The Sacramento Kings gave the NBA world something to talk about on Friday when they fired head coach Mike Brown after a 13-18 start to the season.
It seemed that everyone had an opinion about Brown’s firing, including Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets.
Malone knows the Kings well and coached the team for two seasons.
According to DNVR Nuggets, via Harrison Wind and Legion Hoops, Malone didn’t hold back his thoughts about the situation.
Malone said:
“When you win, it’s Fox and Sabonis, when you lose, it’s on Mike Brown. That’s how it works… I’m not surprised he was fired because I was fired by the same person.”
Mike Malone:
“When you win, it’s Fox and Sabonis, when you lose, it’s on Mike Brown. That’s how it works… I’m not surprised he was fired because I was fired by the same person.”
(via @DNVR_Nuggets, h/t @HarrisonWind)pic.twitter.com/MlVGzXNJVA
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 28, 2024
Malone is surely referencing King’s owner, Vivek Ranadive, who made the final call during the Brown firing.
Following his departure, Brown became the sixth coach to hold the job in the decade.
Leading the Kings has been a challenge for years now, but it seemed like Brown had figured things out.
Just a couple of seasons ago, Brown turned the Kings around and led them to the playoffs for the first time in years.
He was respected and celebrated and was named the 2022–23 NBA Coach of the Year.
But things started to get shaky last season, and the team has been in a bad spot all year long in 2024-25.
A lot of people thought the Kings would part ways with Brown, but many were disappointed to hear about how the front office handled this situation.
Brown was reportedly fired on the way to the airport for the team’s road trip and had just talked with the media, seemingly unaware of his fate.
Even though some people felt it was time for Brown to go, they didn’t like how the Kings let him go.
Malone’s comment probably won’t be the last time a public figure criticizes Sacramento’s front office.
NEXT: Rick Carlisle Gives Strong Response To Firing Of Mike Brown