I had heard earlier in the week Croce was staying on as Pres. of the Sixers. Apparently he had a change of heart. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news/ap/20010726/ap-brown-76ers.html Brown to return as Sixers coach; Croce quits as president By ROB MAADDI AP Sports Writer July 26, 2001 PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Larry Brown's wife guaranteed he would return to coach the Philadelphia 76ers. He wasn't about to prove her wrong. Brown, who won coach of the year honors while leading the Sixers to the NBA Finals, made it official Wednesday, saying he will be back to coach the team. The 60-year-old Brown had been contemplating retirement since the finals. His wife, Shelly, maintained all along he'd be back. ``I don't want to make her look bad,'' Brown said. ``It was really important. She never wanted me to stop coaching and never wanted me to go any other place but Philadelphia. I would never consider coaching anywhere else. This is my last stop as a coach.'' While Brown is staying with the Sixers, Pat Croce is leaving. Croce on Wednesday stepped down as president after five years. Croce, who wanted to be chief executive officer of the company that owns the Sixers, will remain in the organization in an undefined role as consultant. He also remains a minority owner and board member. ``I want to grow, I have to grow,'' Croce said. ``I like to continue to learn and tackle new challenges. I needed new responsibilities.'' Brown, with four years remaining on an existing contract, said he just needed time off after two long seasons. ``My only issue was I wanted to be in position where I can give my team all they have given me,'' Brown said. ``After going through these last two years without a break, I just wasn't sure. ``Then having time with my family ... I just thought I was ready to go on. Coming back for rookie camp, being around the players is something I truly love.'' This wasn't the first time Brown thought about leaving the Sixers. A contentious relationship with star guard Allen Iverson forced Brown to consider walking away a few times. But with Croce's guidance, Brown and Iverson mended their relationship and had their finest seasons. While Brown was coach of the year for the first time in 18 NBA seasons, Iverson was the league's MVP. Croce's departure means he no longer has the authority to sit down Brown and Iverson in a room -- as he did in 1999 -- and convince them to hash out their differences. ``But I'm still Allen's friend and Larry's friend,'' Croce said. Brown said Croce's decision to leave didn't affect him. ``He has allowed me and (general manager) Billy King to do our job,'' Brown said. ``He's a phenomenal person to be around. I had one disagreement with Pat in five years and that lasted 30 seconds.'' Brown, who recently finished his fourth season in Philadelphia, guided the Sixers to the playoffs three straight years after an eight-year absence. He was coach of the year three times in four seasons in the ABA before joining the NBA. Last season, Brown led the Sixers to a franchise-best 10-0 start, a franchise-record 13 straight road victories and the top spot in the East. He recorded his 1,000th professional victory on Feb. 16, and coached the East to a victory in the All-Star game. Brown missed three games during an 0-4 road trip in March to be treated for acid reflux and a hernia. In December, he took a couple days off from practice, saying he just needed a break -- from himself, from basketball and from his team. Brown has winning records in 25 of his 29 seasons as a head coach on the professional and collegiate levels, and won a national championship while coaching Kansas in 1988. ------------------ My doctor says I am bipolar. I am going to get a second opinion. I have never had intimate desires for polar bears.
More drama, Iverson not happy about Croce quitting... Sixers saga isn't over by Marty Burns, Sports Illustrated Pat Croce's resignation as Sixers president could have implications for star guard Allen Iverson and coach Larry Brown. It was Croce who always managed to mediate disputes between the two. Some Sixers insiders even go so far as to say Croce is the only person in the organization Iverson trusts. Though the relationship between Iverson and Brown appeared to be much-improved last season, nobody believes disagreements won't resurface. "I'm tired of wearing stripes on my shirt!" Croce once joked last year, referring to his continual role as referee between Iverson and Brown. The Sixers might soon find out just how difficult it is to fill those zebra duties. Neither Iverson nor Brown was available for comment on Croce's departure. Brown has said in recent days that he intends to fulfill his contract, which runs through 2005. Without Croce, don't bet on it. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news/cnnsi/20010727/sixerssagaisn03.html ------------------ My doctor says I am bipolar. I am going to get a second opinion. I have never had intimate desires for polar bears.
