Philadelphia 76ers Brain Trust
By Bret Stuter
Brett Brown
He is many things to this team, but perhaps the most important role head coach Brett Brown plays for the Philadelphia 76ers is lynch pin. You see, he holds it all together. 15 players, support staff, team vision, executives, analytics, discipline, motivator. He’s a one man show. He too has something to say about this team. But his is the voice of tactician. He tells the dealers what he needs on this team to make it work, and the front office deals to bring that player skillset to him.
For example, so much is being made about the impact point guard Ish Smith. But emerging as a true NBA talent is the play of point guard T.J. McConnell. His performace this year has only become better under the watchful eye of Smith. How does Brown see McConnell?
#Sixers Brown: McConnell 'is a Marine. He's so tough.'
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) February 2, 2016
On the topic of players who make positive contributions but who are not playing the most minutes right now, power forward Elton Brand was brought to the Sixers to assist the younger big players. Is Brown upset that one of his roster positions is, in essence, a counselor for other players?
#Sixers Brown: Brand 'doesn't need to get into a game to provide us with tremendous value.'
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) February 2, 2016
How is Brown’s relationship with Jerry Colangelo?
#Sixers Brown: 'Jerry is not lacking passion or energy.'
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) February 2, 2016
What does Brown feel is the most important need with the Sixers right now going forward?
#Sixers Brown on Hinkie saying he looks 5 years ahead: 'I think you need as many 2-way players as you can.'
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) February 2, 2016
So the team has three voices accounted for, but the fourth is both the most recent and the toughest to pin down. Brett Brown asked Jerry Colangelo to name his assistant head coach, and D’Antoni was happy to reunite with Colangelo in Philly. What about Mikey?
Next: D'Antoni