How Much Pressure Is On The 76ers Heading Into Next Season?
The 2019-20 season will mark Brett Brown's seventh year as the Head Coach of the 76ers and only the third season for the team as a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference. After surviving the three seasons of "tanking" as then GM Sam Hinkie executed the first stages of "The Process", Brett Brown oversaw the transition from rebuilding team to contender as the Sixers' win total grew from a depressing 10 wins in 2015-16 to an impressive 52 wins in the 2017-18 season. Now that the 76ers have reached the Eastern Conference Playoffs Second Round in back to back seasons, the expectations are elevated thanks to the additions of Al Horford and Josh Richardson along with making a major commitment to Tobias Harris with a long term contract. All eyes will be on the Sixers to see if they take the next step as individual players and coaches along with the team advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals next season.
Basketball Society Senior Writer Brandon “ScoopB” Robinson joined Josh Hennig on Thursday and discussed the pressure that is on the 76ers heading into next season:
“Philadelphia has something to prove because let’s not get it twisted, Brett Brown is on the hot seat. I don’t care what anybody says, I believe that if (the Sixers) don’t get it right things could change. But I also think that being on the hot seat is not a bad thing because (the 76ers) have added some things that are familiar. Philadelphia brought in (Ime) Udoka, a high ranking Assistant with Gregg Popovich in San Antonio….When you look at the Sixers, I like the competitive edge that they have. – Tobias Harris and Al Horford are going to push each other….When I look at some comments that Tobias Harris made before he ultimately signed with the 76ers, he said that he is looking to be with a team that makes it to the playoffs and that makes a push. And if you look at what that means, the only two teams that are consistent, young, and can win like that moving forward through next year are the 76ers and the Utah Jazz. Tobias Harris did have some interest in the Utah Jazz but he stayed in Philadelphia; I think there is pressure (on the Sixers) but I also think pressure makes diamonds.”
Checkout what Robinson had to say about Al Horford, Kawhi Leonard, Elton Brand, and more