After the 2022-23 season, many agreed that the Sacramento Kings were finally on the right track. After missing the playoffs for 16 years, they made it back with Mike Brown leading the team to a 107-88 record. It seemed like the Kings had a solid plan with Brown.
However, circumstances changed, and it appears that Coach Mike Brown, who won Coach of the Year in 2022–23, no longer fits into their plans. Because of this, the team decided to part ways with him.
The Kings’ performance this season has been disappointing. Their 13-18 record places them 12th in the Western Conference. According to reports, they have decided to part ways with head coach Mike Brown after a tough five-game losing streak.
This decision followed a recent game where the Kings blew a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons, losing their fifth game in a row. The news came right after cameras caught Brown talking to Fox at the Kings’ practice facility.
The Sacramento Kings just fired Mike Brown right before the team boarded a flight to LA. He just ran a full practice and spent 15 minutes talking to the media.
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) December 27, 2024
Just bad man. Bad bad bad.
Brown’s firing is especially surprising because he and general manager Monte McNair helped the Kings break their 17-year playoff drought. Just a few months ago, in June, Brown had signed a three-year contract extension through 2027.
However, many of his colleagues noticed the sudden firing, and they voiced their opinions on social media.
Kings face backlash from Mike Brown’s fellow colleagues
The Kings fired Mike Brown just as he was heading to the airport for the team’s flight to Los Angeles. This sudden move upset many, including some of Brown’s fellow colleagues.
In 2015, the Kings fired Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone after just 24 games. Referring to Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé, he said, “No Class. No Balls. I’m not surprised that Mike Brown got fired, because I got fired by the same person.”
Michael Malone on the Sacramento Kings firing of Mike Brown:
— Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) December 28, 2024
“No class. No balls.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who worked with Brown during their time with the Spurs, also shared his thoughts. He said, “I know they’ve been in a tough spell, but this is the NBA. We all go through tough spells. I feel very fortunate to work in an organization that really values continuity, and that allows our team and our staff, our group, to get through the rough patches.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr on Mike Brown’s firing pic.twitter.com/rKOYKl4GgT
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) December 28, 2024
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle added, “The firing of Mike Brown today was just shocking to me … I view him as one of the standard bearers for integrity for our profession, and I’m just, just absolutely shocked.”
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was surprised the Sacramento Kings fired Mike Brown:
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) December 27, 2024
“The firing of Mike Brown today was just shocking to me … I view him as one of the standard bearers for integrity for our profession, and I'm just, just absolutely shocked” pic.twitter.com/7UN07chApU
