Mike Brown

Official Release

Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and will be out for tonight’s game versus Denver. He will return to the team upon receiving clearance under the current NBA guidelines.

Associate head coach Jordi Fernandez will coach tonight’s game.

coach-brown-enters-health-and-safety-protocols

Coach Brown Enters Health And Safety Protocols

Jonathan Bradley

Over the first quarter of the 2022-23 NBA season, the Sacramento Kings have established themselves as one of the best offenses in The Association and are putting up numbers akin to some of the most potent offenses in league history.&nbsp;&nbsp;

That success has not gone unnoticed, as pundits from across the NBA spectrum have started to take a closer look at the reasons why the Kings have been able to put up such gaudy numbers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

One of the best pieces of analysis on Sacramento’s newfound success comes from Ben Taylor, author of the Thinking Basketball book and host of the podcast with the same name.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Taylor asserts that Sacramento’s turnaround this season is not just the result of the late-season addition of Domantas Sabonis and offseason acquisitions of Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter, but more so how new head coach Mike Brown has implemented a system that fully takes advantage of their talents.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Taylor’s initial premise surmises that the Kings have found success this season by taking pieces bits and pieces from the Warriors, where Mike Brown spent the last six years of his coaching career, while also capitalizing on the passing and scoring abilities of Sabonis, the shooting of Monk and Huerter and the speed of Fox.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In addition to that, Taylor points out that the Kings have taken a page out from the playbook of the Denver Nuggets, one of the league’s most successful regular season teams over the last half decade, in positioning Sabonis as the centerpiece of the offense.&nbsp;&nbsp;

And the comparisons aren’t too far-fetched.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sabonis has been one of the main facilitators of the Kings offense this season. When he isn’t taking the ball up the court himself after snatching a defensive rebound, he’s setting up in the high post and working to get his teammates open through DHOs or looking to make the right pass after the rest of the squad works through their split actions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Warriors have been running split actions for years, but the Kings, now with the pieces to effectively execute, have implemented their own version to much success. They, like Golden State, currently ranked top 5 in both screen assists per game (9.6) and screen assists points per game (22.8)&nbsp;

The Kings are also currently the second highest scoring team in the league, behind the Celtics, averaging 118.7 points per game so far this season. If they continue at that clip, they would have one of the 30 best offensive seasons in NBA history. Any increase in output would make them the second team since the 1984-85 (Nuggets) season to average more than 120 points per game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

And as the Warriors have shown over the years, you can hit those numbers without playing at pace, something the Kings have done exceptionally well this season thanks to having the league’s fastest player, De’Aaron Fox, on the roster.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sacramento is currently the sixth fastest team in the league, right behind the Warriors and just behind the Pacers, Lakers and Timberwolves. Taylor points out that Sacramento’s ability to get out and run has helped them exploit mismatches and shorthanded opposing defenses on the other end.&nbsp;&nbsp;

That has manifested itself on the scoreboard, too, as the squad also ranks top 5 in fastbreak points per game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fox has always been a dynamic player offensively, but often draws massive attention from defenses. He’s been freed up a bit this season thanks to the summer acquisitions of Monk and Huerter.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Both guards are putting up career numbers this season, as Monk is averaging 14.8 points on 48% shooting from the field – both career bests – while Huerter is hitting an absurd 42% of his shots from deep, also a career-high.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This improved shooting, as Taylor points out, has opened the door for Fox to take his game to the next level and put up All-Star worthy numbers with the team success to match.&nbsp;&nbsp;

After getting off to their best start in 18 years, the Kings will continue to be closely watched as they navigate the 2022-23 season.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Kings Dynamic Offense Analyzed In Epic Video Breakdown

Former NBA Coach of the Year and new Kings coach Mike Brown has spent the last 21 seasons honing his craft while working with some of the most talented players and coaches the NBA has to offer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Here’s what some of those key figures had to say about Brown along the way:&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Mike Brown is one of these rare people that has nearly every tool in his toolbox. He is smart, hardworking, and selfless. He is curious and hungry to learn. He is philosophically driven and derives his decision making from his strong philosophy. Mike is a man of character and integrity. He is a natural leader and has a ‘magnetic charisma’ which automatically attracts people to him and his message. He has stuck to his ‘defense first’ strategy when it would have been much easier not to. As a human being, Mike treats everyone with respect no matter who they are or where they come from,” Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert said after it was announced Brown won NBA Coach of the Year.&nbsp;

