Sixers coach Brown gave Chicago Bulls' Hoiberg advice on rebuilding
Chicago Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said during the summer, he sought advice on how to deal with the rebuilding, and presumably losing, situation the team faced this season.
One of those conversations was with Philadelphia's Brett Brown, who became head coach before the 2013-14 season, endured "The Process" and several losing records but is still in the job.
"It was long and it was candid," Brown said before Monday's game at the United Center. "I gave him everything I could to help him the way I have been helped. We talked about everything. On court, off court - everything."
Hoiberg said Brown's message included advice to stay positive but also hold the players accountable. Brown talked Monday about what he thinks is the most important part of coaching in those circumstances.
"Understanding the vision line … where you're not influenced too much by the current moment of winning and losing," Brown said. "You see the world from a different vision point and understand that good days do add up, that skipping steps doesn't help. What's important in November will end up being important in March and maybe even May one day."
Brown said ultimately relationships and development are what's most important during a rebuild. Brown survived four losing seasons and the Sixers are at least in playoff contention this year.
"Brett's done an amazing job," Hoiberg said. "I'm happy for him this year. And I think they're going to continue to get better, especially now that they're healthy."
Hoiberg praises work ethic:
With the Bulls going from a 10-game losing streak to five-game winning streak, coach Fred Hoiberg talked about some positive traits of this young roster.
"Going all the way back, really, to September, this team has brought it every time they've stepped on the floor," Hoiberg said. "Even when you go back to the six-man groups we were working with in the off-season, they were getting after it.
"This is a group that works hard in the weight room. It's a group that really every time they step on the floor, whether it's a shootaround, practice or game, they have brought the intensity."
"Now earlier in the season, we'd get smacked in the mouth and face adversity and sometimes for a young team, it's hard to battle through that. Again, I give our guys credit for learning how to weather those storms."
Bulls horns:
Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said the reason Joel Embiid didn't make the trip to Chicago is he doesn't play in back-to-backs and the Sixers are saving him for Tuesday's home game. The often-injured Embiid has never played against the Bulls. …
Brown before the game on the undefeated Nikola Mirotic: "A modern-day player. Is a real threat. You have to know where he is. When we study, 'What does a modern-day player look like?' It looks like him. Big athlete, can make shots."