After hiring Mike D’Antoni to take over interim J.B Bickerstaff in Houston as the new Head Coach of the Rockets, the Philadelphia 76ers have an opening for their head assistant coach. Former Brooklyn Nets Head Coach, P.J. Carlesimo was said to be the number one choice to take over D’Antoni’s position, but now things may have changed.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN:
Coaching sources say veteran coach P.J. Carlesimo, despite strong mutual interest, will not be joining Brett Brown’s staff in Philadelphia.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 30, 2016
The Sixers wanted Carlesimo to replace Mike D’Antoni as associate head coach; PJ is close with both Brown and new Philly GM Bryan Colangelo.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 30, 2016
But for family reasons, sources say, Carlesimo has decided he can’t join the Sixers at this time and intends to stay in TV/radio with ESPN.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 30, 2016
Carlesimo who has joined ESPN as a TV and Radio analyst has decided that not joining the 76ers would the best at this time. This makes the spot open for other assistants, but Carlesimo is who they wanted in Philadelphia. With his connection to Brett Brown and the Colangelo family, it seemed like a match made in heaven, but family comes first. The 76ers have the 1st overall pick in this years NBA Draft and are hoping to surround Ben Simmons… oops, I mean ‘whoever they pick’ with a coaching staff that can help him develop into a star in Philadelphia.
