A lot of players are convinced they could be an NBA GM. Easy. Then they go through a program to help them prepare for life after basketball — both the NBA and Union have them — and they come out if it realizing being in an NBA front office is far more complex than they realized. There’s a complicated salary cap, information from scouts and advanced stats to balance, the coach’s desires, and team chemistry issues. It’s a juggling act with a lot of balls in the air.
But former All-Sar Elton Brand is going to get a shot to prove he can do it in Philly, starting with their G-League team. Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports broke the news and the team has since confirmed, it.
Sources: Philadelphia plans to hire former NBA All-Star Elton Brand as GM of G League team. Brand has served as a development consultant.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 28, 2017
“I’m extremely excited to begin a new role as General Manager of the 87ers,” Brand said Monday in a statement released by the team. “I want to thank Josh Harris, David Blitzer, Bryan Colangelo and staff for the opportunity to develop, cultivate and elevate talent in our program. I look forward to building upon the successes the Sevens have had both on the court and in the community in Delaware.”
It’s not just the players in the G-League trying to earn their way into the NBA, it’s the coaches and front office personnel as well (not to mention the referees). There are a lot of smart people in the basketball operations side of the G-League, Brand will in a good proving ground.
Brand will have the respect of players — he is a former Rookie of the Year, All-NBA player, and All-Star. Players in the G-League dream of having a career like his. That helps, but he’s going to have to prove he’s more than that. Good on the Sixers for giving him a chance.
