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“No class, no balls” is how several NBA coaches reacted to the surprising dismissal of Mike Brown, the two-time coach of the year. Just under two years ago, Rick Carlisle praised Brown for his exceptional leadership, which led to his well-deserved recognition as the NBA’s coach of the year.
On Friday, the Sacramento Kings decided to part ways with Brown following a challenging start to the season, leaving the team with a 13-18 record and positioned near the bottom of the Western Conference. This decision comes despite the fact that Brown had led the Kings to back-to-back winning seasons, a feat the franchise had not achieved in nearly 20 years.
Expressing his shock, Carlisle, who is the coach of the Indiana Pacers and president of the National Basketball Coaches Association, stated, “The firing of Mike Brown today was just shocking to me and I’m sure all the people in our profession — men and women. I had the privilege of working with Mike when I was in Indiana coaching the first time. I view him as one of the standard bearers for integrity for our profession. And I’m just absolutely shocked that that decision was made.”
Carlisle shared these thoughts during his pregame media session before the Pacers faced the Boston Celtics, highlighting the widespread dismay among coaches regarding Brown’s firing.
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who himself was dismissed by Kings owner Vivek Ranadive in 2014, also voiced his disappointment. “As an NBA head coach, ultimately, you’re going to get the blame,” Malone remarked. “When they win, it’s going to go to (Domantas) Sabonis and (De’Aaron) Fox. And when you lose, it’s going to go to Mike Brown. That’s the way it works.”
Malone continued, detailing how Brown was informed of his firing while en route to the airport. “They have practice this morning, he does his post-(practice) media, and he’s in his car going to the airport to fly to L.A. And they call him on the phone. No class. No balls. That’s what I’ll say about that.”
Jamahl Mosley, coach of the Orlando Magic, acknowledged the harsh realities of coaching, stating that underperformance often leads to firings. He refrained from commenting on another team’s decisions but expressed his admiration for Brown. “He compiled a record of 107-88 while he was there,” Mosley noted. “He changed a bit of that culture in what he was doing. And I say these things not as a fellow coach. I say this as a close friend. He’s been a mentor of mine. And I know how good he is, and I know how he cares.”
Under Brown’s leadership, the Kings made the playoffs for the first time since 2006, earning him the unanimous NBA coach of the year award for the 2022-23 season. All 100 voters from a panel of reporters and broadcasters placed Brown at the top of their ballots that year.
Yet, less than two years later, he finds himself out of a job. “You hate to see it,” said New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who shares the distinction of being a two-time NBA coach of the year with Brown. “Mike’s a terrific person and a great coach. It’s unfortunate.”
The Kings’ decision marks the ninth head-coaching change in the NBA in 2024 and the 300th since Gregg Popovich began his tenure with the San Antonio Spurs in 1996. Currently, Popovich is away from the team as he recovers from a stroke.
Throughout his career, Brown has held four different head coaching positions, including stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, before returning to the Kings.
“He’ll certainly land on his feet,” Carlisle said. “But if you look at the job that he did and the turnaround that he had, it’s just really hard to believe that this decision was made. But teams have the right to do things like this, obviously. It’s their decision. But Mike’s a great man and a great basketball man. Really one of the pillars of our profession. Anyway. Onward.”
