That's the reason why Mike is out, because the Lakers are about winning championships. They're not about waiting. Some people have complained, and said different things - no, he didn't get a fair shake. The Lakers don't give people fair shakes. It's not about fair shakes. It's about whether you can produce or not. Other organizations, they have time and patience because they're not about winning the championships. The Lakers are about winning championships. They've had championships already, when you think about 16 of them. This team was put together and they want to win this year.That's why Dr. Buss and (Lakers vice president) Jim (Buss) and (general manager) Mitch (Kupchak) made the call.
Look, at the end of the day, Dr. Buss wants to win, not only for himself and the family legacy, the Buss legacy, and he wants to - of course - catch the Celtics, but also too he wants to win for the fans. Dr. Buss has always been about winning championships for himself, and the organization and for the fans of Los Angeles. And putting out the best product possible.He's done his part. They've brought in a great group, and it's just too bad for Mike. He just wasn't the guy for this job. It's nothing against him, but he wasn't the guy.
We have to go back to history with Mike. Mike didn't get it done in Cleveland. If he can't get the championship done in Cleveland, having the game's best player (LeBron James), how are you going to come to Los Angeles and win it? It's just too bad. I think he will get another job, but it just wasn't the right fit for him here in Los Angeles.
I have never talked to Dr. Buss about firing Mike Brown. I've seen Dr. Buss one time.
Have I been telling him from Day One that this guy wasn't the right guy? Yes, I've said that. I said that on the air last year. I've always backed up what I say. But have I went to Dr. Buss ever and said 'fire this guy'? Never. Have I talked to Dr. Buss about Mike Brown ever? No. So, that's been a lie that they put out. But that's OK. I'm a big boy. I can handle it. Dr. Buss makes his own decisions. You're underestimating Dr. Buss. When you say that, it's a slap in the face of Dr. Buss. Dr. Buss is a very smart and astute businessman and a guy who knows basketball. And he made that decision based on the fact that the Lakers were not running, they were not getting better. Mike Brown has one big flaw in his coaching: he does not make adjustments in game. That's what killed him in Cleveland, and that's what killed him with the Lakers. If you go back to every series that the Cleveland Cavaliers lost, and every series that the Lakers lost, Mike Brown did not make adjustments within the game. That's it. Let's keep it real. If we're going to be real, then let's keep it real. That's his biggest flaw. It's not preparation. It's not his defense, before the game and getting a game plan together. It's within the game. That's why (Boston coach) Doc Rivers is so good. That's why (San Antonio coach Gregg ) Popovich is so good. (Johnson's former Lakers coach and current Miami team president) Pat Riley, when he coached, was so good. That's why Phil Jackson is the best, because he does that better than anybody.