NBA coaches have expressed their disappointment and surprise over the firing of Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown, with many citing his strong track record as a coach and leader in the league. Brown, who was let go on Friday after leading the team to its 13th win this season, was the unanimous winner of the NBA Coach of the Year award in 2022-23.
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who was fired by Brown’s predecessor, Vivek Ranadive, in December 2014, took to Twitter to express his disdain for the decision, calling it a “difficult decision” and stating that Brown had “no class.” Malone has worked with Brown on several occasions and was a vocal supporter of him as coach.
Other coaches, including Indiana Pacers’ Rick Carlisle and Orlando Magic’s Jamahl Mosley, have also spoken out about Brown’s firing, with Carlisle calling it “shocking” and Mosley praising Brown as a mentor and friend. Golden State Warriors’ Steve Kerr, who has worked closely with Brown in the past, expressed disappointment at the news.
The Kings, however, claimed that Brown’s firing was a difficult decision made necessary by the team’s struggles on the field. The team is currently 12th place in the Western Conference with an 18-13 record.
Brown has had four coaching jobs since entering the league in 2006 and has been praised for his ability to lead teams to success. His dismissal marks the ninth head-coaching change in the NBA this season alone, and the 300th overall since Gregg Popovich took over as coach of the San Antonio Spurs in 1996.
The reaction from coaches underscores Brown’s reputation as a respected leader and coach in the league, and highlights the challenges faced by teams struggling to find success.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43187011/nuggets-malone-says-kings-showed-no-class-firing-brown