Mike Brown was fired by the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday in the wake of a 1-4 start with the N.B.A.’s glitziest lineup. Potential replacements include Mike D’Antoni, Jerry Sloan, Brian Shaw and Nate McMillan.
Although the move was stunningly swift, it reflected the immense expectations in Los Angeles after a transformational summer in which the Lakers acquired Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, creating one of the most talented lineups in history.
The Lakers have yet to play at full strength with that lineup, however. Kobe Bryant has been playing through a foot injury. Nash is out with a leg injury after playing just a game and a half. And Howard, although he is averaging 22.4 points and 9.6 rebounds, is still working his way back from off-season back surgery.
“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.”
