On Monday, September 23rd, eight days before the 76ers were set to assemble for their first practice of the preseason, Brett Brown conducted his fifth annual Coach the Coaches clinic.
Prior to the free event getting underway, the 58-year old addressed the capacity crowd assembled before him inside the 76ers Training Complex as only he knows how - with transparency and passion.
Here is a transcription of Brown's tone-setting remarks, which captured him at his oratorical best. Or, you can watch the video of his comments below.
It's safe to say the seventh-year head coach is ready for the expectations and challenges that lie ahead.
[Applause from crowd.]
Thanks.
So the ball is shot, it hits almost under the rim. And I'm sitting right there.
[Pauses, points to corner of floor while walking across court.]
I can see Joel [Embiid] just stalking him into the corner.
The shot goes up, it hits almost under the rim, and kinda goes straight up.
It's like time - for me - stood still. It's like the moon in a pitch black sky. It's just sitting there.
The horn goes off while it's sitting there. Then it goes in.
On purpose, I don't blink. I just walk straight through.
I shake Nick [Nurse's] hand, I pass Kawhi [Leonard], who I coached [in San Antonio]. I see Joel upset, I go straight into the locker room, immediately take my suit off, put my sweatpants on, and just sort of think.
I had experienced Derek Fisher in a Western Conference Championship hitting a 0.4 [second] shot. I had experienced Ray Allen, when [the Spurs are] going to win a fifth NBA Championship, hit a corner three, send it into overtime, and we lose.
I have experienced that type of pain. I hadn't experienced [this] type of pain.
Over time - and you have to hear those words, 'over time' - you remember things like this:
Five years ago, I was at PCOM. The year before, at Lower Merion High School, looking out at 64 coaches [at his first clinic]. A few years ago, I had to come in a gym after winning 10 games. We remember the multiple injuries.
Now, what I remember on September 23rd, 2019, what's most vivid, are things like this:
We won back-to-back 50-win seasons.
We got a 25-year old All-Star, and a 23-year old All-Star.
We got the best team I've ever had this year. We got a deep bench, we got veterans, we got men, we got pieces.
Elton Brand has done a hell of a job.
I got owners who will do whatever it takes to give what we need to try to win a championship in this city. That's the only reason we're here.
How many times can you look at people - whether I'm looking at Al Horford, Tobias Harris, coaches I see in the stands - and look you right in the eye and say, 'We have the capability of winning an NBA Championship.'
We do, and I own that.
You either coach for the challenge, or out of fear. And we love the challenge.
