Brett Brown on Sixers getting No. 1 pick: ‘Our fans deserve this'

Share

NEW YORK — Brett Brown sat anxiously on stage at the NBA Draft Lottery. As each envelope was opened, he had a milestone in mind: just make it to the commercial break taken before the top three are revealed without hearing the Sixers called. 

Checkpoint cleared. 

The Celtics were announced for the third pick. Twelve teams down, two to go. An eager Brown could hardly wait for the second-to-last envelope, which would determine whether the Sixers or Lakers landed No. 1.

“I’m reading the teleprompter trying to see if that thing knows something sooner than is coming out of the commentator,” Brown admitted.

The lottery followed in mathematical order and the Lakers received the second pick. That left the Sixers, who entered the draft with a 26.9 percent chance of getting No. 1, sitting alone at the top (see story).

“We did it,” Brown recalled thinking. “We actually got the first pick.”

Tuesday night marked a new phase in Brown’s career as Sixers head coach. Over the last three years, he has accumulated a 47-199 record, including 10-72 this past season.

Brown has been tasked with coaching frequently changing rosters of young personnel, all of which have needed time to develop. He has pushed forward through the growing pains and the disappointments of failing to land the top pick in the past. 

On Tuesday, Brown said he believed in the Sixers' approach, or “The Process” as it as known. Three seasons later, the team has the No. 1 selection to show for it. 

“In many ways I feel like we have been rewarded for the patience and perseverance," he said, "and especially the city’s perseverance and patience." 

With the top pick, the Sixers will draft a player they hope to build the franchise around moving forward. LSU's Ben Simmons and Duke's Brandon Ingram rank as the top prospects (see top 10), projected as No. 1 and No. 2 interchangeably. Whoever the Sixers select, it will be their call instead of going with the best available.

"We can make the decision all by ourselves," Brown said. "We don’t have to wait to see what somebody else does. It gives us the injection that we need."

Brown's post-lottery result reaction wouldn't be complete without stating an acknowledgement he has made so many times throughout his tenure.

"I’m just thrilled for the city of Philadelphia," he said. "Our fans deserve this."

Contact Us