<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> November 7, 2006 -- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said coaches around the league are outraged Larry Brown had to reach a "settlement" on the $41 million left on his contract, fearing it sets a bad precedent. Popovich went as far as saying the coaches might do something formally about their disgust, clearly taking a shot at Commissioner David Stern's decision before last night's 105-93 Knicks loss. Popovich, one of Brown's closest friends who was forced to testify at the Knicks' hearing, is concerned about Stern's stance to let the Knicks and Brown settle the matter instead of ordering the team to pay every dime. It's clear the Knicks saved more than a few million dollars. "I don't know what 'arrangement' means," Popovich said. "The statement also says it's not a precedent. I guess I hope it's true. I hope it's not a precedent. Just because someone said it's not a precedent, I don't know if legally it means it's not a precedent. It's a little worrisome. "What exactly does it mean for everybody else? I'm surprised it hasn't been talked about more. I don't know anything official going on, but everyone's talked about it and concerned about it. It may happen." Popovich missed his team's flight to France last month to testify and he's still outraged. "It was a pain in the [butt]," Popovich said. "I could lie to you if you want and say something really mature. The truth is it was a pain in the [butt]. Nobody wants to do something like that." It was left unspoken that Popovich would not show any mercy last night when he faced off against Isiah Thomas' Knicks. Brown privately blames Thomas more than James Dolan for the firing. "I was surprised [by the firing]," Popovich said. "He's a guy who improved every program. His best work is grinding it out and as the job goes he makes things better. That's been his history. A lot of us were surprised he was let go that quickly." Thomas said he respected Popovich and it was "just business." It is believed the Knicks were trying to prove Brown held unauthorized trade talks with the Spurs.</div> Source Imagine if the NBA coaches went on strike? It would have a serious effect on NBA games. This could get interesting if the media runs with it and more coaches speak up on the issue.
boohoo. he had to settle for a measley 20-35 million or so instead of getting the whole 41 million. his children wil surely starve
The fact of the matter is that Larry Brown did nothing to help the team, and, at least in my personal opinion, he handled certain matters very childishly. If you are paid a lot of money to help a team win, but fail your task, you should not be paid that money. That should go for both coaches and players.
Do NBA coaches have a union? If not, I don't see the anybody, but the very richest coaches (Poppovich, McMillan, etc.) going crazy about this. What are the chances that coaches like Sam Mitchell, Doc Rivers, etc. who are paid little and need to prove their worth would go on strike?
Paid little...wow. I'd love to make 3mil a year and say I'm not paid jack. Anyways, I don't think this should be such a big deal. I personally don't think he deserved anything. He dind't get the job done and the team had a legit reason to fire him. Why should he get paid a huge chunk of change for failure?
<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Paid little...wow. I'd love to make 3mil a year and say I'm not paid jack. Anyways, I don't think this should be such a big deal. I personally don't think he deserved anything. He dind't get the job done and the team had a legit reason to fire him. Why should he get paid a huge chunk of change for failure?</div> imo that's irrelevant. he signed a contract. therefore he should get the money that was stipulated in it. it was the knicks decision to both hire and fire him.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Do NBA coaches have a union? If not, I don't see the anybody, but the very richest coaches (Poppovich, McMillan, etc.) going crazy about this. What are the chances that coaches like Sam Mitchell, Doc Rivers, etc. who are paid little and need to prove their worth would go on strike?</div> I'm pretty sure they have some type of Union or Association. You have to overlook the money aspect and get to the core of the problem. By not honoring a "GUARANTEED" contract, David Stern is basically opening the door for more Owners to fire coaches without having to pay their full contract.
I think that there is a special interest for the nba to keep a team like Newyork Financially stable. I think that Stern would make this same exception for a team like L.A. also. It is unfair to the coaches because there is no penalty to the franchise for breaking this legally binding agreement. The NBA should penalize the franchise in some way if a contract is violated. But how you do that is another question. Personally I thing the rest of browns money should come out of Isaiah' checks. Garnish dem wages homie. LOL!!!
Ultimately, it's still the Knicks' management's fault that they signed him to that contract in the first place so I really don't feel sorry for them. However, it's obvious that Brown no longer wanted to be there (no matter what he said to the media) and pretty much quit on them so there's no way he deserves the full amount.
