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L.A. Lakers fire head coach after 1-4 start
[Updated at 4:35 p.m. ET] The Los Angeles Lakers' 0-8 preseason and 1-4 start to the regular season were too much for the front office to take.
The NBA team on Friday fired second-year head coach Mike Brown, whose efforts to implement a new offense and mesh free-agent signings with stars who won a title two years ago didn't turn into wins.
"Really, it came down to ownership and management looking at the record, looking at the improvement level, and wondering a month or two or three down the road, will we be in the same spot," General Manager Mitch Kupchak told reporters.
Assistant Coach Bernie Bickerstaff will be interim head coach for Friday night's game against the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers said.
The Lakers, just two years removed from an NBA championship, are loaded with high-profile talent with the likes of all-stars Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, as well as new additions Steve Nash, a former league MVP, and former Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard.
But Nash has missed most of the season's early games with an injury, and the Lakers struggled with a complex new offense Brown was implementing.
"I never thought we got to the point where the offense was flowing," Kupchak said. "You could see flashes of it, but we never got to a point (where it was consistent through a game)."
A reporter asked Kupchak whether a desire to make Howard's first year a smooth one was a factor in the decision. The star center would be a free agent at season's end if he doesn't sign an extension.
“Obviously, we know he is a free agent this summer, and you want to make the experience for him as good as possible, but we have a lot of other people we need to (please) as well,” Kupchak said.
Kupchak said the team's management decided Thursday night to make the move, a days after the Lakers lost a 95-86 game at Utah.
Brown released a statement saying he had great respect for the family of Lakers owner Jerry Buss "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,” Brown said.
Before taking the Lakers job in May 2011, Brown, 42, compiled a 272-138 regular-season record in five seasons as head coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On Twitter
pat riley
Agreed . . . SHOWTIME ! ! !
We want Phil! We want Phil! I NEVER liked the move to hire Brown anyway. He's not ready for the elite league.
Never before has so much been said by so few about so little.
Did you just arrive on the Internet today? This is nothin'. 🙂
As a Lakers fan that lives in Illinois and pays lots of money so I can see every Lakers game on TV, I have to say that I am happy with this decision.
I have watched every pre-season and regular season game this year and I can just tell that the players are not enthusiastic about the system, and it shows on the floor. It is sad to say that I have had much more enjoyment watching the LA Clippers this season and look forward to seeing their games as much as I used to enjoy watching Lakers games.
Mike Brown was a bad choice from the beginning.
Classic example of racism! NBA get with the modern times and realize people are people no matter what color they is!
10 black players ask for a black coach to be fired and it's racism? who's going to believe that? Hey kids, leave the room and let adults talk.
Oh sure, fire the coach...it certanly can't be the overpaid, primadonna players, could it?
Sorry Mike Brown – you obviously wanted to win, but didn't seem to be in a hurry to do so.
I'm so glad that the Lakers figured this out right away and I joyfully await the arrival of the new coach (PHIL JACKSON!!).
Go Lakers!!!
Hey Grumpy, but UCLA may rise from the ashes of football mediocrity and then there is basketball. So possibly some joy in Tinsel town and the Kings did win when there was a NHL.
Am I the only one that finds it odd that a coach gets fired after 5 NBA regular season games? Different rules for us I guess.... smh
I agree with you LC
He wasn't a great coach last season...he wasn't even a good coach last season. Come on, what do the Lakers need to do? Wait until he coaches them right out of playoff contention? He should have been fired at the end of last season. They waited too long in my opinion.
Let Coach Brown at least 20 games then judge his record. Too quick too pull the trigger.
He's had a whole season already. He's a terrible coach. Period.
Some can coach, some are for window dressing.
I am not a fan of the lakers. In fact, I hope the next meteor to hit earth destroys their arena first. The lakers are off to a pathetic start and last place? Whip out the eggnog, time to party!!
Honestly, I cannot believe they ever hired him in the first place.
Bests thing for the Lakers. Mike Brown should been let go the first. I don't care for the Laker
Dats wat I'm talkin bout
Damn da Lakers,them and da Yankees get just what they deserve,
Everybody, but win nothing!!!!!!!
Win nothing? You're referencing two of the most successful franchises in the history of sport.
Oh, and learn English or leave the discussion to the adults.
Talking..... Is that what you call it? Hooked On Phonics worked for me!!!!