent Rich Paul may have helped the Sixers.
"I'm glad of the relationship I have with Rich Paul, his agent, and the relationship dating back multiple years provided us an opportunity to maybe deal with him a little bit differently," Colangelo said. "The fact that we were the only team that got the workout, the only team that got the physical, obviously was strategic on their part."
