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Wednesday, March 30, 2005
[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Pistons coach Larry Brown has missed 15 games due to his health. The team is 7-8 in his absence. [/size][/font]
Ailing Brown may not return to coach Pistons
He doesn't feel strong enough yet after surgery to lead NBA champions.
By Joanne C. Gerstner / The Detroit News
AUBURN HILLS -- Pistons Coach Larry Brown said Tuesday he's still slowly recovering from surgery and isn't sure if he will return to the team.
Brown, 64, who had surgery March 14 to correct a recurring urinary problem, said he does not feel strong enough to resume coaching. He informed the players and President Joe Dumars on Tuesday that he plans to spend the rest of this week recovering then make a decision.
"I am not going to let them go very much longer (without an answer)," Brown said. "I want to get things settled. My whole thing is, I don't know if I can coach and not be healthy. I don't want to think about that (not coaching). I want to see if I can get better."
Brown, Pistons coach for two years, led the team to the NBA championship last year. He has missed the last nine games. The Pistons are 5-4 under assistant Gar Heard. Brown missed the first six games following surgery on his left hip Nov. 3.
Brown's urinary problems are a side effect from his hip surgery.
Pistons management declined comment Tuesday.
Brown would not elaborate on his recovery, only to say he's not progressing as quickly as he hoped.
"It's a private thing," Brown said. "When I feel like I am well enough to coach, I am going to be back. The hardest thing is that I don't want to keep everybody in limbo. I'm trying to get well. I came back too soon with the hip surgery, and I have been dealing with some things for 4 1/2 months that's been difficult for me."
Brown has been attending some practices and film sessions. He was active in Tuesday's light practice, talking to the players and observing their scrimmaging. He said being apart from the team has been difficult.
"It's no different from when I had the hip surgery, when I was watching them play," Brown said. "I want to be out there, I want to be part of it. It's painful watching, win or lose. And then when you know we're struggling ... it's hard."
[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-2]Clarence Tabb, Jr. / The Detroit News[/size][/font]
[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Pistons coach Larry Brown has missed 15 games due to his health. The team is 7-8 in his absence. [/size][/font]
Ailing Brown may not return to coach Pistons
He doesn't feel strong enough yet after surgery to lead NBA champions.
By Joanne C. Gerstner / The Detroit News
AUBURN HILLS -- Pistons Coach Larry Brown said Tuesday he's still slowly recovering from surgery and isn't sure if he will return to the team.
Brown, 64, who had surgery March 14 to correct a recurring urinary problem, said he does not feel strong enough to resume coaching. He informed the players and President Joe Dumars on Tuesday that he plans to spend the rest of this week recovering then make a decision.
"I am not going to let them go very much longer (without an answer)," Brown said. "I want to get things settled. My whole thing is, I don't know if I can coach and not be healthy. I don't want to think about that (not coaching). I want to see if I can get better."
Brown, Pistons coach for two years, led the team to the NBA championship last year. He has missed the last nine games. The Pistons are 5-4 under assistant Gar Heard. Brown missed the first six games following surgery on his left hip Nov. 3.
Brown's urinary problems are a side effect from his hip surgery.
Pistons management declined comment Tuesday.
Brown would not elaborate on his recovery, only to say he's not progressing as quickly as he hoped.
"It's a private thing," Brown said. "When I feel like I am well enough to coach, I am going to be back. The hardest thing is that I don't want to keep everybody in limbo. I'm trying to get well. I came back too soon with the hip surgery, and I have been dealing with some things for 4 1/2 months that's been difficult for me."
Brown has been attending some practices and film sessions. He was active in Tuesday's light practice, talking to the players and observing their scrimmaging. He said being apart from the team has been difficult.
"It's no different from when I had the hip surgery, when I was watching them play," Brown said. "I want to be out there, I want to be part of it. It's painful watching, win or lose. And then when you know we're struggling ... it's hard."
