John Kuester Eager to Face Mentor Larry Brown

Last Updated: November 11. 2009 1:00AM
Ted Kulfan: Pistons Insider
John Kuester, Larry Brown reunite tonight

The pupil meets his mentor.

John Kuester was an assistant for Larry Brown seven seasons, on staffs in Detroit and Philadelphia.

For a basketball lifer like Kuester, getting an opportunity to work withBrown was an unforgettable experience.

"Coach Brown has meant so much to my life and he's been a very special not only to me, but my family, I'm very appreciative of everything he's done for me," Kuester said Tuesday.

Now, Kuester gets to work againstBrown when the Pistons host the Hornets tonight.

Kuester hasn't talked to Brown recently -- "You're so involved with your own season it's hard to find a lot of time," Kuester said -- but has traded texts with Brown's assistant Dave Hanners.

Kuester, Brown, Hanners and Phil Ford (another Brown assistant) are all part of the University of North Carolina basketball family that extends far and wide.

But just because he's facing Brown and his former Tar Heels, Kuester insists this game isn't any more important to any other.

"Every game you face you want to be focused on what you're trying to get accomplished," said Kuester, 54. "And that's to win a basketball game."

Still, Brown's unique knowledge of the game, and his ability to get the most out of players, has stuck with Kuester.

"His attention to detail in practice and wanting to improve basketball players every day," Kuester said when asked what traits of Brown, 69, has stuck with him as a first-year coach. "His management of a basketball game itself is a wonder to watch. He's a Hall of Famer, and it was a privilege to work with him."