Philadelphia 76er fans were sold on a vision in 2013 that centered around patience in the short-term in order to reap the benefits in the long-term. Talk to any die-hard fan, and we all whole-heartedly bought into what eventually became known as The Process. Under the guidance of Sam Hinkie, our team was stripped down for the sake of draft picks, salary cap flexibility, and playing time for young, developing talent. We fell in love from the very first draft day trade and it continued through every second-round pick that we acquired. 

We watched some of the worst-assembled teams in the NBA on a daily basis with the promise that no short-cuts were being taken and that the only goal was winning championships. Then when fans, most of whom were not even 76er fans, and media reporters with vendettas against a tight-lipped GM, started attacking The Process, an unfortunate short-cut was taken. Jerry Colangelo was hired by your ownership group. This was the first sign that our trust in you was misplaced, but we kept supporting the team with assurances that Mr. Colangelo was simply there to advise Mr. Hinkie. Now with the catastrophic resignation of the face of The Process, we are left with an embarrassing fallout and an even more disturbing display of disingenuousness from the ownership group and the remaining and incoming front office.  

From everything that is being reported in the media, it is apparent that an outsider, set on taking the easiest way to power, hijacked the product of three years of diligent work that knew no short-cuts. Through his no stone left unturned roster turnover looking for those diamonds in the rough that he had a knack for finding (e.g. Jerami Grant, Richaun Holmes, and Robert Covington), it was apparent Mr. Hinkie had a wonderful vision he was carrying out. This vision that all of us argued on a daily basis with other NBA fans. The vision that gave us hope that one day we would be celebrating an NBA championship. On the cusp of Mr. Hinkie landing the plane, to have that taken away from both him and us is shameful.

Certainly one can argue that after 3 years, progress has not necessarily been made if you only look at the win column. However, every move that Mr. Hinkie made maximized the ability to acquire superstar talent. Starting with the moves that are often criticized: Even if Joel Embiid never plays a game in the NBA, that was the right move given the circumstances at the time. The expected value of Joel Embiid was assuredly higher than Aaron Gordon or Dante Exum. The fact that it did not work out should not take away from the sound decision making that went behind his selection. This same rationale is applicable to the Andrew Bynum trade (that you, but not Mr. Hinkie, preceded over) given that his physical indicated nothing permanent and degenerative with his knees.

Looking at the moves that did work out indicate a level of basketball genius. Take a look at the fleecing of the Kings or the amazing return on the Michael-Carter Williams trade. They are long-term moves that further solidify the progress towards acquiring superstar level players. Not all of these moves will work, and the recognition of this is the beauty of it. We have so many chances in the present and future to acquire a superstar because of Mr. Hinkie's vision and built in "intellectual humility." That is why we are baffled and upset at the need to marginalize his power.

There is legitimate disgust in the fan base about the inner workings of how this series of events transpired. We do not see it as a coincidence that a little less than two months away from the draft lottery that could potentially have solidified Mr. Hinkie's plan, Jerry Colangelo was angling for someone with "more interpersonal skills." Hinkie had bad relationships around the league? Then how was he able to make so many trades? Furthermore, money talks, as I am sure you know, and I'm certain given our outstanding financial situation, we would have been able to lure some free agents. It's clear to all of us that Mr. Colangelo realized that time was ticking for him to make his power play and he did it. You, the ownership group, enabled him. 

The blatant display of nepotism only compounds the mistake of hiring someone to supersede Mr. Hinkie's authority. Bryan Colagenlo is universally being panned as a horrible hire. Nobody can rationally explain how he was offered the job. Why in the world would it be a good idea to hire the man who signed Hedo Turkoglu to a 5 year/$53 million contract and Landry Fields to a 4 year/$20 million contract (I could go on)? It is obvious, considering Danny Ferry was a far superior candidate, that Bryan Colangelo is being offered the job because his father has carried out a coup d'etat.

To put the cherry on top, we heave to hear from media sources that Bryan Colangelo had to be convinced to take the job because he wanted the Nets job instead. Yes, the same Nets that have an embarrassing void of future prospects due to poor trades and roster construction. Not any of us believe that to be true for a second, and we all realize that is a lame attempt to cover up the nepotism that Jerry Colangelo has introduced into our beloved franchise. 

Fans that stood by through the Andrew Bynum debacle and embraced The Process are irate at the underhanded manipulations of Jerry Colangelo and are furious that an ownership group, that promised us no shortcuts and an innovative approach to winning championships, enabled it. It's a sickening concept that Bryan Colangelo is going to waste all of the assets and flexibility that Mr. Hinkie so painstakingly acquired over the last 3 years. However, the greater wrong here is the lack of principal and loyalty in all that has transpired. 

With that said, out of respect for the promises that were made to the fan base that has stood loyally by the team over your entire tenure, we respectfully ask that the Colangelos are removed from any affiliation with the team and that all efforts are made to restore Mr. Hinkie to his previous role.