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Philadelphia 76ers: Looking at 5 possible head coaching candidates

By Sam Wagman

CINCINNATI, OH - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats is seen after the game against the Xavier Musketeers at Cintas Center on February 22, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats is seen after the game against the Xavier Musketeers at Cintas Center on February 22, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 26: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 26, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 26: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 26, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Kenny Atkinson, former Brooklyn Nets’ coach

Atkinson definitely got a raw deal from the Nets, having been fired reportedly due to Kyrie Irving and the incoming Kevin Durant wanting to hand-pick their own coach, and Atkinson not wanting to start DeAndre Jordan over Jarrett Allen. Atkinson is the real deal, though. In the 2018-19 season, he waded through player injuries and not much expectation to a 42 win season and a playoff berth, where the Nets ironically lost to the 76ers, helping Atkinson finish fifth in the Coach of the Year voting.

Atkinson will catch a lot of flak for his total record (118-190 overall) but he is known for creating a great basketball culture on his teams and having a very creative approach to his style of play. The Nets were a very up-tempo team that shot a ton of threes and penetrated to the rim very often. This type of style could work in Philly, there just needs to be an infusion of three-point shooting added to the mix.

In a league basically run by stars, though, Atkinson’s refusal to bow to his stars’ demands may have been his downfall. While I do think accountability is desperately needed for this Sixers team that has been rocked like a baby for way too long, it could blow up in spectacular fashion for any coach that comes down too hard on them.

Next. Philadelphia 76ers: Unwinding Brett Brown’s weird legacy in Philly. dark

At the end of the day, I do think that this will end up coming down to either Lue, the presumptive favorite right now, and Udoka. My third choice would be Atkinson, mostly because he’s the only other actual current NBA coach right now. My guess is that Tyronn Lue would come out of this group due to his history having worked directly with LeBron for multiple years, and would be able to untangle this roster and move around the pieces that will make it work.