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Larry Brown denies reported return to Sixers

Larry Brown all but scoffed at a New York Post report saying he would be returning to the 76ers to take control "from top to bottom.''

Brown, the Charlotte Bobcats coach, told the Daily News the report was "old news." Speculation is rife that that the Sixers will fire coach Eddie Jordan, possibly as soon as Thursday, even though Jordan has two years remaining on his contract.

"I can't speculate on what the Sixers will do, but I'm not coaching anywhere else," Brown said. ''I love (new Bobcats owner) Michael Jordan. He gave me a chance even after the (bad) experience I had in New York. I've been happy. My goal is for us to do well in these playoffs. It's been great for us. We've never been to the playoffs.''

Comcast-Spectacor president Peter Luukko said the Sixers have not contacted anyone about the impending coaching vacancy.

"We have had no discussions with anyone. That would be tampering," Luukko said. "We don't need any trouble."

When Jordan took control of the Bobcats, he said, "I don't want Larry to leave. I'd like to keep Larry here. But I totally understand his relationship, with what he feels from a husband-wife scenario."

Brown's wife, Shelly and their children have stayed in the Philadelphia suburbs while Brown has worked in Charlotte.

''I'd do everything I can to keep him here,'' Jordan said then. ''I want him here. But if for family reasons or Shelly's reasons he feels like he's got to do something else, what else can I do? I'm going to stay away from that one.''

Brown, also with two years remaining on his contract, said he was uncomfortable with the whole story since, as of this moment, the Sixers have a coach, and president/general manager Ed Stefanski remains under contract. There were reports earlier today that Stefanski, who also has two years remaining on his contract, met with upper management and ownership; details of that meeting have not been made public.

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Read more in tomorrow's Daily News.