Posted: Sunday, April 11, 2010, 12:37 PM | 73 comments |
 

Talking Larry Brown
options
 

What good is a blog if we're not going to toss around some ideas? So, let's toss this idea around: Larry Brown. 

In the Sixers' future, only one thing is certain: coach Eddie Jordan will be gone soon after the season ends. As for the future of General Manager Ed Stefanski, it's not looking particularly promising, but as of yet there has been no concrete decision made.

Of course, there are rumblings, there has been talking, there is word of mouth. And the latest has to do with Brown.

Here's this bit from Ken Berger of CBSSports.com: "While it has been widely assumed that only one Eddie would be out in Philadelphia after the season – Jordan, not Stefanski – there is one complicating factor that could change that. And his name is Larry Brown. While the Bobcats coach feels a sense of loyalty to fellow Tarheel and new owner Michael Jordan, there are strong indications that Jordan won’t stand in Brown’s way if he wants to seek another job with complete control over basketball operations. Though some speculation has centered on Brown going to the Clippers, that’s not happening, sources say. The most likely scenario is the Sixers due to Brown’s family ties with the city."

The thinking is that Brown would only return if he was given both jobs: coach and GM. That puts an even bolder question mark next to Stefanski's name.

Brown's Bobcats are in the playoffs, so until Charlotte is eliminated (or wins the entire thing), this will remain just a thought to consider, talk about, and if you're a die-hard Sixers fan, perhaps obsess over.

--Kate
Posted by Kate Fagan @ 12:37 PM  Permalink | 73 comments
73
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:53 PM, 04/11/2010
    Hi Kate, so long as we are in speculation mode, can speculate about why Brown would demand complete control of basketball operations? Is it the salary? Brown is a great coach but he is aging (so less overall time and energy for extra responsibilities) and his track record with drafts and trades in the past has been mediocre. My 2p for the negotiations would be to give Brown whatever salary demand he has as coach and give him veto power over the GM choice, but don't make him in charge of drafts and trades.
    — izimbra
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:04 PM, 04/11/2010
    As a coach, at least we would be able to find out what our young guys can do. This season was a total waste in that regard except for Jrue.
    — borntosuffer
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:13 PM, 04/11/2010
    Was there any doubt he would be in the mix? Join "Sixers Fans For Change" on Facebook.
    — ArtMooney
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:17 PM, 04/11/2010
    call pat croce, and larry. let them have all the control they want, and when they start to win again, cut them loose, and ruin everything for another decade.
    — Evilvet
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:30 PM, 04/11/2010
    I agree totally with the idea of Brown as a coach with veto power over some big moves, but not as a de facto GM, nor a "puppet" GM like over at Lincoln Field. We could do no worse than our current morass.
    — chico resch
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:32 PM, 04/11/2010
    The last time they gave him control over the GM when he was a coach, they did go to the finals, but with no shot to win. Brown does not approach this problem with building; mostly with band-aids and patchwork.
    — Bob1
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:56 PM, 04/11/2010
    Larry Brown is a much better coach tha what the Sixers have, but he is such a crybaby and he never plays young players. (Gerald Henederson) He would trade the young players the Sixers have and the future draft choices for guys that play the right way, his way. He is such a tired act. I don't want to hear him cry everyday that "we just didn't play the right way".
    — Biloxi
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:13 PM, 04/11/2010
    Larry Brown drafted Larry Hughes instead of Dirk Nowitzski or Paul Peirce for the Sixers and DARKO Milicic instead of CARMELO, BOSH, WADE for the Pistons. Stefanski has drafted pretty well . . .
    — Leegles
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:24 PM, 04/11/2010
    Larry Brown knows how to put a team together. It wasn't perfect, but he put together that lineup around iverson that went to the finals. Larry knows what he's doing - I'd take him back anytime.
    — dpcoz
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:42 PM, 04/11/2010
    It took Larry Brown only 20 games to realize AI was not a point guard. He traded Stackhouse for McKie and Theo, then got Eric Snow for a 2nd round pick, then in the off season got George as a free agent and then he had a great defensive team. He knows the type of players you need to win. He knows how to build a winning team. Stop criticizing the best coach we ever had because of the Larry Hughes draft. His overall personnel moves built a very good team and he will do it again.
    — gan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:45 PM, 04/11/2010
    Does anyone remember the Knicks debacle? Or, that he's a nomadic coach who leaves for a bigger paycheck (DET to NYK), or for a better situation (PHI to DET) elsewhere. I'd rather have Ed Snider do his homework and mine talent from Portland or San Antonio's front office (smart drafting/player development) than recycle former regimes like they did with Stefanski/Jordan (Nets), and possibly again with King/Brown. Do the Right Thing! You're paying for it anyways...
    — uscwee
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:06 PM, 04/11/2010
    @ Leegles--Joe Dumars made the Darko pick...in fact, he still defends it to this day...which is sad...
    — phillyguy12
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:12 PM, 04/11/2010
    gan: i like larry brown a lot, but i don't really trust his drafts and i haven't entirely forgiven him for skipping out on the sixers to win a title with detroit after they (primarily tayshawn) beat us in the playoffs.
    — Leegles
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:23 PM, 04/11/2010
    PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE LET THIS HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!
    — elbc


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About John Mitchell
John Mitchell is in his first year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.

Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.

ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI

Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.

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