Knicks make Brown richest coach in US sports history
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-07-30 07:26

But the Pistons fired Brown after a settlement for the final three years of his contract was hammered out, with Brown reportedly unable to ensure he would be fit to coach every game for Detroit next season.

Brown underwent hip surgery in November, returned briefly but missed a total of 17 games last season after developing a serious bladder ailment.

While the contract does touch upon Brown's health issues, the Knicks proved more willing than the Pistons to make allowances for the concerns in order to have Brown at the helm.

Isiah Thomas, the Knicks president of basketball operations and a former Pistons star in their 1990 and 1991 championship era, began pursuing Brown once it was clear he would not be back with the Pistons.

"This is a great day for the New York Knicks and our fans," Thomas said. "Larry Brown is not just one of the best coaches in the NBA now, but in its history."

Having said that being named the 2004 US Olympic coach was the greatest honour of his career, Brown amended that remark upon the stage at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks' home arena where he dreamed as a boy of an NBA career.

"I think standing here in Madison Square Garden with Isiah and my family, this tops it all," Brown said.

Improving the Knicks will be a massive rebuilding task for Brown. They went 33-49 last season and missed the playoffs for the third time in four years.

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