Mike Brown After Kings Win Division: ‘I’m Going to Listen to My Country Music and Drink a Modelo’

The Kings are Pacific Division champions and that’s the first time we can say that in 20 years. Honestly. They last won it in 2003.

And in a division that includes the Warriors, Lakers, Clippers and Suns … well, let’s just say few picked the Kings to win it. Especially given that they have a first-year coach in Mike Brown and start a rookie in forward Keegan Murray, drafted fourth overall out of Iowa.

“I’m excited for this organization,” Murray told reporters. “It’s really cool for the city.”

Along with everything else, the Kings had not even made the playoffs since 2006. As we’ve noted previously, that was before the invention of the iPhone and Twitter, and when we were still getting Netflix movies in the mail.

It’s been a special run for Brown, Murray, point guard De’Aaron Fox, center Domantas Sabonis, forward Harrison Barnes and the rest. Or as Murray said, for the entire city.

Without a doubt, Brown will be NBA Coach of the Year. Back in 2007, he guided the LeBron James-led Cavs to the Finals. He later coached Kobe Bryant with the Lakers, then Kyrie Irving in a second stint with the Cavs.

Now, he has helped the Kings land the No. 3 overall seed in the Western Conference. 

Sacramento may not win the title this year, but what a year on which to build.

“We’re going to celebrate this tonight,” Brown told reporters after the Kings clinched the division. “I’m going to listen to my country music and drink a Modelo [beer].”

That is Brown, as everyman as they come. But also a man who will forever be known as the face of the Kings’ resurgence.