French National Team Interested in Larry Brown

¹²³ · Mar 2, 2009

French National Team Interested in Larry Brown

A French basketball website (yes, there is such a thing) called BasketNews is reporting that the French basketball federation (FFBB) has contacted Larry Brown about becoming the next head coach of France’s national team. Yvan Mainini, the president of the FFBB, would not confirm this information and gave no comment. The federation will announce its selection for the head coaching position on March 4th. Prior to this Larry Brown rumor, the odds-on favorite for the gig was Vincent Collet, the head coach of the great French club, ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne.

If France is thinking about cherry-picking an NBA coach, Larry certainly would seem to be a likely choice. He has two joueurs de basket-ball Francais on his Bobcats squad, Boris Diaw and Alexis Ajinca. And, Lord knows, the man loves to travel. [Ed. note: And possesses the proper fashion sense, as evidenced by that photo.]
Click to expand...

¹²³ · Mar 2, 2009

FIBA.com - Brown Linked With French Role This Summer

The last time Larry Brown graced the international stage was in 2004 at the Athens Olympics, when the veteran coached the United States to a bronze medal.

The boss of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats could be set for a return, though not as coach and not with the USA.

Instead, Brown, according to BasketNews in France, has expressed the hope that he might “give a hand” to Les Bleus.

The French Basketball Federation are to announce on Wednesday their coach for this year’s Additional Qualifying Round for EuroBasket 2009.

Brown, who has Frenchman Boris Diaw and Alexis Ajinca in his Bobcats squad that has been playing much better of late, was asked if he would like to coach France.

"I would really like to give a hand, whatever that may be, but I don´t think that this (head coach) is for me,” Brown said.

"There are many good coaches out there that know the international game better than me.

“Because of my relations with my two players (Diaw and Ajinca) and the number of French in the NBA, I would like to help."

France will take on Italy and Finland in Group B of the Additional Qualifying Round and if they finish top will then face the winner of Group A – Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Portugal.
Click to expand...

speeds · Mar 2, 2009

Surprised they wouldn't go after someone like Sam Mitchell who has played in France and speaks a bit of the language.

Brown must be pricey.

¹²³ · Mar 4, 2009

It's Vincent Collet job now.

France appoint Vincent Collet as national team coach

PARIS (EuroBasket 2009) - France have appointed ASVEL Basket boss Vincent Collet as their new national team coach.

Collet, 45, an assistant on the coaching staff in 2002-03, takes the reins ahead of this summer's Additional Qualifying Round for EuroBasket 2009 with France set to take on Italy and Finland in Group B.

Should Les Bleus win that pool, they will take on the winner of Group A (Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Portugal) for the right to advance to the Final Round in Poland.

Collet has long been recognised as one of the top coaches in his country's top flight.

While at Le Mans from the 2000-2008, he was voted French Coach of the Year three times (2001, '04 and '06).

Collet will take over a French team that has underachieved in recent years in the eyes of many.

At EuroBasket 2005 in Belgrade under Claude Bergeaud, the team stunned hosts Serbia & Montenegro and made it to the Semi-Finals where they blew a huge lead against Greece in the final minute.

France ultimately defeated Spain to capture the bronze medal.

At the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan under Bergeaud, France overcame the loss of star point guard Tony Parker shortly before the start of the tournament and managed to finish fifth.

At EuroBasket 2007 in Spain, France were just seconds away from advancing to the Semi-Finals but missed crucial free throws against Russia and lost.

They eventually came in eighth place, which prevented the team from taking part in the 2008 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens and also forced them to go into qualifying for EuroBasket 2009.

Last summer under Michel Gomez, France came in second place in their Division A group behind Turkey and missed out on earning a direct ticket to the Final Round in Poland.

With Parker and other talented players, however, France will be the favorites to win the Additional Qualifying Round.

One of those who could enter the national team is Portland Trail Blazers rookie Nicolas Batum, a former player under Collet at Le Mans.

Batum, a player for France at junior level, has been solid this season in his North American debut.

France also announced that Rouen coach Michel Veyronnet and Jacky Commères, the former women’s team boss and assistant to both Bergeaud and Gomez, will be on the coaching staff.

Crawford Palmer, a member of France’s silver-medal winning side at the 2000 Olympics, has been given a role to handle relations with the NBA with many of the country’s leading players competing in the league.
Click to expand...

Log in or Sign up

French National Team Interested in Larry Brown

¹²³ ¼½¾

¹²³ ¼½¾

speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

¹²³ ¼½¾

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

French National Team Interested in Larry Brown

¹²³ ¼½¾

¹²³ ¼½¾

speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

¹²³ ¼½¾

Share This Page

Useful Searches