Boyd: Jerry Colangelo Brings Much-Needed Transparency To Sixers
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Sixers gained some credibility this week when they hired Jerry Colangelo to be the new Chairman of Basketball Operations. Whether you choose to support it or not, the Sixers have had a plan for the last two-plus seasons and they have stuck to it.
However, none of the people orchestrating the plan had ever "been there before," at least to the degree that fits that definition for critics and casual fans. Sam Hinkie was fully at the helm of an NBA franchise for the first time. Brett Brown was a first time NBA head coach and the ownership group, led by Joshua Harris, experienced more success in board rooms than on the NBA hardwood.
What the team gained in Colangelo was credibility. They now have someone in the room who can say, "been there, done that."
The Sixers front office is no longer and inexperienced one. Where their lack of experience shined brightest was in terms of transparency.
That isn't to say that every experienced professional sports team is completely transparent, but when you are not winning and you occupy a city like Philadelphia, it might be smart to be out in front of the cameras and microphones a little bit so apathy does not set in.
I believe in the plan that Hinkie has outlined for this franchise, but I and most so-called "Sons of Sam," are not blindly following this silent regime like some people like to say. Hinkie's silence on the recent Jahlil Okafor situation was troubling.
Hinkie can be as silent as he wants when it comes to team-building strategy and any sensitive information that shouldn't slip to opposing teams, but when your only healthy player with perennial all-star ability has a series of alleged incidents that include two fights and a gun being pointed at him, you should speak.
The plan is based around gaining as many star-potential pieces as possible, but Hinkie should be smart not to lose the fan base along the way. The first time he spoke on the Okafor matter was when Colangelo was seated two seats away from him at the introductory press conference.
Colangelo is well aware of the importance of speaking up on behalf of the team and he expressed that sentiment on Tuesday on the 94WIP Morning Show.
"There's a difference in philosophy obviously," Colangelo said about how he feels about transparency and how Hinkie feels. "From day one, since I've been involved in sports, I've always been transparent. I've always had an open door policy."
What Hinkie needs to learn is that it isn't about giving away more details than are necessary. It isn't about giving beat reporters and bloggers a throw away quote so they'll be more favorable to you next time you mess up. It isn't about silencing the loudest naysayers.
It's about keeping your most loyal supporters invested in what you're doing by feeling well informed about what they're supporting. It's about rewarding the patience of an intelligent fan base by giving the appropriate level of acknowledgment to matters regarding the future of the team -- the bright future you are promising them you are working towards.
Whether Hinkie believes it or not, communication is vital.
"I believe in communication," Colangelo said. "Some people can do that. It's a strength for some. It happens to be one of mine. I have plenty of weaknesses and Sam is a very bright guy, very intelligent, very analytical and his philosophy is to do it the way he's been doing it. I'm not saying who's right or who's wrong. It's just different."
Listen: Jerry Colangelo on the 94WIP Morning Show
The Sixers would be smart to let Colangelo exhibit his strength of communicating. With Colangelo on the team, the Sixers can begin building as opposed to dismantling, and it would be smart to keep supporters in the know as the build takes place.
Colangelo didn't come to Philadelphia to be silent. Whether Hinkie likes that or not, Sixers supporters should be thrilled that's the case.
