The Springfield Armor of the NBA Development League have tapped former Celtics star Dee Brown as head coach, according to the Boston Globe.
The Armor are affiliated with the Nets, Knicks and 76ers and will begin playing in November.
"I'm not using this as a steppingstone," Brown told the newspaper. "This is a development league and it's my job to put players in the best position and showcase them. It isn't about me. It's about developing players and having them show what they can do. If I can get three or four guys called up, I've done my job."
Brown spent over seven seasons with the Celtics from 1990-91 to 1997-98. He was then traded to Toronto and stayed there until 2000 before finishing his career with Orlando in 2001-02. Throughout his career, he averaged 11.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
Despite the fact that the Garden wasn't always his home, he considers himself a Celtic for life.
"Once a Celtic, always a Celtic," Brown said. "Guys who had 10-day contracts consider themselves a Celtic."
This won't be Brown's first behind-the-scenes stint; he recently served as special assistant to Magic general manager John Gabriel. Now, he's savoring the opportunity to get away from the business side and focus on the game.
"We're a brand-new franchise and I'm running the whole basketball side," Brown told the Globe. "We have no players right now and there is a lot of work to do, but it's good. I have to pick the players, set up the practice facility, hire a trainer. I have a great owner who understands minor league sports. I'm back in Mass., where a lot of people know me, and this is a great opportunity. I'm optimistic."
Although it will be Brown's responsibility to develop players who will eventually reign over the Celtics, his appreciation for the franchise will never be diminished.
“For me, going to the Celtics, with all the great players, the great minds, and being in a basketball town — a lot of players don’t get a chance to experience that,’’ Brown said. “I learned a lot of stuff off the court."
