Two Recommended Reads With Different Views of The Process

First, because we need some positive reinforcement after people had a field day at the Sixers' expense on a rare national TV game, Ian Thomsen of NBA.com wrote about the Sixers' old school rebuild through the interior. It touches upon several other topics, including personal tragedy for Jahlil Okafor, how different he and Nerlens Noel are on the court, how similar they are off the court, and some sports science stuff as well.

It used to be the other way around. Power used to be more important than speed. The Sixers find themselves building their team the old way because the marketplace -- their ongoing search for the best value -- has led them to this strategy. Brown has no problem acknowledging that they are swimming against the current.

"I think it is relevant,'' Brown said of the NBA's preference for small ball. "But trends don't necessarily mean that's the correct path with respective teams. The path that Golden State went on catered to their strengths first. For me it always gets down to, how do you get your best players on the court? The trend we're talking about with small ball is true, but I don't see it being the answer, that it's the only way.''

You can, and should, read Thomsen's whole article here.

Second, because we need more Process critiques (not really, but all's fair in presenting both sides), Nylon Calculus editor Seth Partnow, writing for The Cauldron*, asserts that the Process is wholly logical but registers his disagreement with the execution. Partnow believes the Sixers should have something more tangible. He touches on the K.J. McDaniels trade, Michael Carter-Williams' lack of development, and more.

In many ways, this ambitious long-term effort is laudable. By removing all sentimentality and short-term pressure from the equation, Hinkie and Co. have created the closest thing to a scientific laboratory in which to construct a contender.

What hasn't happened is actually building much, so far. Much like the team's offense, good opportunities have arisen, but too few have been taken. Avoiding mistakes can itself be a mistake if it is used as rationale to avoid having to make tricky decisions. Though there were muffled chortles at the recent and sizable contract extensions given to Jeremy Lamb (Charlotte) and Terrence Ross (Toronto), is it really better to not have players upon whom such choices have to be made.

You can, and should, read Partnow's whole article here.

*They've got the formula down well. Sixers takes drive web traffic.