Sixers

The Sixers Are Getting Skewered Today, and Rightfully So

By Kyle Scott

Published: Dec 3rd, 2015 · 9:36 AM EST

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Bob Ford, Philly.com:

The Sixers handled it in their normal passive-aggressive way, issuing a statement that didn’t have a name on it. General manager and president of basketball operations Sam Hinkie not only didn’t lend any insight to the decision, he didn’t even lend quote marks. One of the centerpieces in his rebuilding project has twice been involved in late-night fights outside nightclubs, one in which a gun was held to his head; was pulled over doing 108 m.p.h. on the Ben Franklin Bridge; allegedly tried to enter a Center City tavern with false identification; and, apparently, has combined most or all of those incidents with underage drinking. You’d think Hinkie could at least stand up and say, “This will not be tolerated in our organization.”

Instead, the nameless, faceless organization was merely “disappointed” by his actions. Let’s be clear. Going 108 m.p.h. on the Ben Franklin and punching through a car window at someone who might (and did) have a handgun isn’t “disappointing.” Those are rock-headed, life-threatening acts. Hinkie should have said that.

John Finger, CSN Philly:

Okafor, who made the trip with the Sixers following Tuesday’s victory over the Lakers, did not accompany the team to Madison Square Garden for the game against the Knicks. Team president Sam Hinkie, who has been curiously unaccountable for matters surrounding the 1-18 team he put together, was with the team at Madison Square but steadfastly held to his policy of not speaking to the media on the record.

That left Brown to answer all questions as he outlined the Sixers’ “tough love” approach to Okafor before Wednesday’s game in light of a second video that surfaced from of last week’s street fight in Boston (see story).

Dan Gelston, AP (before the latest video and suspension):

John Gonzalez, CSN Philly (before the latest video and suspension):

Marcus Hayes, Philly.com:

After all, Okafor, the No. 3 overall pick in the NBA draft in June, might be facing lawsuits and criminal prosecution. Surely, Hinkie would have thoughts on the matter.

Sam, can I speak with you about the Okafor situation?

Hinkie shook my hand, smiled and said, “Not today.”

Of course not.

Better to let Brown, the head coach, explain how Okafor lied when Okafor told Brown about what happened in the early hours of Nov. 26 on the Boston streets.

Let Brown explain why it took a fourth dangerous incident – a second fight on Thanksgiving eve – before the Sixers delivered their too-little, too-late, two-game suspension, in concert with the NBA, they said.

Let Brown dance around the question of whether Okafor needs counseling or therapy to control his anger.

F– the Sixers’ decision-making has been so poor that it’s got me agreeing with Marcus Hayes.

I’m usually firmly in the butthurt media member can’t get quote awwwww camp, but this is ridiculous. The Okafor stories are almost unprecedented in their volume, seriousness (in the case of the gun), and visual evidence. When you have the would-be Rookie of the Year screaming “We got money, you broke ass bitch!” over and over again on a street corner, before attacking someone, and then being suspended as a result, it is perhaps literally the general manager’s job to address the situation publicly. Say what you want about Ruben Amaro or Paul Holmgren, but at least they faced the music. I know there’s nothing Hinkie can say to make the situation better, but when you consider the belief held by some close to the team that the Sixers most certainly knew more about the Okafor incidents than they let on, it’s on them to at least answer questions once they suspend the guy, seemingly just because a second video came out. Weak sauce abounds this week. Another chink in the goodwill armor.