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UNLV Needs To Pass On Brown

Earlier in the year some reports surfaced that NBA coaching great Larry Brown was open to making a return to the collegiate coaching ranks and now he reportedly has his eye on the open UNLV gig. At the beginning of the 2009-2010 season Brown was the head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats, but saw his tenure end 28 games in after owner Michael Jordan felt the team needed a new voice. Although the Bobcats were 9-19 at the time, it was a difficult situation that was hard to place the blame on Brown solely. Jordan’s expectations correlated very poorly with the moves he made.

Even at the age of 70 Brown has a lot to offer as a head coach. He’s the only coach to win a championship in the NCAA and NBA while possessing a great understanding of what it takes to play the game successfully. However, while hiring an NBA guy in Kruger worked out for the Running Rebels in 2004, they’d be making a mistake if they went the same route again and hired Brown.

Passing on a legend and capable coach like Brown is very hard to justify. His achievements and abilities rank amongst the best all-time as he is already in the Naismith Hall of Fame. But we’re talking about a guy who last coached in the NCAA in 1988. When UNLV brought in Kruger he was only four years removed from the NCAA; Brown would be 23 if he got the job.

To say things have changed in the NCAA over that time span would be one of the most drastic understatements ever made. Brown is a name who young players recognize, largely in part to coaching former youth-favorite Allen Iverson. He’d be able to go into top-ranked kids’ houses and get them to consider going to Las Vegas and playing for him. You’d also have to think he’d do a good job at helping them improve over the four years that he would have them for. After all, at his very roots he’s a teacher who is at his best when he was students willing to listen.

Yet, the fit just isn’t right for UNLV. Kruger left some very big shoes to fill and at this stage of his career it’s hard to see Brown adjusting smoothly to everything that comes with being a collegiate coach in today’s day and age. He’d have to make sure kids are going to class and passing while also doing far more things off of the court than he had to do in the NBA. And, he’d likely always have an eye on the big leagues as well. If Brown will be remembered for anything along with his great basketball mind it will be his willingness to be so well travelled.

The fact that a guy like Brown is showing interest in UNLV says a lot about the attractiveness of the job, but Athletic Director Jim Livengood needs to go in another direction and hire someone who is younger with a better familiarity of the NCAA and their endless rules.

Welcome Back Richard Jefferson

At the beginning of the season San Antonio Spurs small forward Richard Jefferson was the talk of the team. After a very disappointing 2009-2010 campaign, he started off this year with a vengeance – looking like the RJ of old. He spent a good portion of the summer working with head coach Gregg Popovich and his staff to improve his understand of the system and how he could be successful in it.

While his progress at the beginning of the year was tremendous, it hasn’t been so great in season. His scoring average has steadily declined since he put up 14 a game in November. On the year he’s down to just 11 points a night, which is actually worse than what he averaged last year when he was the subject of so much controversy.

When Jefferson is at his best he’s frequently involved while getting a lot of opportunities in transition. Lately the bulk of his opportunities have been coming as a spot-up shooter from beyond the arc, where he’s capable but definitely prone to being inconsistent.

On Saturday night against the Utah Jazz Jefferson had one of those nights where he was on. He went off for 22 points, his highest scoring output since the fifth game of the regular season.

"I thought he and Tiago (Splitter) were both really aggressive," Popovich said. "Richard caught it and shot it and drove it. He did a great job in that regard. That scoring really makes us different; it really takes a load off of everybody else."

"He’s played really well over the past couple games," Spurs forward Tim Duncan said. "He’s really starting to get into that playoff mode. That’s what we need from him. We need him to play hard, play well. He’s not only shooting the ball, but he’s driving the ball real well and getting people open. So we’re expecting a little more from him coming down the stretch."

After having his fair share of ups and downs this season, Jefferson was pleased to have one of his biggest games as the playoffs approach.

{AUTHOR_BOX}"It was great," Jefferson said. "Coming into the season and especially down the stretch, teams haven’t been leaving me open or they’ve been trying to take away our three-point shots and let our drivers beat them. Tonight I was able to get a few up because of the way Utah played and thank God they went in."

