National Basketball Association

Brown thanks Cavs for stint as coach

Published May. 26, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Fired Cleveland coach Mike Brown has called his five years with Cavaliers an "exceptional experience.''

Brown, who has not publicly commented since his dismissal, issued a statement through the team Wednesday in which he thanked the Cavs for the opportunity to coach in Cleveland. Brown was fired in the aftermath of a second-round playoff collapse to Boston.

Brown said he's proud of the standard he helped set in Cleveland, and appreciated the dedication and support he received from owner Dan Gilbert.

Brown led the Cavs to 127 regular-season wins the past two seasons. He was selected NBA coach of the year in 2009 and took Cleveland to its only NBA finals appearance in 2007.

Brown is a likely candidate for the other five coaching vacancies in the league.