People have an odd take on the whole Brown vs. Iverson thing... When Brown arrived, Iverson was a point guard...at least that was his title. And he was really, really into being called a point guard. People forget, when Brown switched him to the 2, Iverson went ape****...Now most coaches wouldn't even try to make a move like that with the resident superstar; Larry pulled it off. The reason we hear about Iverson missing practice isn't because Brown lets him get away with it, it's because Brown doesn't let him get away with it, and Iverson complains about being benched, etc. as punishment. Most superstars get away with stuff like that, the acknowledged double standard for superstars is common practice. Brown expects Iverson to behave like every one else...now The Answer doesn't do that all the time, and then Larry pulls his chain, Iverson complains to the media, and we hear about it...How that translates into Iverson calls the shots I'll never know. Brown has repeatedly demanded that Sixers ownership back him regarding confrontations with Iverson, and ownership has, as Brown knows what he's doing. As far as Iverson taking crazy shots; yeah, true, but A) Not nearly as much as before, and B) If you notice, he does it in the flow of the game. Brown designed the entire offense around Iverson's ability to beat his man, and the teammmates set the picks and go for the misses...Philly usually garners more than it's share of offensive boards because that's what the teams looks for, Iverson makes the shot, or teammates go for the miss. But what is more impressive is that he has gotten a team with Allen Iverson to be a good defensive team, something people said couldn't be done.
So you would like Larry Brown as coach, right? Hmm......if he came here.......he would have much less stress because Francis is practicing all the time! Well not all the time.....but he practices longer than everyone else! Here...Larry's job would be to motivate the youth to play....mainly Eddie. His franchise players are hardworkers. Unless...Francis demands a trade.
Why people thought that is just inane....Iverson is an incredibly quick player, possibly the most important thing to be able to guard a PG.
Sort of, but going back to G-Town he has had inconsistent defensive effort...The point was more that people said a team would never be able to play defense with Iverson at the 2 spot. I wasn't clear about that.
Larry's biggest problem will be that he demands that players play within the offense and play defense, two things that Steve and others have had problems doing. Now Brown will set up offenses that showcase star players, so that shouldn't be a problem, but even the stars have to play within that structure, or they hear about it. One thing for sure...if we get Brown, it will be a massive dose of cold water to the Rockets like Steve, Eddie, and Cat who have only had to play for Rudy.
Yeah I understand that, but Iverson shouldn't be made to guard SGs, they are much larger than him, getting a bigger PG like Eric Snow to handle the SGs was something Larry did himself, and I give him credit for it. I still don't like how he changes personnel after every season. He even traded away Allen Iverson. If Matt Geiger didn't invoke the trade kicker, Allen would be on Detroit right now. Now, I understand that he theoretically wouldn't be the GM in Houston, but I seriously doubt he doesn't demand to be the GM here, something the other candidates won't demand.
Well Leslie Alexander really really admires him it seems. I don't think Les would fire Carroll Dawson just to get Larry Brown...I hope not. But I still want Larry Brown as head coach for at least 3 years.
I think we can assume that if Brown is interested in coming here, either he is interested in taking a step down from the stress of GM/coach, remember that he's not a spring chicken anyomre, or that the allure of coaching a star center is just so appealing that he'll take a lesser role in order to do so. I love Steve, and don't understand a lot of the bashing, but there is NO DOUBT that Yao is the big reason people want to coach here. Coaches dream about having a star center to design offesnes and defenses around, and that has become even more pronounced in this day and age. Add to that the fact that Yao is extememely coachable, extrememly humble, and very sound fundamentally, and he's a coach's fantasy come true. Steve is excellent icing, but in terms of coach appeal, there is no doubt that Yao takes the cake.
"Francis as well was brilliant, hitting 9-17 shots for 23 points, 6 assists, 3 boards and a pair of steals. Rockets kept pouring it on that reportedly Francis and Sixers coach Larry Brown were having some heated words at the end of the game. The coach was apparently hacked because Shandon Anderson threw an alleyoop to Dan Langhi in the final second, and the Francis-Brown shouting match ensued. Brown's only comment on it was, "They played great until the last five-tenths of a second." Responded Francis in kind, "I love Larry Brown. I'd be mad, too, if I was just spanked at home." "
All great players love Larry Brown. He knows how to treat superstars so that everyone's happy. I would love to have Larry Brown. There is NO better coach probably in the entire league. Imagine how valuable his schemes from Reggie Miller and Allen Iverson would be to making Francis succesful at the 2. Imagine if he brought Eric Snow with him? Lots of players love to follow their coach, and I believe Snow and Brown have that kind of relationship. My first choice would be Larry Brown. He knows how to set up an offensive system, AND get the team to play HARD and play DEFENSE. Van Gundy is my 2nd option, but only because I worry about his offensive startegies. Also, I forgot that Larry Brown coached Rik Smits, which HAS to be good for Yao Ming. Ming Griffin Posey Mobley Francis Would make it to the playoffs easily under Brown. Especially a more seasoned Ming and Griffin and a better adjusted James Posey. Forget that though. We're going to be making changes, and our team will be better. So really, if you think about it: If we hire Larry Brown, and he has some say in who we trade and who we acquire after his arrival, we're looking at a 5th or 6th seed next year.
But how can we get him? And why would Philly let him leave? And won't the people of Philadelphia be mad? And does he want to come here? lol.......if he could bring Eric Snow along too....that would be great.
That's right! Brown's implementation of Iverson's game has improved the last few years. AI is much less a one-on-one player as he used to be. He plays with more a "within the flow of the game" style.
It's not about whter Philly will let him leave. If he is not motivated to coach the players in Philly anymore (like he has said), then he will just quit and forfeit the last 2 years of his contract, knowing that he'll sign a new contract elsewhere. I think he'd also get along great with Yao Ming. I think having 3 different coaches in one year will REALLY help our players understand the NBA, how it's done on other teams, how they can fight other systems, and how to actually play within a disciplined system.
Anothe Another thing, if he quits on them then why wouldn't he quit on us. If he forces a trade then our Rockets faithful will pair him with SF in their merry hate-a-thon... We'll have to pay to get him and he won't come cheap. The only way he's free is if he's fired...
Sane, I agree 100% on Brown. If Brown comes in, and the Rockets make a few changes to the roster ie Mobley out, Francis to the 2 and a solid PG in, then this team could easily win 50 games next yr. I have no doubt that with a few small changes and Brown at the helm, this team will win atleast 50 next year. That win total would translate into a top 5 seed. Note, the Lakers and Wolves won right at that amount and were seeded 4 and 5.
If a guy quits on his team, he's still "property" of the team he quit on until his contract was scheduled to end. This is why JVG can't sign with any team until August 1st, when his past contract with the Knicks is finally up... If a guy quits one team, and then goes to coach another team, the other team must provide compensation of some sort...
we'll according to the one guy he is leaning toward not coming back which would be good news for the rockets. Larry would be a good coach, but i don't want to hear his whining every year after retirement and i wouldn't give him control over the roster, he can't keep the same players longer than half the season.
