July 18, 200520 yr News from ESPN.com The Detroit Pistons and Larry Brown are parting ways, sources close to the situation told ESPN.com's Marc Stein. The Pistons and Brown, sources said, moved closer Monday to a buyout of Brown's contract, which has three years left at $18 million. It was not immediately known if the buyout arrangement would be finalized Monday, and it remains to be seen whether Brown -- plagued by serious bladder complications throughout much of last season after hip surgery -- intends to take some time away from coaching. If the buyout were to allow Brown to take another position, he could pursue a coaching job with the New York Knicks or a front-office job with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ex-Minnesota coach Flip Saunders is the leading candidate to replace Brown in Detroit after the Pistons came within one victory of winning back-to-back titles under the 64-year-old Brown. If true, I'd say this rapidly throws the Eastern conference up in the air. Indiana, Detroit, Miami, Cleveland, Chicago, and maybe Washington will all have a good shot without Brown in there. Miami instantly becomes the favorite.
July 18, 200520 yr Author QUOTE(kapkomet @ Jul 18, 2005 -> 12:11 PM) Why would this happen - unless Brown initiated it. This would happen because of health reasons...if Dumars isn't convinced that Brown can coach the full year next year, he would try to buy the contract out. This could also happen if Brown wanted to keep his options open...reportedly Detroit was quite insistent that the management was (deservedly) sick of hearing that Brown was flirting with the Cavs or the T Wolves or the Lakers or the Knicks or whomever else, and they wanted him to give them a firm committment that the Brown moving talk would end. Either or both of those could have done it.
July 18, 200520 yr QUOTE(kapkomet @ Jul 18, 2005 -> 03:11 PM) Why would this happen - unless Brown initiated it. Cause Bill Davidson (owner) is fed up with Brown and all his distractions.
July 18, 200520 yr From the Pistons board at RealGM, one of the main reasons was because of his unwillingness to develop Darko Milicic and Carlos Delfino.
July 18, 200520 yr QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Jul 18, 2005 -> 03:07 PM) From the Pistons board at RealGM, one of the main reasons was because of his unwillingness to develop Darko Milicic and Carlos Delfino. He does has that knack for not playing rookies/ very young players.
July 18, 200520 yr He does has that knack for not playing rookies/ very young players. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Not true. Tayshuan Prince was a full-time starter in only his 2nd season.
July 19, 200520 yr The Pistons aren't going to get past the 1st round of the playoffs next year. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Serves them right for ruining Indiana's season
July 20, 200520 yr That was quick; Larry Brown has reached an agreement with the Pistons to leave and coach somewhere else this year. Hello, New York! Jul. 20 - 2:12 am et
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