Philadelphia 76ers: Winning Game 7 "important" for Brett Brown

Brett Brown’s future might depend on the Philadelphia 76ers’ ability to win Game 7 in Toronto.

The Philadelphia 76ers will face the Toronto Raptors in Game 7 Sunday night, the winner moving on to battle Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference Finals. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the pressure might reside on Brett Brown’s shoulders.

In a recent appearance on Get Up!, Woj said the following about Brown’s job security in the event Philadelphia is eliminated:

"“I think in the immediacy Brett Brown may have some problems in Philadelphia. He signed a new four-year extension at the end of last season … but that won’t protect him if they decide to make a change. I think getting out of this round will be important for him.” — Get Up!, via ESPN"

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There has been speculation regarding Brown’s job future for quite some time now, but to have it extended this far is surprising. Brown out-coached Kenny Atkinson in round one — a popular up-and-comer in the head coaching ranks — and has done the same to Nick Nurse for most of round two.

Brown has shown an increased willingness to adjust this postseason, with that additional flexibility stemming from the presence of Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris. Unlike the 2018 playoffs, the Sixers have viable halfcourt creators outside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. That helps quite a bit.

The Sixers were heavy underdogs coming into the Toronto series and, to some, have already exceeded expectations. My personal prediction was Raptors in six, and even I had some moderate concerns about Philadelphia holding up against elite-level competition.

Brown has cycled through three different teams this season. He began the year starting Robert Covington and Dario Saric, with few notable upgrades over last season. Then the Jimmy Butler trade brought sweeping changes. Then the Tobias Harris trade did the same.

Elton Brand has given Brown the talent to compete and it’s happening. But, more often than not, teams also need time to compete. If the Sixers can re-sign Butler and Harris this summer, one would expect a far more cohesive group next season. An offseason of training and practice can work wonders.

Even if the Sixers drop Game 7 on Sunday, Brown should be locked into his job next year. The Sixers signed him to a four-year extension last summer and there’s no argument for taking extreme measures to cut that deal short. Not after another 50-win season and a competitive postseason stint.

Next. 3 keys to winning Game 7 on the road vs. Raptors. dark

Brett has done a tremendous job building and maintaining a locker room culture throughout the Process years. That has all culminated in this moment, with the Sixers adding star power, making it work, and attempting to win a championship. The Sixers have been patient with Brown for years. That patience shouldn’t run out now.

Philadelphia 76ers: Winning Game 7 is “important” for Brett Brown

By Christopher Kline | May 10, 2019

Brett Brown’s future might depend on the Philadelphia 76ers’ ability to win Game 7 in Toronto.