Sports

NBA

Knicks leave decision up to Brown

Associated Press
Published July 26, 2005

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NEW YORK - The Knicks have entered the final phase of their recruitment of Larry Brown and could have a deal in place with the Hall of Fame coach as early as today, according to the Times, or Thursday, according to the Daily News .

Brown met with interim coach Herb Williams Monday night to discuss the direction of the team and ask Williams to join his coaching staff, according to the Daily News . As recently as last week, Brown said he wanted Williams to remain head coach. But that was before the Knicks began courting the former Pistons coach, who grew up a Knicks fan and dreamed of taking over the spot that once belonged to Red Holzman.

"It is important that I talk to Herb," Brown said before taking the Cablevision helicopter from East Hampton to Manhattan. "I have a lot of respect for him."

Joe Glass, Brown's longtime friend and agent, revealed he has begun discussions with Knicks president Isiah Thomas. The Knicks are expected to offer Brown a five-year contract worth between $50-million and $60-million. Several details still have to be negotiated, including which assistants will remain with the club and who Brown might want to hire from the outside.

KNICKS OBIT: Sonny Hertzberg, the captain in the team's inaugural 1946-47 season and a star player at City College under the legendary coach Nat Holman, died at his home in Woodmere, Long Island, four days shy of his 83rd birthday. His daughter Lois Nevitt said he died of heart failure.

CAVALIERS: Restricted free agent Marko Jaric could resolve Cleveland's pressing backcourt needs. Jaric, who has played the past three seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, will visit with Cavaliers officials Wednesday, according to his agent, Bill Duffy. Jaric, 26, averaged 9.9 points, 6.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds last season. He missed 30 games with foot and hip injuries.

MAGIC: Hedo Turkoglu, 26, completed his mandatory military service over the weekend, according to Turkish press reports. The 6-foot-10 forward, who signed a six-year contract in 2004, served only 21 days. Military service is compulsory for Turkish men, who normally complete 15 months before age 41. Turks who work abroad for more than three years, however, can pay to shorten their service, though they are expected to go through basic training.

PACERS: European star Sarunas Jasikevicius, who won three consecutive Euroleague championships, agreed to a three-year deal, agent Doug Neustadt said. Jasikevicius, a 29-year-old point guard, cannot sign a contract until terms of the new collective-bargaining agreement are finalized. The moratorium on signings was supposed to end at 6 p.m. Thursday, but likely will last until Monday or Tuesday.

[Last modified July 26, 2005, 01:16:15]

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