There have been rumors circulating about Brett Brown’s future with the Philadelphia 76ers. Players were unanimous in their support.
More often than not, players will support a coach in public. It’s rare for anyone — even stars with untenable egos and clear motivations — to outright discredit a coach to the media. With that said, the Philadelphia 76ers‘ exit interviews were still telling.
As rumors circulate regarding Brett Brown’s future with the organization, multiple players were quick to offer support. It has been stated multiple times on this site that firing Brown would be a mistake. A serious miscalculation on the front office and ownership’s part.
If the Sixers were to fire Brown, it would most likely be a face-saving measure. It would symbolize and attempt to infuse change after another second-round loss. But equating this season’s second-round exit to last season’s would be borderline foolish. The Raptors are the better team and the Sixers were much closer, just a four-bounce buzzer-beater away from overtime in Game 7.
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There is more legitimacy behind blaming the Sixers’ loss on Elton Brand than Brett Brown. The Sixers’ roster was the biggest issue. In Game 7, the only negative plus/minuses on the roster were the Sixers’ three bench pieces. Greg Monroe, who filled the Sixers’ final roster spot, was a -9 in under two minutes.
On Toronto’s end, the only positive plus/minuses on the roster were Serge Ibaka and Fred VanVleet. The bench. Philadelphia was done in by a complete inability to sit the starters, if anything else. Embiid played 45 minutes and those three minutes without him felt akin to walking a tightrope.
Brown coached three interactions of the Sixers this season, still leading an imperfect and constantly-changing roster to 51 wins and a near-conference finals berth. He has maintained a thriving locker room culture through roster turnover and the inclusion of two new stars, one being the historically disruptive Jimmy Butler. He deserves tons of credit.
At exit interviews, several players jumped on the same boat — including Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler, the Sixers’ best player and the one who, from the outside, had the most contentious relationship with Brown.
Here’s what Embiid told the media when asked about the Brown rumors.
"“I just thought it was bulls–. He has done a fantastic job. I don’t think he should have anything to worry about. Amazing coach, better person, and obviously I got a lot of love for him. If there was someone to blame, put it all on me. I take it all, you can put this loss on me, you can put it all on me. Don’t just put it on the coach or anybody else…I love when you guys or anybody else talk shit, I see it all.” — via Kyle Neubeck"
And Butler.
"“(Our relationship) is constantly growing, that’s for sure…I think he realized how different of a human being I am. How I can be difficult at times, but I swear it’s from a good place…He has a huge heart. He’s a great, great dude that works incredibly hard…I think he’s gonna be here for a long time.” — via Derek"
For someone in Butler’s situation to back Brown so strongly should give the front office all it needs to keep Brown on board. Not only is Butler a potential free agent, but he was likely Brown’s most vocal critic in the locker room. That’s his nature. Brown’s heart and work ethic are very much evident.
As the Sixers move into an ominous summer, there needs to be one source of stability. One source of continuity. That should be Brett Brown.