On ESPN Marc Spears said the Kings asked Mike Brown to fire “one of his assistants not named Doug Christie” and that Brown refused and was fired shortly after. He also said the decision came from ownership and not from the Kings front office and that’s why they are refusing to do a press conference. Does anyone have insight on this and which assistant it was? This is the first I’ve heard of it.
Marc Spears - Kings fired Mike Brown because he refused to fire assistant coach?
- Thread starter TheMobb
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It's not hard at all to see this report was a buddy thing. Like the Kings going on a tough road trip is the time where we see "what this Kings team really is". I mean, it certainly plays in but that had a sense of someone looking foolish putting out a dirt sheet report like that while the team is winning just waiting to pounce with the I told you so's.
The important thing to note here is, it’s ESPCNN spreading this information. The next time any of their insiders and/or TV faces know much of anything about the KINGS will be the first time. Half the time they don’t even know who is or isn’t on the roster or how to properly pronounce their names,
Everyone should know by now that they only go about 5 or 6 teams deep when it comes to in-depth coverage.
Yes, I realize that Spears is a rare exception, but since he’s been on that network his level of work has dropped.
That said, even if the reports are true, not following your bosses direction (or orders) is pretty likely to get anyone fired wherever they happen to be employed. That shouldn’t be controversial.
Everyone should know by now that they only go about 5 or 6 teams deep when it comes to in-depth coverage.
Yes, I realize that Spears is a rare exception, but since he’s been on that network his level of work has dropped.
That said, even if the reports are true, not following your bosses direction (or orders) is pretty likely to get anyone fired wherever they happen to be employed. That shouldn’t be controversial.
There were some reports early in the transition that Barbosa may not have been with the team but I have since seen pictures of him celebrating post game.
I wonder if instead of "fire" an assistant it was "demote" the assistant. That would make sense - change Loucks's assignment to sub coordinator (Christie's job according to Ham - NOTE: they were Brown's rotations) and make Doug the D-coordinator.
I'm guessing Mike said no and that these "coordinator" titles were more Mike just delegating his calls - again going by Ham's stupid report that Doug was in charge of "substitutions" only to later clarify that meant lining them up at the scorers table at check in time.
I wonder if instead of "fire" an assistant it was "demote" the assistant. That would make sense - change Loucks's assignment to sub coordinator (Christie's job according to Ham - NOTE: they were Brown's rotations) and make Doug the D-coordinator.
I'm guessing Mike said no and that these "coordinator" titles were more Mike just delegating his calls - again going by Ham's stupid report that Doug was in charge of "substitutions" only to later clarify that meant lining them up at the scorers table at check in time.
As much as I'd love to have more ammo for my anti-Vivek agenda, I don't think this is it haha
I'll wait for something more substantial before I pounce!
Fwiw: my main issue was HOW Brown was fired, not that he was fired in the first place. No class, no balls nails it and for a franchise with an iffy reputation, the last thing the org needs is to do things "the Kangz way" if they want to ever be a respected destination for FAs or top coaching and FO candidates. It was an issue with the Maloofs, and continues to be an issue with Vivek. My emotional response immediately after the firing was to blame Vivek, but now who knows? At least DC is working out, so alls well that ends well, I guess!
I'll wait for something more substantial before I pounce!
Fwiw: my main issue was HOW Brown was fired, not that he was fired in the first place. No class, no balls nails it and for a franchise with an iffy reputation, the last thing the org needs is to do things "the Kangz way" if they want to ever be a respected destination for FAs or top coaching and FO candidates. It was an issue with the Maloofs, and continues to be an issue with Vivek. My emotional response immediately after the firing was to blame Vivek, but now who knows? At least DC is working out, so alls well that ends well, I guess!
Obviously this is true. But it's a bit weird that, if the front office wanted a particular assistant coach fired, that the front office did not fire that assistant coach directly, instead of insisting that Brown do it. I mean, I guess I don't fully understand how the chain of command works here, but obviously the front office CAN go over Brown's head without firing Brown.
Furthermore, if the front office wanted to fire a particular assistant, why didn't they do so when they fired Brown? Because we don't seem to have any indication that any other coaches are missing. Maybe they are, I dunno.
Just weird, so I'm not convinced this is accurate.
Furthermore, if the front office wanted to fire a particular assistant, why didn't they do so when they fired Brown? Because we don't seem to have any indication that any other coaches are missing. Maybe they are, I dunno.
Just weird, so I'm not convinced this is accurate.
The only other thing that makes sense is if Brown said "I make the calls fire me instead".
But you bring up a lot of good points here. Although I do seem to recall in the initial Brown hiring saga that him having the budget and call over his assistant pool was a sticking point, with the Kings agreeing as long as Christie was retained.
But you bring up a lot of good points here. Although I do seem to recall in the initial Brown hiring saga that him having the budget and call over his assistant pool was a sticking point, with the Kings agreeing as long as Christie was retained.
Vivek was in India should we have waited until after the Lakers game?
I guess Doug would have liked that
Once the decision was made though, and apparently it wasn't until after Brown finished practice and left the facility, do you really want to let your fired coach coach a game just for optics?
I guess Doug would have liked that
Once the decision was made though, and apparently it wasn't until after Brown finished practice and left the facility, do you really want to let your fired coach coach a game just for optics?
