They are an interesting team, these Sixersdeep and talented, young and entertaining. They were also, for the most part, assembled by a man who no longer has anything to do with them.
This is not a town that accepts people easily or quicklynot even when youre from here. Ed Stefanski knew that when he became the Sixers president and general manager in December of 2007. He had success during his stop in North Jersey when he served in the Nets front office. He grew up in Delaware County and went to Penn. He was a fan of the Sixers before becoming an executive for them. But none of that insulated him from the unyielding criticism he absorbed toward the end of his tenure. It didnt save his job, either.
When the Sixers new ownership group decided to retain Rod Thorn as president but boot Stefanski, few people around here seemed broken up about it. And when Stefanski returned to Philadelphia last week as executive vice-president of the Toronto Raptors (see blog), he didnt come off as bitter or pout like a jilted lover who was forced to watch an ex find happiness without him. Everyone appears to have moved on, but maybe it's time to pause and look back for moment.
The Sixers lost to the Knicks on Wednesday, but they are 7-3 and remain in first place in the Atlantic Division. Few people anticipated that. Doug Collins has been praised for mixing and matching various combinations against different teams, and the players in the regular rotation have been hailed as a crew of selfless, interchangeable parts more concerned with the final score than their final stat lines. These Sixers have had their backs patted and their efforts applauded by the fans and media alike.
And so you wonder: How much of the ongoing ovation should be directed at Stefanski?
Stefanski became a convenient scapegoat when he hired his pal, Eddie Jordan, to coach the team. Jordans much-maligned Princeton offense looked more like something he cribbed from the University of Phoenix Online, and the Sixers finished 27-55 during his only season in Philly. That was a huge mistake, and it was Stefanskis doing.
It also didnt help Stefanski curry favor when he traded fan favorite Kyle Korver to Utah, and he didnt win anyone over when he gave Andre Iguodala a fat and unthinkable superstar contract worth 82 million. And while Stefanski was initially commended for signing free agent Elton Branda guy who was seen then as the paint presence the Sixers were missinghe ultimately took heat for the max contract when Brand struggled with injuries and production.
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All of that was Stefanskis doing, but so was this: You could make a case that seven of the Sixers' most influential players are on the roster because of Stefanski.
He drafted Jrue Holidaywho is on everyones short list as one of the best young point guards in the leagueas well as Evan Turner, who has improved in almost every significant statistical category, increasing his points, rebounds, assists, and minutes per game from a year ago, as well as his field goal percentage. Stefanski traded the underproductive Royal Ivey for Jodie Meeks back in 2010, and in 2008 he kept Lou Williams in town by re-signing the then-restricted free agent. Thaddeus Young was drafted by Stefanskis predecessor, but by trading Korver, the Sixers freed up minutes and space on the floor to develop Young into a sixth-man of the year candidate.
When you bring in Lou Williams, Thad Young and Evan Turner off your bench, youre really good, Stefanski said last week.
No kidding. That leaves Iguodala and Brand. Iguodala isnt a superstar, but he is a defensive stopper who also gets to the basket, passes well and rebounds. His shot still needs work, and Im not sure anyone wants him taking an important last-second jumper, but hes proven himself as the teams most consistent all-around player. Brand, meanwhile, got off to a slow start offensively this year, but last year he led the Sixers in points and rebounds per game. Maybe Iguodala and Brand are overpaid, but its hard to imagine the Sixers being in first place without them.
Its equally difficult, if not impossible, to envision the Sixers atop the Atlantic Division without Collins coaching the team. The Sixers are like one of those choose-your-own-adventure novels you might have read as a kid. Because they have so many different players who can contribute, their success or failure depends very much on Collinss ability to pick the proper plan at the right moment. With the wrong head coach (Jordan once again comes to mind) turning the wrong pages, the story might not be nearly as compelling. But with Collins in charge, you get the feeling that the ending to this tale might be better and more entertaining than it has been in a long while. The Sixers are infinitely better with Collins, and Collins was given an opportunity by Stefanski.
We have a tendency to see the mistakes someone makes, that is sort of our culture nowwhere did someone screw up, Collins said. What about all the good things theyve done? I can only tell you that Stefanski believed in me. He gave me a great opportunity to come to Philadelphia and try and get this basketball team in a good position and start winning again. I have nothing but love for Ed Stefanski.
And yet many of the fans and media in Philadelphia didnt have much love for Stefanski while he was here. Now hes in Torontoand now the Sixers are flourishing without him. Joni Mitchell might have been on to something. Maybe you dont know what youve got till its gone.
E-mail John Gonzalez at jgonzalez@comcastsportsnet.com