May 15, 2006

Knicks May Be Looking for Way to Part With Brown

By HOWARD BECK and LIZ ROBBINS

 

The Knicks are tethered to Coach Larry Brown by a contract guarantee of more than $40 million, and as the franchise ponders its next move, that hefty sum may be the main hurdle to a divorce.

 

Distraught over their worst season in 20 years, and over Brown's erratic leadership, Knicks officials have been mulling Brown's future for weeks. But they have yet to decide his fate, presumably because of the millions they owe him over the next four years and because of the picture of defeat a buyout of his contract would represent.

 

The team's discontent with Brown is considerable, according to three Eastern Conference executives and one person with knowledge of the Knicks' discussions. They were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss relations between the team and Brown.

 

A contract buyout has been discussed but not yet pursued, and it is not clear if team officials are ready to make that leap, according to two of the Eastern Conference executives.

 

The Knicks introduced Brown, a Hall of Fame coach, with great fanfare in July. But rather than lead a revival, Brown plunged the Knicks further into disarray with a 23-59 finish, tying a franchise record for defeats in a season.

 

He alienated most of his players with his criticism, used an N.B.A.-high 42 starting lineups and engaged in an embarrassing public spat with Stephon Marbury, the team's star point guard. By doing so, Brown upset James L. Dolan, the chairman of Madison Square Garden, who abhors public controversy and who expressed his displeasure with Brown's criticism in February.

 

There are three ways the Knicks and Brown could part. They could fire Brown and pay the more than $40 million he is owed, or they could negotiate a buyout for a lesser sum. The third alternative is that Brown could decide to walk away, if he finds another lucrative opportunity.

 

There are three coaching possibilities in the league: a vacancy in Sacramento, a potential vacancy in Charlotte and a questionable situation in Golden State. It is believed that no team has asked the Knicks for permission to talk to Brown.

 

Near the end of the season, Brown made it clear that he wanted wholesale roster changes, and he emphasized that privately with Knicks executives. The day after the season ended, Brown said he was "excited" about returning, and Isiah Thomas, the team president, said the Knicks had not considered making a coaching change.

 

Yesterday, Brown's agent, Joe Glass, and the Knicks declined to comment.

 

If Brown is dismissed, one of the Eastern Conference executives said, Thomas might be asked to coach the roster he has assembled.

 

The New York Post reported yesterday that Dolan and Steve Mills, the president of Madison Square Garden Sports, endorsed the buyout option and wanted Thomas to replace Brown.

 

If the Knicks decide to negotiate a buyout with Brown, they want Thomas to coach the team to offset the cost of the buyout, according to one of the Eastern Conference executives.

 

Thomas has coached only the Indiana Pacers, who fired him in 2003 despite making the playoffs in all three of his seasons. For now, there are no obvious alternatives in the coaching market. A year ago, the Knicks interviewed Brown, Phil Jackson and Flip Saunders, all with impressive résumés. Saunders was hired by Detroit, and Jackson returned to the Los Angeles Lakers.

 

Thomas's friends say that he wants to coach again, but he has insisted that he does not plan to coach the Knicks.

 

Firing or buying out Brown — after only one season, no matter how dreadful — would be a painful moment for Knicks officials. It would be acknowledging a mistake — something Thomas has never done as team president — and would stand in awkward contrast to the celebration they staged upon hiring Brown just 10 months ago.

 

The Knicks would not be able to replicate that buzz this time around. The biggest names available are Don Nelson, who is in semiretirement, and Rick Adelman, who was fired last week by the Sacramento Kings.

 

The Kings' vacancy could present Brown with a landing spot if the Knicks let him go. The Charlotte Bobcats are another possibility. Brown's representatives have made inquiries with the Bobcats, according to the person with knowledge of the Knicks' discussions.

 

Bernie Bickerstaff has a dual role as Charlotte's coach and general manager, but he has considered giving up the coaching job. Another Eastern Conference official with knowledge of Charlotte's plans denied that there had been contact with Brown.

 

Given Brown's long record of leaving teams before his contract is finished — and his frayed relationship with the Knicks — his preparing for a future outside New York is not unlikely.

 

Brown and Glass negotiated a $7 million buyout with the Pistons last summer. Then Glass negotiated a five-year contract for more than $50 million with the Knicks, with Brown making $11 million this past season.

 

Including the $6 million in salary in his final year in Detroit, Brown has made $24 million in 18 months.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/15/sports/basketball/15knicks.html?ex=1147838400&en=5eb43d7395d75444&ei=5087%0A

 

--:cry: say it isn't soooooo!!!

That man is very intriguing. I don't know if there's ever been a coach of his caliber to be on the move that much.

 

He's a good coach, but is definitely stubborn. My guess is that if Marbury is still in N.Y. and starting next season, Brown will not be there. If what I said is not true, I'd be surprised. Marbury has never been a winner anywhere (and has been traded several times), and Brown has always been a winner everywhere.

 

So, figure out the logic in putting these two together.

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA.

 

That's seriously the funniest thing I've ever read.

 

$44 million... Damn, Dolan. How can you afford that?

 

I mean. I'm all for Larry leaving ( I don't think he can do a job with the Knicks ) but not Isaiah taking over.

 

It's like... to quote a basketball collumn I read... banging your head against the wall, then deciding that pain is insufficent, so you start banging your head against moving cars.

 

Ah well :P We'll see. I like Marbury though.

I like Marbury too... but he can't compare to Larry!!!! I honestly think if this deal does go thru, its because it has something to do with his health. But Larry Brown is a mentor.. a great coah, and all players could stand to learn something from this man! Stephon needs to get off his soapbox and leave his ego at the door. He could learn a thing or two about being a gentleman and a great ball player if he would just shut up and listen...

 

I hope Larry stays.. I haven't heard anything further on the matter though... :(