After a ponderous, five-month search for a man willing to act as Brett Brown's mouthpiece, the Sixers finally just walked upstairs and hired the only man who fit their narrow and outrageous job description.
A junior partner.
That's why he hired Elton Brand to be his general manager. Brand is just 23 months removed from taking orders from Brown, who then was, of course, his coach. It will be an atypical relationship. Brown will not answer to Brand, nor should he.
Brand, 39, retired only two years ago, after 17 successful and profitable NBA seasons; he made almost $170 million.