Sixers: Ben Simmons' injury may be final blow for Brett Brown

Philadelphia 76ers: Is Ben Simmons’ injury the final blow for Brett Brown?

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 03: Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Ben Simmons #25 in the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 3, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

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Ben Simmons, Sixers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Do not absolve Sixers ownership for failure

Even at full strength with Ben Simmons in the bubble, the Sixers would have been hard-pressed to get through the likes of the Toronto Raptors, the Boston Celtics, and even the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers to get to the Conference Finals.

Without Simmons, though, if Sixers ownership wants Brown gone, this misfortune may give them the intestinal fortitude to finally make a tough call.

After all, this is the same ownership group that didn’t have the spine to fire Sam Hinkie, but instead made insidious moves around him to marginalize him and nudge him out the door, hoping he would get sick of the growing untenable situation instead of just pulling the trigger themselves.

It’s the same ownership group that was going to cut salaries for team employees during a pandemic until 10 minutes of mean tweets on the internet made them publicly change their minds.

So, Brett Brown may well be on his last legs as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. We may never know if it’s his fault that the Sixers won’t achieve their ultimate goal, but there’s no doubt that it’s not ALL his fault.

Unfortunately, he’ll probably be the only one in the organization to fall on the sword because “fair” is simply not part of the equation.

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