Ever since Mike Brown was hired as the new Lakers Coach, Kobe Bryant has been famously refusing to comment on the issue. Kobe had earlier publicly supported Brian Shaw, the Lakers Assistant Coach, for becoming the new Lakers Head Coach. He said that Shaw would be a great coach because of his in-depth knowledge about the franchise, the triangle offense and the players. It seems the Buss family made good on their earlier declaration about not consulting players on hiring decisions. Though Bryant was asked time and again about what he felt about Brown getting the job, the man has refused to comment on the matter.
But the latest news is that Mike Brown and Kobe Bryant have met and they are getting along just fine, thank you very much. Kobe is still silent about his feelings on Buss’s hiring decision, but people who are close to both Coach Brown and Kobe say that Brown has already won his new star player over.
The two have had a couple of face-to-face meetings so far. The first meeting was on 31 May at Kobe’s home in Newport Beach. Brown probably decided to stop by on his way to the news conference in downtown Los Angeles. They met again a second time at the El Segundo practice facility, 10 days later.
If Brown and Kobe are comfortable with each other, why is the issue still unsettled? Brown did talk about how fabulously the meetings went, but Kobe is yet to make a comment. As long as Bryant remains silent, it will only serve to foster the perception that he is unhappy.
It seems like Kobe is letting his silence speak for himself, expressing his displeasure on having been left out of the loop on the hiring decision. Remember that perplexing time in 2007 when he did not bother to report to the training camp for three months, leaving the Lakers to wonder if he will ever show up?
Bryant had exchanged texts with Brown when he was announced as the new Coach on May 25, but he declined to talk on the phone. The trouble between LeBron James and Mike Brown in Cleveland could have something to do Bryant’s skepticism. Jim Buss, who made the hiring decision would obviously not know so much about the split as Bryant does.
LeBron James had passed the word that he wanted a former player as coach, someone who would drive him to his best. The Cleveland Cavaliers then fired Mike Brown and hired Byron Scott, who was close to LeBron’s pal Chris Paul.
It was Dan Gilbert, the owner of Cleveland, who hired Brown for his team in 2005. He said that Brown’s interview was the best one he had ever seen.
Brown is calm and composed in front of the microphones. However, on one-on-one meetings, he comes across as incredibly charming and intense. Jim Buss was obviously as charmed as Gilbert was, which prompted him to hire Brown for the Lakers. Apparently, Brown has also managed to impress Bryant and win him over.
Jim Buss perhaps needs to take a lesson or two from Brown, on how to charm players and bring them over to your side. He is yet to meet Bryant face-to-face. Jerry Buss was great with personal relationships with his franchise players. Jim Buss seem to be sorely lacking in that quality.
