Time for the Philadelphia 76ers to graduate from kindergarten to first grade. To do so, it may be time for the team to consider parting ways with head coach Brett Brown.
The Philadelphia 76ers have had a run of poor seasons for the past three years. But it’s not by accident. You see, the team has been set up for failure since the arrival of head coach Brett Brown.
Understandably, this “process” had more to do with the roster decisions made by the front office than it did with Brett Brown and his coaching staff. No one can deny that Brown was given the worst ingredients in the kitchen. From the raw, inexpensive and inexperienced players, he was expected to make the greatest meal for one of the greatest basketball cities ever. Ever try making banana bread out of green bananas?
If you haven’t, don’t.
Through these excruciating four seasons of Brown’s tenure as head coach, the team is 53-219 out of 272 games. That’s a 19.5 winning percentage, the worst in NBA history among head coaches with a minimum of 200 games.
They have also drafted/traded for five lottery picks since then: Ben Simmons in 2016 (#1), Jahlil Okafor in 2015 (#3), Joel Embiid in 2014 (#3), Nerlens Noel in 2013 (#6 from New Orleans Pelicans), and Michael Carter-Williams (MCW) in 2013 as well (#11).
One can be argue that MCW has been the best pick they’ve made in Brown’s tenure, given his production and numbers in his rookie year.
“The Process” Master Sam Hinkie | Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Bye Hinkie Hello Bryan
Bryan Colangelo, Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations, could put Brown out of his misery and let him go after this season.
Even though Brown signed a contract extension this time last year, it was with the “The Process” master, Sam Hinke’s regime. Contracts can be ripped easily when it comes to the urgency of providing a winning culture (see Jeff Fisher).
Brown has been a wonderful teacher to the young toddlers the Sixers have acquired in recent years. He has done the best job possible to coach up/develop/mature the team. The confidence he earned from both Jerry and Bryan Colangelo proves that no one could ask him to do a better job.
But it is time for these toddlers to graduate from kindergarten and move on to grade school. In order to do that, Brett Brown may be less effective in doing so. Much of Brown’s focus and persona to these rookies through junior NBA veterans has been coaching them up to ignore the pain of losing. Now the team needs a coach that makes losing so unbearable that players break the cycle to avoid the agony of an unhappy coach. Can Brown, the guy who has built up each prospect from their first arrival to the NBA be that agonizing nagging guy?
Likely no.
There are a few coaching options Philly’s front office could look into next season.
Nov 4, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Charlotte Hornets associate head coach Patrick Ewing in the first quarter against Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing has been sitting on the sidelines for quite some time. The 54-year-old Knicks’ Hall of Famer has served as an assistant coach for three teams since he retired in 2002 (Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic) and currently serves as the Charlotte Hornets associate head coach since 2013.
By most accounts, he is long overdue for a shot at being a head coach.
Ewing was a true center in his day, dominating the paint and causing havoc on the defensive end.
He is the Knicks’ all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals.
He is also an icon.
His NBA presence and legacy are such that the young Sixers big men like Embiid, Okafor, and Noel can learn from both defensively and offensively. Footwork around the rim seems to be an issue for all of them. Some of that challenge can be attributed to injury and inexperience. Still, a few seasons mentored by the HOF big man would definitely improve their contributions in the post: whether that be through scoring, defending, or rebounding.
Jan 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson and current ESPN commentator smiles before the start of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Mark Jackson
Another former player, Mark Jackson’s tenure as a first-time head coach for the Golden State Warriors was seen as the turning point for the franchise.
He instilled defensive schemes that saw the Warriors morph into the three-and-D team we know them to be today. The Warriors players also displayed a sense of passion and fight for Jackson that became contagious, creating a family atmosphere that still seems evident today with Jackson as a color announcer for ESPN.
Jackson would bring a blue collared, little nonsense attitude to a young team that must remain focused and dedicated to growing into a contender one day. Jackson himself was a hard worker in the NBA, playing for seven teams, winning Rookie of the Year in 1988, going to the All-Star game in 1989 and leading the lead in assists in 1997.
Two players that could benefit from Jackson’s hire would be T.J. McConnell and Ben Simmons. McConnell on the court already has a blue collared mentality to get the job done, showing great defensive spurts and an acute passing ability for a player only averaging 19 minutes per game. Simmons would be nurtured right into the point guard position, with Jackson emphasizing on Simmons’ length and height to defend smaller guards and take advantage of them in the post, something Jackson was good at in his playing days.
Oct 30, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash during his induction into the Suns Ring of Honor speech during half time at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Steve Nash
Continuing with the trend of former NBA players, Steve Nash would be a nice addition as head coach if the Sixers decided to look into him coaching following a Brown exit. Nash, a future HOF, 2-time league MVP, 5-time NBA assists leader, and 8-time All-Star, can certainly change the culture around the team.
As a true point guard, Nash always knew where his teammates were and always put them in the position to succeed. This can be attributed to Nash’s understanding of spacing, something that the Sixers will need to emphasize going forward.
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nash also has history with Bryan Colangelo. Colangelo was the general manager for the Phoenix Suns for 11 seasons. During his tenure there, he traded for Steve Nash from the Dallas Mavericks and would go on to make front office moves that would see the Suns turn into an offensive juggernaut, led by Nash. Nash would go on to win two consecutive MVP honors in 2004 and 2005 while Colangelo won 2005 Executive of the Year.
Dec 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers great Allen Iverson is presented a jacket by Julius Dr. J Erving during a ceremony for his induction to the hall of fame during halftime against the Los Angeles Lakers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Who Do You Like To Coach This Team Going Forward?
Brett Brown did nothing to deserve the atrocious record he has racked up as the Sixers head coach. He coached the team with passion.
Unfortunately, he was given teenagers to turn into stars. As a result, sub-mediocrity has made its home in Philadelphia. This city is all too familiar with an NBA winning culture, the likes of which both Julius Irving and Allen Iverson brought to the court night in and night out.
Speaking of Allen Iverson, it would be interesting to see if A.I. could get a player development position on the Sixers coaching staff. Similar to the role of Elton Brand for the front court, Iverson’s well storied career would be instrumental in infusing wisdom into the team’s rookie gaurds: both today and tomorrow.
Young players on the roster watched him growing up and they know how important he was on the court and how important he still is to the city. His “no days off” mentality could rub the team the right way and rev the engine for a winning culture in Philly.
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