Push the Plunger

By John McMullen
The Phanatic Magazine

Ed Snider finally awoke from his self-induced basketball haze, retrieved the detonator from the basement and pushed the plunger on Billy King, sending the game’s worst general manager to the unemployment line.

It’s no coincidence that the Sixers have shown signs of life and are about to win their fourth straight game when they dispose of the woeful Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night.

B.K. was dragging down the entire organization with his ineptitude and Philly native Ed Stefanski brought a breath of fresh air when he made the trek down the turnpike.

Let’s not overstate things, the Sixers have not turned any corners. There are too many flawed basketball players on the roster that take up far too many minutes.

But, it’s clear -- change has brought new life to the franchise.

Jeffrey Lurie and Joe Banner should be taking a hard look at that.

It’s hard to compare Andy Reid to King, given Big Red’s undeniable success in this town. In fact, it’s impossible...Andy Reid was very good at his job and the former Sixers president was an embarrassment at his.

That said, Lurie and Banner should be on the phone with Snider, asking to borrow that detonator....It’s time to blow up the Eagles.

Every coach and general manager, no matter how good they are, has a shelf live. The expiration date on Reid probably ran out during the T.O. fiasco...He couldn’t have handled that situation any worse from start to finish.

But, I’ll be the first to admit, Reid deserved the benefit of the doubt. That benefit has run its course.

I often snicker when fans play scout and rave about the "talent" of pedestrian players like Jamaal Jackson, Todd Herremans, Reggie Brown, Sheldon Brown, Chris Gocong or Omar Gaither. But, fans are fans...when the head coach and top personnel guy hangs his hat on players like that, it’s time to ask what's going on.

Whether Reid’s problems stem from his well-publicized family mess, his legendary arrogance or his refusal to adapt can be debated.

And I'm sure it will...but, when Lurie and Banner are through talking, there is only one solution...

Push the plunger.