Brett Brown: 76ers have “6 NBA players”

The 76ers have a 20-man roster, but Brett Brown doesn’t see more than six “NBA players.”

Oct 23, 2013, 3:45 PM UTC

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

New Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown has been very candid with media recently, first stating rookie Nerlens Noel could be out the entire season as he rehabilitates his torn ACL, then softening his stance, saying people "a lot smarter" than him will ultimately make that decision. With that out of the way he took to the rest of the roster before Monday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, telling media that the team only has six "NBA players." Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the full quote:

The first thing is that Michael Carter-Williams, James Anderson, Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young, and Spencer Hawes are the clear starters. The second thing is that power forward/center Lavoy Allen is an experienced NBA player who is finding his way back into shape.

"And after that, who knows?" Sixers coach Brett Brown said before Monday's 104-93 setback to Cleveland in Columbus, Ohio. "You have six NBA players and then you have a bunch of guys who are fighting for spots and want to be seen and need opportunity."

The Sixers currently have a 20-man roster that must be cut down to 15 by Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. ET. Who are these mysterious players who aren't "NBA" ready? Brown singled out Darius Morris, Royce White, Tony Wroten, Solomon Alabi, Daniel Orton, Vander Blue, Nayal Koshwal, Hollis Thompson, Rodney Williams and Khalif Wyatt.

Liberty Ballers: How well do you know the Sixers roster?

Jason Richardson, Kwame Brown, Nerlens Noel and Arnett Moultrie are all guaranteed contracts who are currently dealing with injuries.

It’s not that Brown isn’t right in pointing out that the Sixers have a large group of players that haven’t proven they are ready to contribute at the highest level of basketball competition, but it’s rare for a head coach to take off the filter and call it like it is.

In a season where Philadelphia is expected to be one of the worst teams in the league, Brown looks primed to fill it with memorable quotes at the very least.