The Sacramento Kings' recent decision to part ways with head coach Mike Brown has elicited strong reactions from several NBA coaches, who have openly criticized the franchise's handling of the situation.

NBA coaches express disappointment with the Kings' front office following the sudden dismissal of head coach Mike Brown 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/TccDAKjhcH

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Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, who previously coached the Kings before his own dismissal in 2014, did not mince words regarding Brown's firing. "I'm not surprised that Mike Brown got fired, because I got fired by the same person," Malone remarked, likely referencing Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé. He further condemned the manner in which Brown was informed, stating, "No class, no balls. That's what I'll say about that."

Jordi Fernández, head coach of the Brooklyn Nets and a former associate head coach under Brown in Sacramento, expressed deep sadness over the news. "To me, it's really sad news, and I don't like it," Fernández commented. He credited Brown for much of his own career development, saying, "I would not be here without him." Despite acknowledging the business nature of the NBA, Fernández found the decision personally difficult to accept. 

Several other coaches, including Golden State’s Steve Kerr, New York’s Tom Thibodeau, Indiana’s Rick Carlisle, and Orlando’s Jamahl Mosley chimed in on the situation with each of their own thoughts.

“It just seems so shocking when a guy’s a unanimous coach of the year a year and a half ago and when you think about where that franchise was before [Mike] got there… really shocking,” Kerr said. “The firing of Mike Brown was just shocking to me,” Carlisle added.

“He compiled a record of 107-88 when he was there,” Mosley added, while Thibodeau said, “You hate to see it.”

The Kings dismissed Brown following a 13-18 start to the season, which included a five-game losing streak. This move comes less than two years after Brown led the team to end a 16-year playoff drought and earned the NBA Coach of the Year award in 2023. The abruptness of his firing, especially considering his recent successes, has sparked controversy and debate within the NBA community.

As the Kings transition to interim head coach Doug Christie, the broader basketball community continues to grapple with the implications of Brown's dismissal and what it signifies about coaching tenures and organizational decision-making in the league.