Josh Harris sees Sixers growing but admits he's impatient
GALLOWAY, N.J. - It might as well have been Oct. 3, 2014, or April 15, 2015 - the last two times that 76ers managing owner Josh Harris gave his state-of-the-team addresses.
GALLOWAY, N.J. - It might as well have been Oct. 3, 2014, or April 15, 2015 - the last two times that 76ers managing owner Josh Harris gave his state-of-the-team addresses.
Once again, the billionaire businessman said he has no desire to sell the franchise and supported third-year coach Brett Brown. Harris also reiterated that he supports the multiyear rebuilding process that requires sacrificing wins.
"I think we are making progress," Harris said Thursday at Stockton University, where the Sixers were participating in training camp. "I'm an impatient person at heart. I would rather get to the end point as fast as possible.
"But at the same time, the goal is still the same goal: to be an elite extremely competitive team that goes deep in the playoffs."
The team won only 37 games over the last two seasons. The owner said that as an impatient person, he wished the Sixers were further along than they are.
"But at the same time, there aren't shortcuts to it," Harris said. "So you have to react to the realities . . . I certainty wish it was going faster. But at the same time, I'm happy with the progress."
Harris pointed out that his franchise now has assets who will likely remain in Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel, Nik Stauskas, Robert Covington, and Jerami Grant.
Harris said the time line to turn into a contender "is going come down to how quickly they develop."
"They are young but they are very talented," Harris said. "Like how that all plays out is unclear. Obviously, we are going to keep doing what we are supposed to be doing, which is to look at every opportunity whether it's trade or free agency and then obviously the draft [to] continue to improve as fast as we can."
But will Brown be around long enough to see the rebuilding process through?
The coach is beginning the third season of a four-year, guaranteed deal. General manager Sam Hinkie said Wednesday regarding a possible contract extension, "Those are conversations for a later date."
Harris appears to be in agreement.
"I hope and expect Brett to be around the team for a long, long time," the owner said. "But it's probably not appropriate to talk about specifics about exactly what his negotiations are with him."
Harris gave Brown an A for the job he has done so far. He said the former San Antonio Spurs assistant has been an incredible player-development person - something the franchise needs at the moment. Harris also labeled him as enthusiastic, a born coach and a leader of men. "So I'm very happy with Brett."
He's also happy to own the Sixers and does not see the franchise as a sellable investment.
Harris said he and his ownership group expect to be involved with the team for many years to come. He said there are "no plans to sell it."
Notes
Other than scripting plays and shooting the ball, point guard Pierre Jackson has been unable to practice because of a lingering groin injury. . . . Power forward Richaun Holmes missed practice with ankle injury. The rookie suffered the injury Wednesday in the morning session. He did not return and sat out that evening's workout.
@PompeyOnSixers