For the 76ers; KICK THE CAN is not a viable strategy
by John Kincade
76ers deciding to play KICK THE CAN
Listen to The Fanatic daily and you are sitting in a focus group for Philadelphia sports. That doesn’t mean that the fans know better than the local executives, but it serves a company well to listen to the customers. The reports that James Harden is potentially coming back to the 76ers has went over like a fart in church. There is no buzz, no excitement and little hope that things are going to get over the hump anytime soon. Why?
Harden has already had 2 different opportunities to show us that his playoff reviews of the past were unfair. He hasn’t done a thing to dispel those thoughts.
”Winning” the Harden Sweepstakes is a completely false narrative. Who is trying to grab him? The Rockets? Anyone else? Ask yourself, if he was truly such a hot commodity, why is his free agent pursuit completely non-existent? That tells you what the NBA thinks he can do at this time.
The 76ers aren’t close to winning a championship. Doubling down on a high priced veteran like Harden is just bluffing the ticket buying public. Why are you putting off the inevitable? You can start reshaping the roster now or later. I don’t believe that Daryl Morey is approaching this with a long term vision. He won’t be here in another 5 years. He wants to win now. The fear is he will mortgage everything to serve that pursuit and let someone else clean up the mess later.
The Phillies continue stumbling around
The Phillies just had another disgusting showing vs the Braves in what was supposed to be a showdown series in the NL East. They kept the games close but couldn’t come up with a clutch hit in either loss. In both games they continued to make errors in the field and horrible decisions on the base paths.
The Phillies are currently 3 games out of a wildcard berth. They are 38-36. When playing teams better than them in the standings they are 17-21. When playing others they are 21-15.
Hoping that lightning in a bottle will be found again this October is another curious strategy. Rob Thomson has managed games vs the Braves with little urgency so it seems that being content with MAYBE grabbing a wildcard berth is the plan. After last season that completely stinks. This team added a starting pitcher and the top shortstop on the free agent market. The expectation should never be “we are ok with just getting in” and then “seeing what happens”.
Flyers finally pulled the bandaid off!
Do a social media sweep and you will see that the Flyers have gotten more mentions and traction since the season ended than they got in most weeks during the games. The fan base seems cautiously optimistic with the management changes and is anxious to watch a rebuild with a purpose.
I’ve been impressed with the messaging. No promises of quick turnarounds, no posturing as if they are somehow smart by deciding to tear it down. The Flyers know they have to slowly win back a fan base. That starts now.
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