The Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers have contacted Larry Brown about their current head coaching vacancies, according to a source speaking with SNY’s Adam Zagoria. A third team has also contacted Brown, but it is uncertain who that third team is. From Zagoria:
“If one of those teams offered him I think he would [take it] but I don’t think they’re going to offer him,” the source said.
Is the 72-year old Brown ready to commit himself to a NBA organization at his advanced age (he would become the oldest head coach in NBA history if hired)?
“He loves to teach and coach basketball,” the source said. “He walks six or seven miles a day. I think he’ll coach till he’s 80. He has more juice than a guy 20 years younger than him.”
The report notes that the contact was preliminary and no offer was made, and that the Nets are not expected to offer Brown a contract.
Brown — whose SMU Mustangs are set to have the 14th best recruiting class in college basketball next season — is the only head coach to ever win an NBA title as well as an NCAA title. Brown last coached in the NBA back in 2010 with the Charlotte Bobcats. He has coached 2,338 games in his NBA career and has compiled a record of 1327-1011 (.568).
Nets General Manager Billy King has connections to Brown. The two worked together in Indiana for four years where Brown hired King as an assistant coach, and the two later paired up in Philadelphia when King was the General Manager and Brown the head coach.
Here is what Larry Brown looked like the last time he coached the Nets.
After moving on from the Sixers, Brown went on to win the NBA title with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. After a two-year stint in Detroit, Brown struggled to put together much success. Since the 04′-05′ season (Brown’s last in Detroit), he has a record of 111-163.
The Nets are reportedly interested in Brian Shaw & Lionel Hollins for their open coaching position. Should we add Brown to the list? It’s not clear. But with the NBA draft approaching on June 27th, it’s likely the new head coach will be hired within the next few weeks.
Zags Blog — Source: Nets, Sixers Have Contacted Larry Brown
