Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown has been fired, just five games into the season. After a disappointing 1-4 start by the Lakers, Owner Jim Buss and General Manager Mitch Kupchak decided to part ways with Brown, just a day after expressing their support for the ex-Cavaliers coach. After adding Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in a summer spending spree, many analysts and pundits were calling the Lakers favorites to dethrone the Miami Heat and win another NBA Title.
What happened? Has the panic button been pressed? Was this a terrible decision on management’s behalf, firing a coach way too early? and who will replace Mike Brown as head-coach?
Kupchack released a statement saying, “This was a difficult and painful decision to make. Mike was very hard-working and dedicated, but we felt it was in the best interest of the team to make a change at this time. We appreciate Mike’s efforts and contributions and wish him and his family the best of luck.”
Brown also issued a statement this morning: “I have great respect for the Buss family and the Lakers’ storied tradition and I thank them for the opportunity they afforded me. I have a deep appreciation for the coaches and players that I worked with this past year and I wish the organization nothing but success as they move forward.”
After acquiring the highest pay-roll in the league but succumbing to the worst start in the Western Conference, the Lakers are acting like a team in a desperation mode just five games into an 82 game season. With assistant coach, Bernie Bickerstaff set to take over for tonight’s game against Golden State, the Lakers are hoping to be headed back in the right direction. However, the team’s troubles aren’t over yet as Howard is still recovering from back surgery, Nash is still out and the Lakers’ main star and leader Kobe Bryant has not yet started to play extensive minutes on a regular basis.
For the next coach, there is no doubt that Lakers fans will be praying for the return of Phil Jackson and reports suggest Kupchak will contact the legendary bench boss. If Jackson does not wish to return, other veteran coaches such as Jerry Sloan and Mike D’Antoni are also available. Early reports also suggest that Kupchak will be looking at D’Antoni. It will be an interesting choice, and only time will tell if they make the right one.
