Sixers owner upbeat about the future

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. – General manager Sam Hinkie is recognized as the architect for the 76ers' rebuilding plan. But manager/owner Josh Harris gave Hinkie the freedom to sacrifice wins now in order to secure a winning future.

So for the second straight preseason, the billionaire businessman backed the rebuilding methods. He also talked of potential changes to the NBA lottery and supported second-year coach Brett Brown.

"I think he's awesome," Harris said during his training camp state-of-the-team address at Richard Stockton College.

Harris pointed out that Brown was coach of the Australian national team. He also noted his employee's emphasis on player development, interaction with the media, his ability to bring a positive culture to a struggling program, and the value on fitness and nutrition.

"All that stuff we are really focused on," Harris said. "He brings a lot of value there. And then, he's just a really good human being, which is important to me.

"So I say, it's really positive . . . with him, and look he has a hard job. Let's face it."

Brown appreciated the owner's comments. He also acknowledged that it was good to hear that, especially when it was from your boss.

"Everybody around here is on the same page," Brown said. "In a situation that we have whether it's me and Sam, Josh and Sam, myself and owner, the players, we are quite transparent about everything we have been doing. I feel like we have been putting out A efforts and knocking out good days."

For now, Brown is being judged on player development - not wins and losses. That's a good thing, because the Sixers are built for compiling a lot of defeats.

That tactic could take a huge hit if a proposal that would balance out the draft lottery as early as next summer is passed.

Under the current format, the team with the worst record has a 25 percent chance of receiving the top pick in the draft lottery. The squad with the second-worst record has a 19.9 percent chance, while the third-worst team has a 15.6 chance of getting the No. 1 pick. The odds keep shrinking until the lottery team with the best record has a 0.5 percent chance of moving up to No. 1.

Several aspects of the proposed format have yet to be finalized. But it would balance out the odds so all 14 lottery teams would have a chance to win the top pick.

The proposal would give at least the teams with the four worst records an equal 11 percent chance of winning the top pick. The next team would receive a 10 percent chance. The lottery team with the best record would have a 2 percent chance of finishing first.

The NBA Board of Governors could vote to pass the proposal during its preseason meeting this month. If it passes, the Sixers would not benefit from another season of tanking.

The Sixers are against the proposed change.

"We are cognizant of being a good member of the league," Harris said in response to teams not liking their rebuilding tactic. "But at the same time, balance that against what's the right thing for Philly and the Philadelphia 76ers. We are trying to draw that line as best as we can. I feel like we are in a good place."

He believes the Sixers fan base is in agreement.

The owner trusts that this approach is better than fielding a team that would battle for the eighth or seventh spot in the playoffs.

"Philly is tired of being mediocre," he said. "The last NBA championship was obviously 1983. And then you had the Allen Iverson championship run and that was over a decade ago.

"I think Philly wants a team that is competing for the NBA championship."