"Thank you Mike Brown"- NBA fans accuse Kings head coach for giving an easy victory to the Warriors
The Golden State Warriors steamrolled past Mike Brown's Sacramento Kings with an easy 119-97 win on the road. The victory helps Golden State's case to avoid the play-in tournament. Having already sealed their spot in the playoffs as the third seed, the Kings decided to rest their regular rotation plays for this game.
That only made Golden State's job easier. Brown, who was an assistant for the Dubs until last year, was called out by NBA fans for presumably handing his former team an easy win by fielding a lineup without All-Stars De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. One fan wrote:
"Thank you Mike Brown"
@NBCSWarriors Thank you Mike Brown
More reactions followed:
SHOUT OUT MIKE BROWN πππ https://t.co/ppAZb1B6lD
@GoIdenState My man is still a Warrior π https://t.co/qZKzv8EXlq
@GoIdenState He just helping the Kings reach the playoffs but we all know he still a Warrior π https://t.co/HZcqexw9ck
@GoIdenState Mike brown a legend https://t.co/EpN8MqRNh2
@GoIdenState Mike Brown's response to @Suns trying to hand the @Lakers a Playoff spot
@GoIdenState He still loves us fr fr
@GoIdenState Warriors getting bailed out? This is nothing new.
@GoIdenState warriors legend forever win or lose in the first round
@GoIdenState He wants us in the Conference Finals.
@WarriorsMuse Theyβre admitting their comfortable facing the warriors in the playoffs.
Thank you mike brown you are a true warriors legend for giving warriors this game π https://t.co/7IHWQfKtQV
Mike brown continues to be the greatest LeBron stopper twitter.com/warriorsmuse/sβ¦
@baby_face_goat Dubs legend
COY https://t.co/SQaxv8MDtk
Golden State Warriors likely to face former assistant coach Mike Brown's Sacramento Kings in first round
The Golden State Warriors extended their advantage over the seventh-placed 42-39 LA Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans to one game with one game left in the regular season. The Warriors are fifth in the standings but won't hold that position for long if the Clippers tie their record or the Dubs lose their final game against the Trail Blazers.
However, the Trail Blazers shutting their starters down favors the defending champions to grab an easy win and finish at least sixth. In that scenario, they will face former assistant coach Mike Brown's resurgent Sacramento Kings in the first round.
Golden State clinched the season series against the Kings, but the playoffs will be a different atmosphere for Steph Curry and Co. They have experience on their side, but Sacramento will have momentum and a homecourt advantage.
Mike Brown, a Coach of the Year favorite, has done an excellent job in the regular season and will be extra motivated to help the Kings make a run in the playoffs. Sacramento has the tools to succeed, but their defensive flaws will be something to keep an eye on during the postseason.
The Kings will likely have a minor advantage over the defending champions. Their offense is rated #1 in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Warriors are also weak defensively, and they struggle more on the road. The Kings must capitalize on their homecourt advantage and get off to a 2-0 start. Dropping one of those early games will prove costly, as the Dubs can turn it on in the playoffs at any moment.
They will also have a full-strength starting lineup with Andrew Wiggins likely to return. The Dubs' bench unit has been their weakness, but with shortened rotations, they might have a better chance of winning road games consistently as their starting lineup is as good as any other contender on both ends of the court.