<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MIAMI ? Detroit Pistons coach Larry Brown said Wednesday he never has spoken to Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert about the possibility of becoming president of the Cavaliers. Responding to a published report suggesting he might want to leave the Pistons after this season and become Cleveland's president of basketball operations, Brown said he would like to remain Detroit's coach ? but only if he's able to overcome a health problem he plans to address as soon as the season ends. "I don't want to draw this thing out. As soon as the season's over, I'm going to get it checked. And I hope in a couple days I'll be able to give a definitive answer," Brown said before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat. "I think within 72 hours (of the end of the season) I'll be able to let (team president Joe Dumars) know. If he wants to make a change before that, I can accept that." Brown said he will stop coaching if his health problem cannot be fixed, but he would want to continue working in basketball in some capacity. "This is my last coaching job," Brown said. "The only place I'm going to coach next season, or ever, is Detroit, I think, in terms of ever." The New York Times, quoting an anonymous Eastern Conference executive, reported Wednesday that Brown has talked recently to the Cleveland owner. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that the Cavaliers had asked the Pistons' permission to speak to Brown. "Never talked," Brown said of Gilbert. "I don't know if I've ever met him." Dumars declined comment. Brown, whose name also has been linked at times with the New York Knicks' and Los Angeles Lakers' coaching vacancies, along with a handful of other jobs, has three years remaining on a five-year, $25 million contract. Gilbert, speaking to CNBC on Wednesday, said the Cavaliers "are undergoing a massive transformation" and that he will announce the hiring of a new coach, new general manager and president in the next one to two weeks. He wouldn't, however, speak specifically about Brown. "There's a lot of names that are kind of circulating out there and a lot of rumors," Gilbert said. "And unfortunately, or fortunately, I can't comment on any of them. ... There's nothing imminent right now signing with anybody but we're getting very close. We're very excited about the candidates we're talking to." Gilbert is looking for someone to replace former GM Jim Paxson, who was fired April 21, a day after the season ended with the Cavaliers missing the playoffs for the seventh straight year. And LeBron James, the team's star, reportedly prefers Seattle's Nate McMillan to take over as Cleveland coach. "LeBron will be in the playoffs next year," Gilbert said. "We're going to do everything we can to build a world class organization in Cleveland." The 64-year-old Brown coached James on last summer's U.S. Olympic basketball team that won a bronze medal in Athens. James was a reserve on the Olympic team and was unhappy with his limited role as the backup behind Allen Iverson at shooting guard. Brown missed parts of this season because of a hip operation that led to more problems, and he nearly resigned at midseason before deciding to continue coaching while dealing with his health problem, the specifics of which he did not want disclosed. "I don't want to continue coaching with what I have to deal with," Brown said in an interview with The Associated Press and the Pistons' four newspaper beat writers. "If it's cleared up, then we won't even have an issue. "My goal is to do the best job I can here, and then hopefully be a coach, because that's what I do. If I can't, then I'll deal with that." </div> http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/...-notebook_x.htm
Wow...i actually thought Brown was pretty much waiting to end this season then quickly become coach of the Cavs. I hope Phil gets to coach them next year. Good find!
I don't even know what to believe with this team anymore. I would only hope that Gilbert has talked to Larry, but who really knows anymore.
Of course the New York Times reports Coach Brown talking to the Cavs. Probably the same media that said Webber dislikes Allen Iverson, or the one that said MJ would be playing for the Heat this season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Silky Smooth:</div><div class="quote_post">Of course the New York Times reports Coach Brown talking to the Cavs. Probably the same media that said Webber dislikes Allen Iverson, or the one that said MJ would be playing for the Heat this season.</div> Man I'm so sick of false reports from the New York Times. It gets really old.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Silky Smooth:</div><div class="quote_post">Of course the New York Times reports Coach Brown talking to the Cavs. Probably the same media that said Webber dislikes Allen Iverson, or the one that said MJ would be playing for the Heat this season.</div>Can't forget the (insert player here) is going to the Knicks next year rumors.
bashing <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Two officials with knowledge of the situation said the Cavaliers will offer its president of basketball operations position to Detroit Pistons head coach Larry Brown at the conclusion of the Pistons' playoff run." Akron Beacon Journal</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"League sources have indicated that Gilbert has informed Pistons coach Larry Brown (or his representatives) that he needs an answer by tomorrow on whether he'll accept the job as the Cavaliers president of basketball operations. The flirtation process with Brown has gone on for weeks now. It has been rumored in Cleveland since the firing of Cavaliers general manager Jim Paxson on April 21, but it became national news when the New York Times caught wind of it Tuesday." Lorain Morning Journal</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Normally, teams don't talk to candidates involved in the playoffs. However, the Cavaliers received permission from Tom Wilson, president of Palace Sports & Entertainment, to speak with Brown. That formality was needed because Brown still has three years remaining on a five-year, $30 million contract." Lorain Morning Journal</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"One serious issue that the Cavaliers would have to attempt to protect themselves on is Larry Brown's wandering spirit. Some NBA insiders suggest that the Cavaliers could offer him an ownership percentage if he completes all or a portion of his contract as president. A similar provision kept Pat Riley in Miami as he will become a vested owner in the Heat when his contract expires at the end of the season." Akron Beacon Journal</div> source
