Philadelphia 76ers: 2-man race for head coaching job
Has it become a two-man race for the Philadelphia 76ers head coaching vacancy?
After Brett Brown was released from his duties as the Philadelphia 76ers head coach, there have been several names connected to the team’s vacancy. However, it may have become a two-man race moving forward.
Villanova head coach Jay Wright was connected to the job early on in the process. Sadly, to the dismay of some fans, he’s since has taken his name out of the running for the position with the Sixers, per Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.
Former Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan also had been a candidate for the position. However, the Chicago Bulls have named him their next head coach, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Is it really down to two?
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That would leave Tyronn Lue and Mike D’Antoni. Both are going to interview for the position and both have strong resumes. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Lue, D’Antoni, and Donovan were on a shortlist candidate for the vacancy. With Donovan off the market, that only leaves D’Antoni and Lue.
Lue won a championship as both a player and a coach. He’s coached the best player in the world in LeBron James and is from the Doc Rivers coaching tree. D’Antoni has revolutionized the game with his offensive principles. He’s also had longterm success with both the Phoenix Suns and most recently the Houston Rockets.
Who the Sixers will choose is yet to be seen, but if rumors are true, then D’Atoni has the edge with 76ers ownership liking him in particular. However, fans of Lue shouldn’t give up hope. If general manager Elton Brand truly has final say then each candidate still has an equal chance.
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With Donovan out, it appears it’s a two-man competition for who becomes the Philadelphia 76ers next head coach, unless another person comes emerges as a serious candidate.