One thing to consider:
There were a number of coaching openings this year. And, thus far, Larry Brown has not been interviewed for any of them.
Not true. Larry Brown interviewed with Memphis during their search for a new head coach and I thought at least one other team of the many that had openings recently. In the run-up to this interview I recall Brown being "intrigued" by the possibility that the Grizzlies with the NBA's worst record might land Greg Oden.
Grizzlies owner interviews Larry Brown MEMPHIS (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said he interviewed former New York Knicks coach Larry Brown on Thursday about the vacancy with his young team, but other candidates are also being considered.
"Anybody would have to be impressed with Larry, OK? He's one of the great coaches in NBA history," Heisley told
The Commercial Appeal newspaper in a story posted Thursday. "I wouldn't be talking to Larry Brown if I wasn't interested, but I wouldn't be having a process if I was interested in just one person."
Heisley did not immediately return a telephone message left at his Illinois office by the Associated Press. A call to Stan Meadows, the team's senior corporate counsel, was not immediately returned.
Heisley is looking for a new coach for a franchise that went from the playoffs to the NBA's worst record at 22-60 in one season. Coach Mike Fratello was fired in December and replaced on an interim basis by Tony Barone Sr.
Another possible candidate is Phoenix assistant Marc Iavaroni.
Heisley also must hire a new president and general manager with Jerry West leaving once his contract ends June 30.
Former Denver GM Kiki Vandeweghe, who once played for Brown, is possible for general manager.
Heisley said it's a puzzle.
"The question is whether they fit our team at the particular time, and whether there's a personality clash or not. It's like any interview process. I don't have any preconceived notions about what I'll do," Heisley said.
The 76ers gave permission for Brown, a Hall of Fame coach, to interview with the Grizzlies.
Brown joined the 76ers as executive vice president in January after being fired by the Knicks. The 66-year-old Brown has coached 11 teams in the ABA, NCAA and NBA. He won an NCAA championship at Kansas (1988) and an NBA title in Detroit (2004). He also coached at UCLA.
His agent, Joe Glass, said it's a known fact that Brown wants to coach again after taking a season off.
"Larry Brown will be a popular candidate for any basketball enterprise, whether it be college or pro, that's looking for a coach because he's a good coach," Glass said.
Find this article at:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/grizzlies/2007-04-26-larry-brown_N.htm