Episode XVIII: Basketball Hall of Famer Larry Brown

The 18th edition of Whe're They At features 3-time ABA All-Star guard, NCAA and NBA champion as a head coach & Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, Larry Brown. He is the ONLY coach in basketball history to win a NCAA (1987-88 w/Kansas University) and NBA championship (2003-04 w/Detroit Pistons). He's also the only coach to lead EIGHT teams into the NBA playoffs (Denver, New Jersey, San Antonio, L.A. Clippers, Indiana, Philadelphia, Detroit and Charlotte). He has 1,198 career wins in the NBA (8th All-Time). He led three universities (UCLA, Kansas and SMU) to the NCAA Tournament while leading Kansas to the title and UCLA to the 1980 NCAA Final. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. He is also known for the mentorship and success of numerous elite coaches, such as current and future Hall of Famers, Gregg Popovich, John Calipari and Bill Self. Host Nabaté Isles had the honor to speak with Coach Brown on a variety of topics including:                   

 

02:03-On what he's currently up to during this Covid-19 pandemic.                      

 

03:17-His upbringing in Brooklyn/Long Island (NY) and briefly in Pittsburgh, PA when tragedy struck.                         

06:42-On how he gravitated towards basketball and built his philosophy towards eventually becoming a coach.               

 

09:31-His older brother, Herb Brown shared the same passion for basketball and pushed him as well.                     

12:22-How did he become involved in coaching after playing at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)?                                     

 

18:57-On discovering Charley Scott for UNC, who became the first African-American to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).                       

 

21:55-Discusses the mentorship and influence of Coach Dean Smith.                      

 

24:47-On the ABA's impact on today's game.                      

 

27:01-The great coaching camaraderie between him and UNC teammate, Doug Moe.                         

 

29:46-On his high expectations of the point guards he coached.                      

 

32:34-Reflects on his memorable 2-year run with the Detroit Pistons (2 NBA Finals appearances, 1 championship).                     

 

33:58-Not happy with his coaching decisions during the Pistons' 2005 NBA Finals loss.                      

 

35:45-On why the Pistons didn't draft Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade in 2003 over Darko Miličić?                               

 

39:46-On the criticism of him moving from team to team throughout his career.                            

 

44:15-His approach on coaching and how he communicates with players.                        

 

47:44-On how the NBA and NCAA should handle young elite prospects.                          

 

54:30-Why wasn't Coach Brown able to succeed with the New York Knicks?                               

 

1:00:34-When can the Knicks turn things around?                        

 

1:05:36-What are the pros and cons of today's NBA game?                               

 

1:12:47-His approach towards practice and preparation.                      

 

1:14:41-Reminisces on coaching fellow Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson.                     

 

1:17:56-Names another player he wishes that he coached him differently.                           

         

1:20:36-Should the NBA resume the season?                   

 

1:24:06-Salutes the front line workers and athletes donating their efforts and resources to help during the pandemic.                  

 

1:26:30-Names prolific players out of the University of North Carolina.                     

 

1:31:16-Discusses his affinity for music.                        

 

Follow Whe're They At on www.twitter.com/whe_retheyat, www.instagram.com/whe.retheyat and www.facebook.com/whe.retheyatpodcast/ !                

 

Musical selections are from Nabaté Isles' album, 'Eclectic Excursions', available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon, Tidal, etc. Check out his website as well: www.nabateisles.com