by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss informed the world yesterday that he was “very close” to finding Phil Jackson’s replacement on the sideline, a man who will command a salary nowhere near what Phil was making.
Late last night, the shocker was who might actually be coaching the Lakers next season.
According to multiple published reports, the Mike Brown Era is on the verge of kicking off in Los Angeles.
From CSN Bay Area and Yahoo! Sports:
Mike Brown will not be the next head coach of the Golden State Warriors. Instead, Brown, the former coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, will be named the new coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, according to two league sources. Brown was considered a frontrunner for the Warriors’ job, but is expected to sign a four-year, $18 million contract with L.A. — succeeding Phil Jackson as coach.
Los Angeles had considered longtime assistant Brian Shaw, but the focus is now on Brown, who is currently an NBA analyst for ESPN. There could be an agreement in place within the next 24-48 hours, sources say, but nothing has been finalized. Brown expects to reach a resolution one way or another with Los Angeles on Wednesday. The two sides are working out issues that could be dealbreakers and cause the Lakers to go to another candidate, sources said, but there’s clearly momentum toward Brown becoming the next head coach.
Known for his defensive approach (a major concern for the Lakers), the 41-year old Mike Brown is a head coach with a proven and impressive NBA track record — he won 272 out of 410 games in Cleveland coaching LeBron James.
Laker fans are understandably worried about his perceived lack of creativity on the offensive end of the floor, and questions regarding his ability to handle superstar talent and ego.
A resolution of some kind is expected today, and should Mike Brown not get hired, Rick Adelman and Brian Shawn are still considered to be strong candidates for the gig.
