Mike Brown remains polite in post-firing statement; Thanks the Lakers – NBA Update
The Los Angeles Lakers fired their head coach Mike Brown on Friday after a 1-4 start to the season. Under these circumstances, it is normal for anybody, let alone a successful coach, to vent some sort of frustration, but Brown carried himself with utmost grace, releasing a polite statement to thank the organization and its fans;
"I have great respect for the Buss family and the Lakers' storied tradition and I thank them for the opportunity they afforded me," Brown said in a statement. "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 was hired as the head coach of the Lakers last pre-season after Phil Jackson decided to quit. He was preferred over player and fan favourite Brian Shaw – an assistant to Jackson –and it is no secret that there were many people, who were not happy with his appointment. However, he had the support of all the people who really mattered, most importantly Kobe Bryant.
In the season that followed the former Cleveland Cavaliers coach formed a great partnership with the Black Mamba, who produced incredible numbers day in and day out. Being a defensive specialist, Brown also had a great influence and turned the Lakers into one of the best defensive sides in the league. The problem was however the offense, especially that of a certain Pau Gasol. The Spaniard appeared lost under Brown and even in the first five games this season; he failed to produce the stats he is capable of.
Then there came the signings of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in the off season, and the renewed expectations from Brown. He never delivered, but was he really to blame? There were just too many factors ranging from the team chemistry to the adoption of a new offensive system – the Princeton offense. The Lakers management however thought that they had seen enough and decided to pull the trigger.
In the coming days, there will be a huge debate over the firing of Brown and whether it was justified or not, but with this gesture Brown has gained respect.
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