The first of many moves (I would think and hope so) for the Sixers started with Collins “officially” resigning as the Sixers coach. I figure to give Sixers fans (if there is any still left besides a handful of us) some of the better quotes from the presser. Let’s begin…
Collins on when he knew he was “out” as the Sixers coach..
“About 2 months ago, I told Tony DiLeo and Rod Thorn this is going to be my last year…”
I wonder if Bynum did come back from his injury that would have changed Doug’s mind? 2 months ago is about the same time Bynum was officially ruled out for the season. Hmmm…
If you think that Harris and Aaron were going to fire Doug, instead of Doug stepping away that was not happening. Harris:
“This is his decision…I want to make that unequivocally clear.”
Whoa?! Unequivocally? That’s a big word. I get it Mr. Harris, you’re book smart. Good for you.
Doug also believes in this ownership. He believes that they will not settle for mediocrity. Doug:
“This owner is a guy you want to work with. The guy’s not going to settle for mediocrity”
Of course you do Doug, you’re still under their payroll. Doug final statement:
“Thank you for the respect the last 3 years. I hope I’ve been a man in every way’…”
I do have a soft spot for you, Doug. I really thought you were going to work out here. The bottom line is that you were your own worst enemy at times.
Moving on. The one person that might be happiest about Doug leaving is Evan Turner. We all know the battles him and Doug have had over the past 3 years. Turner on Doug leaving:
“We both grew this year. I went through maturity. At the end of the day, respect was there.”
To bad the growth didn’t show on the court. But Turner still believes in himself. Turner:
‘I’m just tapping potential…Didn’t notice drastic difference in back-to-backs. It could be mental.’
Did he just say he thinks he is mental? I totally agree. I have always been a Turner backer (unfortunately) but the guy makes very hard to defend him. The dude is a head case.
Even Doug’s favorite player chimed in on Doug and that would be Thad. Thad on Collins:
“He’s by far the best coach I’ve had.” via Tom Moore of the PhillyBurbs
Thad also explained what he thinks the Sixers need:
‘A center and a backup point guard.'”
Nice. Thad just took a shot at Hawes. I know he actually was talking about Bynum but I like the Hawes thing better.
The Team is a Center, a Power Forward and a solid back-up Guard away from contending as a 6th-8th Seed in the Eastern Conference
They will have Cap $$, but can they attract, quality proven winners to the Franchise, this remains to be seen..
The press conference was classic it’s about me Doug Collins, he bragged about 8 playoff wins, two all stars, etc. but failed to take ownership of the fact his team stunk, he got rid of good players., ruined Turner, endorsed the Bynum deal, and he basically quit when it got rough, the sixers I believe were at or close to .500 when he decided to quit at Xmas then thereafter the downward spiral
He’s not the reason the franchise is hurting, but don’t tell us how good you were, you weren’t, you get a D grade, goodbye Doug Collins, stay retired this time
Bottom line is the 76ers are ass…Not Doug Collins fault. Got rid of your workhorse for a player that never played a game. Only player on your squad worth a damn is Jrue…Same kind of BS with Cleveland and Byron Scott. Its unfortunate the coach always takes the fall.
Doug is gone and your 76ers will still be ass next season, Jake!
Jake unless I am mistaken Doug did not get rid of anyone because he is not the GM and that is the GM’s job. The coaches job is to coach the players he is given and Doug did an amazing job at that. Look at this roster it is and has been one of the worst in the NBA and Doug somehow made these scrubs competitive.
I dont know how you can say he ruined Turner either, did he coach Evan to have absolutely no jump shot? Did he coach him to be passive? Did he coach him to flat out stink? The answer is no, Doug doesnt have some magic wand nor any coach for that matter that can turn some scrub like Turner into a real player. Turner blows and will blow and I hope the sixers keep him so we can get more ping pong balls next year.
Dougs coaching job A+, everyone else in the front office F-
So, to whom will the Sixers turn? It is telling when Stan Van Gundy, a man who wants back into the NBA, lumps the 76ers into that clump of teams (Cleveland and Detroit are the others) where the situation is so rancid that a respected ex-coach wants nothing to do with them. And it is even more telling when those gigs are, at the moment, the only openings in the league. Heading into the offseason following a disastrous season on all fronts, this is how the Sixers are viewed from the outside looking in. A season removed from coming within one game of reaching the Eastern Conference finals, the Sixers are at a crossroads and find themselves among the NBA’s armpit organizations.
HIRE PEE WEE HERMAN, WE NEED 4 STRAIGHT YEARS OF LOTTO PICKS AND DRAFT A STARTING CENTER, POWER FOWARD, SMALL FORWARD AND SHOOTING GUARD. WE HAVE NO STARTERS AT THESE POSITIONS NOW.
SOurces from David Stern’s Office state that he may force the 76ers and Washington Wizards to combine Rosters to have a legitimate Team..
The New Name of the Franchise will be the “Wilmington Mushroom’s”
and will play about half their Home Games in Philly and 1/2 there Home Games in Washington/Baltimore Area
sham, BS, and crap.
He was fired for being a bonehead and destroying this franchise.
What’s next the dingbat local franchises will tell me Joe Banner left to be an NFL owner. And the Phillies are a small markert baseball team.
haaaaaaa
evan turner scheduled to make 7 million and lavoy allen scheduled to make 3 million this year. nba salaries are a joke