Harris’ doubts put Brown in rough spot

PHILADELPHIA >> The Sixers were in their final approach to the playoffs, going through some late warmups, doing trainer’sroom time, taking late glances at the Brooklyn Nets’ plays running on a lockerroom video loop. For some reason, Josh Harris found that the perfect time to crank the franchise thermostat to a record high pressure.

Aware that he had purchased a virtual NBA All-Star team said ready for compete for a championship, Harris requested a press audience for reasons only he would comprehend. And it was there, literally minutes before what would be a 111-102 Game 1 playoff loss, that the Sixers’ owner chose not to publicly commit to Brett Brown as his

coach for next season.

The last time there was such clumsy timing in that building was last year, when the Sixers fired a confetti gun to signal a victory only to realize the playoff game had only been tied. But a misfire is a misfire. And Harris Saturday offered a dud that will be the central theme to a postseason that may yet earn some more festive tone.

“We’re proud of what we have done so far this season,” Harris said. “Really for us, the season starts now.”

He knew what he was saying. And he apparently knew what he was saying in early March, when ESPN caught him announcing that earlierround playoff disappointment this season would be “problematic.” That was roundly interpreted as a challenge to Brown. But Harris was given the opportunity Saturday to clarify and, in the same breath, was asked if he would commit to Brown past this postseason.

“What I meant by it is all of us have high expectations,” Harris said. “And so, that’s what I meant. Look, we have a lot of confidence in Brett. We’re glad that he is leading us into the playoffs and we’re focused on the Nets. We’re focused on winning this series. And that’s what we’re here to talk about today.”

He did not say one thing when asked if he would commit to another season with Brown. He did not say yes.

Because of Harris’ sports science department, which often recommended rest for key players late in the season, Brown would have his preferred starting five together for 10 regular-season games. That showed Saturday, when the Sixers seemed uncomfortable with one another, were unsure of when to shoot, were regularly caught in unfortunate defensive matchups and were inept from behind the arc.

Brown did not need his team to trail throughout the entire second half. He did not need Ben Simmons telling booing fans to stay on the other side. He did not need Joel Embiid and Amir Johnson annoying the ESPN broadcasters for peeping at a smart phone during the fourth quarter, though Embiid revealed that it had to do with Johnson checking in on his daughter, whom he said was ill.

He did not need any of that, not with Harris’ pregame mood.

“It’s Game 1,” Brown said afterward. “Somebody is going to find a way to win four games. And it happens, as we all know, in many ways, shapes and forms.”

The Sixers should win the series. But if they don’t win two series, or maybe three and reach Brown’s stated goal of playing in the NBA Finals, Harris more than once has given himself the option to make a coaching change.

At first seeming to recite a script Saturday, Harris talked about a second consecutive 50-pluswin season, about his AllStars and near-All-Stars, about everything good about the 76ers. And there is plenty good about the 76ers, including their coach, who won 51 games despite two major in-season roster adjustments. On some level, Harris has realized that. It’s why he often follows Brown into postgame press conferences, beaming after victories. It’s also why he has allowed Brown to report to him, not to rookie general manager Elton Brand.

“I’d like to thank Brett for the tremendous job he’s done in getting us to these 50-plus-win seasons,” Harris said. “He’s been an important role in the growth of this team and the organization. And he has been side-by-side with me for the last six years.”

There is a bond between Harris, who approved the wicked process to thrive by first losing, and Brown, who was content to front for the scheme. There is a friendship. It’s real. Just the same, there is no guarantee of a seventh year of that side-by-side act. Because business is real too.

“We all have high expectations,” Harris said. “I think we want to make a deep playoff run. I think we have the talent to do it. Obviously, we need to gel. We need to do it out on the court. The players need to do it. But we’ve got high expectations.”

Whether it meant anything or not, Harris chose Saturday to sit elbow-to-elbow with Brand at his media availability, touting his first-year executive for NBA General Manager of the Year. The optics were that they were both delighted with the team they have put together, one able to make a lengthy playoff push. It was there that the owner was asked what would it take to spin Brown’s job into jeopardy.

“Right now, I think we’re supportive of Brett,” Harris said. “And we think he is the right leader to take us where we need to go in the playoffs. And I am focused on the Brooklyn Nets. He’s focused on the Brooklyn Nets.”

Before nightfall, they were all behind the Brooklyn Nets, 1-0, in a first-to-four series that had a dark new focus. It was one of disruption.