There are two pieces of interest that have Sixers fans talking these days: The play of Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid's increased basketball activity.
Since the All-Star break, Noel is averaging 11.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.8 blocks a game. In each of his last four games, the rookie center has had at least four steals and 11 or more rebounds.
Embiid can't play against another body yet as he continues to rehab from right foot surgery. However, watching his increased activity pregame gets people excited about the day Embiid and Noel will play side by side.
Might that happen in the summer league?
"I don't think it is essential," Brown said. "We will talk about it. I feel like we can really zoom in on the things he [Noel] is going to have to work on and grow. If that can better be achieved in the summer league, testing he and Joel together, maybe that is something we encourage. But as far as it being a definite plan, I don't have one yet."
Noel has played in 60 of a possible 64 games for the Sixers this season. He averages 30.9 minutes, second-highest among first-year players. Summer league rosters are made up of guys selected in the June draft, players coming off their rookie season and free agents looking for a training camp invitation.
However, players coming off successful rookie seasons do not always participate.
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"Everyone has different ways of handling it," Brown said. "Everyone views it differently. I don't want to pull teeth or fight about it. I just want to create the best environment for him [Noel] where we can keep moving him forward.
"I feel when I talk to Nerlens, and when I do it with Joel in the room, I can see an excitement with those two talking about how they are going to coexist and play together. I just feel this summer has to be about delivery — we have to improve this summer. They slowly are accepting that now. They get it."
Whether Noel plays in the summer league or not, Brown is looking forward to fielding a unique roster.
"After the draft when you look at our summer league team, it is going to be a whole other level of excitement," Brown said. "We haven't even talked about Pierre [Jackson] or Jordan McRae or the overseas people whose rights we hold playing. Imagine adding them to our current crop, plus the abundance of draft picks that we have."
There are six rookies on the Sixers' current roster. The team could potentially have four first-round picks in June and five second-round selections. There is no question a number of new faces will be on the roster next fall.
Brown is a strong believer in culture and stability, only the latter has yet to arrive.
"At the end of the day soon, it is going to be everything," Brown said of having a stable roster. " Fluid, I have to admit is the stage of our program. It still has a lot of moving parts. Those moving parts are slowly becoming ours in relation that we drafted them. It doesn't seem as erratic."
With 18 games remaining and only 14 wins under their belt, the Sixers have surprised some with the effort and improvement they consistently show. The head coach is adding another layer to his development.
"I am going overboard in having as many people here and have the city of Philadelphia our home," Brown said. "While guys may not make their homes here annually, I want them to reconsider that. We want guys here in the city. I feel like when we grow our practice facility, and it is world-class like what we are building, it will be more purposeful just to stay in Philly."
Brown used the Field of Dreams analogy, "If you build it they will come."
Building an elite facility is important, but having high-level talent on the roster is every bit as important.