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Hubie Brown Retires


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ESPN.com news services

Hubie Brown retired as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday because of health reasons.

 

 

Can Anyone Replace Brown?

 

 

Last week in Insider's story on coaches on the hot seat, we controversially included Hubie Brown's name on that list.

What could Brown, a coaching legend and the most recent recipient of the coach of the year honor, have done to get mentioned in the same breath with Lenny Wilkens or Jeff Bzdelik?

 

Regardless of what you've read in the national media, there was no rift between Brown and team president Jerry West. Unlike most of the coaches in the NBA, his job was his as long as he wanted it.

 

His health is the problem. He is 71 years old. He is slowing down physically. The rough and tumble world of NBA coaching has worn him down considerably the last few years. While he remains as sharp as ever mentally, his body is tired.

 

That pushed him to delegate more this year -- something that didn't always go over well with the players. Hubie had the ultimate respect of all of his players. His staff, however, didn't receive the same automatic deference.

 

When Jason Williams snapped at Hubie's son, assistant coach Brendan Brown, for his play calling in the fourth quarter of a game at the start of the season, the first evidence of discord bubbled to the surface.

 

Williams eventually apologized and Brown excused the whole incident to frustration, but the truth could be seen on the court. The Grizzlies weren't playing with the same purpose or cohesion as they did last season.

 

Brown told Insider last year that he was coaching from day to day. The Grizzlies had signed him to a three-year deal (which expired at the end of this season) but his agreement with West was that he would take it one day at time.

 

The Grizzlies reiterated just last week that they felt the team would always benefit from Brown's presence, no matter what. But Hubie felt he wasn't physically able to give it his all anymore. That was enough for Hubie to walk away.

 

While Lionel Hollins is set to replace him on an interim basis, expect West to begin looking for a long-term replacement immediately. He still feels strongly that this team needs a veteran coach who can teach and lead with a firm hand. Now that Brown has stepped aside, that search can begin in earnest.

 

But can anyone really replace Hubie? His decision to walk away will take away much of the hope that has been fostered in Memphis these past two seasons. If West, whose contract also expires at the end of the season, decides to join him this summer ... the new-look Grizzlies may have just been a one-hit wonder.

 

For more analysis from ESPN's Chad Ford, sign up for ESPN Insider.

 

 

 

"Unexpected health-related issues will not allow me to continue coaching the Memphis Grizzlies," the 71-year-old Brown said in a statement. "This situation was unforeseen and absolutely nonexistent at the beginning of the season."

 

 

Assistant coach Lionel Hollins was named interim coach, Grizzlies president Jerry West said. ESPN's Jim Gray reported that Mike Fratello is the leading candidate to replace Brown.

 

 

Brown was not available for comment Thursday. The team scheduled a news conference for Friday.

 

 

"This is an extremely sad day for me," West said in a statement. "This franchise is by far better from the leadership and guidance of Hubie Brown, and we will be forever grateful to Hubie."

 

 

Brown was the oldest coach in the NBA when he returned to the league in 2002 after a 16-year break.

 

 

He was head coach of the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks in the late 1970s and '80s. After being fired by the Knicks, Brown became a TV basketball analyst.

 

 

He returned to the league on Nov. 12, 2002, when he joined the Grizzlies in their second season after leaving Vancouver, where the franchise was founded in 1995.

 

 

Brown had an 83-85 record with the Grizzlies. He was named NBA coach of the year last season after leading Memphis to a 50-32 record and its first playoff appearance.

 

 

There was little doubt Brown would return this season. He was given medical clearance and told The Associated Press he had no hesitation coming back.

 

 

"No, none at all," he said at the time. "I feel fine."

 

 

Brown retired one day after the Grizzlies lost to the Seattle SuperSonics 93-84 and slipped to 5-7. He made no reference to retiring after the game.

 

 

In the game against Seattle, Brown was active, arguing with officials, calling out plays and checking on players when they were injured.

 

 

While much was expected of Memphis this season, the team has been hampered by injuries and has not performed to the level it reached during last season.

 

 

Brown coached for 33 years, including 15 seasons in the NBA.

 

 

Hollins takes over as an interim coach for the second time. He first joined the Grizzlies as lead assistant in Vancouver during the team's inaugural season. He took over as head coach midway through the 1999-00 season, guiding Vancouver to an 18-42 finish.

 

 

Grizzlies forward James Posey said before the season that Brown could have retired without apologizing.

 

 

"He could sit back and have a couple of margaritas or something, but he chose to come back," Posey said. "That's why I love to be around him. He's not willing to give in."

 

 

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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