Friday, December 22, 2006
Larry Brown Who?
So now the rumor is Larry Brown will return to the 76ers but only as an adviser and not as coach or GM. Brown moved back to Philly after leaving the New York Knicks last summer. The 66 year old has been around the Sixers occasionally this year dropping in on a few practices and attending a few games. Further, he is very close with Billy King and is also friendly with Ed Snider. Mo Cheeks worked under him when Brown was the Sixers head coach.
I had a long discussion last night with a friend about whether or not I really want Larry Brown back formally in the organization. King has been consulting with him since the beginning of the year but Brown was not on payroll. Brown knows one way and that is his way. He likes playing veterans and doesn't like developing young players. And developing young players is what the Sixers now need to do. Second, Brown did not draft particulary well with the Sixers. Since he has left, King has done better with picks Andre Iguodala and Rodney Carney.
Brown left on bad terms with many Sixers' fans. He jetted straight for Detroit and a championship. For me, the bad taste has started to go away with time but I'm not sure if I am ready for Brown to have an official job in the organization. You know what you get with Larry. He can be overbearing, offering trades to other GM and handing out critisism through the media. Yes, he has a great track record of winning but he also has a track record overstepping his bounds and leaving on a whim. He can also be impatient. That is not what the Sixers need right now.
The Sixers, as an organization, need patience and cooperation as they embark on this rebuilding plan. Those are not characteristics that are often used to describe Larry Brown. Brown is a great mind and Billy King drawing on that is a great idea, but I'm not on board with hiring Brown.
A Phillies Note- Pat Gillick traded Jeff Conine to the Cincinnati Reds for two minor leaguers. Conine was on track to serve as the fourth outfielder and get a good amount of at-bats before Gillick decided to ship him out of town. Oh yeah, the Phillies signed Jayson Werth, him of a .260 batting average. Someone who doesn't have near the track record of Jeff Conine. Let me say it now: The Phillies will regret this decision at some point this season. Werth is not a good player and this will be a regrettable trade. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I will be.
I had a long discussion last night with a friend about whether or not I really want Larry Brown back formally in the organization. King has been consulting with him since the beginning of the year but Brown was not on payroll. Brown knows one way and that is his way. He likes playing veterans and doesn't like developing young players. And developing young players is what the Sixers now need to do. Second, Brown did not draft particulary well with the Sixers. Since he has left, King has done better with picks Andre Iguodala and Rodney Carney.
Brown left on bad terms with many Sixers' fans. He jetted straight for Detroit and a championship. For me, the bad taste has started to go away with time but I'm not sure if I am ready for Brown to have an official job in the organization. You know what you get with Larry. He can be overbearing, offering trades to other GM and handing out critisism through the media. Yes, he has a great track record of winning but he also has a track record overstepping his bounds and leaving on a whim. He can also be impatient. That is not what the Sixers need right now.
The Sixers, as an organization, need patience and cooperation as they embark on this rebuilding plan. Those are not characteristics that are often used to describe Larry Brown. Brown is a great mind and Billy King drawing on that is a great idea, but I'm not on board with hiring Brown.
A Phillies Note- Pat Gillick traded Jeff Conine to the Cincinnati Reds for two minor leaguers. Conine was on track to serve as the fourth outfielder and get a good amount of at-bats before Gillick decided to ship him out of town. Oh yeah, the Phillies signed Jayson Werth, him of a .260 batting average. Someone who doesn't have near the track record of Jeff Conine. Let me say it now: The Phillies will regret this decision at some point this season. Werth is not a good player and this will be a regrettable trade. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I will be.
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Dane- I'm trying to be positive about the recent additions to the Phils (Werth and Barajas) but it's difficult. Werth can play all 3 outfield postions and if healthy has better power and speed than Conine. But Conine is a proven bench player, and Werth hasn't been healthy for a season and a half. The Barajas deal just has me pissed, that's about all I have to say on that front.
I'm not really down on the barajas addition. that could be helpful. my problem is trading a veteran, proven bench player and replacing him with an injury prone player who has never really proven anything. if the phils can sign huff or nixon i guess everything will be alright.
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