Brett Brown Wants 76ers to Make NBA Finals

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown has set ambitious goals for his team at the start of training camp. While coaches are usually reticent to say anything that could backfire at this time of year, Brett Brown was bullish.

Via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Brett Brown wants the 76ers to play in the NBA finals this season.

“We want to play in the NBA Finals,” Brown said Saturday following the team’s first training camp practice. “As I said to you, we feel we could have played in the NBA Finals [last season]. I understand the magnitude of that statement, but I stand by it. And I own it.”

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It seems like a tall order for the Philadelphia 76ers. However, a coach setting ambitious goals from the start can work out, as they proved last year. At the start of last year’s training camp, Brown said his goal was for the team to make the playoffs.

At the time, it seemed crazy. Philly had averaged just 18.7 wins over the last four seasons at the time. However, after setting that goal, the 76ers won 52 games last season. It was enough for them to reach Round 2 of the postseason.

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Philadelphia will have tough competition to overcome if they are going to make the finals this year. The Boston Celtics, who knocked them out of the playoffs, will have Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward this time. As well as that, the Raptors will have Kawhi Leonard instead of DeMar DeRozan. The Raptors ranked in the top 5 for both offense and defense last season.

The Sixers have improved as well, though. Markelle Fultz should improve his game after a good rookie season. As well as that, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons should progress.