Chuck's State of the Sixers: Just Turrible!

Sir Charles is known in Philly and quite frankly around the country as a man who speaks his mind. Well this week the Round Mound said something “turrible” and downright stupid about his former team the 76ers. Despite a tough loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last night, 99-94 where the Sixers led by 16 entering the fourth, the Sixers have won 13 of the last 17 at home and currently sit in the 8th spot of the Eastern Conference. Your Round highness had this to say about his former team.

 “Why is Doug Collins trying to win games? That’s stupid. They should develop the young guys and try to get a better draft pick.”

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Probably a sentiment that most if not all Sixer fans would have agreed with at the beginning of the season but it seems as if Barkley has not been following the Sixers very closely this year. Correct me if I’m wrong but shouldn’t that be part of his job description? The Sixers have been rejuvenated by their new leader/teacher Doug Collins. Showing flashes of a team that has proven it can be a playoff team and hopefully accomplish more within the next few years granted they fill a few key holes, most notably a legitimate low post threat.

Charles is obviously looking at a team that realistically will not compete for a title in the next 2-3 years but to suggest that they should just lay down to develop the young guys is absurd. I believe that teaching this young core group of players how to win is more important than getting another lottery pick. The Sixers have been too accustomed to losing over the last six years and it’s about time they learn how it feels to actually be competitive and win games. Collins has taken this team under his tutelage and is teaching them how to play complete, competitive games. Albeit the bumps on the road are still clearly visible as apparent with their 4th quarter collapse last night. One thing for certain is that Collins will continue to educate and improve this team and lying down will not be in the game plan.

Barkley’s turrible rant didn’t end with his wonderment of why the Sixers would even try to win. Barkley also had this to say. “Doug’s a great coach. Don’t get me wrong. But sometimes coaches get carried away with their own egos. But in a situation like this, it’s not about them.”

Well thank you again Sir Charles. Not only did you completely bash your former team for their improvements this year but you went as far as bashing their new head coach who has turned this adapted to losing squad into a team worth watching. Doug Collins is the furthest thing from egotistical; I believe Barkley needs to look in the mirror on this one. Keep doing your thing Coach because Philly has seen the impressive change in our basketball team regardless of what the critics have to say.


Steve Glick
BrotherlyLoveNation.com Writer