NBA lockout can prove fatal for Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown
Mike Brown, the former coach of NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers made Cavaliers the best defensive team in NBA and in 2007, marshalled them into the finals. Two years later, he was awarded with coach of the year accolade as Cleveland
Cavaliers managed to end the season with league’s best record of 66 wins. The next year, he was again close to getting the award as Cavaliers finished with an outstanding record of 61 wins.
However, he was fired after Cleveland Cavaliers defeat against Boston Celtics in the conference semi finals.
On May 25th 2011, after the heartbreaking departure of the great Phil Jackson, Brown agreed to be Phil Jackson’s replacement and became the head coach of Los Angeles Lakers.
Mike Brown is already on the hot seat without even coaching a single game yet. He has taken a responsibility that will either make him a legend or end his coaching career.
Brown faces steep bundles of challenges ahead in reforming the team that was humiliated by Dallas Mavericks in the finals last season. And the NBA lockout, which continues to linger on, is only going to make his job more difficult.
Countless hours have already been lost that Mike could have used to get close to team members. Because of the lockout, players are not allowed to meet the players and as a new coach, one needs to develop some sort of bonding with
players.
When Mike Brown was preferred over Brian Shaw by the Lakers management to perform the role of coach, not many Lakers players were too pleased with the new appointment which is why he needs to create some cohesion with players.
Brown needs to conquer his locker room and needs to reorganize an enduring bridge between both players and the management.
After last year’s disappointment end, not only the coach, Phil Jackson, but those management people that had spent their lives in making Lakers a better team also left leaving the team in dire straits. Brown has a huge responsibility
of filling that gap too.
Another factor that puts his job in jeopardy is the skyrocketed expectations. Phil Jackson, after taking charge of the Lakers won them the title right away. The pressure of making an impact immediately will affect Mike Brown’s
method and the consequences might not be that good. Phil had the leverage to create good relationship almost instantly with all the players however lockout has deprived Mike of that luxury.
Brown has complete support from the Lakers ownership, but will he have the support of players too when the lockout ends and the season commences?
Coaching job is not an easy one and with issues like lockout, managing aging rosters on team and getting to know players well, it will only get more difficult for Mike.
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