HoopsHype.com Rumors

A person familiar with the situation says former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is interested in returning for a second stint with the team. Brown, who went to the NBA Finals during his five seasons with Cleveland, is "receptive to the idea" of coaching the Cavaliers again, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because the sides have not yet discussed a possible return. ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Mike Brown 

When Mike Brown was fired from the Cavaliers in 2010, owner Dan Gilbert was widely considered the driving force behind the move. The franchise was desperate to keep LeBron James in Cleveland and Brown’s removal was viewed as a necessary step in the process. Now three years later, league sources have said Gilbert isn’t opposed to bringing back the former coach. General Manager Chris Grant will direct this search, but Gilbert obviously has final say and could veto any choice. If Grant ultimately settles on Brown, a friend of his since college, Gilbert isn’t expected to stand in the way. Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Chris Grant, Dan Gilbert, Mike Brown 

Tim Reynolds: LeBron on possibility of Mike Brown going back to Cavs: "It should be. It should be real." Twitter @ByTimReynolds

Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Coaching, Mike Brown 

The Cavaliers are interested in rehiring former coach Mike Brown to replace Byron Scott, a longtime NBA insider told The Plain Dealer today, and may move quickly for fear that other NBA teams will court Brown. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Coaching, Mike Brown 

While the Cleveland Cavaliers said goodbye to Byron Scott on Thursday, they could be welcoming back former coach Mike Brown. With Scott out, there is mutual interest between Brown and the Cavaliers for a possible reunion, according to multiple league sources. ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Coaching, Mike Brown 

Despite Brown being fired by owner Dan Gilbert after back-to-back 60-win seasons (2008-2010), sources told ESPN.com there were no grudges held by either side that would prevent a dialogue about a fresh start. ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Coaching, Mike Brown 

Former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown hasn't been contacted by the Cavs but he'd listen if they called, he said in a telephone interview on Thursday night. "If anybody calls, you have to listen,'' said Brown, who was fired by the Lakers just five games into this season. "I'm not rushing to get back to [coaching]. Whether it's the Cavs situation or anybody else, it has to feel right for both sides. If they call, I wouldn't hang up the phone. I'd definitely listen to what anybody has to say. But then you have to decide if it's the right situation for myself, my family and the organization.'' Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Mike Brown 

Multiple sources familiar with the Cavs’ thinking have told FOX Sports Ohio former coach Mike Brown has emerged as a real possibility to replace Scott. FOXSports Ohio

Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Mike Brown 

Jason Lloyd: CG on Mike Brown as a candidate: "I'm not going to get into specifics, particularly today or at this point. That hasn't been our focus" Twitter @JasonLloydABJ

Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Mike Brown 

Sam Amico: One league source strongly suspects former Cavs and Lakers coach Mike Brown is another strong candidate for Cavs return. Twitter @SamAmicoFSO

Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Mike Brown 

Jason Lloyd: Among replacements for BScott: Don't rule out Mike Brown. Confirmed through 3 sources he is moving back to CLE area for kids/school. #Cavs Twitter @JasonLloydABJ

Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Mike Brown 

More than likely, though, the Sixers will interview several candidates for the position, including veteran coaches Mike Brown, Nate MacMillan, Stan Van Gundy, Brian Shaw, and Mike Malone. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Mike Brown, Stan Van Gundy, Doug Collins, Mike Malone 

Tom Withers: Just something to chew on: Former #Cavs coach Mike Brown has been looking at houses and may move family back to Cleveland. #nokidding Twitter @twithersAP

Mike Brown 

What we do know: Ferry remains one of Mike Brown's biggest fans, so assumptions about Ferry's interest in bringing Brown to Atlanta will live on until Brown is no longer a coaching free agent. ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Coaching, Danny Ferry, Mike Brown 

Regarding his firing, Brown said he was "shocked" to learn of the Lakers' decision. "But I always look at it this way," Brown said. "It's their team. They have every right to do what they want to do with it. You know, I appreciate the opportunity that they gave me, and it was a decision that the Busses and Mitch Kupchak came to. They felt they would be better going in another direction. So from that standpoint I respect it, I appreciate the opportunity, but it was a little surprising." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Coaching, Mike Brown 

In Buss' case, the plan is to hand the Lakers down to his six children – already having daughter Jeanie in place to run the business side and son Jim the basketball side. Well ... Jeanie and Jim aren't speaking to each other. They haven't since Mike Brown was fired as Lakers coach in early November and the Lakers went through that unseemly, confusing, hurtful dance with Phil Jackson – the love of Jeanie's life and now her fiancé – before hiring Mike D'Antoni. Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Mike D'Antoni, Mike Brown, Jerry Buss, Jeanie Buss, Jim Buss 

This is not that hard to figure for anyone familiar with the San Antonio coaching tree, but sources say if Hawks GM (and former Spurs executive) Danny Ferry makes a coaching change - which is not expected until after the season, if at all -- Quin Snyder and Mike Brown are sure to get interviews and should be tagged as favorites. Sulia

Atlanta Hawks, Coaching, Danny Ferry, Mike Brown, Quin Snyder 

Did you find it personally hurtful that the Lakers fired you after five games? Mike Brown: “First of all, I don’t care where you work in or anybody you work for, nobody wants to be let go at any time. Don’t get that wrong. Thing about it is I get paid very good money and part of it is to deal with the public pressure that comes along with the job, in my opinion, and that’s one of them. When I went and told my sons, they were probably more upset than I was and even embarrassed, too, but the things you gotta go through because I am in the public eye, everyone is going to have their opinion on it. People go through this every day. People get their lives altered and ruined or whatever you wanna call it on a daily basis, so I don’t look at myself being any different. Ownership and management felt they wanted to go in another direction, which is their choice. That is their job. They decided to do that and from there, I am able to move to the next thing.” Sports Radio Interviews

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Mike Brown 

Everyone thought Phil Jackson was going to replace you. Were you surprised it wasn’t him? Mike Brown: “I don’t know if they had an opportunity to get Phil, because I wasn’t part of the conversation. [laughs] If they did have an opportunity to get Phil, you would think that would be the direction they would go. He’s a guy that obviously has won more championships than anybody in the history of the game and he’s brought a lot of success to the organization and if you thought they had an opportunity to get that guy … I was just like everybody else. You would think that was the direction they were going to go. I know Mike D’Antoni, never having worked with him. He is a good coach. He’s had success in the past. You understand to a certain degree, because he’s coached Steve Nash, and so the relationship is there and Steve is going to be there for the next three years no matter what. There’s some things with the hiring of Mike that you understand because of the dynamics of the team or the makeup of the team, starting with a guy who’s going to be there for the next three years in Steve Nash.” Sports Radio Interviews

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Mike Brown 

According to an NBA executive, one of the main reasons the Clippers have won so many in a row is "Matt Barnes is playing out of his mind." When told of the comments, Barnes' response included a slam of ex-Lakers coach, Mike Brown. "I've been working hard these past few summers. Last year, playing with the Lakers, I was told when I could shoot. If I made mistakes, I'd come out of the game," said Barnes. "This year [Coach] Vinny [Del Negro] has installed a lot of trust in me. He lets me go out there and play my game. If I mess up, he still sticks with me and that goes a long way with any player." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Matt Barnes, Mike Brown