Larry Brown's record as new coach in first 20 games

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

I've read some posts noting that Brown does poorly in his first 20 games with new teams. I couldn't find any info on his preseason records, which would be nice.

Here's what I found:

1972 Cougars: 65% winning pct first 20, 68% season, made playoffs

1974 Nuggets: 80% winning pct first 20, 77% season, made playoffs

1981 Nets: 30% winning pct first 20, 54% season, made playoffs

1988 Spurts: 30% winning pct first 20, 26% season, did not make playoffs. Made playoffs the next season

1991 Clippers: 50% winning pct first 20, 55% season, made playoffs

1992 Clippers: 60% winning pct first 20, 50% season, made playoffs

1993 Pacers: 45% winning pct first 20, 57% season, made playoffs

1997 76ers: 30% winning pct first 20, 38% season, did not make playoffs. Made playoffs the next season

2003 Pistons: 70% winning pct first 20, 66% season, made playoffs

2005 Knicks: 30% winning pct first 20, 28% season, did not make playoffs

The 1991 season is odd because he took over the Clippers midway through the season. 1992 would be his first official full season as head coach.

Overall, his first 20 games record is mixed, some good some bad.

The interesting thing is that he made playoffs as first year coach in 5 out of 8 teams (not counting the 1991 Clippers). The years he didn't, the team made playoffs the season afterwards (except the Knicks).

If history proves right...we should have something good in the making. We should trust Brown's system and not worry so much about the preseason record.

[dav7z]

Agreeded, very good reserch and thread . I have read he sarts slowly then picks it up . This proves me wrong . Weather we make the playoffs this year or not we know from those stats we heading in the right direction.

[Dead_Real]

Good topic first of all...

Ok I remember around the time he was hired everyone media and fans all said don't expect greatness during year 1 he's here his teams start to really improve until during the middle or late in the season. Than the second year after he can put a stamp on the team (getting the players to play the right way) is when the improvement starts to show on the court. Hopefully that's no exception this year like some people have said Brown is probably not concerned with wins/losses in preseason. From the looks of it he's trying to see what players will rise to the occasion so he'll know who to rely on when the games actually count.

[BRNC]

That's been my thought (about preseason games)...the way he has switched players in the fourth in games that could have been won...it has not bothered me because if I were the coach I'd want to know what I could expect form every player at crunch time...better to find out when the games don't count not when they do....and great research playoffs...