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Before Brett Brown became head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013, he learned under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich, serving as an assistant for the San Antonio Spurs from 2002 through 2013.
Like so many other of Popovich's contemporaries, Brown has great respect for the grizzled coach, calling him the greatest coach who ever lived.
By now, we all know that Gregg Popovich doesn't take compliments very well, and Brett Brown's praise was no exception:
“He's so full of (expletive),” joked Popovich, according to Derek Bodner of The Athletic. “That's why we got rid of him.”
Oh, Pop.
Brown actually had two separate stints with the Spurs, first serving in basketball operations from 1998 through 1999. He then went over to Australia to coach the Sydney Kings from 2000 through 2002 before returning to the Spurs.
The 57-year-old got off to a rough start in Philadelphia, as he was coaching teams almost entirely bereft of talent over his first few seasons. Remember: Joel Embiid missed the first two years of his career due to foot and back injuries, and Ben Simmons also missed his first season due to a foot issue.
As a result, Brown registered win totals of 19, 18, 10, and 28 over his first four years before finally breaking through last year, as the 76ers won 52 games and made the playoffs.
Brown's Sixers matched up with Popovich's Spurs in Philadelphia on Wednesday night, winning a close one by a score of 122-120.