“Mike Brown is a great coach,” James said after the Lakers hired Brown before the 2011-12 season. “He gave us success that we hadn’t had before in that city. It just started with his defensive concepts. He brought in a defensive mindset that we didn’t have. … We were competitive year after year because of him and his coaching staff.&nbsp;

“I respect him and I’m grateful to have him as a coach throughout the years that I had him. He definitely helped me to become who I am today.”&nbsp;

"Steve [Kerr] is a guy I'd go to war for anytime. Him and Mike Brown are those guys that they always tell me that, 'Jack, you my guy, you my guy,' so those guys I learned from, and I wish I could go to war with them every day because they always have my back." Jackson told SiriusXM NBA Radio.&nbsp;

“I don’t even know where to begin,” Kerr said when asked about Brown’s hiring. “What Mike has done for me, for this organization in his six years here, just an incredible contribution, he’s an amazing coach, amazing friend. And Sacramento made a great choice.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It’s a loss for us, but this is how it’s supposed to work. You want people who are really talented on your staff who can come in and contribute and have a great experience and hopefully learn and grow at the same time and then hopefully be able to advance careers and move on to something that that person wants. Mike’s ready to do this again. He’s excited and we’re thrilled for him. Much deserved, he’s a great choice.”&nbsp;

“Having him oversee the defense was an easy choice for me,” Kerr said. “Mike has always been very passionate about the defense. He’s always been very knowledgeable.&nbsp;

“To say he’s done a great job would be an understatement. He’s been terrific.”&nbsp;

“Mike is very, very prideful of defense,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson told the San Francisco Chronicle. “He’s like a secondary head coach. Coached us throughout that time in the 2017 playoffs. Coached the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Finals. He’s been around some of the greatest to play the game. This might technically be a new role for him this season. But really, it’s nothing he hasn’t done before.”&nbsp;

"Congratulations to Mike Brown on getting the head coach (job) for the Sacramento Kings," Green said on The Draymond Green Show. "I think the Sacramento Kings are on a (16-year) playoff drought. I have no doubt in my mind that Mike is going to take his championship pedigree, his incredible -- especially defensive -- mind, incredible basketball mind with an incredible staff to Sacramento with him. I think it won't be long before that streak is broken."&nbsp;

“From Day 1, he’s established the identity of being a defensive coach and our team being a defensive team,” Former Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry said. “That’s not easy to pound away at and get through every day. You’ve got to really believe what you’re saying.”&nbsp;

“Mike sets the tone with how hard he works.”&nbsp;

“He’s probably one of the best player’s coaches I’ve been around,” said forward Joe Smith, who played for 10 NBA teams.&nbsp;

“We never lose a game because we’re not prepared,” former Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said. “I’ve been under a lot of coaches, but when you get a good one, you know what you have… He treats everybody well. He demands a lot, but he’s fair.”&nbsp;

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Quotables: LeBron, Kerr and more on Mike Brown

Today, Sacramento Kings General Manager Monte McNair named Mike Brown as the team’s new head coach. Per team policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Mike has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead winning teams throughout his long and successful coaching career,” said Sacramento Kings General Manager Monte McNair. “He has worked with some of the best players in the NBA and is one of the league’s premier defensive minds. I am excited to bring his extensive experience to Sacramento.”

Brown joins the Kings from the Golden State Warriors, where he is currently in his sixth season as an assistant coach. He helped guide the team to back-to-back titles in 2016-17 and 2017-18. Prior to the Warriors, Brown held head coaching duties with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2005-10, 2013-14) and Los Angeles Lakers (2011-12). Brown’s teams qualified for the playoffs in six of his seven full seasons as a head coach, advancing past the first round in each appearance.

