As the NBA community begins the postmortem on the Philadelphia 76ers inability to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, despite the going-all-in additions of Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris at the trade deadline, the biggest names on the 76ers held their exit interviews on Monday morning.
With emotions certainly still raw after Kawhi Leonard’s absurd buzzer-beater from the corner sent the 76ers to an early vacation, Joel Embiid wanted to make sure he defended his head coach, Brett Brown, who has come under fire.
After reports surfaced ahead of Game 7 that Brown could lose his job if the 76ers didn’t advance, Embiid sounded off after Game 7, calling the report “bulls*it.”
Joel Embiid on Brett Brown rumors: "I just thought (the rumor) was bullshit. He's done a fantastic job. He's been there through everything…I don't think he should have anything to worry about. He's an amazing coach and a better person."
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) May 13, 2019
Butler also threw his support behind Brown, while acknowledging that their relationship still has plenty of room to grow.
Butler on Brown: "(Our relationship) is constantly growing, that's for sure…I think he realized how different of a human being I am. How I can be difficult at times, but I swear it's from a good place…He has a huge heart. He's a great, great dude that works incredibly hard."
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) May 13, 2019
J.J. Redick, set to be a free agent this summer, also voiced his support for Brown as he tries to figure out whether he wants to finish out his career in Philadelphia.
"Seems like it's pretty obvious I would say that I love Brett, I love playing for him, and he has my full support, and what he has done for this organization is remarkable," JJ Redick says
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) May 13, 2019
Brown has been at the helm in Philadelphia since 2013. He ushered the team through the dark years of what’s become affectionately known as “The Process,” and has since taken 76ers to the playoffs the past two seasons, losing in the second round each time. It’s unclear what his future is in Philly, but it’s clear his team hopes he’s at the helm of the Sixers this fall.
