Lakers Fire Bike Brown; Season in Jeopardy?

Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

The Los Angeles Lakers are fed up with their lackluster start to the 2012-13 season and have taken out their aggression on head coach Mike Brown.

According to ESPNLosAngeles.com’s Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers fired Brown after just a 1-4 start, pitting an end to his short-lived stint with Los Angeles.  The replacement for Brown is not yet known, but sources have indicated that assistant coaches Bernie Bickerstaff or Chuck Person on an interim basis.

After a meagerly impressive start, sources told ESPN.com’s Marc Stein that the team was going to evaluate Brown’s performance during the Lakers’ six-game homestand.  But after management discussed it further, they came to a unanimous decision that the team “wasn’t heading in the right direction,” per ESPN.  They saw Brown as too detail-oriented and micromanaged a veteran team during practice that wasn’t the right fit for the organization, especially after shelling out the largest payroll in the league at over $100 million.

Lakers’ management may have pulled the string on Brown too soon.  Through five games, starting point guard and two-time MVP Steve Nash had only been in the lineup for 1.5 games before injuring his ankle and center Dwight Howard expressed he is still having issues with his surgically repaired back back.  And, more importantly, it doesn’t seem like they had enough time to jell as a team with newcomers Nash and Howard learning to develop and adjust as a team.

Now, the Lakers must find a coach who fits their style of play.  One that has the recognition and track record for the players to buy into his system.  There has been no mention of coaches in contention for the open position as of yet, but it would be wise to hire a veteran coach who has worked with a group of superstars and has a big enough reputation who can deal with the Los Angeles media.

The Lakers title hopes have definitely taken a hit.  They are in disarray and may not have the right answer at the coaching position to rise to their expectations.  Scrapping the Princeton offense, which was in full effect through the first five games, may give them a better chance to win.  If they let Nash work an offense he is comfortable with, he can put guys in the right position to score at an efficient rate.