Larry Brown is returning to the city he helped bring a championship as his Knicks take to the floor of The Palace of Auburn Hills to face the Pistons.

What will his return to an ex-team's arena be like this time?
 
"I was fired, so it's a little different," Brown said during a Thursday conference call with the media.

The Pistons were the first team with which Brown won an NBA championship in his storied career.  After falling short last year, he and the Pistons agreed to a buyout of his contract which quickly led to a full-scale courtship by Madison Square Garden brass.  Soon thereafter, he was hired to be the Knicks' new coach.

"When I walk in The Palace, I'll have a lot of special feelings," Brown said.  "It was two of the greatest years I had," he said. "I'll always be thankful the opportunity Joe and Mr. D gave me."

Pistons' head Joe Dumars said he hopes Detroit fans give Brown the big ovation he deserves.