NBA Rumors: Changing Coaches Would Lead to More Problems for Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are already dealing with an injury to Steve Nash, chemistry issues and a slow start that has led to an amazing amount of overreaction. The last thing they need now is a major distraction like a coaching change.

Alas, Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld reports head coach Mike Brown is already on the hot seat after watching the big-spending Lakers lose four of their first five. One source even told him to expect Jerry Sloan in Los Angeles by next month.

While Sloan is certainly an accomplished coach with a long track record of success, the Lakers don't need to pull the trigger on such a season-alerting move. They just need to have something that a lot of fans and analysts don't: Patience.

One of the biggest storylines prior to the season was how getting the rebuilt Lakers to reach their peak was going to be a process. After all, they added a couple superstars to the equation in Nash and Dwight Howard, and expecting instant results isn't fair.

Yet, at the first sign of distress, that thought was quickly pushed aside in favor of a doom-and-gloom outlook for Los Angeles.

Mike Brown's offense has come under the most attack, being singled out as the main reason the Lakers have struggled out of the gate. So perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise that rumors of his potential demise are already been circulated.

It's important to look at the big picture, however. When the Miami Heat first brought together Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh, it wasn't exactly a smashing success at the beginning.

The terrific trio was just 9-8 after 17 games in their first season together, and the reaction to that lackluster start was similar to what the Lakers are dealing with right now.

Instead of making any radical decisions, the Heat stuck to their guns, and the championship rings around their fingers are an indication they made the right choice. It took some time, but everything eventually clicked.

The Lakers should be reading from that playbook. Just by looking at the key pieces on the roster—Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Nash and Howard—it's clear Los Angeles has the base of a championship contender. But it's not going to happen overnight.

Changing coaches would only add to the team's list of problems. The Lakers just need time to gel. It's tough right now because Nash is out, but the progress will become more obvious once he returns, and these early-season struggles will eventually be forgotten.

The Lakers front office just needs to have some patience. Letting Brown go isn't the answer.