This is the problem in undertaking a drawn-out and extensive search for a coaching position: When a potential candidate denies interest, it can detract from the search.
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Multiple media outlets reported Tuesday that the Los Angeles Lakers were interested in talking to SMU coach Larry Brown, the only coach ever to have won both an NBA and NCAA title.
USA TODAY Sports, however, reports that Brown has no interest in the Lakers. In fact, Brown is the one talking to Kupchak in trying to recruit his son, Maxwell, to play for the Mustangs.
"I've always kept in touch with Mitch; I admire the hell out of him," the 73-year-old Brown told USA TODAY Sports by phone on Tuesday. "I talk to Mitch all the time. ... (But) we're not talking about coaching the Lakers. I've read some of the names. They've got a long list of good people to choose from, and I'm here at SMU. I want to win a national championship."
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To that end, Brown is said to be interest in Maxwell, a 2014-15 senior at Brentwood High School in Los Angeles. The conversations between coach and general manager are updates about how the high school player is doing.
Brown may have offered some advice to Kupchak about what to look for in a candidate. According to philly.com, Brown talked about the dynamic of the NBA front office that needs to be in place to bring in a successful coach.
"We can see the way the NBA is now," Brown said. "If you're not really connecting with the owner, you've got no shot. I was so fortunate to be around Mr. [Ed] Snider.
"I look now, and I think it's so simple: If the coach, the president, and the owner are all on the same page, it seems to me there's no way you can fail," Brown said. "I don't see that" in today's NBA.
"When I look back at my life in pro sports, whenever I've been involved with an owner who cared about me and was there for me, it made it pretty easy."
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