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Brown: Waiting to hear back from Rockets this weekend

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Hottoddie, Jun 1, 2003.

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  1. Hottoddie

    Hottoddie Member

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    According to this article in the Detroit News, Brown is quoted as waiting on Houston to get back with him. Apparently, several of the players have called him, but the front office hasn't gotten back with him at the time of this interview. I guess this still means we're in the running & possibly, his first choice. The article also goes on to explain the reason for Carlisle's firing. It's a good read.

    http://www.detnews.com/2003/pistons/0306/01/a01-179803.htm

    Clashes doomed Carlisle

    Personality conflicts with Pistons' head office behind firing; Larry Brown may be next coach.

    By Chris McCosky / The Detroit News


    Clarence Tabb Jr. / The Detroit News

    AUBURN HILLS -- In the end, it wasn't his stubbornness, his reluctance to play rookies, his system, his relationship with his players, or anything basketball-related that did him in.

    In essence, Rick Carlisle was fired as coach of the Pistons Saturday because his personality clashed with several members of the Pistons' executive team -- primarily Owner William Davidson.

    "It was a comprehensive decision," said Pistons President Joe Dumars. "But I am in charge here, and when decisions are made basketball-wise, you are talking to the right person."

    Dumars is expected to announce as early as Monday that 62-year-old Larry Brown, who recently resigned after six seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, will be the next coach of the Pistons.

    Brown would bring 31 years of head coaching experience to Detroit and is considered to be an excellent teacher of the game. That could be beneficial to the Pistons, considering that the core of the team is 28 years old and younger.

    Still, don't expect big changes in style or philosophy, because in many ways the Pistons under Carlisle were molded after Brown's teams in Philadelphia -- defense first and tough-minded.

    "You can talk about whether this may or may not be fair," Carlisle said of his firing. "Or, you can be excited about the fact that you were fired at the height of your success as a coach."


    Rough start


    Carlisle's problems with the organization began almost immediately when he was hired two years ago.

    He had a very clear vision of how he wanted to run his team and he wanted it isolated from the rest of the Palace Entertainment corporation.

    He brusquely removed Palace employees from the practice facility during practices and shoot-arounds. He told Dumars when he was first hired that he didn't want George David, the team's director of scouting, to travel with the team.

    He didn't enjoy schmoozing with season ticket holders, and he didn't go out of his way to assist Palace marketers, ticket-sellers or media relations personnel.

    He publicly disparaged the Pistons front office on a couple occasions. Last season, he criticized Palace Entertainment President Tom Wilson for putting playoff tickets on sale before the team had clinched a playoff berth.

    This year, he criticized those in charge of scheduling events at The Palace, namely Dan Hauser, executive vice president.

    And he was perceived as rude and aloof to those in upper management.

    Yet, he would go out of his way to support his players and coaching staff. He never once publicly criticized a player. He just wanted to coach his team.

    "It's obviously disappointing not to be able to see this thing through," Carlisle said."Though we fell short of our goals, which was to win a championship, positive steps have been made, much was learned and there was great growth all around.

    "I like the fact that through these tough couple of days, Joe and I still have a great relationship, the franchise will continue to thrive and I really believe that great things will happen for me and my wife and our dogs."


    The final decision


    It was clear Saturday that the decision to fire Carlisle came from above Dumars.

    "I can't sit here and justify this to you, in terms of the 50-win seasons and all the success we've had here the last two years," Dumars said. "I am not prepared to go into all the minute details of why this has happened. I do believe that Rick got the complete maximum from our team.

    "If I had to go back two years ago and do it again, I would do the same thing. I was lucky to get him two years ago."

    Dumars also went on to defend Carlisle's coaching style, his offensive and defensive systems and said it had nothing to do with complaints from players that arose after the Pistons were swept from the conference finals by New Jersey a week ago Saturday.

    "I've read about players' complaints," Dumars said. "Listen, if you start changing coaches because players complained, you better be prepared to go get yourself a new coach every month.

    "That's a nonissue."

    Here are some of the real issues: Carlisle had one year remaining on his three-year contract and he stood to make roughly $1.9 million.

    Dumars and Carlisle both were willing to play out that third year. But late Thursday or early Friday, everything changed.

