The Los Angeles Lakers have fired coach Mike Brown just five games into the new NBA season. There has not been a replacement announced just yet – and it’s very possible that one of the Lakers’ current assistants may take over on an interim basis – but names such as Jerry Sloan and Mike D’Antoni have been mentioned as possible candidates to replace Brown. The Lakers slow start to the season (1-4) triggered some panic amongst the brass and even though Brown had the public support of Kobe Bryant and Jim Buss, the decision was made to relieve him of his duties.
Los Angeles will buyout the remaining $11 million owed to Brown.
Things got progressively worse for Brown following the team’s 0-7 start in the preseason, and culminated in the ‘death stare’ from Bryant to Brown during the fourth quarter of the Lakers loss to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.