Scott O'Neil Defends Josh Harris, Explains Why Sixers Season Was A Success
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - After finishing the season 19-63, the second worst record in the NBA, Sixers owner Joshua Harris called the season a "huge success." Some fans and radio show hosts, particular WIP Morning Show's Angelo Cataldi, took exception to that comment.
Sixers CEO, Scott O'Neil, joined Cataldi on his show on Tuesday morning and defended Harris' comments.
"He [Sam Hinkie] got us two lottery picks in the deepest draft in NBA history, O'Neil explained to Cataldi. "Michael Carter-Williams, rookie of the year, at pick number 11. Would have signed up for a rookie of the year at pick number 11? How about the trade for Holiday to get us Nerlens [Noel] and a lottery pick this year? How about getting Brett Brown as a coach? That's the GM's job. Pick players and get us the right coach."
O'Neil explains this is a long process and the Sixers accomplished what they wanted to in only year number one.
"There's no shortcuts to success," O'Neil said. "There are none. I wish there were. I will tell you this, the huge success is preparing this organization for success. Any organization in the history of the world, sports or otherwise, you have to have a long term plan. You have to have a strategic plan and no matter how difficult it gets, you have to stick to it. And so, you're evaluating this one year -- we are -- as do we accomplish what we wanted to accomplish? Did we establish a new culture? Do we have the right coach? Yes and yes."
O'Neil and the Sixers are looking at the future, not the past.
"We are so far looking forward," O'Neil said. "I know you want to look back, I don't. I want to look forward. I want to look at two lottery picks and five seconds. That's what I want to look at."