in his time Sacramento Kings it has exceeded all kinds of expectation even after years changing coaches at an alarming rate, the California franchise seems to have finally found their man. To such an extent that Mike Brown was selected as the Best coach of the year unanimously (the first in history with this condition), in a new installment of nba awards in its highlights Regular Phase 2022-2023.
But How exactly did Brown manage to achieve this distinction after spending six years away from a coaching role? The answer can be seen in his recent past.
Mike Brown’s Road to COY
Brown made a name for himself as a coach in the mid-2000s as the coach LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavalierswith which it even reached the Finals in 2007 (swept by Spurs). However, after LBJ first left Cleveland, his career was in freefall: he had a little happy moment for the Lakers (fired after just five games into his second season) and he didn’t fare well in his return to the Cavaliers either (33-49 record in 2013-2014).
Brown’s return to the NBA came hand in hand with them Golden State Warriorsas Assistant to Steve Kerr from 2016-2017. He worked there for six years until he was finally chosen manage the Kings in 2022-2023.
The truth is, Brown has never been known as an offensive coach. Probably the complete opposite. His reputation was on the other side of the pitch, while his previous teams’ attacks were rarely among the best in the league. Even having managed legends like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant or Pau Gasol.
it was that lack of innovation and aggressive creativity the one that cost him his job as an NBA coach. and it was simple this innovation and creativity those that have now given him his award as the best of the current campaign.
It’s that Sacramento not only ended up like the best scoring average in the league (120.7) and the best score per 100 possessions (119.4), but also he did it without a superstar (De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis have just four All-Stars between them) and by one unique stylewhich it seems to be straight from his time in Golden State.
Off the ball movement, multiple shooters, big man assists and most of all a game that both teams excel at: he do not touch or hand to hand.
Sacramento is the team that ran away the most in this game in the current season: 10.2 possessions and scored 10.9 points with said drive per game, by far the best mark in the NBA. Second in points? Golden State, with 8.1.
Brown took what he learned Draymond Green and used it for put in this role internal facilitator to Domantas Samponiswho averaged no less than 7.3 assists in the Regular Phase. Many of them, hand to hand. Even without having the Curry or Thompson that Draymond has.
Sabonis-Huerter on the one hand…
Draymond-Klay on the other hand. Simple games, but extremely effective when you have the right players.
Sacramento also finished as the fifth team with most 3-pointers and third in assistsall Kerr Warriors trademarks.
Going through Golden State seems to have given him the last ingredient Brown lacked to be considered a great coach. ONE modern, dynamic and unpredictable attack, in which any of his five starters can dribble, shoot, drive or assist. A configuration executed to perfection that too He has his own teacher between the ropesin the current Playoffs.
