Lakers Fire Mike Brown

According to ESPN sources, the Lakers have fired Mike Brown after the newly constructed team has stumbled out of gate to open the 2012-2013 NBA season.

The Lakers, who have been without Steve Nash for the last three plus games, are 1-4 and struggling on both ends of the floor. Brown, who is in his second season as Lakers head coach, had been highly criticized for his decision to implement the Princeton Offense, a style that puts little emphasis on point guard play and has pulled Pao Gasol out of his comfort zone.

Speculation over Brown’s firing had been circulating for a while, although few anticipated that the Lakers would make such a decision so early in the season, especially with Dwight Howard still recovering from back surgery and Steve Nash out indefinitely. Assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff will coach the team tonight against the Warriors.