Pistons head coach Larry Brown returned to practice on Thursday, and will be on the bench Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers after a 10-game absence.

``It's great to be back with these guys,'' Brown said. ``This is where I want to be.

``I always intended to come back, and now seemed to be the right time to do it,'' he said. ``I hate that it took this long, but I had to get well enough.''

``It will be good to have him out there with us,'' center Ben Wallace said. ``When you have a guy that is that passionate about the game, you want him leading your charge. We're just getting tuned up -- getting everyone back and healthy and ready for the playoffs.''

Earlier this season Brown stated that the Knicks job would be of interest to him, fueling speculation that he would not return to the Pistons after the season, but for now he is in Detroit to defend their crown.