Philadelphia 76ers Coaching Search Has Come Down To Three


Michael Curry

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Three coaches appear to be finalists for the only head coaching vacancy in the NBA. Two coached national teams and the other is familiar with the team.

Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Michael Curry,  San Antonio Spurs assistant Brett Brown and now Boston Celtics assistant James Larranga are the primary targets to fill the Sixers’ position.

Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie is taking his time with making the biggest personnel decision this summer. The wait may pay off. The three candidates come from systems that could encourage the current roster to flourish and help draft picks Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel develop.

Curry has been with the Sixers for the past three seasons under different systems, particularly former coach Doug Collins. He’s familiar with some of the roster and can play them to their strengths as well as work with the younger ones. Plus, he guided the Detroit Pistons to the playoffs in his only season as head coach in 2008-09.

Larranga, son of University of Miami head coach Jim Larranga, is a coach who has been around the European coaching circle for many years. Aside from his assistant post with the Celtics, he is Ireland’s National Team head coach. He could bring the Sixers a Doc Rivers-style of play while big players like Arsalan Kazemi, Spencer Hawes and Thaddeus Young would fit into his system.

Last, but certainly not least, Brown would most likely be the best candidate considering the amount of time he has spent on Gregg Popovich’s staff and Finals experience. He also has been familiar in the international scene as head coach of the Australian National Team at the 2012 Olympics. The Sixers have a young and promising core with a big man like Noel who can be molded into a future Hall of Famer like Tim Duncan.

Who the Sixers choose will be in their long-term plans. All of them would benefit the Sixers in some way.

Alan Gung is a Philadelphia 76ers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlanGung, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google


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