Basketball: Boomers coach Brett Brown is changing the culture ahead of next year’s Olympics

Brett Brown has been sacked as Philadelphia 76ers coach, but he is primed to lead the Boomers to medal success at next year’s Olympics, according to Basketball Australia chairman Ned Coten.

Basketball Australia chairman Ned Coten says an “amazing” Brett Brown has the plan and the personality to break the Boomers’ medal hoodoo at next year’s Olympics despite being sacked as Philadelphia 76ers coach.

Brown’s seven-year tenure as head coach at the 76ers officially ended on Tuesday when the franchise relived him of his duties, citing substandard results for his demise.

The decision came only days after Philadelphia, minus an injured Ben Simmons, were swept by the Boston Celtics in their first round Eastern Conference match-up.

The disappointing 4-0 defeat finished off a devastating campaign for a talented 76ers squad expected to compete for a championship.

Despite his departure from Philadelphia, Brown is still contracted to coach the Australian Boomers at the Tokyo Olympics next August.

Coten expects the veteran mentor to honour this arrangement as the Boomers aim to help the men win their first medal at a major tournament following a series of fourth-placed finishes.

“My opinion of Brett hasn’t changed - he is a quality guy and an amazing coach,” Coten said.

“I think he is realist and he understands that results drives outcomes.

“The way he has exited is very typical of him, so as far as I’m concerned nothing changes (for the Olympics).

“People’s circumstances change, but it doesn’t make him a lesser coach.”

Brett Brown’s relationship with Ben Simmons from his time at Philadelphia will be crucial for the Boomers heading into next year’s Olympics. Picture: Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

Brown has only officially been in the Boomers’ head coaching role since November last year, but he is already making a significant difference.

Australia’s NBA stars like Patty Mills and Ben Simmons are now more actively involved in conversations with Basketball Australia compared to the past.

Coten says this is why Basketball Australia hired Brown to replace Andrej Lemanis as the nation’s head coach.

“The way in which Brett runs a team, or an organisation is very much about communication and making sure that people understand what their role in the team is,” he said.

“And even though there hasn’t been a specific event that he has been involved in, you don’t have to be at games to make a difference.

“We knew he could make a real difference to the program. He is a world class coach, there is no question about that.

“He has coached in the toughest league in the world and despite this personal setback for him, he has proven himself to be a world class performer.”

Watching my team get swept hurt, and I don’t ever want to feel that way again.

— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) August 24, 2020

Basketball Australia CEO Jerril Rechter echoed Coten’s stance on Brown despite his departure as Philadelphia’s head coach.

“Nothing has changed from our point of view,” Rechter said.

“Brett is the head coach of the Australian Boomers for the Tokyo Olympics.

“He is an experienced campaigner, who has coached at the highest level and on the biggest stage.

“He is passionate about Australian Basketball and has made no secret of his desire to lead the Boomers to international success and we look forward to the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics with much anticipation.”