Panic Button Hit, Lakers Part Ways With Coach Brown

One day after reading that both Kobe and the Buss family supported Mike Brown and that his job was I was shocked to see that the Breaking News was that Coach Brown had just been fired. Even though I actually expected it if they continued to struggle I'd figure it would come depending on the results of the upcoming home stand. Instead as if the Lakers did not have enough drama now they have gone back to drawing boards after just 5 games. Good move, bad move? I gotta the Lakers have not looked good for the most part, sure they have had some positive moments and it's unfair to rate them when still not at full strength but these are the Lakers, there is no room for error when it comes to the franchise. Mike Brown was in a tough spot from day one, but really how many candidates could actually follow up a legend? Last year was not great, but it was not the disappointment that has been this young season. The worst part was the body language and disinterest by the players, they clearly are not in the same page, will a new direction help, well that depends on who's calling the shots. The Lakers need somebody that it's not intimidated by their history and can handle the bright lights of Hollywood. Mike Brown while an excellent assistant coach, didn't see him as a man in charge. Not for lack of effort, he said plenty, was a good teacher, but didn't seem like stars gave him his place. So now what? Give the reigns to Bickerstaff? No likely, the one coach who can come in demand hard work and attention is of course the Zen Master, but is he willing to give it another try? There actually a few candidates available if the LA savior declines a chance to get a dirty dozen of rings, Mike D'antoni, who when teamed with Nash had great success and Kobe respects would surely bring a "Showtime" like rebirth that would soon erase this terrible start, but defense is not his forte. There's Nate McMillan, a superb coach with a defensive mentality and one who I think would be a nice breath of fresh air, but with this roster needing to win now, don't know if the team is willing to give him a shot at this time. While still an assistant in Indiana, Brian Shaw should have been their first choice, but to get him even if he was available would be an admission that they were wrong, so I don't see that happening. Then there's the one I would love to see, Utah legend Jerry Sloan, here's someone who could deal with egos and would not expect anything less that 120% and doesn't have time for bullshit, but that's asking too much.

Back to Brown, judging from the first five games, the players did not seem to adapt to the new offense. Everyone looked out of position and unfocused, the high turnovers are proof of that. The main problem I saw that it didn't seem the players were doing what they were brought in to do. I mean the only player that seem comfortable was Bryant who was shooting almost 60% through the first 4 games, then the Utah game came and the whole team looked lost. You know it's not rocket science you have some great individual talent in each position, my God use it. You don't want to see Nash playing off the ball, Howard and Pau at high elbow, Artest playing two guard, WTF?, and what about Meeks not even getting a chance to play, with four possible post threats shooters like him will get open shots, shooters need to shoot, sure he's in a funk, but at least use him for what he was brought in for, don't replace him with Artest, damn. The walking the ball and getting the offense set up was also ridiculous, what is this High School? You employ a floor general like Nash, you let him loose, if nothing's available you call a play, but Coach Brown clearly was not using the players like most expected, but hey what do hell do I know, he's the pro Head Coach right? Finally, wasn't Brown supposed to be a defensive minded coach? It sure didn't seem like it, the effort was awful, and that starts with the respect and trust of the coach, no effort was given the last game, the players focused more on frustration than getting over the hump, so I feel this move was good, a change was needed.
Best wishes to Coach Brown though, it was an unfortunate situation, and he was done before he could even start.

Let's hope the Buss family doesn't settle and gets a good candidate. Go Lakers!