Fans universally called for Brown’s departure after a win-less preseason and a listless 1-4 start to the regular season, and it appears as though Lakers’ management agreed.
So, what exactly does this mean for the Lakers?
Normally, when head coaches are fired mid-season, an assistant coach takes over for the remainder of the season until a definitive decision can be made in the off-season. For instance, Bernie Bickerstaff will take the helm for tonight’s game.
However, that is not going to happen.
Why?
Well, for one, these are the Lakers. When they get rid of someone–player or coach–you better believe they are looking to upgrade.
Secondly, the Lakers fired Mike Brown after just five games.
Initially, I thought that firing him wouldn’t be the best move because a new coach and system would have to be implemented, discouraging a team that’s worked hard all training camp to learn a new system, a new coach for many of them, and each other. Plus, I figured it wouldn’t help the campaign to re-sign Dwight Howard.
However, Lakers management saw something they didn’t like–such as a coach they didn’t think could lead this team to an NBA championship–and acted quickly.
Additionally, at just 42 years old, Mike Brown was likely initially hired for the long term. However, with the short window of opportunity for this Lakers team, perhaps the learning curve and patience ran out for management.
Always a franchise willing to do anything and everything to please their fans, perhaps the constant demanding of a new coach helped with management’s decision.
Who Will Take Over?
As I stated above, the Lakers continually manage to upgrade their personnel. Usually it’s players who get swapped out, but right now the Lakers are looking for a clear upgrade at the coaching position.
So, who’s on deck?
Rumors have swirled of Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan, Mike D’Antoni, and Brian Shaw–to name a few.
I’ll tell you one thing, though. Jerry Buss is extremely fond of Phil Jackson, and if he, Kupchak, and son Jimmy agreed to fire Mike Brown (who Jim was fond of), they certainly contacted the Zen Master first. He’s the only coach on that list with championship experience as a head coach (11, to be exact), and the Lakers are clearly looking for someone experienced and trusted.
Next Page: Will it be Phil Jackson or Jerry Sloan?
Phil Jackson
The fact that Phil and the Lakers left on good terms is an indication that he is at the top of the list when it comes to head coaching candidates.
The only concerns here are Phil’s health, his salary demands, and the short notice. However, the ultra-competitive Zen Master likely doesn’t want to leave his legacy as an NBA head coach back in Dallas where his Lakers were swept in the second round of the 2011 playoffs.
Additionally, Phil cancelled a scheduled appearance he was supposed to make at a Chicago conference next week, just yesterday. It could be a coincidence, but I’m sure it’s not. At the very least, he was in the loop as to what was about to happen today, and couldn’t pass up a meeting with the Buss family and Mitch Kupchak. Is it a sure thing? Definitely not. But, he likely realizes the urgency of the meeting as well and had to at least entertain the possibility. Again, this is all speculation, but come on–there’s no way the Lakers didn’t 
One main question here would be: If Phil were to take the job, for how many seasons would it be? One? Two?
The answer to the question would surely coincide with the Lakers’ window of opportunity to win a championship (and likely the remainder of Kobe’s career), but the Lakers would have to sell Dwight Howard on a long-term plan as well for him to re-sign with the Lakers this summer.
However, I’m sure Howard would love the opportunity to play for the game’s greatest coach.
Another concern would be how well Nash would fit into the Triangle Offense. Nash didn’t seem like himself while trying to run the Princeton Offense, so it would definitely be something to consider.
For the 67-year-old, Phil’s health would likely be the biggest deal maker or breaker .
Notables as Head Coach:
- Win-Loss Totals: 1155-485
- Win-Loss Percentage: .704
- Championships: 11
Jerry Sloan
Jerry Sloan has been the biggest name circling the Lakers over the past week or so.
After a shocking mid-season retirement from the Utah Jazz during the 2011 season, Jerry Sloan is undoubtedly looking for a fulfilling way to end his career as well. After spending 23 straight years on the Jazz’s sidelines while coaching two of the greatest players in Karl Malone and John Stockton, Sloan has yet to win a championship.
His hard-nosed approach and coaching style are normally seen as a benefit, but for a veteran team such as the Lakers with superstars and egos, it could prove to be a detriment as well. Deron Williams infamously had spats with his former head coach, and was rumored to be the reason Sloan ended up quitting.
I wouldn’t see it as too much of a problem, though, as Kobe Bryant would likely love the old-school approach. Players such as Pau Gasol perhaps wouldn’t.
