http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/229675.html
Marty Mac's world: Larry and Kobe were meant for each other
By Martin McNeal - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C2
It was only a matter of time before somebody interjected Larry Brown's nomadic self into the Kings' coaching search. Perhaps the Kings should sign Brown and trade for Lakers star guard Kobe Bryant, who also can't make up his mind these days.
Then they can be indecisive together.
Some people can have their way with the world and it's never enough.
But Mr. Brown can be helped, and we aim to please.
Yo, Larry! Was it Friday or Saturday when you were misquoted? Or was I confused when you appeared to relay your curiosity about and interest in the Kings' coaching job to The Bee? Or was I confused a day later when you appeared to tell a Bee reporter you respected Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie too much to campaign for the job?
Certainly, Mr. Brown, no one would believe you would campaign for a job, even though you seemingly had the Detroit coaching job lined up in 2003 while you were coaching the Philadelphia 76ers. Then after winning the 2004 NBA title with the Pistons, you attempted to defend the championship with one foot on a plane on the way to hook up with Isiah Thomas and the New York Knicks.
Brown got a five-year deal, but one 23-59 season was enough for both sides. Terms of the parting were unclear to me, but Brown either resigned, was fired or some combination of the two. That one ended in court with each side calling the other scoundrels and each side being amazingly accurate.
For the sake of discussion, let's say Brown left the Knicks with approximately $30 million. So, money is not an issue for Brown and the Kings' job. He says he doesn't want to leave coaching with that dismal season with the Knicks as the last on his résumé. Does he think everyone will forget? Does he think everyone forgot he has been an excellent coach everywhere he has been, winning the 1988 NCAA title with Kansas as well as the aforementioned NBA championship?
Yo, Larry, remember years ago when you pined openly to coach high school kids? You said it over and over and over again as if it was something you really were telling the truth about. Well, you had me believing it for a while.
You said teaching was what you enjoyed the most. Well, forget the Kings, carry your butt to a local high school on Long Island, take an unpaid coaching job and help teach kids how to play.
You know, Larry, the right way. Isn't that the way you've always said it?
Can Bryant hear himself?
We all know how confused and selfish and downright pitiful Bryant has sounded in his recent back-and-forth rants regarding his future with the Lakers. One day, he took three stances on three radio shows before apparently realizing he didn't want to be dealt.
Now, he has met in Spain (guess El Segundo was not romantic enough) with Lakers owner Jerry Buss and made it clear he wants to be traded.
It would be nice to know Bryant's thoughts when he hears replays of his comments. Does he sound as out of it to himself as he does to the rest of us?
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
Marty Mac's world: Larry and Kobe were meant for each other
By Martin McNeal - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C2
It was only a matter of time before somebody interjected Larry Brown's nomadic self into the Kings' coaching search. Perhaps the Kings should sign Brown and trade for Lakers star guard Kobe Bryant, who also can't make up his mind these days.
Then they can be indecisive together.
Some people can have their way with the world and it's never enough.
But Mr. Brown can be helped, and we aim to please.
Yo, Larry! Was it Friday or Saturday when you were misquoted? Or was I confused when you appeared to relay your curiosity about and interest in the Kings' coaching job to The Bee? Or was I confused a day later when you appeared to tell a Bee reporter you respected Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie too much to campaign for the job?
Certainly, Mr. Brown, no one would believe you would campaign for a job, even though you seemingly had the Detroit coaching job lined up in 2003 while you were coaching the Philadelphia 76ers. Then after winning the 2004 NBA title with the Pistons, you attempted to defend the championship with one foot on a plane on the way to hook up with Isiah Thomas and the New York Knicks.
Brown got a five-year deal, but one 23-59 season was enough for both sides. Terms of the parting were unclear to me, but Brown either resigned, was fired or some combination of the two. That one ended in court with each side calling the other scoundrels and each side being amazingly accurate.
For the sake of discussion, let's say Brown left the Knicks with approximately $30 million. So, money is not an issue for Brown and the Kings' job. He says he doesn't want to leave coaching with that dismal season with the Knicks as the last on his résumé. Does he think everyone will forget? Does he think everyone forgot he has been an excellent coach everywhere he has been, winning the 1988 NCAA title with Kansas as well as the aforementioned NBA championship?
Yo, Larry, remember years ago when you pined openly to coach high school kids? You said it over and over and over again as if it was something you really were telling the truth about. Well, you had me believing it for a while.
You said teaching was what you enjoyed the most. Well, forget the Kings, carry your butt to a local high school on Long Island, take an unpaid coaching job and help teach kids how to play.
You know, Larry, the right way. Isn't that the way you've always said it?
Can Bryant hear himself?
We all know how confused and selfish and downright pitiful Bryant has sounded in his recent back-and-forth rants regarding his future with the Lakers. One day, he took three stances on three radio shows before apparently realizing he didn't want to be dealt.
Now, he has met in Spain (guess El Segundo was not romantic enough) with Lakers owner Jerry Buss and made it clear he wants to be traded.
It would be nice to know Bryant's thoughts when he hears replays of his comments. Does he sound as out of it to himself as he does to the rest of us?
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
