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The Philadelphia 76ers are in the middle of a major front office overhaul as they look to bounce back from a tough season on the floor in the 2019-20 season.
They brought in Doc Rivers as their new coach and they also brought in Daryl Morey to run their basketball operations as both guys are going to take on the challenge of helping general manager Elton Brand get the Sixers back on track.
An interesting move Brand made before the hire of Morey was the hire of Jameer Nelson to be a new scout and an assistant general manager for the team’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. Nelson is a former NBA All-Star during his playing days in the league and Brand is excited to have him within the organization.
“I’ve been watching him closely the past few years,” said Brand. “He’s a very talented, well-respected in the Philadelphia area in our community, I wanted to see what he wanted to do. He’s the type of guy who [if you] get him in a role, what he wants to do, and he will succeed at it.”
Nelson may have been an All-Star only once, but he had a pretty successful career playing for the Orlando Magic, the Dallas Mavericks, the Boston Celtics, the Denver Nuggets, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Detroit Pistons. He averaged 11.3 points and 5.1 assists while shooting 36.8% from deep and he was a very cerebral player.
“To echo Elton, I think former players who are basketball smart like Jameer can really add a lot to an organization,” added Morey. “It brings a perspective that’s extremely valuable.”
Being a former player himself, Brand sat down with Nelson and helped him find a career after his playing days in the league. Brand started in the G League before moving up to the Sixers and he believes Nelson can do the same in his own position at the moment.
“I told him ‘pick a lane’ and he decided to pick management so getting an opportunity in the G League to cut his teeth, once that season starts up he’s going to learn a lot there, and he’s also going to be a scout because he has an eye for talent,” Brand finished with. “The goal for him is to be in management so he will grow there and I have no doubt that he will be successful.” [lawrence-related id=38807,38804,38800]