Additionally, the pick-and-roll game between Steve Nash and Dwight Howard would likely be exceptional. But, would Kobe Bryant and/or Pau Gasol prefer that style of offense to a motion offense such as the Triangle or the Princeton Offense? Let’s not forget that fans lividly rejected the Princeton Offense and blamed much of the team’s struggles on Mike Brown, although it was actually Kobe’s idea in the first place.
Again, it would be hard to see Sloan coaching long-term, as he’s already 70 years old, but he could definitely help in the “win now!” aspect.
Notables as Head Coach:
- Win-Loss Totals: 1221-803
- Win-Loss Percentage: .603
- Championships: 0
Next Page: Or will it be Mike D’Antoni or Brian Shaw?
Mike D’Antoni
Here’s another option at which Lakers fans are licking their chops. Everyone has seen what D’Antoni did for Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns, and how his Phoenix teams put the Lakers out in two consecutive playoffs (2006 and 2007).
D’Antoni would possibly be the best fit for Steve Nash and Dwight Howard offensively, but what about defensively?
Kobe Bryant clearly respects D’Antoni as he played for him during the Beijing and London Olympics where D’Antoni was an assistant coach. Not to mention that D’Antoni was Bryant’s favorite player when he was growing up in Italy (he used to wear #8, which Bryant has said is one reason he used to wear #8 early in his career).
It would be hard to imagine these aging Lakers running a “7 seconds or less” style of offense, but D’Antoni would likely figure out a way to make it all work. I think Kobe would be intrigued at any offensive system he decides to implement.
Additionally, I feel that D’Antoni would be the best candidate to get the bench scoring efficiently and productively with his run-and-gun style. Players such as Steve Blake, Jodie Meeks, and Devin Ebanks would do exceptionally well, in my opinion, and Antawn Jamison would surely perform better than he is now.
His defense, however, would still have to be proven, but if he chooses a solid defensive minded assistant coach, that could solve the problem. Nate McMillan, maybe? I actually like that idea since both were assistant coaches at the Beijing and London Olympics and could harmoniously co-exist.
At 61 years of age, D’Antoni is as experienced as he’s going to get and still has years left in him as a head coach.
Notables as Head Coach:
- Win-Loss Totals: 388-339
- Win-Loss Percentage: .533
- Championships: 0
Brian Shaw
Alternatively, the Lakers could decide to somewhat gamble with Brian Shaw. Shaw obviously has the respect of Kobe Bryant, and he would bring the Triangle Offense back to Los Angeles. Although Shaw isn’t proven a
Obviously, Shaw is currently under contract with the Indiana Pacers as an “Associate Coach,” so he would likely have to be released somehow. I wouldn’t see that as much of a problem because teams often allow assistant coaches to interview with other teams while still under contract because they understand how hard it is to land an NBA head coaching gig.
Although they would hate to lose an assistant coach, no one would blame him for wanting to take a job of a lifetime.
At 46 years of age, Shaw isn’t much older than Mike Brown, but if the Lakers decide they want to run the Triangle now and even after Kobe retires, Shaw would definitely be the best candidate.
Notables as Head Coach:
- Win-Loss Totals: N/A
- Win-Loss Percentage: N/A
- Championships: N/A (2 as assistant to Phil Jackson)
Next Page: The Final Thought
Final Thought
The Lakers possibly have as talented of a team as they’ve ever had, and the only “unproven” piece was their former head coach: Mike Brown. Management decided to pull the plug on that experiment and will likely go for a more proven option.
Although Coach Brown was an extremely hard worker and knew his X’s and O’s, perhaps he wasn’t able to connect with his players 100 percent and/or utilize them to the best of their respective abilities.
The coach the Lakers will likely choose now will be one who has a track record of getting through to his respective players, and who can also sell a system to his players and management. It could be one of the aforementioned coaches, or perhaps even one out of the blue (such as McMillan).
As for what will happen to the current assistant coaches? Frankly, I don’t know. That will be a very interesting thing to monitor as any outside head coach would likely prefer a staff of his choosing.
In any event, the Lakers once again made a huge move–a relatively unprecedented one at that–all in the hopes of winning a championship now.
They now must act quickly and save as much time as possible while choosing their next head coach to limit further setbacks.
It will definitely take even more time for the Lakers to gel initially, as a new system will likely be put in place, but that’s the gamble the Lakers decided to take.
Will it pay off this season and/or in the future? Only time will tell.