Brown resignation surprises Walsh, Felton
The news of Larry Brown stepping down Wednesday as coach of the Charlotte Bobcats was something one of his closest friends, Donnie Walsh, never saw coming.
"That surprised me big time," Walsh said before last night's game between the Knicks and Thunder at the Garden.
That Brown lasted barely a quarter into his third season in Charlotte isn't a surprise, as he is known for short tenures in his long and nomadic coaching career. Brown lasted just one season with the Knicks in 2005-06. Before that, he was with the Pistons for two seasons. Brown's longest stint with one team was the six years he spent with the 76ers from 1997-2003. He spent the previous four seasons working for Walsh with the Pacers.
"He's had a great, great career," Walsh said. "Knowing him, it probably hasn't ended. He doesn't see himself in any other way than as a coach."
The Bobcats were the ninth NBA team he has coached since 1976-77. He led them to their first winning season (44-38) and first playoff appearance last year, but after the team saw the departures of Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler, they are off to a 9-19 start.
Felton said he intended to call Brown Thursday to talk with his former coach.
"My heart goes out to him," Felton said. "He's a guy who loves the game of basketball and always wanted to coach it."
Knicks fix
Felton's 10 assists against the Thunder marked his fifth straight game with at least 10 assists. He is the first Knick to record at least 10 assists in five straight games since Stephon Marbury had five straight from Jan. 8-16, 2004 . . . With nine blocked shots, the Knicks now have 193 on the season after 29 games.
