In a summer that has seen a record 12 head-coaching changes in the NBA, the 76ers and Celtics are now the sole two teams that have yet to fill that vacancy. New 76ers general manager, Sam Hinkie, has expressed to various sources that he will be taking his time with this coaching decision, and a decision is not likely to be made until after the 76ers conclude their summer league in Orlando next month.
With that being said, the 76ers have reached out and gained permission from the San Antonio Spurs to interview their assistant coach, Brett Brown. Brown has been an assistant coach under future Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich for the past seven seasons and, before that, he spent five years as the Spurs' Director of Player Development. Brown has already been looked at by an NBA team this off-season, as the Nuggets were apparently seriously considering Brown for their head coaching job. However, the Nuggets hired Brian Shaw today, and therefore Brown is still available.
If the reports are true about the Nuggets falling in love with Brown in their interview with him, I can see why. Not only has he been shadowing one of the league's premier coaches for over a decade, he has head coaching experience of his own, and on quite a big stage. Prior to his work with the Spurs, Brown spent 14 seasons coaching overseas in the Australian National Basketball League. He found great success in Australia and, in 2009, Brown was named head coach of the Australian National Team, leading them to great success and a bid to the 2012 Olympics.
Along with his coaching experience, I like Brown's fit as a developmental coach. Every coach that the Sixers have shown interest in is known to have had success in the past with developing players. Brown is no different. He helped develop the skills of superstar point guard Tony Parker when Parker was still a young, raw talent. If the Sixers give Brown the nod, they will look for him to have similar success in developing the game of Jrue Holiday.
There is no known date or time for the interview, but Sixerdelphia will keep you posted on the latest!
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