I’m happy there’s no FO leaks on this. Everything who’s followed the team knows it speaks for itself. We were in a tailspin, the Pistons game was clearly gonna get him fired if we lost, Fox was exerting pressure for something to change (altho I believe he didn’t ask for Brown’s firing), all of the players have responded positively and spoke highly of Doug’s different approach to leading them, and he’s made lineup changes conducive to winning
It’s probably weird for people out of the loop to think the Kings didn’t **** this up, but so far there’s no indication they did
My guess is Louks but the offense was severely underperforming as well and that’s Triano’s beat.
basically shows they were willing to settle for a lower profile fall guy but Brown wasn’t going to do it for them because both Louks and Triano are still here.
It’s worth noting the Kings are allowing less three pointers. Teams still shoot a good percentage but they noticeably are getting out on shooters more. Likely a product of Keon being in the starting lineup for just about all Doug’s games but still noticeable improvement.
In post games, I always thought Brown took too much of an “it is what it is” attitude to the Kings inability to defend the three and tendency to over help. I’m beginning to think that was his stubborn design and not Louks..or Jordie,
Well anyway, this team can always revert back but it’s very clear Brown lost the locker room. The failure from the front office was to not have a gauge on this before they extended him for 3 years when they didn’t have to before the season started.
basically shows they were willing to settle for a lower profile fall guy but Brown wasn’t going to do it for them because both Louks and Triano are still here.
It’s worth noting the Kings are allowing less three pointers. Teams still shoot a good percentage but they noticeably are getting out on shooters more. Likely a product of Keon being in the starting lineup for just about all Doug’s games but still noticeable improvement.
In post games, I always thought Brown took too much of an “it is what it is” attitude to the Kings inability to defend the three and tendency to over help. I’m beginning to think that was his stubborn design and not Louks..or Jordie,
Well anyway, this team can always revert back but it’s very clear Brown lost the locker room. The failure from the front office was to not have a gauge on this before they extended him for 3 years when they didn’t have to before the season started.
Vivek was in India should we have waited until after the Lakers game?
I guess Doug would have liked that
Once the decision was made though, and apparently it wasn't until after Brown finished practice and left the facility, do you really want to let your fired coach coach a game just for optics?
I guess Doug would have liked that
Once the decision was made though, and apparently it wasn't until after Brown finished practice and left the facility, do you really want to let your fired coach coach a game just for optics?
I get the general point about "optics," but they don't matter to the people who make decisions. At least, they shouldn't, especially when they believe they're making the right move. Hindsight is showing that this is a good decision for now, and the team seems to have responded to the kick in the pants. I'm sure there are many reasons for it, but we'll never know.
I guess if you want to fire a guy, you do it ASAP.
That said, if there was an assistant to be let go, I'm with the general consensus in believing that the assistant would also not be here right now.
I think the decision was brewing and between the Indiana game in which the team didn't even bother showing up to play and Detroit where Brown called out his star player for both real and petty grievances (the dog walk lead to a successful 3pt attempt so why bring it up). It was just complicated by needing to get Vivek, Matina (she is the COO ffs) and Monte together to determine the path forward.
Unfortunately the NBA schedule dictated the timing of events and not what is best for optics.
I have to believe that a) we hopefully won't be hiring soon and by the time we are everyone will say we made a good decision and b) the fact that we are paying the guy handsomely for the next 2.5 years will reassure any future coaches that they are dealing with a fair and honorable organization.
Unfortunately the NBA schedule dictated the timing of events and not what is best for optics.
I have to believe that a) we hopefully won't be hiring soon and by the time we are everyone will say we made a good decision and b) the fact that we are paying the guy handsomely for the next 2.5 years will reassure any future coaches that they are dealing with a fair and honorable organization.
I don't think Fox did but I would understand if Klutch got their hands dirty in this. Brown's complaints about Fox were going to cost him dearly - whether it be because the media didn't vote him for the post season awards based on his comments - or in future FA/trade talks when his coach is basically saying to the media after every game that the star player won't listen/follow instructions.
even if Brown and Fox have a gentlemen's agreement that this is an effective coaching strategy this is horrible for an agent to see night after night.
I was initially very irritated when Fox said he took a nap after hearing about Brown but you know they say the opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference.
even if Brown and Fox have a gentlemen's agreement that this is an effective coaching strategy this is horrible for an agent to see night after night.
I was initially very irritated when Fox said he took a nap after hearing about Brown but you know they say the opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference.
Interesting hypothesis. Though perhaps not the most comforting one. It's one thing if you decide that you need to change direction, so you fire the coach you think is not pulling their weight. It's kind of another thing if you decide you need to make a public example of *somebody* and it doesn't really matter which person is getting fired. I really hope it's not the latter.
But no one else has been let go, which makes me really doubt this story. I can't imagine they were setting up.. Luke Loucks as the fall guy and then just keeping him on? "Yeah, we were gonna fire you, but decided to fire Brown because he wouldn't fire you. Oh btw, see you on Monday, you still have a job!"
The story doesn't add up but if there's teeth to it I am guessing Brown stuck up for his guy by saying the schemes that were failing were his own (which is probably true - particularly if it was the defense/Loucks). Also at the game I attended it sure looked like the players working with Loucks were receptive to his instruction.
I haven't mentioned this but when I had courtside seats behind the visiting team's basket and every time there was a timeout Brown sort of walked under the basket by himself while whatever was happening happened. Sometimes he rejoined the group, sometimes he stood there by himself or with another coach. It really stood out to me and it was ... weird.
I haven't mentioned this but when I had courtside seats behind the visiting team's basket and every time there was a timeout Brown sort of walked under the basket by himself while whatever was happening happened. Sometimes he rejoined the group, sometimes he stood there by himself or with another coach. It really stood out to me and it was ... weird.