:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67753475/523134954.0.jpg)
Somebody grab another chair for that long bench the Philadelphia 76ers have assembled. Per The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears, Popeye Jones is joining Doc Rivers’ staff as an assistant coach:
Former Pacers assistant Popeye Jones tells @TheUndefeated that he is joining the Philadelphia 76ers as an assistant coach.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) November 7, 2020
Jones is the third member of the Pacers’ organization to come to Philadelphia this offseason, along with assistant coach Dan Burke and executive Peter Dinwiddie. In addition to having a top-notch name, Popeye had a long NBA playing career. He spent 11 years in the league, suiting up for Dallas, Toronto, Boston, Denver, Washington, and Golden State.
A couple years after hanging up his sneaks, Jones joined the Mavericks as a player development coach for the 2007-08 season. After a few seasons there, Popeye received his first assistant gig on Avery Johnson’s Nets staff in 2010, then moved on to Indiana in 2013. His son Seth is an NHL defenseman with the Columbus Blue Jackets, which has no relevance to the Sixers whatsoever, but is very cool nonetheless.
The Sixers have gone about assembling a very deep, experienced, and well-respected coaching staff this offseason. Combine that with the arrival of Daryl Morey and the other additions to the front office and there is plenty of reason for optimism regarding a 2020-21 season that looks to be just six weeks away.