Mike Brown is totally fine with Kobe Bryant’s silence - NBA Update
The Los Angeles Lakers newly hired Coach Mike Brown has officially said in the media that he is totally fine with Kobe Bryant’s silence on his hiring as the new head coach. Brown was present on Thursday in the National Basketball
Association (NBA) draft when some reporters caught him and asked him regarding Kobe Bryant’s silence on his arrival.
When a reporter asked Brown, “Are you bothered that Kobe has not made a statement in support of you?” In reply to that very question Brown said, “No. No. I’m more than ok with [Kobe].”
Mike Brown and Kobe Bryant’s relationship seems to be fine on the surface, but there is a definite unease that is originating from the Lakers’ camp and that is the silence of Kobe Bryant. In the past, Kobe has used silence as a
mark of protest against the management or when his wishes had not been fulfilled – the 2007 season when Kobe wanted more help on the team. However, Kobe and Brown have met twice since his arrival and Brown has stated ample times that the two are getting along
just fine.
Mike Brown made his way into the Los Angeles Lakers after the legendary Phil Jackson decided to hang his boots following a playoff disaster against the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Semifinals. The Laker’s management
were looking for a defensive specialist after the Mavs exposed their back court weaknesses brutally and they tipped Brown as the best man for the job. This apparently didn’t go well with Kobe and some of the senior team members, who had publically shown support
to Phil’s assistant Brian Shaw.
Although Brown has met senior pros like Derek Fisher and Bryant, he has so far failed to meet all the players at one place and with the NBA labour unrest looming large, this joint meeting still seems far away. However, for Mike
Brown it is fine at the moment because he knows that his time to talk will eventually come. But, if the league goes into lock out next season, Mike Brown has to wait for the labour dispute to end as no player will be permitted to meet him until the regular
season starts.
Mike Brown was present at the NBA draft, where the Lakers roped in Darius Morris, Andrew Goudelock, and Ater Majok. Soon after the proceedings were over he said. “I’ve kind of just watched from afar and kind of learned and listened.
Mitch [Kupchak] and his staff have been doing this the whole year. They have a plan; they know the direction that they’re going to go. I’ve watched them from afar, and they’ve seemed extremely organized and methodical about their approach, which is what I
like. So I have the utmost faith and trust in the direction they’re going to go tonight with this draft.”
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