The Sixer Sense
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Potential Philadelphia 76ers Assistant Coach Candidates

By Bret Stuter

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Sam Mitchell looks on during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Sacramento Kings 105 to 97. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Sam Mitchell looks on during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Sacramento Kings 105 to 97. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

Sam Mitchell

Sam Mitchell is linked to Bryan Colangelo and the Toronto Raptors, the head coach who literally directed the team’s remarkable come from nowhere to win their conference with a 47-35 record. Mitchell has been filling coaching positions since 2002, when he began his coaching career with the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach. He was named the NBA Coach of the year on April 24, 2007 for his amazing hand at delivering the Atlanta Conference with the Toronto Raptors with a 47-35 season paired with then general manager Bryan Colangelo.

Mitchell was just relieved of coaching duties of the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he was serving in an interim capacity while head coach Flip Saunders had to take a leave of absence to battle Hodgekin’s disease, a battle Saunders would lose at the age of 60.

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Mitchell would be a strong candidate. His success in the NBA, particularly with young players and building turn around results, would be a tremendous aid to head coach Brett Brown in the upcoming season. He also has history with Bryan Colangelo, history that is both very positive in the year the Raptors won the conference, to very strained when he was fired in the 2008 season when the team fell to just 8-9.

His most recent role as interim head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves did not end well, as the Wolves failed to achieve .500 and ended the season at 29-53.  But the Timberwolves are a vey young team, and the similarities to their roster and what the 76ers will be looking at this season make his candidacy very intriguing.

Next: Sam Mitchell's Interview