Skip to content
Sports
Link copied to clipboard

Charles Barkley correctly calls the Sixers coaching search 'silly'

Sam Hinkie knows what he's doing, or at least he wants us to think he does.

A year after his departure, the Houston Rockets are looking like a serious Western Conference Contender, and many are expecting, or hoping, that he will do the same with the Sixers.

While his lack of communication with the media throughout the summer has been bothersome to some, it can be argued that it doesn't negatively affect the franchise. Technically, he doesn't need to report to us.

When draft day came he was unafraid to go big and bold. He made moves that he thought were in the best interest of the future of the franchise, and for the most part people seem to be receptive, albeit apprehensive, about this new and different direction.

His coaching search however, has me scratching my head, and I am not alone.

Recent reports state that Hinkie has narrowed his ever-expanding list down to two candidates; Michael Curry and Brett Brown.

My question is, if the reports are accurate, why wait any longer?

I get the idea of bringing in a whole lot of candidates from across the league landscape. It gives the organization an opportunity to pick the brains of some of the league's best assistants, gaining insight and ideas.

But knowing full well that they are being paraded in and out of the office for exactly this reason, how much information are these assistants going to give up anyway?

"Hey, we're going to give the job to one of these other two guys, but what are some of your best ideas anyway?"

Now, Hinkie may be waiting on Brown, who by all accounts would be an excellent addition. Brown however, may not want to leave the comfort and stability of successful San Antonio, to lead a rebuilding effort.

Brown, if interested, may well be worth the wait, but otherwise it doesn't seem to make much sense for the Sixers to continue to stall the search.

If Brown isn't interested, officially make Curry the man and move on.

The roster is comprised of young, developing players who could benefit from the establishment of a system and developing some player- coach rapport. Unless the Sixers plan on dumping the coach next summer, then beginning to build a relationship between a coach and potential future pillars of the franchise seems wise.

Sure, they're going to stink next season anyway, but how about providing your lottery picks with some established leadership that might contribute positively to their development?

"I think it's one of the silliest things that I've seen in sports in a long time," stated Charles Barkley on Comcast SportsNet, referring to the Sixers failure to appoint a coach.

While I might not go that far, it does seem strange for an organization that is building for the future to not have one of the most crucial pieces in place at this point.

A source close to the situation told me that a timetable has not been laid out on the decision.

"To not have a coach under contract by now, I think that's a joke," Barkley continued.

"I don't know what they're waiting on."

Me neither, Charles.