Kevin Durant looks good in purple. He would look even better in red, white and blue.
Patrick Causey, on Twitter @PhillySportsJD
The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they have hired Todd Wright to be the Assistant Coach to Brett Brown, and the Head of Strength and Conditioning.
The Sixers press release stated:
“We feel fortunate to now call Todd Wright a Sixer,” said President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Sam Hinkie. “His reputation as a trainer of basketball players is second to none. His values and his ability to form genuine, lasting relationships with athletes to help them achieve their goals are both heavily aligned with our organization and with our player development in Philadelphia. When it became clear that the University of Texas was to make a change in their men’s basketball program, I booked a flight to Austin within 10 minutes.”
Prior to joining the Sixers, Wright was the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team for 14 seasons, during which time he supervised the development of 16 players selected in the NBA Draft, six All-Americans and two recipients of the prestigious Wooden Award as the national player of the year. During his 21 years at the collegiate level with the University of Texas and Clemson University, Wright participated in 19 NCAA tournaments, including 17 consecutive appearances between the two schools.
Wright is also a well-respected speaker in the field of strength and conditioning, having presented on the subject of “Vertical Core Training,” which he developed. Many of Wright’s unique training methodologies have been nationally recognized in numerous publications. He is also a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a Fellow of Applied Functional Science.
“Our additions of Dr. David T. Martin and Todd Wright are further evidence of our desire to be considered world class in the fields of sport science and athletic performance. Our players invest enormous amounts of time into their individual games and their bodies, and we hope to provide them every opportunity to become strong and resilient, to maximize their playing potential, and to lengthen their careers,” Hinkie said.
So why are you seeing this story plastered all over the interwebs right now? Because it is well documented that Wright is close to soon-to-be NBA free agent Kevin Durant. Yes, that Kevin Durant.
Wright was the strength and conditioning coach at the University of Texas, and was instrumental in bringing the highly sought after recruit to Texas according to multiple reports (check out here and here).
The two have remained close over the years. Even after Durant started playing in the NBA, he often went back to Texas to train with Coach Wright. From an interview with MensFitness.com:
"You have the option to train anywhere in the country during the offseason. Why return to campus and the 100-degree weather in Texas?
First off, I just like to be around the guys I came into college with. We built a bond together and are like brothers. I wouldn't choose any other place. Second, Coach Todd (Wright, UT's strength and conditioning coach for basketball) knows everything about my body. It's a chance to get stronger and more flexible."
It is unlikely that the Sixers signed Wright solely for the purpose of improving their odds at landing Durant, who will be a free agent next summer. Wright is renowned for his expertise in strength and conditioning, which the Sixers have placed a large emphasis on improving. However, given that Durant spent the majority of last year hurt, his connection with Wright is certianly an advantage the Sixers might look to exploit.
While it seems almost impossible to think of Durant actually considering the Sixers, it is important to remember that they have positioned themselves nicely heading into next offseason. Remember, the Sixers will have four future first round picks and the right to swap picks with the Sacramento Kings in 2016 and 2017, plus an additional first round pick from the Kings in 2018.
If Oklahoma City cannot resign Durant, they might look to do a sign and trade with someone, and given the Sixers assets, you cannot completely rule them out of the question. That is especially true since their young players will likely be starting to emerge, and they will be opening a state-of-the-art facility in Camden, New Jersey.
Look, I wouldn't go out and buy a #35 Sixers jersey just yet. The Sixers are still a long shot from landing a prized free agent like Durant. But it certainly isn't out of the realm of possibilities. And landing Wright just made it even more possible.
