December 07, 2015
If the Sixers’ front-office picture just became murkier with the announcement of Jerry Colangelo's hiring, it seems like the head coach can at least feel pretty safe about his place within the organization.
“We’re still committed to Brett and we’re in deep conversations about his contract,” Sixers co-managing owner Josh Harris said on Monday.
This was not a small announcement. Brown, who is currently in the third season of a four-year deal, has compiled a 38-148 record with a developing young roster that has been designed to lose and lose big (with the eventual hope that it can win and win big). The Sixers were blown out by Brown's former team, the San Antonio Spurs, by a score of 119-68 on Monday night.
Brown, who is handling the public relations aspect of his job about as well as one could reasonably expect, has been coaching in an almost unprecedented situation. The longer he went without a new contract, the more that speculation about his job security would naturally arise.
For now, though, it seems like Brown is in fact part of the Sixers’ future plans.
“We are in deep discussions with my own contract,” Brown said. “I have had amazing conversations with Josh Harris, David Blitzer, and Sam Hinkie about my own future. This is where I want to be.”
Brown has made no secret about his anticipation for the Sixers’ new practice facility across the river in Camden, a project that is scheduled to be finished in 2016. Along with the possible additions of Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, and other future draft picks, the team’s future still has the ever-positive Brown excited.
“Our world changes in a short period of time,” Brown said.
Will the Sixers’ philosophy also change in a short amount of time? With Carl Landry as the team’s only veteran, many critics of “The Process” routinely suggest that a few more experienced players could help both on and off the court.
According to Brown, the Sixers shouldn’t be as reliant on drafted (and undrafted) rookies and other young players in the near future.
“I think we’re going to explore the free-agent side of things a little more seriously,” Brown said. “We’ll look at veterans a little more seriously. And so all of those things are going to be addressed, but not to the point where we act recklessly and try to skip steps.”
Colangelo has experience competing against Brown, both from his time with Phoenix (when Brown was a Spurs assistant) and USA Basketball (when Brown was head coach of the Australian national team).
While the Sixers’ rebuild might have changed course on Monday, it appears that the coach who has been present for all of the recent losing has a future in Philly.
“I think he’s done a terrific job here considering the circumstances,” Colangelo said.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
