The Associated Press

Paul Silas will be the new coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

CLEVELAND - Paul Silas will be the new coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers after reaching an agreement with the team on a long-term contract, The Associated Press learned Sunday.

The deal was being finalized late Sunday, according to two sources with knowledge of the talks who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. Silas beat out former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy, who had several discussions with Cavaliers owner Gordon Gund and general manager Jim Paxson.

"They decided, and they got a great guy. I'm fine with it," Van Gundy said.

Silas, 60, was let go by the New Orleans Hornets at the conclusion of the regular season following his fifth season with the team. He was a candidate for several other coaching vacancies around the league. He fits the profile of a veteran NBA coach that Gund and Paxson have sought to groom LeBron James.

Silas had an overall mark of 208-155 with the Hornets, taking them to the playoffs each of the past four seasons - although they've never advanced beyond the second round.

Ex-76ers coach Larry Brown will be introduced today as the coach of the Detroit Pistons. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

PISTONS

Larry Brown will be introduced as the coach of the Detroit Pistons at a news conference today, a source within the league said.

Brown reached an agreement on a five-year deal worth about $25 million, said the source, who had knowledge of the discussions between the Pistons and Brown.

NBA Playoffs

NBA FINALS
(Best-of-7)
San Antonio vs. New Jersey
Wednesday, June 4
New Jersey at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 6
New Jersey at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 8
San Antonio at New Jersey, 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 11
San Antonio at New Jersey, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 13
San Antonio at New Jersey, 8:30 p.m., if necessary
Sunday, June 15
New Jersey at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m., if necessary
Wednesday, June 18
New Jersey at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m., if necessary