MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As destiny would have it, College of Memphis assistant coach Larry Brown wasn’t at FedEx Discussion board on Friday evening to look at Ja Morant drop 37 factors on the Knicks to hurry the Grizzlies to a rousing fourth-quarter comeback victory.
Brown — the previous Knicks head coach, Lengthy Seashore native, East Hampton summer season resident and Corridor of Famer — is part of Memphis’ renaissance as a basketball mecca.
Brown, 81, joined Penny Hardaway’s employees as an assistant coach of the Memphis Tigers earlier than the season. Brown probably will likely be dancing once more, with Memphis favored to make the NCAA Match, for the primary time since he coached SMU in 2015. It’s his first assistant job since he served below North Carolina’s Dean Smith from 1966-68.
As Morant lifted the Grizzlies over the Knicks, Brown’s Tigers have been routing Central Florida within the AAC quarterfinals in Fort Value, Texas. However Brown has seen sufficient of Morant as a brand new Memphis resident. Brown’s gamers attend a slew of Grizzlies’ video games at their shared enviornment.
“I watched him [in college] however I couldn’t predict this,’’ Brown informed The Publish. “He jogs my memory a lot of Allen [Iverson] athletically the best way he pays. Fearless. That entire [Grizzlies] workforce they've a fantastic camaraderie. All of them appear to like one another. He’s so particular.
“The issues Ja does, I keep in mind sitting on the bench in Philly, taking a look at employees and seeing Allen do one thing and all of us laughed as a result of we by no means seen anybody doing something like that. I get the identical feeling watching Ja play. And plenty of our youngsters go to their video games.’’
Brown met Hardaway when he coached him with the Knicks in 2005-06 and began a relationship. Brown nonetheless has loads of ties with the Knicks — he’s tight with senior advisor William Wesley and assistant coach Kenny Payne, who might be leaving for Louisville. Brown was additionally Mike Woodson’s mentor, and “Woody’’ left Tom Thibodeau’s employees to run Indiana, which probably will be part of Brown within the NCAAs.
Brown felt unhealthy concerning the timing Friday — not having the ability to see Knicks-Grizzlies in individual.
In attempting to clarify the Knicks’ downfall from final season’s 41-31 file, Brown mentioned Derrick Rose, a former Memphis level guard, lacking the previous 38 video games has been the distinction.
“Final 12 months was such a dream,’’ Brown mentioned. “They misplaced some folks, however you may’t clarify how necessary Derrick Rose was to that workforce. He was such a giant half. They lose their greatest defensive guard [Reggie Bullock] and Thibs is such a stickler for having a defensive presence. However the previous couple of video games [3-1] have been wonderful. I nonetheless suppose there’s nonetheless time left.’’
The Knicks are working out of time after blowing a 15-point, late-third-quarter lead in Memphis to cap a six-game highway journey at 3-3. The Knicks play their seventh straight highway recreation in Brooklyn on Sunday, however that can really feel like a house recreation.
Brown nonetheless sees a giant future.
“I like Jericho Sims, I like what [Quentin] Grimes is doing,” he mentioned. “I used to be at KU lots when [Grimes] was there, visiting my former assistant [Bill Self]. It didn’t go nice, however he goes to Houston, turned his profession round — fairly neat story.
“I like the child from West Virginia [Miles McBride]. I like their younger children. RJ Barrett is getting higher and higher. When [Julius] Randle performs, he’s sensational. They obtained a shot-blocker and I hope they maintain [Mitchell] Robinson. That child impacts the sport. He doesn’t command the ball, guards and protects the rim. He’s so athletic. They obtained plenty of nice items. I nonetheless imagine gamers need to play in New York.’’
Brown’s relationship with Hardaway picked up steam when Hardaway turned an AAU/highschool coach when Brown coached at SMU from 2012-2016. Hardaway tried to get Brown as an assistant his first 12 months however “there was pushback.’’ The timing turned proper this offseason. Brown is even doing recruiting and going to AAU and highschool gyms. He’s nonetheless the one head coach to win an NBA and NCAA title.
Now Hardaway might lastly take Memphis again to the NCAA Match for the primary time for the reason that Memphis native took over 4 years in the past.
“He’s obtained an unbelievable ardour and loves the youngsters,’’ Brown mentioned. “It’s been enjoyable for me being a part of this program, a neat strategy to odor the gymnasium once more. Penny exhibits them the best way to act. By the best way he carries himself and what he completed as a participant.’’
Brown’s Memphis workforce had received 11 of its previous 12 video games coming into Saturday’s AAC semifinal in opposition to SMU and sure will get the NCAA bid due to two victories over powerhouse Houston.
“Memphis is an unbelievable basketball metropolis,’’ Brown mentioned. “They love Memphis College basketball, and now with the Grizzlies, gosh, there’s a lot pleasure happening with Ja. What they’ve performed with that workforce and the longer term seems so shiny. There’s an actual buzz.’’
If the Knicks are within the 2022 lottery as anticipated, Wesley is aware of he can name Brown about Memphis’ projected mid-lottery choose, 6-foot-10 freshman middle Jalen Duren. Their high-school phenom, Emoni Bates, who reclassified, just isn't allowed on this 12 months’s draft due to his age (18) and he’ll be eligible for the 2023 lottery. Bates is lacking the postseason with a again harm.
“Emoni needs to be a junior in highschool,’’ Brown mentioned. “I believe he’s going to be terrific. He’s gotten so a lot better since he’s come to highschool within the final two months, gotten stronger. And Jalen, these two children, their potential is limitless.’’
That's the article: Larry Brown has high praise for Ja Morant, Memphis, Knicks’ youngsters
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