    Presumably, Davidson said he would not approve a contract extension for Carlisle, thus there would be no reason to bring him back as a lame-duck coach.

    "Six days ago, my every intention was to go forward and play out this third year," Dumars said. "It was an internal decision not to do an extension, so then we were in a position of bringing him back for a so-called lame-duck year. We didn't want to put anybody in that situation, and we both determined it would be best to look to go in another direction."


    Time for courtship


    Davidson, in saying no to Carlisle, gave Dumars permission to hire a big-name, top-dollar head coach to replace him.

    Dumars immediately went after Brown, who has won more than 60 percent of his games as a head coach -- 57 percent in 20 NBA seasons.

    "He is at the top of our list, for sure," Dumars said. "But he is also at the top of the list (for openings) in Houston, Cleveland and Washington, as well. We will have to see if we can get him. But I will tell you this, there were three guys that you would like to have if you have to replace Rick Carlisle -- Phil Jackson (Lakers), Pat Riley (Heat) and Larry Brown."

    Of the three, only Brown is available.

    "Don't be silly. Of course (I'm interested)," Brown said from his home in Philadelphia on Saturday. "Joe Dumars is one of my heroes, and (vice president of basketball operations) John Hammond and I coached together with the Clippers. We're friends and have spent a lot of time together."

    Any possible moves -- by the Pistons or by Brown -- would have to wait because Brown is still considering Houston.

    "I met with the Houston people Tuesday or Wednesday," Brown said. "They said they were going to get back to me this weekend. I haven't heard from them yet. I've heard from some of the players. They called. But that's it."

    Brown called a report on ESPN.com that said the former coach had 72 hours to make up his mind on whether to accept the Pistons job or the Rockets position "not accurate."


    The next step


    As for Carlisle, his unemployment status might be short-lived.

    His firing led to a domino effect in the NBA, in which nine of the 29 teams have openings for a head coach.

    Portland Coach Maurice Cheeks, a former 76ers star player and assistant under Brown at Philadelphia, has been granted permission to interview for Brown's old job with the 76ers.

    If Cheeks moves to Philadelphia, as expected, Carlisle could take over for the Blazers.

    "All that matters is, both Joe and I are looking forward," Carlisle said.

     
    #1 Hottoddie, Jun 1, 2003
  2. DCkid

    DCkid Member

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    This completely clashes with what Clutch wrote on the front page.

     
    #2 DCkid, Jun 1, 2003
  3. DFW_Rockets_Fan

    DFW_Rockets_Fan Member

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    This sounds like a negotiation thing to me. Maybe he likes the Houston job more, but likes the Detroit money better.:confused:
     
    #3 DFW_Rockets_Fan, Jun 1, 2003
  4. Invisible Fan

    Invisible Fan Member

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    I wonder if the delay is about the money. It almost always is.

    I don't mind the possibility of renting Brown for 3 years. Rudy inherited a team of mostly veterans when he started. He was the perfect coach for that team. We need a disciplinarian now. Also, if you look at what happened after Brown left the Pacers, it wasn't like all the work he put into that team disappeared.
     
    #4 Invisible Fan, Jun 1, 2003
  5. Hottoddie

    Hottoddie Member

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    How does this article clash with what Clutch wrote? The article says that the Rockets haven't gotten back with him yet. In other words, they've already talked to him. Maybe he's waiting on a counter offer from them.
     
    #5 Hottoddie, Jun 1, 2003
  6. zzhiggins

    zzhiggins Member

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    Im sure the delay till this weekend was a mutual decision between LB and the Rockets. Larry had been clear that his decision would be seriously discussed with his family. I hope CD gives it his best shot to bring Brown to Houston ..if he does, his sucess as a GM will be greatly inhanced.
    Thanks for posting the article..This is indeed a great read. The more I hear about Rick Carlisle, the more I like him.
     
    #6 zzhiggins, Jun 1, 2003
  7. ymc

    ymc Member

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    Well. Clutch says we already made an offer to Brown. I would think this means we got back to him already.
     
    #7 ymc, Jun 1, 2003
  8. Hottoddie

    Hottoddie Member

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    Or, it could mean we made an offer at the first meeting.

    It doesn't really matter how many times we've already talked to him, the quote from Larry Brown states that he is waiting for the Rockets to get back with him again, before he makes a decision on the Detroit offer.

