Mar 19, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs head coach Larry Brown reacts against the UCLA Bruins during the first half in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Larry Brown wins coach of the year
It was never easy for Larry Brown and these 76ers. Before coming to Philadelphia he had a reputation of being a nomad coach, never staying with one team for too long before moving on to the next. Not only that, but while he was with a team, he loved to overturn the roster to fit his needs, alienating the front office and his players. Everyone knew that teams that he coached made almost immediate improvements, but for how long and at what cost?
And then the 2000-2001 season happened, and a switch was flipped.
That season was the perfect storm for Coach Brown and Philadelphia, as Brown won the Coach of the Year honors, Allen Iverson won MVP, Dikembe Mutombo won Defensive Player of the Year after coming to Philly from the Atlanta Hawks, Aaron McKie won the Sixth Man of the Year, and the Sixers made it all the way to the Finals. Coach Brown maximized the talent around Iverson, curating the perfect defensive-minded team around his lone offensive powerhouse. Despite having so much on-court success, the biggest thing that happened that season, where the foundation for his deserved COY award was borne from, was getting Iverson to buy into the team.
Until that season AI and Larry clashed constantly about everything, especially Iverson’s practice habits (or lack thereof), having the strict father-rebellious son dynamic between the two. Once the 2000-2001 season started, the coach and player put aside their differences and came together for one of the best seasons the Sixers have ever experienced. Beyond that special season, Brown and Iverson’s close relationship goes on to this day, with both praising each other long after they left the team.
Next: Eastern Conference Finals Game 7