Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Brown: NYK made right call on Lin
By Ian Begley

Larry Brown had some interesting things to say about the Knicks and Jeremy Lin on Wednesday.

Appearing on "The Mike Lupica Show" on ESPN New York 98.7 FM, Brown called the Knicks' decision to let Lin walk a sound business move. The former Knicks coach also said he viewed Lin as a "terrific backup" -- but not a player worthy of being paid $14.8 million in one season.

"I think Jeremy Lin making $15 million or more ... it's almost a max contract, the third year," Brown said. "(It) wouldn't have been a good business decision."

The Knicks untimely agreed, deciding against matching Houston's 3-year, $25 million offer to Lin, which called for Lin to make $14.8 million in Year 3.

Brown said that he talked to Mike Woodson, one of his closest friends, during Lin's free-agency and the coach would've 'loved' having Lin on the roster with Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd. This partially contradicts reports that Woodson wasn't enamored with Lin.

"All along Mike Woodson wanted him," Brown said. "(Having all three point guards) could've possibly happened if it was a legitimate contract to match. But it's over $15 million in Year 3, that's $30 million on the books. And over the length of the contract, I don't know what it is on the books. But I think it was purely a business decision and the right one to make (to let Lin go to Houston).

"And it's not like they didn't end up with a quality player (in Raymond Felton)," Brown added. "I think Mike Woodson is the type of person that will bring about the best in Raymond."

Brown didn't say as much, but his praise of Felton during the interview made it seem like he views the 28-year-old former Knick as an upgrade over Lin.

"I know there was a lot of stuff said about me not liking Jeremy Lin. I love the story and his success. But the way I looked at him, I thought he was a terrific backup," Brown said.

You can follow Ian Begley on Twitter.

It appears this refutes alot of notions that Woody didn't like Lin as a point guard. Appears to Brown that it was a strictly basketball business decision, not a spiteful Dolan decision like some might think. Remember, Brown got tossed aside by Dolan, and doesn't work for NY in any capacity, so he doesn't really have bias either way. Only thing I disagree with, is I think Lin can be more than a backup, a solid pro starter actually, but probably not $15 mill/year worth.

"I know there was a lot of stuff said about me not liking Jeremy Lin. I love the story and his success. But the way I looked at him, I thought he was a terrific backup," Brown said.

mrKnickShot wrote:By this time next year, Dolan will either have serious egg on his face or look like a genius. Gonna be interesting.

I do not think I will miss a Houston game next season. Will be very curious to see how Lin pans out/develops.

Last season, I watched most of Minny's games until RR went down, almost all the denver games and of course my knicks.

More fun next season with:

NY
Houston
Denver
Minny
Heat (if they are on a losing streak)

Don't forget about the Clippers...they made some nice moves and the team looks loaded.

Yes, despite his chips and stellar fashion sense, I would want to spend my attention deficits with some other source about Knicks stuff.

fishmike wrote:this would be "go get me Steve Francis" Larry Brown? That one?

Larry did one of the best coaching jobs in NBA history w/ Detroit. Easy. Pretty amazing with Phili also.

He's also one of the most blockheaded stubborn donkees ever and the job he did here was joke.

Larry Brown has zero credibility. They should have asked him how paying Lin ranked against paying him to coach in NY in terms of bad business moves. He left too much of a bitter taste in my mouth and I used to be a vocal supporter of his.

I can see Isiah-Larry-Marbury happening all over again. Glen-Woody-Melo. Thank god Melo has more brains than Marbury though and so far none of the off the court scumbag issues. But Grunny is close to Isiah and Woody to Larry. Enough to make me afraid.

Credibility is based on past performance, in this case, with this particular franchise. If his coaching "tenure" here had never happened, different story, right?

ChuckBuck wrote:http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/22382/brown-nyk-made-right-call-on-lin

Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Brown: NYK made right call on Lin
By Ian Begley

Larry Brown had some interesting things to say about the Knicks and Jeremy Lin on Wednesday.

Appearing on "The Mike Lupica Show" on ESPN New York 98.7 FM, Brown called the Knicks' decision to let Lin walk a sound business move. The former Knicks coach also said he viewed Lin as a "terrific backup" -- but not a player worthy of being paid $14.8 million in one season.

"I think Jeremy Lin making $15 million or more ... it's almost a max contract, the third year," Brown said. "(It) wouldn't have been a good business decision."

The Knicks untimely agreed, deciding against matching Houston's 3-year, $25 million offer to Lin, which called for Lin to make $14.8 million in Year 3.

Brown said that he talked to Mike Woodson, one of his closest friends, during Lin's free-agency and the coach would've 'loved' having Lin on the roster with Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd. This partially contradicts reports that Woodson wasn't enamored with Lin.

