With Embiid, Brett Brown is using old knowledge and a new approach

By Christopher Kline | Nov 23, 2017

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in front of Royce O'Neale #23, Donovan Mitchell #45, Derrick Favors #15, and Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz after making a basket and getting fouled in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on November 20, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Jazz 107-86. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Brett Brown had experience with transcendent big men, but the Philadelphia 76ers gave him an entirely different animal in Joel Embiid.

Gregg Popovich has arguably the most impressive coaching tree in the NBA, with names like Steve Kerr and Mike Budenholzer all gaining some form of knowledge under his tutledge. Another one of those names in Brett Brown, who has spent the last five years trudging through the most overt rebuilding process in the NBA.

While constant losing wasn’t Brown’s fault, it did lead many to question his ability. He had them fighting hard — which always gained praise locally — but never had the credentials to stand alongside the indutry’s elite.

Now that’s changing. The Philadelphia 76ers have talent, and are beginning to make their presence known in an Eastern Conference that has a wide-open playoffs window. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons have been the driving force behind their ascension, with the former quickly becoming the franchise’s most noteworthy name since Allen Iverson.

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Embiid is an anomaly, thriving underneath in a league that’s trending towards the perimeter. He’s a 7-foot-2 mountain who can overpower virtually anyone underneath, but has enough versatility to fit into the pace-and-space ideals of today’s game.

Even with some struggles this season, Embiid has reaffirmed the fact that he’s a transcendent talent. He’s also the best big man Brett Brown has dealt with in a long time — since he was an assistant under Gregg Popovich during the Tim Duncan era.

Having experience with a player like Duncan is an obvious advantage for anyone, but it gives Brown a special understanding of how to deal with Embiid. He knows his ways around elite post players, and that likely plays a role in how sets up his offense.

One thing that differs between Embiid and Duncan, though, is their personality. While Duncan was a quiet, go-about-his-business kind of player, Embiid is out there. He’s on social media daily, clowns opposing centers and does everything in his power to hype up those around him.

He’s an internet jewel, and that’s in stark opposition to everything that Tim Duncan was during his time in the league. That’s not inherently good, nor is it inherently bad. They’re just different people.

Brown had this to say about Embiid and managing his actions, according to The Athletic:

"“Somewhere the juggling act meets. I’ll go back to the first half of the Golden State game. I hope the fans enjoy watching this team play. They pass the hell out of it, they coexist just well. There’s a little bit of chest-thumping from time to time and Joel will send out a tweet to keep us all on point. And life moves on, and I don’t think any of that crosses the line of lack of discipline or respect for our sport.”"

That, of course, forces Brett Brown to deal with Joel differently. He has to temper Embiid’s expectations when it comes to minutes restrictions, while also making sure his personality doesn’t get the best of him in critical situations.

Next: Who's better, Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons?

It’s an odd paradox for someone who has seen a lot of talent in his NBA career — and one Brown seems to be handling well.