THE STYLISTIC transformations that Brett Brown witnessed as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs offense during his 12 seasons were head-spinning.
With David Robinson and Tim Duncan policing the paint, the Spurs were a defensive-oriented team. Then when Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili came aboard and Robinson retired, it changed all over again. Then, just before Brown left to become head coach of the 76ers, San Antonio turned its offensive game into one of plentiful and dazzling passes. The phrase coined by coach Greg Popovich and his assistants, including Brown, was "good to great." If there was a good shot to be had, another pass or two would most likely lead to a great one.