Lakers Fire Coach; Jackson Is Available

In a city ruled by star power, the Los Angeles Lakers are once again grasping for a beacon powerful enough to guide their glamorous roster. For the third time in 13 years, that search might end at the doorstep of a philosophizing legend with an awkward gait. After losing four of five games to start the season, the Los Angeles Lakers fired coach Mike Brown on Friday. Assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff will serve as interim coach while the Lakers search for a long-term replacement. In a news conference, team general manager Mitch Kupchak left open the possibility of the Lakers making a run at bringing back Phil Jackson for a third time as coach. "I think you'd be negligent not to be aware that [Jackson's] out there," Kupchak said.So, hours after he was let go by the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, embattled coach Mike Brown relaxed by going to a local Chik-fil-A restaurant for a delicious chicken sandwich. As you can see in the photo above (via TMZ), Brown seems to be in perfectly good spirits following his dismissal. Mike Brown followed an 11-time NBA champion coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, taking charge of a roster packed with aging talent and a franchise anticipating more titles. And after just 71 regular-season games, the Lakers decided Brown wasn't the man for a pressure-packed job. The Lakers fired their coach on Friday after a 1-4 start to his second season in charge, making one of the earliest coaching changes in NBA history."I have great respect for the Buss family and the Lakers' storied tradition and I thank them for the opportunity they afforded me," Brown said in a statement. "I have a deep appreciation for the coaches and players that I worked with this past year and I wish the organization nothing but success as they move forward."