Mike Brown is new to the Los Angeles Lakers not the head coaching ranks. However his Los Angeles newness shows in the multitude of tactics he’s already employed with the Lake Show.
Brown’s latest tactic has backfired in the worst way.
With the Lakers sleepwalking through the second half against the Utah Jazz on Saturday night Brown thought something drastic needed to be done in order to fire up his troops. When Pau Gasol was mugged in the open court and no call was made Coach Brown saw his window open for a chance at inspiration.
Within seconds of the non-call not occurring Brown blew his lid like we’ve never seen from the cool coach. His outburst followed by bumping an officially ultimately resulted in an ejection and has now concluded with a one game suspension plus a fine of $25,000.
As for his fiery tactic, it did help to motivate a basketball team…one called the Utah Jazz. Earl Watson and company put together a 14-0 amid Brown’s blowup and effectively ended any hopes of a third consecutive road win for the Lakers.
Brown knows he made a careless mistake. His overzealous method was beyond desperate and reeked of frustration. He’s admitted as much and has hopefully learned.
"“I was trying to give our guys some juice. I got two techs, I shouldn’t have got the two techs. It put our guys in a deeper hole than we were already in and that probably cost the game.”"
To be digging this deep into the bag after only the second game of a six road game swing says a lot about where Brown views his team’s standing in the NBA hierarchy. It wasn’t until the Lakers faced their playoff fate in Dallas that Phil Jackson began punching Pau Gasol in the chest. Perhaps Brown is just trying to ensure it doesn’t come to that.
No matter the particulars the facts are Brown put his team in a bad spot. With each game more precious than the last in this shortened season Brown missing tonight’s game in Philly is more costly than ever. Then again, perhaps going at it without Brown will allow the Lakers to find a rhythm amid chaos. Perhaps Brown will see the desired results of his desperate decision but if so it will be by chance and not design. These are the types of tactics that cannot be afforded this season. Especially not when they come at the cost of a game check and a $25,000 fine.