Report: Sixers Contact Larry Brown About Coaching Vacancy
By Spike Eskin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – In what should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, Larry Brown's name is being brought up in coaching rumors.
According to a report from Adam Zagoria of SNY, the Sixers, Nets and a third 'mystery team' have 'contacted Brown' about their head coaching vacancy. Brown's history with the Sixers is well documented, where he worked with Billy King, who is currently the general manager of the Brooklyn Nets.
Brown, 72 years old, is currently the head basketball coach at SMU, where the report says he is happy to stay. "He loves to teach and coach basketball," the source said of Larry Brown to SNY. "He walks six or seven miles a day. I think he'll coach till he's 80. He has more juice than a guy 20 years younger than him."
Brown has coached college teams and nine NBA teams in his 40+ year coaching career. The report does not say who from the Sixers contacted Brown, when they contacted him, or if the two sides ever met.
It would be a curious move for the Sixers, given the history of both general manager Sam Hinkie and Brown. Hinkie is considered a leader in the basketball analytics movement, whereas Brown recently was quoted as saying that analytics "don't work in basketball."
As well, not to suggest that Doug Collins and Larry Brown are the same person, as they are not, and Brown's resume is far more impressive. However, it would seem unlikely that they would follow up Collins with Brown considering the traits they do share.
My guess on the short version of this: Larry Brown has the itch to get back into the NBA, and he or someone around him is leaking the information in an attempt to build interest from other teams. Brown is a good coach who it would seem could get an opportunity somewhere in the NBA if he wants it bad enough, but it won't be with the Sixers.
