Brown out, not burnout

Ex-76ers coach could be coming soon to a city near you

So Larry Brown finally stepped down as Sixers coach?

What took him so long?

Rumors of Brown leaving Philly had become an annual rite of spring around the NBA. With nine stops on his coaching resume already, it was only a matter of time before he packed his bags again. Loyalty to owner Ed Snider, who gave him a sweetheart financial deal, is probably the only thing that kept it from happening sooner.

Brown is simply a guy who can’t stand the status quo. He needs constant change. Look at the way he turns over his rosters each year. It’s no secret Brown clashed often with Allen Iverson, usually over the headstrong star’s reluctance to attend practice and workout sessions.

For an old-school guy like Brown, that approach to the game was heretical. Many of Brown’s friends around the league are amazed he put up with Iverson as long as he did.

As for the timing of the decision, Brown might well have had business reasons.

His name already has been linked to openings with Houston, Cleveland and the L.A. Clippers. The timing of the announcement, right on the heels of Rudy Tomjanovich’s resignation from the Rockets, could indicate something is up there. It’s possible Brown -- who is walking away from a reported $12 million left on his Sixers contract -- already has a deal cooking with Houston owner Les Alexander.

Brown also could opt to sit out a season. He already has a commitment to coach the U.S. Olympic team this summer and in 2004. If Brown chose to wait it out, there is little doubt his aura -- and price tag -- would rise the way it has for Jeff Van Gundy this season.

Most likely, however, Brown will be on an NBA bench next season. He indicated during his news conference Monday that he still wants to coach. He didn’t sound at all like a man suffering from burnout.

As for the Sixers, they will begin the search for Brown’s replacement immediately. So far, the leading names are Trail Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks, University of Kentucky coach Tubby Smith and former Georgetown coach John Thompson, as well as Van Gundy, Mike Dunleavy, Paul Silas and Mike Fratello. Cheeks reportedly still has a year left on his current deal in Portland, while Smith has an opt-out clause with the Wildcats.

Whoever gets the Philly job will have big shoes to fill. Brown might not have won an NBA title, but he helped turn around the Sixers franchise. He also lasted six years -- which is a long time these days for any NBA coach, let alone one with Brown’s vagabond history.

 

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