Bench Notes

Shaky Switch

The hiring of Mike Brown to replace Phil Jackson as the Lakers' coach has gotten mixed reviews in L.A. Brown, 41, is a defensive tactician who should improve a unit that allowed opponents to shoot 47.2% in the playoffs. But offensively there are questions. As coach of the Cavaliers from 2005 to '10, Brown's attack leaned on LeBron James. But the Lakers have at least three players who need touches—guard Kobe Bryant, power forward Pau Gasol and center Andrew Bynum. The ball movement of Jackson's triangle offense kept almost everyone happy, but Brown seems certain to install one that relies instead on pick-and-rolls and isolation plays. He must bring in a creative assistant—maybe Pistons coach John Kuester, who is on shaky ground in Detroit—to help maximize L.A.'s offensive firepower.