Heisley said, however, that other candidates also were being considered.
"Anybody would have to be impressed with Larry, OK? He's one of the great coaches in NBA history," Heisley told the Commercial Appeal. "I wouldn't be talking to Larry Brown if I wasn't interested, but I wouldn't be having a process if I was interested in just one person."
The Sixers gave permission for Brown, a Hall of Fame coach, to interview with the Grizzlies. Brown, who coached the Sixers from 1997-2002, rejoined the team in his current position in January after being fired after one season by the New York Knicks. The 66-year-old Brown has coached 11 teams in the ABA, NCAA and NBA. He won an NCAA national championship at Kansas (1988) and an NBA title in Detroit (2004). He also coached at UCLA.
Besides Brown, Phoenix assistant coach Marc Iavoroni, who played for the Sixers from 1982-85, is rumored as a possible candidate.
Heisley is looking for a new coach for a franchise that went from the playoffs to the NBA's worst record at 22-60 in one season. Coach Mike Fratello was fired in December and replaced on an interim basis by Tony Barone Sr.
Heisley also must hire a new president and general manager, with Jerry West leaving once his contract ends June 30.
Former Denver GM Kiki Vandeweghe, who once played for Brown, is a possible candidate for general manager.
Noteworthy
* Golden State guard Monta Ellis won the Most Improved Player award. Ellis, who averaged 16.4 points and 4.1 assists, edged Sacramento's Kevin Martin by three points in the closest voting in the award's history, earning 47 first-place votes and 352 points from a media panel.
* Jason Kidd missed the New Jersey Nets' practice because of a strained left knee and will be a gametime decision for tonight's third game of the playoffs against the Toronto Raptors.
