Silas to replace Brown
Paul Silas has reached an agreement to take over as the Charlotte Bobcats coach for the rest of the season after Larry Brown resigned Wednesday.
Former Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson also received strong consideration from Bobcats owner Michael Jordan, who listened to recommendations from Brown before deciding to hire Silas.
Former New York Knicks forward Charles Oakley, a close friend of Jordan's, could join Silas' staff, a league source told Yahoo! Sports.
Silas still lives in the Charlotte area and is a popular figure among the area’s pro basketball fans. He coached the Charlotte-New Orleans Hornets for 4½ seasons, reaching the playoffs four times.
Michael Jordan and Brown came to a “mutual decision,” Jordan said, to parts ways on Wednesday. The Bobcats have started the season with a disappointing 9-19 record, and Brown’s disenchantment with the job grew more obvious with every loss.
Patrick Ewing, an Orlando Magic assistant coach, was also under consideration, sources said, but Jordan worried about putting his close friend in the difficult position of being an interim coach with no assurance of a long-term deal. Utah Jazz assistant Tyrone Corbin, San Antonio Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer, Phoenix Suns assistant Dan Majerle and Detroit Pistons assistant Darrell Walker were also potential candidates discussed internally.
Because Charlotte is inclined to make this an interim position, it would be difficult to lure a secure assistant coach without an assurance beyond this season.
The Bobcats don’t play again until Monday when they face the Pistons.
