Elton Brand says Sixers will change 'collaborative' approach, addresses mistakes

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article_body => "According to general manager Elton Brand, he\u2019ll be heading the Sixers\u2019 search for a new head coach to replace Brett Brown.<\/p>\r\n\r\nIn response to a question about whether CEO Scott O\u2019Neil would be involved in the search, Brown opined that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/sixers-owners-josh-harris-david-blitzer-gm-search-elton-brand-brett-brown\">Sixers\u2019 \u201cconsensus-oriented\u201d front-office approach<\/a> has been ineffective. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\u201cTo be clear and frank, we feel that the collaboration days didn\u2019t work too well, so I will be leading the search,\u201d he said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters. \u201cI will make the recommendation to (managing partner Josh Harris) and (co-managing partner David Blitzer), of course, but we\u2019re getting better.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\"And I\u2019ve grown as a leader, I\u2019ve grown as a general manager. I was put under fire, I had so many great, tough decisions to be a part of. But now, I\u2019m looking forward to putting my stamp on this thing and take full accountability for whatever happens next.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\nBrown handled the GM job on an interim basis after the Bryan Colangelo \u201cBurnergate\u201d scandal, then passed the torch to Brand. A two-time All-Star and a player under Brown at the tail end of his NBA career, Brand had no executive experience besides serving as GM of the Sixers\u2019 G-League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. Brand acknowledged Tuesday that he had limited knowledge to equip him for the position. The Sixers have made a slew of franchise-altering moves during his tenure, including trading for Jimmy Butler, acquiring Tobias Harris and then giving him a five-year, $180 million contract, and signing Al Horford to a four-year deal with $97 million guaranteed. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\u201cI\u2019d say it grew,\u201d he said of his power within the organization. \u201cI was a rookie thrust into the position to lead a team with championship aspirations that the fan base sacrificed and struggled for some years. My understanding of the game grew, and how to manage and how to lead. I\u2019ll admit I didn\u2019t know a lot, but now, I do know a lot more. I\u2019ve been through almost every situation there is, so I\u2019m looking forward to leading this offseason and figuring out how to get us back on the right path.\u201d <\/p>\r\n\r\nExecutive VP of basketball operations Alex Rucker and assistant GM Ned Cohen have been two key figures during Brand\u2019s time as GM. Both were hired by Colangelo, as was Marc Eversley, who left the Sixers to accept the Bulls\u2019 GM job in May. <\/p>\r\n\r\nWhile Brand said, \u201cChange can and will be uncomfortable, but it\u2019s necessary,\u201d he didn\u2019t yet have a firm answer to a specific question about whether Rucker would be returning. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\u201cI\u2019m doing a thorough assessment of our front office,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t want to pinpoint Alex as a scapegoat or anything like that. Our group has to get stronger, we know that. So I\u2019m taking time to assess where we are and how we get better. We failed and we\u2019re not happy about it. We\u2019re actually pissed about it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\nHe twice mentioned the possibility of supplementing the Sixers\u2019 analytical staff with \u201cmore basketball minds\u201d and appears open to a variety of options. Brand, it seems, has been given the chance to stay within the organization and play a prominent role in rectifying mistakes. <\/p>\r\n\r\nWhy does he think he\u2019s been entrusted with that opportunity? <\/p>\r\n\r\n\u201cI think my unique insight into relationships with the players, what the needs are, what the organization needs and how I\u2019ve grown over the years,\u201d he said. \u201cI will be one of the people. We\u2019re trying to bolster our talent in the front office, we\u2019re going to bolster our talent with coaching and we\u2019re just going to get all around better.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\u201cSo I think the unique situation I\u2019ve been put in over these last few years positions me to lead this and be a part of this going forward.\u201d<\/p>\r\n"
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description => "General manager Elton Brand on Tuesday discussed the changes that may be coming to the Sixers' front office and how his role has shifted. By Noah Levick\u00a0"
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title => "Elton Brand says Sixers will change 'collaborative' approach, addresses mistakes"
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Sixers

/ by Noah Levick

Sixers

According to general manager Elton Brand, he’ll be heading the Sixers’ search for a new head coach to replace Brett Brown.

In response to a question about whether CEO Scott O’Neil would be involved in the search, Brown opined that the Sixers’ “consensus-oriented” front-office approach has been ineffective.

“To be clear and frank, we feel that the collaboration days didn’t work too well, so I will be leading the search,” he said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters. “I will make the recommendation to (managing partner Josh Harris) and (co-managing partner David Blitzer), of course, but we’re getting better.

"And I’ve grown as a leader, I’ve grown as a general manager. I was put under fire, I had so many great, tough decisions to be a part of. But now, I’m looking forward to putting my stamp on this thing and take full accountability for whatever happens next.”

Brown handled the GM job on an interim basis after the Bryan Colangelo “Burnergate” scandal, then passed the torch to Brand. A two-time All-Star and a player under Brown at the tail end of his NBA career, Brand had no executive experience besides serving as GM of the Sixers’ G-League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. Brand acknowledged Tuesday that he had limited knowledge to equip him for the position. The Sixers have made a slew of franchise-altering moves during his tenure, including trading for Jimmy Butler, acquiring Tobias Harris and then giving him a five-year, $180 million contract, and signing Al Horford to a four-year deal with $97 million guaranteed.

“I’d say it grew,” he said of his power within the organization. “I was a rookie thrust into the position to lead a team with championship aspirations that the fan base sacrificed and struggled for some years. My understanding of the game grew, and how to manage and how to lead. I’ll admit I didn’t know a lot, but now, I do know a lot more. I’ve been through almost every situation there is, so I’m looking forward to leading this offseason and figuring out how to get us back on the right path.”

Executive VP of basketball operations Alex Rucker and assistant GM Ned Cohen have been two key figures during Brand’s time as GM. Both were hired by Colangelo, as was Marc Eversley, who left the Sixers to accept the Bulls’ GM job in May.

While Brand said, “Change can and will be uncomfortable, but it’s necessary,” he didn’t yet have a firm answer to a specific question about whether Rucker would be returning.

“I’m doing a thorough assessment of our front office,” he said. “I don’t want to pinpoint Alex as a scapegoat or anything like that. Our group has to get stronger, we know that. So I’m taking time to assess where we are and how we get better. We failed and we’re not happy about it. We’re actually pissed about it.”

He twice mentioned the possibility of supplementing the Sixers’ analytical staff with “more basketball minds” and appears open to a variety of options. Brand, it seems, has been given the chance to stay within the organization and play a prominent role in rectifying mistakes.

Why does he think he’s been entrusted with that opportunity?

“I think my unique insight into relationships with the players, what the needs are, what the organization needs and how I’ve grown over the years,” he said. “I will be one of the people. We’re trying to bolster our talent in the front office, we’re going to bolster our talent with coaching and we’re just going to get all around better.

“So I think the unique situation I’ve been put in over these last few years positions me to lead this and be a part of this going forward.”