Hinkie makes his mark

In the moments leading up to the 2013 NBA Draft, most Sixers fans weren't too enthused about the pool of talent in the college ranks or even the team itself after its disappointing 2012 season; players like supposed savior center Andrew Bynum gave "The City of Brotherly Love" hope, - something they hadn't had in a long time - believing they could compete with established teams like the Miami Heat or Oklahoma City Thunder. That all ended, well, from the start, when Bynum wasn't cleared to play half the season, then, ultimately, the entire season.  

However, newly appointed Sixers GM Sam Hinkie had other plans. The Former Houston Rockets Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations raised eyebrows around the league as he traded the Sixers's sole all-star point guard Jrue Holiday and a second round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans - yes, that's their name - for Nerlens Noel and a future first rounder. Bold, bold move, Hinkie. Such a risk, but I like it!

Even the emotionless Holiday had to have dropped his jaw when he heard the news!

Typical Holiday face

Hearing he had been traded face

Don't get me wrong, I will miss Jrue, but the Sixers were going no where and needed to start from scratch.

The first step in the process was receiving a big man, and they did in Noel. The University of Kentucky product looks like quite the talent, yet follows a disturbing pattern among Philadelphia centers...knee injuries. He is coming off a torn ACL.

The youngster with the high top hair shows a lot of promise with his athletic and blocking abilities. His flaw is obviously his weight; it's a necessity, especially in today's NBA, that he puts on 10-15 pounds of muscle, which will prevent him from getting knocked around by other physical centers.   

And then there's the number eleven pick, Michael Carter-Williams. He's gotta be good, right? He has three names!

In all seriousness, I like the Carter-Williams

pickup. He has big shoes to fill in Holiday, however, his physical characteristics give him a favorable shot to succeed. The 6 foot 6 point guard out of Syracuse has good passing instincts and a solid basketball IQ. If he improves his shooting, I think he can develop into an all-star point guard.  

Hinkie has a plan, and that is to value youth and build through the draft. Then, once the players develop, you add more talent in next year's draft, and Philadelphia becomes an attractive destination for the 2014 free agents. In that class, players such as Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony become available...enough said!