Ex-NBA G Johnson sounds off on Cavs' Brown

Ex-NBA G Johnson sounds off on Cavs' Brown

Published Jan. 16, 2014 2:47 p.m. ET

Former NBA sharpshooter and current Phoenix Suns analyst Eddie Johnson doesn't seem to think Mike Brown is the right coach for these Cavaliers.

In a video segment entitled, "Enough Said," on the popular basketball website Hoopshype.com, Johnson told web-video host Noah Coslov that Brown isn't getting the job done in the first season of his second stint in Cleveland.

"Mike Brown struggled as a coach, obviously, in his last two outings (with Cavs the first time and the Lakers). He didn't last long in LA, and now in Cleveland, they bring him back, and (he) really hasn't had a lot of success," Johnson said.

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The Cavs have played better recently, winning three of five. They are 14-25 with two games left before the official midway point of the season.

"They're struggling record-wise," Johnson said. "Early in the season, they had some in-fighting, and then the Andrew Bynum situation. And then you throw in first pick overall, Anthony Bennett, shows up out of shape, and he just hasn't gotten better as the year has gone along. Sometimes you have to look at the coaching staff. Because of that, Mike Brown is definitely in hot water."

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It should be noted that Johnson, as a member of the Suns' broadcast team, is not dialed in with the Cavs' organization. So when he says Brown "is definitely in hot water," he is offering his opinion as an analyst, not as a well-sourced insider.

The Cavs have brushed off Johnson's comments, and Brown is in no danger of losing his job.

Johnson, a 6-foot-7 swingman, played in the NBA from 1981-99 with six different teams, including the Suns, SuperSonics (now Thunder) and Kings. He compiled career averages of 11.5 points per game on 46 percent shooting.

Johnson has worked in broadcasting and been a regular contributor to Hoopshype.com since retiring as a player.

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