Mike Brown fired: Lakers fire coach after 1-4 start

LOS ANGELES - A report from USA Today says the Los Angeles Lakers have fired coach Mike Brown after a 1-4 start to his second season in charge of the team.

The newspaper report Friday cited Brown's agent, Warren Legarie, as the source of the information.

Legarie didn't immediately return messages left by The Associated Press.

Los Angeles began the season with championship expectations after trading for center Dwight Howard and point guard Steve Nash, adding two superstars alongside Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.

But the talented group went 0-8 during the preseason for the first time in franchise history before stumbling into the regular season with an 0-3 start. After finally winning last Sunday, the Lakers looked listless again in a loss at Utah on Wednesday.

Brown implemented a new offensive scheme this fall that didn't appear to suit his players' talents, yet the Lakers also played spotty defense, Brown's specialty.

The Lakers reached the second round of the playoffs last season in Brown's first year. The former Cleveland Cavaliers coach replaced Phil Jackson, the 11-time NBA champion.

The Lakers host Golden State on Friday night.