The Sacramento Kings made a jaw-dropping move last week, firing head coach Mike Brown after a rocky 13-18 start to the season. The decision feels wild when you remember Brown just signed an extension and is the guy who helped bring life back to this franchise.

When Brown took over in 2022, the Kings were coming off a dismal 30-52 record. He flipped the script, leading them to 48 wins and a playoff berth in his first year, snagging Coach of the Year honors. Even in his second season, he kept them competitive with a 46-36 record, though they were bounced early in the play-in tournament.

Rumors are swirling about Mike Brown’s “tricky” relationship with Domantas Sabonis. “Sabonis and Brown were known to have a tricky relationship where Domantas would push back a lot on Mike, and so, some angst on that front,” per The Athletic’s Sam Amick.

But according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the team’s stars weren’t even consulted before the firing! “After informing Brown, [Wes] Wilcox and [Monte] McNair called [De’Aaron] Fox, [DeMar] DeRozan and All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis,” Shelburne wrote.

Here’s the kicker: Sabonis thrived under Brown, earning MVP votes and All-NBA nods in both seasons.

Firing Mike Brown feels like a gamble for a team with clear roster issues. The man helped turn things around, but patience is clearly running thin in Sacramento. Fans weigh in on the decision after this new information.

Sactown fans sense a ploy to distract them from real problems by firing Mike Brown

One fan wrote, “Mike Brown was the scapegoat!” Brown had just led the Kings to their first playoff appearance in 16 years. Firing him feels like it’s deflecting attention from deeper issues, like roster construction or inconsistent performances from key players.

There seemed to be no major problem with Brown because, in his first season, he turned the Kings’ 30-52 record from 2021-22 into a remarkable 48-34 mark, guiding them to the playoffs and earning Coach of the Year honors.

Another fan wrote, “The damage control ain’t working. They didn’t consult nobody with this decision – 🤦🏾‍♂️”. When a team makes a drastic move like this, especially one involving a top name, it’s natural to expect that key players, like Domantas Sabonis or De’Aaron Fox, would at least have a say in the decision.

But according to reports from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, “Fox and DeRozan were getting ready to head to the airport. Sabonis was homesick and missed the call. None of them were consulted on the decision.” This lack of communication raises some eyebrows.

One netizen spoke his mind. “Mike Brown has been an amazing coach for the Sacramento Kings Organization. I can imagine him continuing to develop and organize a lot of young players game in today’s league.. I actually don’t see this team where it’s came this far without him..” they wrote.

This is spot on, especially when we look at the strides the Kings made under Brown’s leadership. Beyond player development, Brown’s system fostered a competitive culture. His emphasis on defense, ball movement, and chemistry was crucial in turning around the Kings’ fortunes, and ending their playoff drought. This report feels like a PR stunt after the way he was let go!

“Never seen this much coverage on the kings before and all these talking points is getting ridiculous,” tweeted another fan. The media often overlooks the Kings, despite their passionate fan base. For years, they were stuck in mediocrity while mainstream media focused on bigger-market teams or those with championship aspirations. For fans who are used to their team flying under the radar, the media attention might feel like it’s picking apart every little detail, even if it’s mere speculation.

The Netflix series, Starting 5, offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look into the lives of NBA players, and Domantas Sabonis came across as grounded, approachable, and, frankly, one of the most likable players featured.

One fan wrote, “Sabonis seemed like the nicest and chillest dude on the Netflix show. I really don’t believe this report.”.

The Kings recently decided to fire Mike Brown, and it’s not out of the question that the team is spinning some of its internal challenges to protect its image. After all, painting the situation as a coach-player fallout is a way to shift the narrative—especially when it comes to a star player like Sabonis, who has been pivotal to their success. However, someone like De’Aaron Fox has been pretty straightforward in what he’s had to say about Brown’s dismissal, suggesting no real animosity… So, what do you think?