Former Hornets coach picked to guide young Cavaliers

CLEVELAND -- Paul Silas knows better than anyone what is awaiting LeBron James.

Silas threw enough elbows in the lane as a player that he knows there's going to be some aimed at James, the high school sensation tabbed for NBA superstardom.

"This is a tough league," said Silas, a rugged rebounder for 16 years as a pro. "It's not a boy's league. This is a man's league. He's going to have to grow up right away."

And Silas' new job is to make sure James does.

On Monday, Silas was announced as coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, inheriting a young, struggling team expected to get much better with the impending arrival of James.

Silas, credited with developing young players throughout his coaching career, will be the Cavaliers' 15th coach -- and the first for James, the Akron 18-year-old and soon-to-be No. 1 overall draft pick.

According to a source within the league, the Cavaliers gave Silas a four-year contract. The source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the deal includes a club option for a fifth year.

Financial terms were not immediately available.

Larry Brown introduced as new Pistons coach

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Detroit hired Hall of Famer Larry Brown to make a good team better.

Brown was introduced as the Pistons' coach Monday, two days after Rick Carlisle was fired and one year after Carlisle was the NBA's Coach of the Year.

Brown, 62, inherits a 50-win team that has a talented, young nucleus and holds the No. 2 pick in the June 26 draft.

"He is the pre-eminent coach in the league to me," said Joe Dumars, team president of basketball operations.

Brown, who resigned as 76ers coach on May 26 after six seasons, will be paid $25 million over five years, according to a source within the NBA who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

With Brown taking over the Pistons and Paul Silas going to Cleveland, the list of coaching vacancies dropped to five.

The New Orleans Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets still have openings.

-- From wire reports