In the lead up to the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown gave some insight into the 2016-17 season.
In the lead up to the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown outlined his thoughts on the 2016-17 season and of course, the upcoming draft.
Brown spoke with Brian Steltzer recently on Sixers.com, and was his usual upbeat self when both reflecting and looking ahead. To kick things off, Steltzer quizzed Brown on what he was most proud of with his Sixers team this season:
"“That they fought…we experienced many different lineups, dealt with injury…the team played with a spirit and a tenacity that I hope the city is proud of.”"
The subject was then shifted to covering several players on the Sixers’ roster.
Joel Embiid
Brown was beaming when speaking of Embiid, whom he referred to as “the crown jewel.” He further added:
"“In 31 games, we all had a chance to see something that is beyond talented, beyond exciting for this city and our organization…the exciting part for me that he has only scratched the surface of what he can do. He’s incredibly gifted intellectually as it relates to basketball. He has no right to see or think the game at the level that I think he does.”"
Dario Saric
"“He has sort of exemplified the toughness and development that we base our program on.”"
"“He’s now recognized as an elite NBA wing defender – by metrics, by the smart opinions of people around the league…I see him as a legitimate two-way player.”"
"“He’s a survivor, he came out of nowhere, made our roster, circumstances happened and he became our starting point guard…he reflected the true spirit of the city of Philadelphia….I have a lot of time for his grit and a lot of time for his toughness.”"
This followed up with a general query as to what would now transpire in the Sixers’ practice facility over the summer. Brown stated:
"“Just a real refinement of people’s games. It’ll encompass on-court work, it’ll encompass off court work in a strength and condition type atmosphere…there’s a combination of culture, a combination of work, there’s a combination of family that I think this building’s going to have a footprint really reflecting those values.”"
And finally, there was the subject of the upcoming draft, keeping in mind the envious position the Sixers could find themselves in following the NBA Draft Lottery on May 16.
After stating he had not had the chance to view any college action throughout the course of the season, Brown noted:
"“The excitement part of studying draft picks is where I can pay attention to mock drafts, and the people that we are going to have a chance at selecting…you bring people in front of you and you sit and talk to them. The single most important factor is – can you coach them, what’s your gut feel?”"
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Regardless of the outcome of the draft lottery and the draft itself, all Sixers’ fans should be comforted in the knowledge that Brown’s passion and attention to detail can never be questioned.