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The former San Antonio Spurs assistant said he will seek outside wisdom and counsel from his mentors. However, longtime friend John Kuester, a former Detroit Pistons coach and Sixers assistant, has been mentioned as a candidate. Kuester hired Brown as an assistant at Boston University in 1983.
This comes after a report on Friday stated that former Sixers assistant John Kuester is the leading candidate to become Brown’s top assistant (see story). Kuester previously served as an assistant with the Sixers under Larry Brown. Lange, 41, is born and bred in this area. The New Jersey native played high school basketball at Bishop Eustace in Pennsauken Township, NJ and then went on to play at Rowan University.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Ex-Pistons coach John Kuester is the leading candidate to join Brett Brown's staff as top assistant w/ the 76ers, league sources tell Y!
Two NBA sources have confirmed that Steve Hetzel, former Cavaliers video coordinator, will be hired to coach the Cavs' owned-and-operated NBA Development League team, the Canton Charge. The hire was first reported by the News-Herald. Hetzel, a 2005 graduate of Michigan State where he served as a student manager for the men's basketball team, was named the Cavs' video coordinator in July, 2006. He stayed until 2009, when he left to join former Cavs assistant John Kuester's staff with the Detroit Pistons. After Kuester was fired, Hetzel remained with Lawrence Frank for two seasons.
Kuester, 58, returned to the NBA the following season as Brown's lead assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was relieved of his duties after one season and became an advance scout. So, does he want to get back in the league? Sources are torn whether he'll join Brown's staff. He was an assistant under Brown with the Cavs in 2007-09.
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Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is piecing together his coaching staff in Cleveland. One of his first calls likely went to former offensive coordinator John Kuester. Brown would like to add him to his staff. However, sources say he might be reluctant to return to the NBA.
Sam Amico: Mike Brown adding ex-Pistons coach/Cavs assistant John Kuester to staff, and keeping Jamahl Mosley from Byron Scott's staff, source says.
Long gone is Phil Jackson, with his Zen-driven cajoling and triangle offense. Gone, too, is former offensive assistant John Kuester and concepts that made the Lakers too predictable last season. If nothing else, Brown asserted himself as not simply Jackson’s replacement but as the new sheriff in town when he invited Jordan, his former playoff rival, into the fray to build an offense that will work for a team with new parts and diverse talents -- not to mention competing egos. “It's a lot of reading and reacting, a lot of connectivity,” Nash said. “You have to read the guy in front you and there's kind of limitless possibilities out there. But that's good. I think everyone is open and optimistic about it.”
Chris Mannix: LA's pending hire of Eddie Jordan puts assistant John Kuester in a tough spot. Kue's been Mike Brown's de facto offensive coach since CLE
"I have to talk to Mike and Mitch (Kupchak, the Lakers' general manager)," said Messina, who has an option on his contract for next season. "I would (like to be an NBA head coach), but it is something that's out of my control. "The good thing is I have the security to go back to Europe to coach. That's my security blanket." Brown said he wouldn't be surprised if Messina, John Kuester, Chuck Person and Quin Snyder receive offers elsewhere. Kuester coached the Detroit Pistons for two ill-fated seasons before being fired and joining Brown's staff.
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Assistant coach John Kuester missed his fourth game to attend to family matters after the death of his mother last week. It's uncertain when he'll be back with the team. Coaching consultant Ettore Messina replaced Kuester on the bench for the fourth game.
Lakers assistant coach John Kuester missed the Lakers’ loss to San Antonio on Tuesday night and the game at Golden State on Wednesday night because his mother is ill. Kuester, 57, is extensively involved in the Lakers’ offensive planning and has often drawn up key inbound plays during timeouts.
Players were invited to speak after Lakers assistant coaches John Kuester and Chuck Person left strong impressions. Part of the assistant coaches' message was urging the players to curtail any "external chatter," according to a source. When no player volunteered to speak up, Brown said he requested that "my three leaders" share their thoughts; first Pau Gasol, then Derek Fisher and finally Kobe Bryant.
John Kuester fired as Detroit Pistons coach last June, rebuffed efforts to interview him today in his return to The Palace of Auburn Hills. Kuester, now an assistant coach on Mike Brown's staff with the Los Angeles Lakers, blew past reporters in the first effort to interview him after the Lakers' pre-game shootaround today. He later returned to the playing floor, and as he departed, shook a few hands, said his daughter was doing well when asked, but did not respond when asked for interviews.
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