     
    #8 Hottoddie, Jun 1, 2003
  9. Sane

    Sane Member

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    God forgive them if this is about money.

    Money can't by the gap between Larry Brown and our 2nd choice.
     
    #9 Sane, Jun 1, 2003
  10. Uprising

    Uprising Member

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    Damn Detroit, they messed it all up for us. Like always, money is going to mess this up for us....Les is taking too long!!!
     
    #10 Uprising, Jun 1, 2003
  11. Hottoddie

    Hottoddie Member

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    With just about every major news publication claiming that Detroit is going to announce the signing of Brown on Monday, this would be the perfect opportunity for Les to make a huge splash & steal Brown away. Think of the excitement heading into next year this, & a new stadium, will create, not to mention the amount of egg that the press would have to clean off of it's face. :D Maybe, this is Les & CD's plan. Come on Les, pony up with the cash. It doesn't count against the cap & will be repaid several times over, when Steve & Yao leads us to the Championship. But first, you have to get the right coach to teach them how to do it.
     
    #11 Hottoddie, Jun 1, 2003
  12. codell

    codell Member

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    It most certainly can be. Depsite what many think, Les is not in a position to just hand Brown a signed check and let him fill in the amount he wants. This is not even considering what control demands Brown might be making or has made.

    Brown is a fine teacher and a great coach. However, I am not ready to throw money and all the control he wants at him.
     
    #12 codell, Jun 1, 2003
  13. DearRock

    DearRock Member

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    It does seem clutch got is wrong.


    http://www.nypost.com/sports/58287.htm
    Here is the Vescey. This covers some new stuff and help put everything together. I would think that LB was not offered but want to wait and see. It does seem he was not offered. Etc, etc.

    June 1, 2003 -- THE COACHING carousel completely came off its tracks within the last 24 hours:
    Jeff Van Gundy, I'm informed, abruptly terminated negotiations with the Cavaliers because of something GM Jim Paxson said. Rick Carlisle was suddenly ousted by the Pistons despite guiding them to two straight playoff berths, including this season's third-round finish; and Larry Brown, whose 76ers lost a six-game series to Detroit ("I've got losers," declared Piston VP Joe Dumars), has agreed to a $30 million (excluding deferrals), five-year deal that will be become official early this week.

    After 35 years of covering the National Bizarre Association you'd think by now I'd be fairly attuned and immune, to how things work — business as unusual; nothing is ever as it seems — and whose oath isn't worth the flash paper it's written on. So, how come I feel like I just lost my virginity? Repeatedly?

    As I've always said, "you're only as good as your sources." And a few of 'em, whom I have solid, long-standing reason to trust — Dumars, for example — have led me astray . . . though not intentionally, they testify. The per-jury is still out on that!

    According to those same sources, extenuating circumstances radically changed everything in Cleveland and Detroit, which wound up jerking around Brown's plans as well.

    Let's start with the Cavaliers. Everything appeared to going smoothly regarding Van Gundy's hiring until Paxson tried to undermine his coach before he was even hired.

    "Are you a man of your word?" Paxson asked.



    "Yes, I am. But what are you talking about?"

    "What I mean is, if you make an agreement to play certain players a number of minutes will you abide by it?" Paxson explained, obviously referring to LeBron James and the importance of him seeing quantity daylight so management can market him.

    "I'm a coach," Van Gundy replied, angrily. "I don't make agreements like that. I play the players the amount of minutes they deserve to play."

    Yesterday, Van Gundy alerted at least three confidants he is now officially a Cav-Not.

    Carlisle's release caught me totally off guard . . . sort of. From the moment his team got swept by the Nets there were rumblings about plenty of Piston people being displeased with him, not because Detroit lost four in a row, but because of unrelenting personnel and personal issues.

    I heard the chatter but summarily dismissed it as gibberish. Why? Because Dumars assured me when it started (first round, Magic up 3-1; Detroit columnists authoritatively predicted Rick's doom at season's end unless he changed his ways) he had no intention of dumping Carlisle who has one year left on his contract. When the Pistons overcame Orlando and ousted Philly in the next round, the revolt at The Palace appeared to be squelched.