In 2007, Brown led the Cavaliers to their first-ever NBA Finals appearance and was named the NBA Coach of the Year in 2008-09 after guiding the Cavaliers to a franchise-record 66 wins. Cleveland won at least 50 games in four of Brown’s first five seasons with the club, including back-to-back 60-win campaigns in 2008-09 (66) and 2009-10 (61). During the 2011-2012 lockout-shortened season, Brown led the Lakers to a Pacific Division title and a 41-25 (.621) record. He owns a career head coaching record of 347-216 (.616) over eight seasons, which ranks as the ninth-best winning percentage in NBA history among coaches who have registered at least 500 games at the helm.

Prior to joining the Cavaliers in 2005, Brown was associate head coach of the Indiana Pacers for two seasons (2003-05) after spending three years as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs (2001-03), where he also captured an NBA title. Brown began his career with the Denver Nuggets in 1992, spending five seasons as a video coordinator and scout before serving as an assistant under Bernie Bickerstaff in Washington beginning in 1997.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Brown is a graduate of the University of San Diego, where he played collegiately for two seasons after spending two years at Mesa Community College.

Brown was the head coach of the Nigeria men’s national basketball team during the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, held in August 2021. He has two sons, Elijah and Cameron.

kings-announce-mike-brown-as-head-coach

Kings Announce Mike Brown as Head Coach

Alex Kramers

The Kings made a strong hire in Mike Brown, who brings a defensive mind and strong pedigree to Sacramento. Here are five things every Kings fan should know about the squad's new head coach.

1. Mike Brown has posted a winning record in six of his eight seasons as an NBA head coach&nbsp;

In Mike Brown’s eight seasons as an NBA head coach, he’s only had two losing seasons – the 2012-13 season with the Lakers where he coached just five games and the 2013-14 season with the Cavs and a young Kyrie Irving. Outside of that, Brown has coached his teams to the playoffs six other times, amassing an all-time record of 563-347. His 61% career winning percentage puts the 2008-09 NBA Coach of the Year in the top 10 among coaches with more than 500 games under their belt.&nbsp;

2. Brown has worked under some of the most successful head coaches in NBA history.&nbsp;

If NBA coaching trees and pedigrees have any bearing on coaching success, Mike Brown is well-suited to continue his career leading an NBA team. Brown began his NBA coaching career with the Wizards before spending three seasons with the Spurs under the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, Gregg Popovich. From there, he went on to spend two seasons under Rick Carlisle, who is also in the NBA’s top 15 of winningest coaches. Brown has spent the last six seasons working under Steve Kerr, helping the Warriors win two titles along the way.&nbsp;

3. Brown is a defensive-minded coach.&nbsp;

Since entering the NBA in 1997, Mike Brown’s teams have always played well on the defensive end. As a head coach, his teams have on finished outside of the top 15 in defensive rating just twice, and he continued that success as an assistant in Golden State. His impact was felt immediately upon his arrival in Cleveland, as the team improved from 14th in the NBA during his first season as coach to 4th in his second season.&nbsp;&nbsp;

4. Brown coached Chris Webber the year before he came to Sacramento.&nbsp;

Mike Brown served as an assistant coach for the Wizards during Chris Webber’s time in Washington. Webber averaged 21.9 points and 9.5 rebounds that season and recorded his best defensive rating of his career up until that point. The rest is history, of course, as Webber joined the Kings the next season.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Webber isn’t the only big-name player Brown has had the opportunity to coach. As a  head or assistant coach, he’s also had the chance to work with a long list of future or current Hall of Famers:  

Tim Duncan LeBron James Kyrie Irving Steve Kerr David Robinson Reggie Miller Shaquille O’Neal Kobe Bryant Pau Gasol Derek Fisher Steph Curry Klay Thompson Draymond Green Kevin Durant

5. Brown serves as Head Coach of the Nigerian national basketball team.&nbsp;

In addition to his achievements in the United States, Brown has found success  coaching on the international level as well. In 2020, Brown was tapped to lead the Nigerian national basketball team. Since becoming coach, Brown not only led his squad to a No. 1 ranking in Africa but also to a victory over the United States in an exhibition match in  preparation for the 2020 Summer Olympics. The win marked the first victory for any African country against the United States and featured a roster of eight current NBA players, including Kings forward Chimezie Metu. &nbsp;

Mike Brown

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