The Lakers announced Friday that Mike Brown has been fired as head coach in the wake of the mega-team’s 1-4 start.
“This was a difficult and painful decision to make,” said general manager Mitch Kupchak in a statement. “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.”
The Lakers have installed long-time assistant Bernie Bickerstaff as interim coach while they “immediately” search for a replacement. Bickerstaff will coach the team Friday against the Warriors.
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports:
Lakers are in process of appointing interim coach to replace Mike Brown, with Chuck Person having the edge over Steve Clifford, sources say. Ken Berger @KBergCBS
A more permanent solution for Lakers also in the works, with Mike D’Antoni prominent in organization discussions, league sources say.
D’Antoni of course has a strong relationship with both Kobe Bryant and his former point guard in Phoenix, Steve Nash. Berger also reports former Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and former Lakers assistant and current Pacers assistant Brian Shaw will be on the short list.
The move comes as a shock after numerous reports said the Lakers would give the second-year coach time to work through the early season struggles, especially with Nash on the shelf with a leg injury.
Brown has come under fire for the inauspicious start after the team added Dwight Howard and Nash in the offseason. Much of the criticism has been directed at Brown’s decision to install the Princeton offense, and the massive defensive problems despite Brown’s reputation as a defensive coach.
The Lakers went 41-25 with Brown as head coach last year, but with their only victory this season over the winless Pistons, ownership apparently thought it was time for a move. Yahoo! Sports reports that Kupchak had urged ownership to give Brown more time.
The Lakers have posted the 23rd worst defensive rating this season under Brown.
We’ll have much more on this throughout the day.
Originally posted by Matt Moore on CBSSports.com
http://www.19actionnews.com/story/20056504/lakers-fire-mike-brown-five-games-into-the-season
Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News and CBS Sports
SPORTS: Former Cavs Coach Mike Brown Fired from the Lakers After 1-4 Start was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