"All along Mike Woodson wanted him," Brown said. "(Having all three point guards) could've possibly happened if it was a legitimate contract to match. But it's over $15 million in Year 3, that's $30 million on the books. And over the length of the contract, I don't know what it is on the books. But I think it was purely a business decision and the right one to make (to let Lin go to Houston).

"And it's not like they didn't end up with a quality player (in Raymond Felton)," Brown added. "I think Mike Woodson is the type of person that will bring about the best in Raymond."

Brown didn't say as much, but his praise of Felton during the interview made it seem like he views the 28-year-old former Knick as an upgrade over Lin.

"I know there was a lot of stuff said about me not liking Jeremy Lin. I love the story and his success. But the way I looked at him, I thought he was a terrific backup," Brown said.

You can follow Ian Begley on Twitter.

It appears this refutes alot of notions that Woody didn't like Lin as a point guard. Appears to Brown that it was a strictly basketball business decision, not a spiteful Dolan decision like some might think. Remember, Brown got tossed aside by Dolan, and doesn't work for NY in any capacity, so he doesn't really have bias either way. Only thing I disagree with, is I think Lin can be more than a backup, a solid pro starter actually, but probably not $15 mill/year worth.

Remember, Brown quit the Knicks citing "health issues". He did not get tossed out. He got smart and ran away from stupidity fast. So Brown doesn't have a grudge against Jimmy and therefore this report is still heresay.

Unlike MDA and Linsanity....They only know one way to win....score more points.

I like our team....I like our GM...and I love NYC.

Now lets get this ring....I was only a few months old since our last championship....So I've seen the best and worst.

And this team is similar to the old school knicks....If not better. We just need a healthy Shump.....to make us complete.

Brown also has a long history of varying degrees of success at both the NCAA and NBA levels. He is a coach who was never afraid to take on a team devoid of talent and try to mold them. Although no one knows for sure what Lin will eventually turn out to be....Brown's opinion does matter.

JVG's opinion on Lin is that he will be somewhere between a very good back-up and a very good starter.

ChuckBuck wrote:http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/22382/brown-nyk-made-right-call-on-lin

Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Brown: NYK made right call on Lin
By Ian Begley

Larry Brown had some interesting things to say about the Knicks and Jeremy Lin on Wednesday.

Appearing on "The Mike Lupica Show" on ESPN New York 98.7 FM, Brown called the Knicks' decision to let Lin walk a sound business move. The former Knicks coach also said he viewed Lin as a "terrific backup" -- but not a player worthy of being paid $14.8 million in one season.

"I think Jeremy Lin making $15 million or more ... it's almost a max contract, the third year," Brown said. "(It) wouldn't have been a good business decision."

The Knicks untimely agreed, deciding against matching Houston's 3-year, $25 million offer to Lin, which called for Lin to make $14.8 million in Year 3.

Brown said that he talked to Mike Woodson, one of his closest friends, during Lin's free-agency and the coach would've 'loved' having Lin on the roster with Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd. This partially contradicts reports that Woodson wasn't enamored with Lin.

"All along Mike Woodson wanted him," Brown said. "(Having all three point guards) could've possibly happened if it was a legitimate contract to match. But it's over $15 million in Year 3, that's $30 million on the books. And over the length of the contract, I don't know what it is on the books. But I think it was purely a business decision and the right one to make (to let Lin go to Houston).

"And it's not like they didn't end up with a quality player (in Raymond Felton)," Brown added. "I think Mike Woodson is the type of person that will bring about the best in Raymond."

Brown didn't say as much, but his praise of Felton during the interview made it seem like he views the 28-year-old former Knick as an upgrade over Lin.

"I know there was a lot of stuff said about me not liking Jeremy Lin. I love the story and his success. But the way I looked at him, I thought he was a terrific backup," Brown said.

You can follow Ian Begley on Twitter.

It appears this refutes alot of notions that Woody didn't like Lin as a point guard. Appears to Brown that it was a strictly basketball business decision, not a spiteful Dolan decision like some might think. Remember, Brown got tossed aside by Dolan, and doesn't work for NY in any capacity, so he doesn't really have bias either way. Only thing I disagree with, is I think Lin can be more than a backup, a solid pro starter actually, but probably not $15 mill/year worth.

Smart assessment, Larry Brown.

loweyecue wrote:

fishmike wrote:this would be "go get me Steve Francis" Larry Brown? That one?

Larry did one of the best coaching jobs in NBA history w/ Detroit. Easy. Pretty amazing with Phili also.

He's also one of the most blockheaded stubborn donkees ever and the job he did here was joke.

Larry Brown has zero credibility. They should have asked him how paying Lin ranked against paying him to coach in NY in terms of bad business moves. He left too much of a bitter taste in my mouth and I used to be a vocal supporter of his.

I can see Isiah-Larry-Marbury happening all over again. Glen-Woody-Melo. Thank god Melo has more brains than Marbury though and so far none of the off the court scumbag issues. But Grunny is close to Isiah and Woody to Larry. Enough to make me afraid.