The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly fired Mike Brown in the wake of the team’s most recent loss, which dropped their record to 1-4 on the season. According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, it was initially believed that the Lakers would use their upcoming six-game homestand to evaluate Brown and make a decision. Plans have apparently changed, and L.A.’s front office reportedly came to a “unanimous decision” to let Brown go.
While there was reason to be skeptical that Brown would make it through the remainder of the season, it’s somewhat surprising to see him fired after only five games. The Lakers need to win now given the ages of some of their stars, but they have ample time to turn things around over the course of an 82-game season. Clearly the team does not feel that Brown is the man who can change the Lakers’ fate.
During Wednesday night’s loss to the Jazz, Kobe Bryant shot Brown one of the coldest stares you will ever see as the game was coming to a close. Bryant has obviously been unhappy with Brown, and when Kobe is unhappy with something the Lakers have a tendency to act on it. It would be incredibly naive to think Kobe had no part in the team’s decision to fire Brown.
