By MIKE CRANSTON, AP Sports Writer

25 minutes ago



ShareretweetEmailPrintCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—After a miserable start to the s
eason in which he took shots at his players and himself, the well-traveled L
arry Brown is out as coach of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Owner Michael Jordan announced the move in a release by the team on Wednesda
y, a day after the Bobcats were outscored 31-12 in the fourth quarter in the
ir fourth straight loss.

“I met with Coach Brown two weeks ago about the team’s performance and wha
t we could do to improve it,” Jordan said. “We met again this morning afte
r practice. The team has clearly not lived up to either of our expectations
and we both agreed that a change was necessary.”

The 70-year-old Brown, a Hall of Fame coach who was in the third season of h
is 13th professional and college head coaching job, had been upset with his
team for weeks. The Bobcats (9-19) had lost three games by 31 or more points
in 10 days before Tuesday’s fourth-quarter meltdown against Oklahoma City.


Brown, who had two years left on his contract, didn’t immediately return a
message on his cell phone seeking comment.

“This was a difficult decision for both of us, but one that needed to be ma
de,” Jordan said. “I want to thank Larry for everything he has done for ou
r team. He has played a key role in this organization’s development includi
ng coaching us to our first-ever playoff appearance last season.

“Larry will continue to be a valuable advisor to me regarding the team.”

No successor was immediately named and Jordan said a search would begin imme
diately. The Bobcats are off until Monday when they host Detroit.
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