Hey there– is this thing on? Sixers post here. Don’t mind me, just talking about the basketball team.
Earlier, Sixers CEO and Twitter nut Adam Aron solicited fan opinion, as he has done all season long. This time, however, his discussion topic was not about a mascot or anthem singer or asking which color works best for interior drapes at The Well. It was about personnel.
A team president, on Twitter, soliciting fans’ opinions on anticipated offseason moves… before the season is over.
Boy, nothing says I have confidence in you guys for the playoffs like a how do I fix this window-dressing-driven product? plea.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have a picture of a farmer shooting a horse with an Andre Iguodala head to Tweet at Aron, but perhaps he’ll get that message…
This is crazy on so many levels. Let’s list them:
1) Yeah yeah, I know– we all love the idea of directly impacting our team’s offseason moves. But, really, there’s a reason why we’re fans, bloggers, media, etc., and not GMs. I mean, could you imagine David Montgomery or Ruben Amaro throwing out that Tweet?* Rube would just set up an auto-respond: You’re fucking clueless, you dolt. That would never happen (the Tweet, not the auto-respond– I could totally see Rube doing that). So what kind of confidence should we have in the Sixers’ ability to, you know, make their own decisions and, um, win. The social media thing is cool, to a point, but then it just becomes uncomfortable. Which is where I think we’re at now.
2) The new ownership group’s honeymoon is officially over. Like, that first Tweet from Aron was it. Official. Done. Honeymoon over. No nookie for you! At least not until you do some chores… like hanging those pictures, and disposing of Andre Iguodala.
The start of the season was the perfect blend of new ownership excitement, a team returning intact, and a great Xs and Os coach. The Sixers were able to catch other teams off-guard, with a blend of well-balanced, passionate – and dare I say intense – basketball, even if we have learned that it was never that proud. Now the rest of the league has had a chance to catch up. Teams that made offseason moves have gelled, the favorites have turned it on, and the Sixers are no longer catching anybody by surprise. Their coach went from great to slightly annoying, the players may or may not hate him, Evan Turner is nuts, Iguodala is what we thought he was, and the Phillies and Flyers serve as ample and welcome distractions.
3) Or, really, 2.5. The new owners, I think, are finally figuring out that running a basketball team, with an invested fan base (as small as it may be), is much different than running a hotel or cruise line or ski resort. Fans, in general, are supremely knowledgable about the product– the team. Gimmicky things – like mascot contests, new anthem singers, and 50-year-old wood giveaways – are great. But, if after a while the team doesn’t win games, which the Sixers aren’t right now, then no one will care. Instead of reeling people in, you will insult your most loyal followers and push them away. And those fringe fans will never truly sink their teeth into whatever shit is being tossed into the water. Don’t give me that goofy looking rubber minnow, just throw a slab of bunker on there and I’ll eat until my fish tits are sore.
While a tell us how to fix the team Tweet may be an extremely progressive way of running a basketball team, it kind of has a bit of a Mickey Mouse feel to it…especially since the playoffs begin next week. So much for going for the title, as insane as that concept might have been.
Guess there’s always next year.
9 Responses
cant the sixers just leave the city? jesus christ they have no business fouling up the flyers home ice. basketball needs to hightail it out of this city. im so sick of hearing about basketball. F that sport.
There’s still a basketball team here? Who cares.
It’s actually a good question–would Sixers fans be sad to see any of these players go?
Adam Aaron was in my class speaking at SJU the other week. Seems like a really good guy, and honestly I am fully convinced he understands the fans here. They understand that this team is not anywhere near good enough and are absolutely committed to buildinWding a champion in the NBA is the hardest of any sport.
That said, any of these players can go. We have a lot of good pieces to build a champion around, but none are good enough to win a championship. Add a superstar to this mix and were an instant contender (easier said than done). Depending on what we are getting back, trade whoever. But dont just trade to trade.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz no need for this post with the game 2nite
flyers suck no one likes them anyway. Go sixers, phillies, eagles.
Sixers do matter, if you are not four for four just scroll the fuck down you morons.
No reason for you to be ripping Aron for this, fans always rip GM’s for not making moves that none of us want to see, a la Richards and Carter last year. And now that Aron an owner just asks for input you go off on him? I think this is a great idea to connect the team. Who say’s he’ll even do anything, asking for input is great. And if he does actually take into account what the fans say and theres a bad move. Well then we learn our lesson about not bitching at GMs and to stick to our job of being fans.
I concur with ^Joe. You mad, K-Y Scotty? If Aron’s always been about fan feedback, why is this worse? What do the lowly Sixers have in common with the almighty Phillies and Ruben Amaro? 1st round playoff exits last season. You’re either first or you’re last.
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