I personally didn't want Mike Brown because I felt there were better candidates to fill the position, especially Brian Shaw. I also wouldn't have minded Rick Adelman or Jeff Van Gundy as Phil's replacement. But I'm not Jim Buss and I'm not making the decisions.
What's done is done and now the Lakers have a smart defensive-minded coach in Mike Brown. I hope he still holds a grudge against LeBron James, which is almost impossible for him not to, and can motivate himself and the team to win a title next year.
"As long as the group is willing, which it sounds like it is, we'll get it done," he said. "We want to be at the top forever."
I like to hear that from a head coach. But will he get the job done? Also, who will fill the rest of his coaching staff? Will he completely bring in new assistant coaches or retain a few? Will John Kuester be fired and join him in Los Angeles?
So many questions that will soon be answered, but one question that will not be answered until much later, or mybe not at all if there is a lockout, is how far the Lakers will go next year.
I don't think Brown can lead this team to Finals one year into his coaching stint with the Lakers and especially when the roster is old and depleted. Unless he proves to me he deserved this position next season, I will keep on harping about how the Lakers could have
signed a better head coach.
When Mike Brown was asked about all this criticism and skepticism, he coolly responded. It shows his composure and his confidence.
"Everybody is entitled to their opinion, I respect that," he said. "Winning will cure all of that."
But winning takes a whole another definition with the Lakers. The season is a failure if the Lakers don't win the title each season. Fans expect nothing but the best.
So the question still undoubtedly remains. Can Mike Brown lead the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2012 NBA Championship?
