Larry Brown's 76ers are in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference.

Brown, a recent guest on ESPN's Up Close, told host Gary Miller that Kukoc will help the 76ers compete in the NBA's Eastern Conference. "With him we've got added depth, we're more flexible because I can play George Lynch just about anywhere, and it's nice having a guy who's a proven winner and who's made big shots in the past," Brown said. "He'll really help us."

Brown also discussed, in great detail, his relationship with Iverson. An edited transcript of Brown's Feb. 28 comments follows.

Miller: Larry, people are saying now that you're one of the top four teams in the East. What's the feel you have now that you've added Toni Kukoc, now that you've added the complementary piece to (Allen) Iverson. Are you a threat to go all the way in the East?

Brown: I think we're a good basketball team. I really think you have to include Charlotte and Miami, the Knicks and Indiana as the elite four teams, but if we play well and defend like we have, we have a chance just like anybody else.

Miller: How long do you figure that this period is going to take until Kukoc becomes familiar with your team and you use him the way you most want to?

Brown: It's going to take a little time. We've really had no practice time and that's when you clear up things. I'm trying to get a feel for what he can do and what he feels comfortable doing, but he's a terrific player, he's very unselfish, he's a much better defender than I had imagined. We just need quality players. I think our effort is great every night. With him we've got added depth, we're more flexible because I can play George Lynch just about anywhere, and it's nice having a guy who's a proven winner and who's made big shots in the past. He'll really help us.

Miller: You had to give up Larry Hughes to make the Kukoc deal. Were you surprised that Iverson said he'd take some time at point guard to make things work better (with Hughes)?

Brown: No I'm not surprised, Allen wants to win, but really our key is Eric Snow. He defends everybody every single night, he's so unselfish, he's so tough, and I think Allen has unbelievable respect for him, and they're a pretty good combination, Gary. I think where we suffered is when Eric was out of the game, and it would be totally unfair to put Allen or Larry Hughes as a point guard. I think Allen's strength is his ability to score, and we need to put him in situations where he doesn't have to beat all five guys, and usually as an off guard he's coming off screens, we've moved the defense, and we can best utilize him there. Allen will do anything it takes to win, but we've asked him to shoot the ball and score for us and that's what he needs to do.

Miller: Have you seen any change in him since he's come back (from the All-Star weekend), any change in his demeanor since he came back from that experience?

Brown: Well, I think he's awful proud of the fact he was recognized as an All-Star. He's felt for the last couple years that maybe people didn't recognize his talent and didn't want to see him succeed, but I've been telling him all along that the league wants to see him do well. If he just plays on a winning team he's going to start realizing these awards, he's going to have an opportunity to be an All-Star, play on the Olympic team, and sure enough, we started to win last year and he made All-League first team. We were pretty successful this year even with the injuries. He was voted on by the fans, which meant a lot to him. So I think he's starting to understand this. He deserves to be an All-Star, and I think he's been such a positive influence on our ball club, he's going to start realizing more and more that he can be a star in this league and people will be thrilled about it.

Miller: You've had some public spats with Iverson over the years. What have you learned from your relationship with Allen? What is it like today between you and Allen Iverson?

Brown: I have a great relationship with him, Gary. I've been there three years and he's finally on a winning team, he's been voted All-League first team, he's made the All-Star team, and he's recognized as one of the best players in our league. And I don't think that would have happened if we didn't have a relationship that was pretty strong. When you play as many games as we do and when you're around a player as much as I am, you're going to have ups and downs, and my job is to make Allen respect his teammates, respect the game, and play up to his capabilities. Sometimes we're going to have problems, but I think every time we have a little spat, it strengthens our relationship. I'm thrilled I'm having an opportunity to coach him, I'm proud of what he's accomplished, and I'm thankful he's helped our team win. I'm not going to say tomorrow we might not have another blowup, but every time we do, our relationship only gets better.

Miller: Do a lot of guys come into the league now and feel like they know everything they need to know already?

Brown: I don't think it's that, Gary, so much as they just want to play. They've been stars and singled out early on. They haven't been in a situation in college where they've earned the right to play, and I don't think they realize they have enough respect for the game and winning is not the most important thing, it's just playing time and that's unfortunate. Most of the time these young kids who are getting to play, they're playing for losing teams, so winning is not as important. The guys that stay four years generally go on teams that are playoff contending teams and they wait their turn. It's a tough situation. I can't fault kids for coming out early because a lot of their financial responsibilities are far greater than most people realize. But it's not good for our game. I think if you stay four years in college, you have the opportunity to learn and learn the right way, you respect the game much more, you respect your teammates much more, and then you're better prepared not only on the court but off the court to handle being a professional player. But, we just don't have that system in place right now and we have to learn to handle these young kids and give them an opportunity to play as well as they're capable of playing.

Miller: How much have you had to adapt to the younger kids coming in?

Brown: I have to adjust a lot, because I was brought up in a much different situation. When I played, if a coach said anything to you it was coaching, it wasn't criticism. A lot of these kids don't understand that. I remember early on, I lost my dad when I was young, but I remember my coach was on me all the time in high school, and my uncles told me if he's not on you he doesn't care about you, and I really remember that. I played for coaches in college like Dean Smith and Frank McGuire, and when you did something wrong they corrected you and when you did something well they told you that, and you didn't question anything they said. You knew they were looking out for your best interests. Young kids now don't understand that, and it's something we just have to understand and accept and try to adjust. This is the greatest team game if it's played the right way, and unfortunately a lot of kids don't understand that. Many young kids are interested in show instead of substance, and early on in their career winning is not the most important thing. As they get older and mature a little bit, I think their priorities get put in the right place and we have to understand that. Allen is 24-years old, he's been expected to do so much and help this franchise achieve so much. It's not that easy for him, but I see his growth from the first day until now as just being amazing. I think he's going to continue to get better and more mature.

Miller: How close have you come to saying, "it's not worth it," I can't take pro basketball the way it is now?

Brown: It happens a lot, but I'm blessed, Gary. I'm one of 29 coaches in this league and that's a pretty awesome situation. I haven't gone to work a day in my life. I'm doing exactly what I want to do. I don't think I'm capable of doing anything else. I've made mistakes and been given a second chance. I learn every single day from my players. I love the relationship I have with them. There are frustrations, but the positives outweigh them so much. Three years ago I did a miserable job at Indiana, I felt terrible about it. I was given a second chance here at Philly, and the players I've had have played hard for me every single night, have done exactly what I've asked them to do, and I just feel pretty lucky. I see great guys getting fired in this league, capable coaches getting fired without getting a chance, and here I am doing exactly what I want to do. I'm pretty fortunate.