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Trail Blazers: Olshey Shines as Hinkie Resigns

By Steven Dewald

Feb 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie prior to a game against the Sacramento Kings at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie prior to a game against the Sacramento Kings at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Trail Blazers embarked on a very different rebuild almost a year ago and the results are remarkable

The Hinkie project met its official end yesterday and it was only fitting that the Trail Blazers clinched a playoff spot on the same day. The Sixers and Trail Blazers have both endured a massive turnover, but Portland rolled out a much different rebuild plan than Philadelphia. Has Neil Olshey (Trail Blazers GM) laid out the new blueprint for NBA rebuilds?

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The Trail Blazers have made history by securing a playoff berth this season. They watched four of their five starters (and their sixth man) move onto other teams. Current NBA trends would have suggested that they strip the team down even further and undergo a massive rebuild. Portland instead invested in a winning culture (keeping the playoffs on the table) that is built around their super-star (Damian Lillard) and underutilized assets.

The results have been tremendous, as the Trail Blazers have exceeded almost everyone’s expectations this season. The same cannot be said about Sam Hinkie’s efforts with the Sixers. Philadelphia has become the poster child for the dangers of “tanking”. The Sixers are completely bereft of any semblance of a winning locker room. They have gambled on the NBA lottery for three straight years and have lost out each time.

Jan 8, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers president Chris McGowan (left), owner Paul Allen (center) and general manager Neil Olshey (right) watch the game against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers president Chris McGowan (left), owner Paul Allen (center) and general manager Neil Olshey (right) watch the game against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

This current train wreck could have been avoided. They too had a NBA Rookie of the Year winner, but have since moved on from Michael Carter-Williams. Carter-Williams has now flamed out with the Bucks, but he did have the tools that could have been built around while he was with the Sixers. Identifying the talent you have and working with them is something that Hinkie was never interested in.

Carter-Williams should have been surrounded by players that played to his strengths and covered up his weaknesses. Instead, Philadelphia invested in D-League caliber players and redundant lottery picks (Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor). This stands in stark contrast to what the Trail Blazers did in their first year of rebuilding.

Hinkie should not receive all of the blame though, as Olshey benefitted from having an owner committed to winning. The Trail Blazers also had a star point guard already on the roster. Even with those benefits, it was no easy road for Rip City this year.

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The Portland rebuild model is a clear sign of how a team can reshuffle their roster, keep flexibility, and stay competitive in the process. This is a positive sign for all NBA fans that dread the idea of enduring a hopeless season. The Trail Blazers have laid out the plan for a fruitful turnaround, hopefully this will be the first step in an anti-tanking trend in the NBA.