"Larry Brown, the former New York Knicks Headcoach announced on Monday evening during a short and extemporaneous meeting with press after the public Knicks training, that Isiah Thomas and he accorded, that he, Larry Brown would retire immediately as Head-Coach of the New York Knicks.
Brown, who was the Knick's head-coach since the beginning of the 2005/2006 season, achieved a team-record of 14 - 23 in 37 games.
Expected as the great hope amongst of the New York Knicks, which haven't made it on a playoff spot since years, Larry Brown received a warm welcome at his first day as Knicks coach
No one expected him to leave that soon, as his contract actually was valid until 2010/2011 and as he was the big hope in the Big Apple.
Said Larry Brown:"I always looked out for challenges. So did I when I was a player. But during my, short, time in NY, I felt, despite of the big expectations, the big hope the fans put into the team and into me, and the big challenge, that there is no more longer a sensible and reasonable way to get on with the management concerning the complete and successful rebuild and recovery of the New York Knicks basketball team.
I have my philosphies and my own imaginations of running a basketball team and I have been successful with these philosophies and systems.
But when you are not able to work out your plans and systems properly, because of lack of material and because of lack of the right decisions concerning the roster, I rather retire, than being responsible for more slumps and for more losses. One may say I am a coward, but believe me, there are too much differences between Isiah [Thomas] and me, which make it impossible, to move on without a bigger clash. You may wonder, that everything comes that sudden and unexpected.
I was very proud, having had the opportunity to coach such a great team in such a great city, and I still believe in this team.
The core ist young and hungry and still prepared to learn and to make progress."
After this, well, let's say, farewell speech, there was a short silence in the press-room.
Brown`s future is up to now uncertain.
Probably he will coach the team a last time, when the Knicks host the Los Angeles Clippers.
Further details to Browns contract and the outstanding settlements were not disclosed.
After the Clippers game New York will probably be coached by Herb Williams again.
He already guided the team through rough water in the 2003, 2004 seasons and is again expected just to be a interims-coach.
With the early and really unexpected loss of Larry Brown the Knicks lose, in fact, their last real champion.
Marc Shieper NYPost, Anthony Resper NYTimes, nba.com, Knicks.com
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