Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia 76ers are waiting for San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Brett Brown to sign a contract as their next head coach. The addition of Brown could mean the Sixers might become the Eastern Conference version of the Spurs.
Brown spent a good amount of time under Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich’s system, winning multiple titles with the Spurs. The Sixers are in rebuilding mode, so they can either draft Lebron James 2.0, also known as Andrew Wiggins, or they can look to attract a marquee free agent like James.
The Sixers will probably be a team who will struggle to make the playoffs this season. Signing Brown puts the Sixers in a good position.
Drafting Nerlens Noel is also a good pick-up. If he manages to stay healthy and plays like he did at college, the Sixers will have a Tim Duncan-like presence. Brown can utilize Noel and build the roster around him, adding pieces similar to what the Spurs have.
They also have a versatile and consistent small forward in Thaddeus Young. Young has been the most consistent member of the Sixers, and he can play defense. He can play both forward positions, allowing the Sixers to focus on their weakness, the backcourt. Brown can use Young and Noel as their frontcourt presence. All they need is Manu Ginobilli and Tony Parker-type players to build around big man Noel.
Draft pick Michael Carter Williams is the only solid option in the backcourt for the Sixers. He is a project and will take time to develop after struggling in the Summer League. If he does play to his potential, he can add scoring and outside shooting to a team in need of a scorer.
The rest of the team is expendable, but hiring Brown as head coach is a good start. The Sixers are in a good position to rebuild and contend for a title within the next three or four years. The available salary cap space they managed to create will give them an ability to sign more stars and build a roster similar to what Brown had in San Antonio.
Alan Gung is a Philadelphia 76ers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlanGung, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
