Tony Brown hired as lead assistant to Scott Brooks in Washington

Tony Brown has landed on his feet --and then some-- after his half year as Nets interim coach. Adrian Wojnarowski reported the news...

Tony Brown is finalizing a deal to become Scott Brooks' top assistant with the Wizards, league sources tell @TheVertical.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 11, 2016

Brown filled in for Lionel Hollins after the Nets ownership fired Hollins on January 10 following a disappointing opening to the season.  Brown finished the season 11-34, including 10 straight losses after Sean Marks shut down Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young.  The Nets did not retain Brown.  Many of the team's younger players praised Brown for maintaining stability as losses mounted.  The team dramatically improved its offense after Brown replaced Hollins.

Prior to joining the Nets as Hollins assistant in 2014, Brown had been an assistant for the Bucks, Blazers, Pistons, Raptors, Celtics, Clippers and Mavericks.  Rick Carlisle praised Brown when he was given the head coaching job in Brooklyn. As a player, he had been a Nets draft choice and had his best season in New Jersey in 1984-85.

"Tony’s a guy who is a very underrated basketball man in our league," Carlisle said. "He’ll do a great job with this group."

The Wizards are seen as filled with talent but disappointed even more than the Nets last season.