The NBA faces a period of uncertainty during this recently suspended season. Just how long will the season be suspended? Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the season will be suspended for at least 30 days, but what if the suspension lasts longer? While it may only last 30 days that could turn into months which could turn into canceling the season.
While that may be extreme, the league is clearly in uncharted territory. Beyond that, the rest of the world seems to be unsure how to proceed from here. Hopefully, the situation will be resolved soon but there could be side-effects if the league faces an extended suspension
One such side-effect could impact the 76ers future and that is the future of their current Head Coach, Brett Brown. There has been plenty of conversation around how secure Brown's job is, this suspension could potentially be a factor.
If the season was not suspended, Brown's fate would likely have been decided by the Sixers' playoff appearance. A playoff run would likely mean Brown is safe another year. If the team flounders and falls easily in the first two rounds, then Brown would likely be looking elsewhere for employment.
Again the season may not be suspended long enough to impact Brett Brown's job but the fact is no one knows. Here are a few ways different suspension times could affect Brett Brown's job:
30 Days
Best case scenario, the season is only suspended for 30 days. If that is the case the league would have a few options on how to resume: they could either end the regular season and proceed directly to the playoffs; they could cancel all games missed within the 30 days and pick up the schedule thereafter; or, in the most likely case, the NBA could opt to not cancel any games and just resume the season when it is safe to do so. In this instance, let's assume the third scenario.
If the league picks up where it left off, the Sixers will hopefully have one key advantage, the health of Ben Simmons. It was reported recently that Ben Simmons is out at minimum for an additional three weeks so the extra time off will be beneficial for him. With a healthy Ben Simmons, the Sixers have a much better chance to climb the Eastern Conference standings giving them more desirable playoff positioning.
How Brett Brown Can Keep His Job
Where the Sixers rank at the end of the season will likely make a huge difference in their post-season performance. The Sixers have well-documented struggles on the road. Having some type of home-court advantage would be huge for the Sixers who hold the best home record in the NBA. If the Sixers can climb the standings and put on an impressive show in the playoffs, Brett Brown will likely remain the team's Head Coach.
How Brett Brown Could Lose His Job
If the team struggles when the season resumes, Brett Brown will face an uphill battle. Even with a healthy Ben Simmons, there is no guarantee that the Sixers will rise in the Eastern Conference standings. The team could continue to struggle and finish with the fifth or sixth seed. Without home-court advantage in the playoffs, the Sixers may end up a first-round exit. As stated previously, they struggle mightily on the road.
If this team fails to make it past the first round, Brett Brown is as good as gone. Even if they do manage the upset, he would soon face his next test in the second round. Without an impressive performance, Brown will still likely find himself on the outs in Philly.
But what if this break extends to a few months? Scroll down and hit page 2 to find out!
Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Months
Probably the most likely scenario, the NBA could be realistically shut down for some months. If the season is suspended for say three to six months then the Sixers would pick up around June to August. Word is that the league would proceed without canceling any games even if a few months go by.
How Brett Brown Can Keep His Job
Much like the first scenario, it all comes down to playoff seeding and post-season play. If the Sixers thrive in a playoff environment then obviously Brett brown will receive credit for their performance. Again the team will have to storm past the likes of Boston or Miami but theoretically, it is possible.
While Ben Simmons could be healthy in three weeks, giving him some extra months certainly can't hurt. With a fully healthy Simmons, the Sixers could blow past the competition especially given their easy schedule. Brett Brown needs to cherish these easy games because nothing will come easy in the playoffs.
How Brett Brown Could Lose His Job
If the NBA season is suspended for months the Sixers could once again meet their old nemesis conditioning. Now the Sixers would have the rest of the regular season to get back in shape but some Sixers take longer than others. Even though the team cannot officially work out together at this moment, they should all be taking proper steps to stay in shape. Eating properly especially should be emphasized during the suspended season.
In a perfect world, this wouldn't be a concern but it often is for the Sixers, none more so than Joel Embiid. We've seen what a sluggish Embiid can do to the Sixers in the post-season and it isn't pretty. Shooters may also come out cold. Shake Milton has been the NBA's best three-point shooter since the All-Star break but would some extended time off though off his game? There is a similar concern for Tobias Harris. A streaky player to being with, what if he comes back and is cold from the jump?
The Sixers could face many issues stemming from an extended break and Brett Brown would have his work cut out for him. Brown would need to coach better than ever to overcome these obstacles and secure his job.
Canceled Season
If the season is doomed to be canceled, one of two things will happen:
What Will Happen
If the Sixers have played their last game this season, Brett Brown is likely to return. The Sixers suffered through many struggles this season and it's fair to say they were not all Brown's fault. The organization will likely look at the situation and deem that with all the uncertainty the league just faced, they would like to proceed with a familiar voice.
Maybe they decide to first reevaluate Elton Brand's position or look to move Al Horford and hope everything else works itself out. This would be a moronic move that would set the fan-base on fire, it would also not be surprising.
What Should Happen
The signs are all around us that the Sixers need to move on from Brett Brown. At this point, it would be beneficial for Brown also who is clearly struggling to maintain this locker room. This should be a clear situation of two parties mutually agreeing to part ways, think Kenny Atkinson in Brooklyn minus the two snakes. For the health of both the Sixers and Brett Brown, this era must come to an end.
This is what SHOULD happen, it is not what's likely to happen. It's not likely that the season would be canceled in the first place but it's a reality worth exploring. The Sixers face troubles beyond Brown and those troubles (Josh Harris) will be much more difficult to resolve. While it is not a cure-all, no matter the length of the suspension, unless we see a different Brett Brown in the playoffs, the Sixers need a new voice.
Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
