Grizzlies Switch to Hubie Brown

The Memphis Grizzlies brought back Hubie Brown from the broadcast booth, picking him to coach the NBA’s only winless team after Sidney Lowe resigned Tuesday.

Jerry West, Memphis’ president of basketball operations, called the 69-year-old Brown “the consummate teacher� and said the Turner Sports analyst was exactly what the young Grizzlies need.

Brown was scheduled to join the 0-8 Grizzlies today. Memphis’ next game is Friday night against Minnesota.

“He sounds like a teenager rearing for his first date,� West said.

West declined to give details of Brown’s contract with Memphis except to say “it’s for more than one year.� Brown last coached in the NBA in the 1986-87 season with the New York Knicks.

Lowe’s resignation came the day after the Grizzlies lost to Golden State, 108-101, at home.

“I wish the team well,� Lowe said in a statement. “The Grizzlies have some good, young talent here, and they are going to be good in the future.�

The Grizzlies have been among the worst NBA teams recently, going 23-59 in each of the last two seasons.

West said the resignation was Lowe’s idea.

“I think Sidney was frustrated with the way we were playing, frustrated with the results. I think in his mind he thought it was in his best interest and in the team’s best interest to resign,� West said.

Brown spent 10 seasons coaching in the NBA with the Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks.

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Bull forward Marcus Fizer pleaded not guilty to a weapons charge after Chicago police say they found a loaded gun in his sport utility vehicle.

He is free on bond and was ordered to return to court Dec. 11. The felony charge carries up to a three-year prison sentence.

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The Boston Celtics activated forward Kedrick Brown (sprained ankle) from the injured list.... Detroit Piston guard Chauncey Billups was suspended for one game by the NBA for throwing a basketball at an official during a game Saturday.