Lakers management fired head coach Mike Brown today, just five games (and four losses) into the season.
The LA Times is calling it the earliest firing in Laker history.
On the bright side though, Brown is $11 million dollars richer, he doesn't have to deal with the team's notorious divas anymore, and rabid fans will no longer be tweeting death threats at his son, Elijah.
“This was a difficult and painful decision to make,” General Manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement released this morning. “Mike was very hard-working and dedicated, but we felt it was in the best interest of the team to make a change at this time. We appreciate Mike's efforts and contributions and wish him and his family the best of luck.”
Assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff will take over coaching duty for tonight's game against the Golden State Warriors, while management begins a search for Brown's replacement.
Magic Johnson and Shaq both tweeted their surprise at the decision:
Did mike brown really get fired.Geeeeez.DammmmmmmmmWowBring on Brian shaw
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) November 9, 2012
Feel bad for Coach Mike Brown, who's a great guy, but don't think he was the right guy for the job in the first place.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 9, 2012
…The whole thing might be a relief for Brown though, who heard for the first time yesterday that his son Elijah has been receiving threats on Twitter.
Here's a sampling of some of the awful things Lakers fans have been tweeting at the Mater Dei High School senior:
@elijah_brown_4 IF YOU ARE REALLY A LAKERS FAN YOU WOULD TELL YOUR DAD HE SUCKS WHEN U C HIM. THANKS
— Big Weeeeeezy (@ArabicMamba24) November 9, 2012
Aye @elijah_brown_4 tell Mike they got some openings in the D-League
— Craven Moorehead (@The_April_Fool) November 9, 2012
YO DAD IS SUCH A FUCKIN FAILURE B @elijah_brown_4
— White Girl Hunter (@OGBIGBOY187) November 9, 2012
Lmao RT @yoitsspecialk: Does your grandma regret having your dad? @elijah_brown_4
— JOHN DOE (@FukTwittter) November 8, 2012
Stay classy, Laker Nation.
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