L.A. Lakers' New Coach: 7 Reasons Mike Brown Is Right Candidate
Mike Brown has been hired as the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Although it's going to be next to impossible to replace Phil Jackson, Brown represents a shift in organizational philosophy that Lakers' fans should embrace rather than deride.
On the surface, Brown's hire may not look like a win for the team, but GM Mitch Kupchak knows his team had too hard of a time on the defensive end, and that's Brown's forte.
Here are seven reasons why Brown makes perfect sense in Los Angeles.
7. New Voice
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Jackson was at the helm for far too long in L.A., and the team grew overly complacent this season as a result.
When Jackson admitted in his postgame presser it felt really good for the season to be over after a four-game sweep at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks, there was no doubt it was definitely time for a change.
Brown provides a new voice and a very different style of coaching from the "Zen Master."
6. New Offense
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With an outside hire, the Lakers are likely to switch offenses and move away from the triangle that they've used for so long.
Although Brown isn't exactly an offensive mastermind by any means, he's coming to a team loaded with talent on that end of the floor.
They should certainly be open to a change after how stagnant they looked in the half-court set for the last quarter of the season.
5. He Made LeBron Better
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LeBron James was already a great talent when he entered the league out of high school, but there were many holes in his game that needed to be honed at the next level.
There's little doubt Brown made LeBron into the defender he is today, and although the two parties are no longer working together, it's James' defense getting all of the attention in the Eastern Conference Finals.
4. Success
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Brown has a career coaching record of 272-138, and that .663 winning percentage is awfully impressive when you consider he has coached more than 400 games during his tenure.
That type of success is certain to sit well with Lakers' fans because as good as LeBron's Cavs were for Brown, Kobe's Lakers are a whole lot better.
3. Experience
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A lot of people were clamoring for Brian Shaw to be the next head coach of the esteemed franchise, but he's got absolutely zero head-coaching experience.
While he had Kobe's endorsement and would have represented a somewhat-seamless transition to a new coach considering he and Jackson were on the same page, there's no guarantee he would have been able to find the same success he's enjoyed as an assistant head coach.
2. Financials
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Jackson made $10 million this season, and with all the money the Lakers owe their core players the next few seasons, they couldn't afford to spend lavishly on a high-profile coach.
With an NBA lockout likely looming in the very near future, the team felt more comfortable committing less money to the club's next coach.
Despite the 55-percent pay reduction, the Lakers still hired a quality coach to lead the squad.
1. Defense
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Jim Buss, the team's executive VP of player personnel, was reportedly very impressed with Brown's defensive-minded style, because that's an area where the team struggled mightily down the stretch.
The team sorely needs a defensive identity, something they have lacked the last few seasons. Anyone watching the postseason could see the reason Dallas and Miami emerged as championship favorites is because of their staunch play at the defensive end of the floor.
Offense might put fans in the building, but the Lakers already sellout every night.
Defense is what wins championships, and that still remains the team's No. 1 goal.
