When the Philadelphia 76ers selected Ben Simmons with the first pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, the team not only ensured itself elite talent, but an insurance policy for head coach Brett Brown’s long term employment with team
Ben Simmons, the top prospect of the 2016 NBA Draft, is the son of David and Julie Simmons. Since being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, he plays for head coach Brett Brown. Coincidentally, his father also played for Brown, helping the Australian team, the Melbourne Tigers, win a championship:
"“This is the real story behind it. Ben Simmons is the son of someone I coached for four years,” Brown said. “I was his dad’s assistant coach when I was with the Melbourne Tigers and his mom was the head cheerleader and then here comes Ben Simmons. David Simmons was from Harlem, New York. He could have been a linebacker, (or Simmons) could have been a prize fighter. (But David Simmons) was a basketball player more out of athleticism and girth than he was out of finesse and skill. He was a tough, tough 6-8 and hard like an Anthony Mason-type player. His son is finesse and a 3, 1, 4. Really different.” – Brett Brown as interviewed by CSNPhill.com’s John Finger"
Like Father, Like Son
And so, Brett Brown knew his father. But that relationship would provide more than just give Brown a fresh topic in an interview. It signified the fact that Brett Brown had incredible and detailed insight into the young man behind the box score.
Air Alamo
The 2016 NBA Draft came down to two choices at the number one pick. Knowing the intimate details of Ben Simmons life, background, competitiveness, basketball IQ, and family support made it a one choice draft for the Philadelphia 76ers.
"Bryan did a good job last night, it was a safe draft, we didnt do anything reckless" #Sixers Brett Brown on #NBADraft & Bryan Colangelo
— 97.3 ESPN FM (@973espn) June 24, 2016
In the end, the coach of the father became the coach of the son. And that in itself benefits both. The development of Ben Simmons varied skills in basketball could not be in more trusted hands than that of Brown and the Philadelphia 76ers. In fact, the team has prepared for a player of Simmons caliber for three years, building a state-of-the-art training facility in Camden NJ to house an infrastructure of advanced basketball analytics, sports medicine, and player support functions unequaled in the NBA.
Insurance Policy
As the top pick of an NBA Draft, Ben Simmons arrived with a voice that will be heard by the team’s executives. Unfortunately, he may need to speak up on behalf of head coach Brett Brown in the near future.
More from The Sixer Sense
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Sixers Podcast: Danny Green returns + James Harden bombshell
In his stint with the Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo fired popular head coach Sam Mitchell, and promoted him with Canadian-Born Jay Triano. In the move, the Raptors hoped to reverse an early season slide after appearing in the playoffs the previous season. The Raptors would not make the playoffs again during Colangelo’s reign.
It is only a matter of time before Colangelo’s alarm clock goes off in Philadelphia, and Jerry Colangelo’s son may not believe the team is on track to be “very competitive in three years”. Should that happen, there will only be one hurdle in the way of sending Brown off.
His relationship with Ben Simmons.
It’s just one more complexity of this team. Brown has an incredible stake at risk to get Simmons NBA-ready as quickly as possible. But Simmons has an equally incredible stake to produce for his father’s head coach.
Next: 2017 NBA Draft Simulations Make Philadelphia 76ers Look Good
There is no current reason to suspect head coach Brett Brown is on a hot seat. But if that rumor ever begins to gain traction, Brown has an ace up his sleeve. His name is Ben Simmons.