By MARC BERMAN
And detouring from Stephon Marbury, here comes Larry Brown back into town, at the Garden Wednesday night with his Bobcats, right on cue.
Brown can certainly talk about being vindicated somewhat since leaving New York with his image battered. But he does not, blaming himself for 23-59 as the original captain of Team Titanic and not Marbury and Isiah.
In retrospect, Brown was hardly the biggest problem that season. The roster was flawed and the dysfunction between him, Thomas and Marbury was probably more Isiah’s fault than Larry’s. Thomas should have mediated that feud better but he left his coach out to dry. Can you imagine if Brown did to Marbury what D’Antoni did to Marbury? Marbury has respect for D’Antoni. He never had respect for Larry after that Olympic nightmare and that was the worst problem of all. .
Howard Beck of the NY Times flew to Charlotte Monday morning and attended the Bobcats shootaround. Brown again avoided any talk of his vindication, though he took a veiled shot at Isiah.
“I’ve said if you only have to answer to Mr. Dolan and you have a relationship with him, I can’t think of a better job in the league,” said Brown, adding the owner would spend anything to win.
Brown was unable to establish a bond with Dolan because Isiah was in the way and had Dolan’s ear. Brown also infuriated Dolan with his candidness to the media. Wonder what would have happened to this franchise if Isiah was fired after that season and Larry was retained?
“I know why it didn’t work out in New York,” Brown said, hinting again about Isiah’s mismanagement.
Members of Knicks brass around then still loathe Brown. Donnie Walsh, however, still loves Larry, having known him forever and dismissing his faults.
It was always pointed out during practices and shootarounds, Larry never wore a Knicks-emblazoned shirt, shorts or sweats. Everything was NIKE. Nobody could ever understand why.
Larry’s back on the sidelines at the Garden for the first time Wednesday. He will be booed lustily. He deserves some of them, but not all of them . He is a Hall of Fame coach who had a terrible year. Don’t ever forget that he had won practically everywhere else.
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The comments have been rolling in like thunder and the passion for this team and the love-hate relationship Starbury has with Knick fans always amazes me. Or should I say hate-love.