    But, as they say, the average person has no idea what's really going on unless they're actually inside The Room. While there is utterly no justification for firing Carlisle pertaining to his basketball expertise or accomplishments, his gruff manner with players and office workers pushed owner Bill Davidson, 80, over the edge.

    "Rick rarely talked to the players and when he did he was abrupt and abrasive," now offers a long-time employee.

    Carlisle's deportment — something that afflicted him as a Pacer assistant which cost him a promotion when Larry Bird left — evidently carried over to the front office.

    "The situation got so out of control that the old man didn't care his team had won 100 games," says the source. "He'd had enough. Rick was told all year he didn't have go kiss anyone's [backside] or be their best friend, but he had to play the game. We don't want to kill Rick Carlisle [now a candidate for Cleveland behind Silas], but you don't fire a guy unless there are serious problems."

    Contrary to appearances, Davidson would've fired Carlisle regardless of whether or not a coach of Brown's status was available and inclined to set up residence in Auburn Hills. From what I'm told, he would've done it no matter what and was prepared to hire Van Gundy, Mike Dunleavy or Paul Silas (interviewed Friday by the Rockets) for whatever it took.

    As it turns out, it took a ton. Brown gave up $14M over two years when he resigned in Philly. Meanwhile, Wizard owner Abe Pollin was willing to give him $8M per to be both coach and GM. Consequently, Davidson was compelled to go as deep into his pockets.

    All things not being equal — other than the money — why would Brown opt for the Pistons over the Wiz, Rockets (owner Les Alexander hadn't gotten back to him following last week's meeting in New York), Clippers, Hawks, and Cavaliers?

    "Larry's 62," a friend underlines. "He wants to coach where he has a chance to win now; that's Detroit. Naturally, the Rockets are intriguing but he was never offered the job. The Cavs also interested him but Paxson's conversation with Van Gundy scared him off. Yes, he wanted control of personnel decisions, but he feels Dumars will have his back and he had a great relationship with [personnel director] John Hammond from their days with the Clippers."

    More significantly, Larry wants to follow in his brother Herb's footsteps, 25 years removed.
     
    #13 DearRock, Jun 1, 2003
  14. Hottoddie

    Hottoddie Member

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    You're using Vescey as your source to question Clutch? You better duck, because it's coming. Vescey is a joke.
     
    #14 Hottoddie, Jun 1, 2003
  15. farhan007

    farhan007 Member

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    IF we do not get brown becasue CD and Les does not call him in 72 hours, lets get our pitchforks and burn down the new stadium:D
     
    #15 farhan007, Jun 1, 2003
  16. Deuce

    Deuce Context & Nuance

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    I agree Sane. And I have been saying this now in a number of threads. If MONEY is the issue then I don't understand.

    Les has Yao Ming, a new arena...he needs to pay up. This is his chance to make a big splash with the team and what's a few million dollars more a year?

    Certainly players win championships but in my opinion coaches are VERY important and if you can get a good coach (ESPECIALLY with this YOUNG team) then you have do get him by any means necessary!
     
    #16 Deuce, Jun 1, 2003
  17. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

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    True that. I trust Clutch much more than I trust Vescey. Clutch has inside sources in the rockets organization. Vescey is a dip **** that doesn't even have sources inside the the Knicks.
     
    #17 rockbox, Jun 1, 2003
  18. RocDreamer

    RocDreamer Member

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    I like the way JVG handled the Paxson question. He basically said kiss my a$$, if you hire me I am the coach not you. Way to not buckle under the pressure. The is a great trait.
     
    #18 RocDreamer, Jun 1, 2003
  19. fadeaway

    fadeaway Member

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    "What I mean is, if you make an agreement to play certain players a number of minutes will you abide by it?" Paxson explained, obviously referring to LeBron James and the importance of him seeing quantity daylight so management can market him.

    "I'm a coach," Van Gundy replied, angrily. "I don't make agreements like that. I play the players the amount of minutes they deserve to play."

    That's freaking awesome! Van Gundy is definitely my second choice after Brown. I think he'd be great for this team.
     
    #19 fadeaway, Jun 1, 2003
  20. ymc

    ymc Member

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    The Cavs are really lame as an organization. I guess that's why they deserve LBJ. :rolleyes:
     
    #20 ymc, Jun 1, 2003
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