Doug Collins to Exit Sixers
Added on Apr 15, 2013 by Scott in
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A disastrous season marred by one of the NBA’s biggest bungled trades is enough for Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doug Collins to step down, according to reports. Collins guided the team to two consecutive playoff appearances, highlighted by an opening round upset of the Bulls (minus Derrick Rose) last year. However, the decision to reshape the franchise by acquiring Andrew Bynum proved too costly a mistake for Collins to remain on the bench.
With rising star Jrue Holiday manning the point, the addition of All-Star center Bynum was supposed to elevate the Sixers in the Eastern Conference. But Bynum’s ailing knees never responded to treatment, causing him to miss the entire 2012-13 campaign.
Collins defense first philosophy kept the Sixers competitive for the first month and a half of the season, but a lack of offensive skill and size on the block sent them tumbling down the standings by mid January. Philly currently ranks dead last in scoring and 20th in rebounding.
An injury to Jason Richardson, the other addition in the Bynum deal, and poor efforts from new arrivals Nick Young and Dorell Wright put increased pressure on Collins to paste together a competent lineup on a nightly basis. Toss in 2010 number two overall pick Evan Turner’s wildly inconsistent play, and the building blocks of a disappointing season were in place.
Collins could stay with the franchise in a front office or advisory capacity if he so chooses. Or he might return to the broadcast booth where he received acclaim as an analyst. He’s still a solid coach and excellent teacher of fundamentals, but a series of draft and trade blunders will set the franchise back for years.
Only a portion of the blame for the team’s woes can be placed at Collins’ feet. He obviously signed off on Bynum, but president Rod Thorn and new ownership appeared to be the driving forces behind the gamble. Where the Sixers go from here remains a question mark. Although, not having Collins on the sidelines won’t make the journey any easier.
Source: ESPN.com
