Collins on the Spurs, Thunder, Big Threes and the New England Patriots
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Collins on the Spurs, Thunder, Big Threes and the New England Patriots
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
It was very telling and instructive to hear Doug Collins talk about the NBA from the what-was and what-is standpoint.
With the 76ers facing a back-to-back with arguably the two best teams (Oklahoma City and San Antonio) in the Western Conference, Collins talked a bit out the stability that’s required to have success in the league.
Collins pointed out that the Thunder probably wanted to keep together its nucleus of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, whom the Thunder traded away at the start of the season in exchange for Kevin Martin, but the financial rules that govern the NBA made this virtually impossible.
“The one sad thing about the NBA in some situations is when you can’t keep it together because of money,” Collins said. “That’s sad. You have to make financial decisions.”
Harden is just 23. Thunder mainstays Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook turned 24 in 2012. All three made the Olympic Team last summer. However, Harden wanted to get – and eventually was – paid. For that to happen, the Thunder had to deal him to the Rockets.
“To think of this team being together with Harden for four or five years,” Collins said, shaking his head as his voice trailed off. “But that’s the economics of the NBA.”
Collins pointed out how the Spurs, with an older Big Three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, are different in that they have kept these players together. He also said that the Spurs, winners of four titles under coach Gregg Popovich, are similar to a certain football team in New England.
“He’s a brilliant coach,” Collins said. “And he’s got three core guys that have been with him through thick and thin. And if you notice, they always keep those three and Pop’ together, and that’s that stability
“I think Pop’ would be the first one to tell you how blessed he has been,” Collins continued. “Those three guys and David Robinson and you’ve got years of success. “He’s won four championships – that doesn’t happen by accident. He’s one of the best coaches ever, and they do it in a market that loves this team.”
And then Collins made the comparison to the Patriots in terms of their longevity.
“Over the last 10-12 years the two franchises that have done that are the New England Patriots and the San Antonio Spurs,” he said. “They have been models about what it’s all about to build a team. They stay strong, and they have been very fortunate that those three guys have been healthy for the most part. They’ve got a great coach, a great owner and they don’t panic.”
-------- but did the ownership group want to win too fast? Right now as it stands, it looks as if the Sixers have sent the franchise back years no matter how the local media or organization want to spin it. If Bynum doesn't pan out we are back to square one-----------MATT--
spot on at this time---plus either way this team is not deep.Not much else to say.— HO HUM
I would have amnestied perk. Im seeing duplicates/overlapping players on the roster. price and talent. jrich nick turner dorrell. (all mid level players. 21 mil, not cheap) kwame/lavoy. (same price range) with arnett on the roster needing min at a cheaper price. 2 of the 4 mid level players gotta go if winning now is important. Barea (rubio's back they need a wing) perry jones aminu or tayshawn. kwame and 2 of the mid level players has to go. arnett replaces kwame, at a cheaper price. j rich tayshawn and barea have the same yrs remaining. turner and perry jones would be a talent for talent swap. at a younger/ taller/ more athletic/Cheaper price/ same upside for us. 5.5 for turner 1.05 for perry jones. Turner is the best player in the deal now but im betting perry jones will be in the end. bynum (champion) returns . dorrell (champion, true) for jj (champion). richardson for tayshawn (champion) i'm keeping nick young. jj barea (champion), jrue, tayshawn (champion), spencer, bynum (2x champion 3 finals appearances) jrue as the back up pg, nick young, thad, perry jones, lavoy, arnett, ivey, damien. total salary this year est. 61 mil give or take. with jrue going up nick bynum damien and royal expiring. bynum being the key to bringing nick back under the cap— combocancer1975- I'm disappointed in ownership. Josh Harris seems like a star struck kid with a new Xmas toy, not a hard nosed CEO who demands excellent performance from his employees. He sits courts side cheering the team on like a super fan. I'd rather see him in a luxury box scowling at the mediocre product his management group is putting on the floor.— RU65
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
