By Compiled from Times wires
Published June 2, 2003
DETROIT - Larry Brown agreed to a five-year, $25-million deal to be the next coach of the Pistons, the Associated Press reported Sunday.
Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek said the team would introduce its new coach at a 2 p.m. news conference today at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Dobek would not confirm that Brown is the coach.
Brown, 62, replaces Rick Carlisle, who was fired Saturday. Brown did not return numerous phone messages left at his home during the weekend.
"Larry Brown is obviously a great coach and his record speaks for itself," Carlisle said Sunday. "That's a great hire."
Brown resigned as coach of the Philadelphia 76ers on May 26 after six seasons.
In Cleveland, meanwhile, Paul Silas will be the new coach of the Cavaliers after reaching agreement on a long-term contract, the Associated Press reported.
The deal was being finalized Sunday, according to the AP.
Silas beat out former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy, who had several discussions with owner Gordon Gund and general manager Jim Paxson about the possibility of becoming LeBron James' first pro coach.
"They decided, and they got a great guy. I'm fine with it," Van Gundy said.
76ERS: Contrary to published reports, Philadelphia still has not received permission from the Portland Trail Blazers to talk to Maurice Cheeks about its vacant head-coaching job, team president Billy King said. The Trail Blazers on Wednesday turned down Philadelphia's request to speak to Cheeks as a possible replacement for Larry Brown. "Portland denied permission. That's where it is," King said.
NEW YORK 70, WASHINGTON 57: Tamika Whitmore had 21 points and a career-high 13 rebounds as the Liberty improved to 7-0 all-time in home openers.
CONN. 83, SAN ANTONIO 64: Nykesha Sales scored 22 points and Taj McWilliams-Franklin added 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the visiting Sun.
MINNESOTA 68, HOUSTON 64 (OT): Sheri Sam scored 14 and Katie Smith added 12 to lead the host Lynx. Cynthia Cooper shot 10-of-11 from the free-throw line, but her lone miss, with 12 seconds left in regulation, would have put Houston ahead by one. The game went into overtime tied at 61 after a shot by the Lynx's Teresa Edwards was blocked at the buzzer.
