Colangelo says 76ers 'a lot closer than people think'

The 76ers released a video Tuesday afternoon that features chairman of basketball operations Jerry Colangelo delivering a message to the team's fans. He speaks with some pretty blunt language about his desire to help get the team going in the right direction, including an assertion that "if the stars are aligned and you have a little bit of luck, we could turn this thing around much faster, much quicker than people seem to believe it's going to take."

You can watch the video and read a transcript of Colangelo's remarks below. And because I know you're wondering, Colangelo is shown with general manager Sam Hinkie multiple times in the piece.

I'm a firm believer that basketball is the greatest team game ever invented. The excitement comes from knowing, with my experience, how players develop. Where are they going to be at 22 or 24 or 26? We have a bright, bright future. We're watching young players develop. We're anticipating a lot of good things to happen in the very near future. If the stars are aligned and you have a little bit of luck, we could turn this thing around much faster, much quicker than people seem to believe it's going to take.

When this opportunity presented itself, I saw it as a challenge. I saw it as someone who believed that I had something to offer the organization in the way of credibility, in the way of experience. And I was glad to come in and share and be part of something around.

And I believe this is a situation that is a lot closer than people think. If you treat people well, you give people room and the ability to make decisions, and you create a team effort - and it starts at the top, and it permeates throughout an organization - I think that's really the way you build a franchise.

I can't over-emphasize how important fan support is to a franchise. And I'm asking you to continue to support this franchise. It's very, very important for us at this critical time. A new step in our journey. The commitment is there, I can promise you that. I'll do everything in my power to help make this successful and as quick as possible without jeopardizing our future.

I have a personal request. I am saying to you: Don't give it up. There's one way to go, and that's up, and it's going to be fun building it.