Pistons’ Brown Takes a Break After Surgery

Detroit Piston Coach Larry Brown had surgery on his left hip Wednesday and is expected to be away from the team for seven to 10 days.

Assistant coach Gar Heard will run the NBA champions during Brown’s absence. Heard coached the Dallas Mavericks in 1993 and the Washington Wizards in 2000. Brown, 64, could return in time for Detroit’s home game against Minnesota on Nov. 17.

“I talked to the doctors in the operating room, and they told me that seven to 10 days is a conservative estimate,” Piston President Joe Dumars said. “It all depends on how Larry is feeling, but that’s what we are looking at.”

Brown had his hip replaced 15 years ago, and this latest operation was the result of wear on the artificial joint. It had recently caused him severe pain, the team said.

Brown is expected to spend two to three days in the hospital.

Meanwhile, Piston forward Antonio McDyess was fined $5,000 by the NBA after he was ejected Tuesday for kicking a basketball into the stands during Tuesday night’s opener.

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Latrell Sprewell of the Minnesota Timberwolves received a misdemeanor citation after being involved in a verbal confrontation with a police officer.

Sprewell was riding in a vehicle that was stopped in downtown Minneapolis about 6 p.m. Tuesday, police spokesman Ron Reier said. Sprewell spoke up while the driver was being questioned about licensing and insurance.

Sprewell ignored an order to not interfere and was ticketed for failing to obey the lawful order of a police officer, Reier said.

Meanwhile, Sprewell, earning $14.6 million in the final year of his contract, appeared to soften his demand for either an immediate contract extension or a trade, even backing away from his “I’ve got a family to feed” comment that provoked something of a backlash.

“The stuff I’m going through is minute compared to a lot of things people go through on a daily basis,” he said.

As for his contract negotiations, Sprewell said, “I’ll be open to it -- looking at everything. I wouldn’t want [a pay cut]. It’s part of negotiating.”

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Denver guard Voshon Lenard was lost for the season and will have surgery Monday after tearing his Achilles’ tendon in the Nuggets’ season-opening loss to the Lakers. DerMarr Johnson is Lenard’s probable replacement.... Free-agent Michael Curry, 36, has no plans to step down as president of the players’ union despite not being on a team yet. Players association bylaws state the union president must be an active player, but there is no language defining active.... Free-agent guard Anthony Goldwire signed with the Milwaukee Bucks after starter Mike James (rib injury) was placed on the injured list.... Point guard Howard Eisley returned to the Utah Jazz, signing a one-year deal with his former team. Eisley, who played with the Jazz from 1995 to 2000, was waived by Phoenix last week. The Jazz needed an experienced point guard with starter Carlos Arroyo (sprained ankle) and backup Raul Lopez (knee surgery) on the injured list.... NBA Commissioner David Stern insisted that players and coaches must adapt to tighter officiating this season or more players will foul out, saying, “If that’s the way we’re going to do it, then we will have a lot of 3 1/2 -hour games, and a lot of players fouling out. And it’s not going to be the referees’ fault. Ever. It will be the coaches and the players. Do I make myself clear?”