People of Philly: If the Sixers are including Mike Zarren in the GM search, they are doing a really good job. That is all.

August 17, 2012 11:37 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@ZachLowe_SI

Zach Lowe

Michael Zarren would be an absolutely fantastic hire for Philly. Better yet, if hired, he might actually have a photo at next #SSAC.

August 17, 2012 11:47 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@johnhollinger

John Hollinger

Mike Zarren, the Boston Celtics’ assistant general manager, is reportedly a “serious candidate” to fill the Philadelphia 76ers general manager vacancy. (Sports Illustrated)

With incumbent Rod Thorn expected to transition to a consultant role once his replacement is found, the Sixers were reportedly deciding between former Portland assistant general manager and ESPN analyst Tom Penn and former New Orleans general manager Jeff Bower. Penn was considered the frontrunner just weeks ago, but sources say his candidacy has taken a serious hit while Zarren and Bower continue to jockey for the job.

Though I watched Zarren speak at the Sloan Conference and came away thoroughly impressed, I don’t know much about him.

The little I do know:

He’s a statistics-driven basketball analyst with a law degree from Harvard. In addition to providing Danny Ainge input about players, Zarren has pulled double-duty as the Celtics’ in-house counsel. According to his profile on the website for Vermont’s Law School, Zarren is also the Celtics’ “salary cap and collective bargaining agreement expert”–impressive especially after this offseason, when the Celtics managed to maneuver underneath the salary cap to essentially sign two mid-level exception players. Zarren has also been a law clerk on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and a management consultant for Fortune 500 firms–so clearly, he’s not very intelligent or talented at all.

In all seriousness, losing Zarren would hurt the Celtics considerably. The Sixers are considering a very helpful hand.