"He was open," added Spurs point guard Tony Parker. "Everybody was in the pain and that’s what they gave us tonight, the corner threes and Richard shot the ball well."

With three games left the Spurs know that they are going to have homecourt advantage throughout the Western Conference Playoffs, but they’re still uncertain as to who they’ll play in round one. Because of that Jefferson and the rest of the team are mainly focusing on playing well themselves.

"That’s tough because it’s the same as what happened last year going down to the last game," Jefferson said. "It could be one of three teams depending on who loses and tiebreakers so you try and focus at the top and to see what’s in front of you and then what’s behind you, you take whoever comes."

If Jefferson shoots the ball like he did on Saturday night, the Spurs will have a great chance not only against their first-round opponent, but everyone they see afterwards as well.

Five Guys Who Need To Leave

The NCAA’s deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NBA Draft is fast approaching and while some players like the Morris twins of Kansas and Duke’s Kyrie Irving have already hired an agent, there are some premier prospects who are on the fence or thinking about staying in school. This is the toughest decision of their life and it’s also the most important. Leaving too early or too late could be the difference in millions, but there are five players in particular right now who clearly should be headed to the pros.

Perry Jones, Fr. (Baylor) – 6’11, 235 lbs. Forward
Facing all kinds of issues with the NCAA, Perry Jones’ mind is likely already made up and an official announcement just hasn’t been made yet. He’s the kind of player that is going to make or break a general manager’s tenure with a team because while he has superstar potential, he can also be a non-factor at times as Baylor can certainly attest to. With his kind of versatility and talent there’s no reason why he shouldn’t have All-Star appearances in his future. What’s key for him is playing under a coach who gets him fired up enough to play his best basketball night in and night out.

Derrick Williams, So. (Arizona) – 6’8, 241 lbs. Forward
Although Derrick Williams is making it seem like he’s strongly considering going back to school, he has to cash in on the year he’s had. Putting up 19 points (59% FG, 56% 3PT) and eight rebounds en route to a Elite Eight appearance was just spectacular and he’s a top two pick now because of it. He may love the school life and enjoy being the big man on Arizona’s campus, but there’s a lot of money awaiting him and banking on having another year like he had this past season would not be the right choice.

Jared Sullinger, Fr. (Ohio State) – 6’9, 280 lbs. Power Forward
All indications point to Sullinger being the only player on this list who really ends up passing on the draft and staying in school. He’s been very firm in his stance on remaining a Buckeye and his father has backed his words up just as sternly. However, leaving now is the right choice for the talented young big man. He had one heck of a season, averaging a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and is a lock to go in the lottery because of it. He’ll probably still be a lottery pick in 2012, but staying could cost him a spot in the top five and maybe even the top 10.

Jordan Hamilton, So. (Texas) – 6’7, 220 lbs. Small Forward
In a weak draft class like this one is projected to be, Jordan Hamilton needs to leave while his stock is hot. He upped his scoring average eight points in a leadership role for the Longhorns and has become someone who scouts really like. He’s instant offense with an ability to score that looks like it will translate very well to the next level. There are a lot of conflicting reports as to whether or not he’s going to stay. Last time he was officially on the record he said he was staying, but the time is really right for him to change his mind.

Kemba Walker, Jr. (UConn) – 6’1, 172 lbs. Point Guard
Just like Arizona’s Derrick Williams, it would be virtually impossible for Kemba Walker to duplicate, let alone improve on, what he did this year. Leading UConn to a Big East and National Championship in the fashion he did it in was one of the most impressive feats in college basketball history. Walker has already graduated and cemented himself as an all-time great at UConn. There’s nothing left for him to accomplish that he hasn’t already done. In a draft class that is awfully thin at the point guard position Kemba’s a guaranteed lottery pick and perhaps even a top 10 selection.

Yannis Koutroupis is a senior NCAA and NBA writer for HOOPSWORLD. You can follow him on twitter.