The Sacramento Kings’ recent
decision to part ways with head coach Mike Brown has elicited
strong reactions from several NBA coaches, who have openly
criticized the franchise’s handling of the situation.

NBA coaches express disappointment with the
Kings’ front office following the sudden dismissal of head coach
Mike Brown 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/TccDAKjhcH

— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews)
December 29, 2024

Denver Nuggets head coach
Michael Malone, who previously coached the Kings before his own
dismissal in 2014, did not mince words regarding Brown’s firing.
“I’m not surprised that Mike Brown got fired, because I got fired
by the same person,” Malone remarked, likely referencing Kings
owner Vivek Ranadivé. He further condemned the manner in which
Brown was informed, stating, “No class, no balls. That’s what I’ll
say about that.”

Jordi Fernández, head coach of
the Brooklyn Nets and a former associate head coach under Brown in
Sacramento, expressed deep sadness over the news. “To me, it’s
really sad news, and I don’t like it,” Fernández commented. He
credited Brown for much of his own career development, saying, “I
would not be here without him.” Despite acknowledging the business
nature of the NBA, Fernández found the decision personally
difficult to accept. 

Several other coaches, including
Golden State’s Steve Kerr, New York’s Tom Thibodeau, Indiana’s Rick
Carlisle, and Orlando’s Jamahl Mosley chimed in on the situation
with each of their own thoughts.

“It just seems so shocking when
a guy’s a unanimous coach of the year a year and a half ago and
when you think about where that franchise was before [Mike] got
there… really shocking,” Kerr said. “The firing of Mike Brown was
just shocking to me,” Carlisle added.

“He compiled a record of 107-88
when he was there,” Mosley added, while Thibodeau said, “You hate
to see it.”

The Kings dismissed Brown
following a 13-18 start to the season, which included a five-game
losing streak. This move comes less than two years after Brown led
the team to end a 16-year playoff drought and earned the NBA Coach
of the Year award in 2023. The abruptness of his firing, especially
considering his recent successes, has sparked controversy and
debate within the NBA community.

As the Kings transition to
interim head coach Doug Christie, the broader basketball community
continues to grapple with the implications of Brown’s dismissal and
what it signifies about coaching tenures and organizational
decision-making in the league.