Hubie Brown has joined ABC as its top NBA analyst, the network announced Tuesday. The 71-year-old Brown retired as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 26, a season after being selected the league's coach of the year.

Brown, the NBA's oldest coach when he stepped down, retired because of medical issues and a lack of drive. He declined to give details on his health, but said he wasn't seriously ill.

Brown will work primarily with play-by-play announcer Al Michaels on select regular-season and playoff games, including the NBA Finals. His first game will be a marquee matchup: Shaquille O'Neal's return to Los Angeles when the Miami Heat take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day.

"The fact that he just retired as a head coach in the NBA gives him a fresh outlook on the current players and the style of play in the league," said Michael Pearl, senior vice president and executive producer of ABC Sports. "In addition, Hubie has the previous experience of being an excellent game analyst. We are thrilled that this worked out for us to be able to bring him onto our team."