"When you look at the improvement of the Sixers from where he started, we've had a lot of success. Like I've said in the past, we want to have a world-class organization up and down and it starts with coach Collins. He really delivered for the team, puts his all into the team. I couldn't think of a better leader for our team on and off the court."
In his two seasons at the helm, Collins has compiled a 76-72 record, making it to the first round of the playoffs in his first season and taking the team to Game 7 in the conference semifinals last May before falling to the Boston Celtics.
"Josh and I do connect," Collins said. "He allows me to give him my thoughts on things and he sifts through it. I enjoy being with him. I just see what he wants from this organization. He wants to win, he wants to win a championship.
"Philadelphia is incredibly important to me, it's where I started [as a player] in 1973. I've always been a Sixer for life, that's the way I want it to be. I've always told Josh I'll coach this team with my heart and soul as long as he wants me to do that and then somewhere down the road I hope to be able to join in a different capacity.
"For me it's sort of a circle of life. We're the Sixers. This is a proud organization. Somewhere along the line we've lost that swagger. I know the Celtics and the Lakers have won more championships but this is one of the proudest organizations in the NBA. These fans are tremendous. We wanted to be relevant, and at some point we want to be champions."
