The Sacramento Kings look much the same after firing head coach Mike Brown last Friday. With Brown’s dismissal causing an uproar, there’s a certain level of expectation for interim head coach Doug Christie. However, it’s the players that are under the most pressure.
The team’s decision to part with a two-time NBA Coach of the Year who signed a three-year contract extension is the summer blindsided everyone. However, when Sacramento made that agreement with Brown, DeMar DeRozan wasn’t on the roster. A six-time All-Star, the Kings were able to acquire DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade on July 8. The ink on Brown’s contract had been dry for more than a month.
As for what that has to do with why Brown was unceremoniously dismissed?
Former NBA Standout Lou Williams Reveals Reason Kings Fired Head Coach
On Monday, NBA standout Lou Williams appeared on Run It Back to discuss how the Brown lost DeRozan and De’Aaron Fox, the team’s top perimeter players.
“From what I understand it just ran its course and very fast….”
“I’m hearing there was just some pushback from how De’Aaron Fox was continuously being singled out,” Williams says, “whether it was publicly or behind the scenes… I was even hearing whispers where he might have asked or suggested that even DeMar DeRozan come off the bench.”
DeMar DeRozan was asked to come off the bench and De’Aaron Fox was continuously singled out…👀
Lou Williams shares insider information on why the Kings might’ve decided to fire Mike Brown
WE’RE LIVE ⬇️https://t.co/CfAwAvgFYZ@MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/SxKDNTipDT
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) December 30, 2024
“This was just a classic example of a coach losing the locker room and not being on the same page with his players,” the three-time Sixth Man of the Year concludes.
The Right Guy For The Job?
It suffices to say that Brown no longer had the favor of at least two of Sacramento’s key players. To be fair to Fox, he likely has been singled out more often than other players. However, Brown has been complementary of him as well, telling reporters that he’s on the cusp of becoming a superstar.
Mike Brown’s challenge to De’Aaron Fox when getting his Kings to embrace the details & lock in:
“Fox has to step up. He’s a great player, on the verge of being a superstar…you have a lot of responsibility if you’re that guy, and he’s that guy. And he can’t be a part of not… pic.twitter.com/YU9891LSit
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) December 18, 2024
With regards to DeRozan, the 35-year-old has started in every game he’s played since the second season in the league. He started all but seven games as a rookie. Even if he was willing to, he’s not a player accustomed to coming off the bench. As a result, it’s understand if there was pushback or a reluctance to accept that role.
Yet, DeRozan’s refusal to even try to role change for a single game shows that he prioritizes himself over the team. Fox’s pride was also problematic in this situation, as he obviously didn’t take well to the constant criticism. It’s possible that the Kings choosing them over Brown could put the franchise in better position to win a championship. Does Sacramento truly want to be led by DeRozan and Fox if this is the mentality they have though?
It’s a question that only the executives know the answer to, but one worth ruminating over.
