Brown takes lead role
Former Spurs assistant directs scouting report for first-round series
SAN ANTONIO >> Through his boisterous laugh and infectious smile, Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown seemed at ease.
And why not? The Warriors enter Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs today with a 2-0 first-round series lead. Brown said he feels energized from his playlist that includes a mix of country music, R&B and old school and modern hip hop. And Brown plans to meet with various family members San Antonio when the Warriors reside here through Game 4 on Sunday.
Exactly a year ago, Brown felt differently. Then, Brown was the Warriors’ interim coach through 12 playoff games while Steve Kerr was sidelined with issues that stemmed from a previous back surgery.
“It was one of the most nerve-wracking times of my career,” Brown recalled in an interview with The Bay Area News Group. “Feeling the support that I had
with the different entities with the coaching staff, the veteran players, Bob (Myers) and the front office and talking to Steve every day, it made the transition for me smoother than what it could’ve been.”
Brown would have likely received all the blame for not handling a star-studded roster properly. Instead, Brown helped the Warriors to a 12-0 postseason record and was praised by his players for blending Xs and Os savvy with light-hearted enthusiasm. And with head-coaching stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2005-10 and 201314) and Los Angeles Lakers (2011-12) ending in firings, Brown embraced how the Warriors’ relaxed atmosphere tempered his workmanlike habits.
Kerr eventually took over and went 4-1 en route to the 2017 NBA championship. That overall experience gave Brown a new perspective on any head-coaching aspirations.
“I want to be a head coach again. But if I hadn’t experienced that already and if I wasn’t in a situation that I’m already in right now, maybe the itch might be there more,” Brown said.
“I’m really excited about trying to do what I can and do my part in helping us win again.”
Brown has not had to become interim coach this season, and all signs suggest Kerr has felt better than he did last season. Therefore, Brown has a different albeit important task. With Brown having served as a Spurs assistant (2000-03) and consultant (2015), he has taken the lead assistant role in scouting San Antonio.
“He’s more familiar with the current iteration of the Spurs. But Mike’s a huge resource for me, no matter what,” said Kerr, who played for San Antonio twice (1999-2001, 200203). “It helps he knows that team pretty well.”
So much that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich might need to feel more concerned about what Brown knows about the Spurs than what Kerr’s son does. Nick Kerr has served as a video coordinator for the Spurs, prompting Popovich to joke until recently that he is a spy for his father.
“He knows all of their plays,” Warriors forward Draymond Green joked about Brown. “Saying that, they know all our plays. I’m sure Nick Kerr over there has given them the whole playbook. But (Mike’s) been
great. He knows what they like to do in certain situations.”
Though the Warriors collaborate on scouting reports, Brown has taken the lead with the team’s firstround matchup.
“We know they’re going to be well-coached and prepared. They’re going to play extremely hard,” Brown said of San Antonio. “We’ve encouraged our guys to go out and be locked in from the beginning and try not to dig ourselves in a hole. If we don’t do that, it gives them confidence and it’s hard for us to fight uphill against those guys.”
At least that task seems easier than what Brown did as one of Popovich’s assistants.
“He kept Stephen Jackson from beating me up,” Popovich cracked. “That was his main role.”
Said Brown, laughing: “When they did butt heads, I tried to help calm the situation a little bit. It’s two fiery guys going at it. Sometimes that’s not a good recipe for calmness or thoughtfulness at the time.”
Brown does not need to provide such a role with the Warriors because their players remain in sync with the organization’s team-oriented culture. After wearing out players in Cleveland and Los Angeles with information
overload, however, Brown has emulated Kerr’s style by injecting humor and fun during practice.
“He knows when to say something and when not to say something,” Green said. “That was definitely something as players that we appreciate.”
Meanwhile, Brown has appreciated working for Popovich and Kerr, which he said are “two of the best guys I’ve been around.” While he has admired Popovich for holding players accountable and promoting a work-life balance, Brown respects Kerr for how he empowers his players. Brown also appreciated that Popovich sent him a bottle of “Rock and Hammer” wine before the Warriors-Spurs series started.
“He’s a really creative coach. He likes to think the game,” Popovich said of Brown. “He likes wine. That was enough for me. He’s a really enjoyable guy.”
Therefore, Brown has stayed content with his surroundings. He also has become more relaxed than how he felt last year as the interim coach.
“It might have been difficult or trying,” Brown said. “Don’t get me wrong, it was. But feeling the support from those guys and everybody stepping up, it was a group effort.”