Sixers

Sam Hinkie Takes Draft-Explainer Tour to Mike Missanelli

By Jim Adair

Published: Jun 26th, 2015 · 6:31 PM EDT

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After this morning’s press conference, Sam Hinkie took his surprisingly deep radio voice to Mike Missanelli for a more one-on-one breakdown of Embiid, Okafor, and the future. As with the presser earlier, here are some brief notes on the mystic Sam Hinkie:

• He spoke very briefly to the Lakers about moving up to the #2 pick.
• On being smart: “We try to apply our brain to no-brainers.” “Try not to outsmart yourself.”
• The draft is the time to acquire talent, not worry about matching up players to need.
• Many teams have made many mistakes trying to select the player to slot in.
• Don’t want to miss an opportunity to get a great player.
• Said he’s fortunate to have Noel, Embiid, and Okafor, all consensus #1 picks at one time.
• Said if you told him in November he’d have Okafor, he’d say “What happened? What transpired that we got him?”
• There were dozens and dozens of articles written saying eight or so guys were their target. There can only be one target.
• If they had Mudiay ranked in their top three, they would have picked him.
• Hinkie refused to rule out offering someone a max contract in free agency.
• “If we can gain access to them, why wouldn’t we be after the best basketball players in the world.”
• “I think all options are on the table” with Embiid injury.
• You aren’t talking about just playing Embiid now, these are “serious matters for his life and basketball career.”
• How do no leaks get out of the front office?  “We might have way more alignment internally to our mission than you think.”
• When Mike Miss asked if he’s got the people there drinking some special tea, Hinkie said it’s a lot of coffee and bottled water, and they’ve had Chick-fil-A cater twice in the last ten days. “It’s much less sexy.”

Overall, great interview. Audio here.