incidental otter
Registered Spraint
- May 27, 2015
- 197
- 229
For armchair GM's, this letter is a fascinating read. (warning: link leads directly to a PDF)
It is also 13 pages of relatively dense material, so a quick summary: the link leads to the resignation letter of Sam Hinkie, now-ex GM of the Phllly 76ers. Under Hinkie's leadership, the team won fewer than 20 games for 3 straight years, missing the playoffs each year. By all measures from a fan's perspective, the link above leads to the resignation letter of an abject failure.
However, it is also a rare insight into the mind of a pro-sports General Manager, and the philosophy by which he ran his organization. Hinkie drew inspiration and guidance from sources as diverse as other pro-sports leaders (including Belichick), finance and science. Though his team did not succeed, it was clearly not the result of a lack of planning or intelligence from the front office.
Hinkie's plan required enduring short-term sacrifice for eventual gain. And that probably cost him his job. But his final note to the ownership group was that the team was in better shape to face the future than when he started.
I read it and couldn't help reflecting on the B's, and the general uncertainty over the direction of the team. As you probably know, Don Sweeny worked at Philips Andover Academy prior to re-joining the team. I wonder how that experience (working in an institution with a longer history than the Bs, and one with very different measures of annual success) shaped his approach to the GM job? I suspect it led him to insights different from GMs who've been career hockey guys. I further hope that, as a good Haavahad boy, Sweeny's approach is no less intellectual - or considered - than Hinkie's.
I'm reluctant to give short-term scores or quick judgements to DS's job performance, as the product on the ice is only the tip of the proverbial 'berg. Ultimately, all I know is that this is an interesting time to be a fan... which does not necessarily mean a happy time.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading.
It is also 13 pages of relatively dense material, so a quick summary: the link leads to the resignation letter of Sam Hinkie, now-ex GM of the Phllly 76ers. Under Hinkie's leadership, the team won fewer than 20 games for 3 straight years, missing the playoffs each year. By all measures from a fan's perspective, the link above leads to the resignation letter of an abject failure.
However, it is also a rare insight into the mind of a pro-sports General Manager, and the philosophy by which he ran his organization. Hinkie drew inspiration and guidance from sources as diverse as other pro-sports leaders (including Belichick), finance and science. Though his team did not succeed, it was clearly not the result of a lack of planning or intelligence from the front office.
Hinkie's plan required enduring short-term sacrifice for eventual gain. And that probably cost him his job. But his final note to the ownership group was that the team was in better shape to face the future than when he started.
I read it and couldn't help reflecting on the B's, and the general uncertainty over the direction of the team. As you probably know, Don Sweeny worked at Philips Andover Academy prior to re-joining the team. I wonder how that experience (working in an institution with a longer history than the Bs, and one with very different measures of annual success) shaped his approach to the GM job? I suspect it led him to insights different from GMs who've been career hockey guys. I further hope that, as a good Haavahad boy, Sweeny's approach is no less intellectual - or considered - than Hinkie's.
I'm reluctant to give short-term scores or quick judgements to DS's job performance, as the product on the ice is only the tip of the proverbial 'berg. Ultimately, all I know is that this is an interesting time to be a fan... which does not necessarily mean a happy time.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading.
