Los Angeles Lakers Fire Head Coach Mike Brown

NBA Via Los Angeles Lakers(LOS ANGELES) -- After a disappointing 1-4 start to the season, the Los Angeles Lakers announced Friday that they have fired head coach Mike Brown.

The news came as a surprise to Brown but for General Manager Mitch Kupchak it was a move he had to make.

"This was a difficult and painful decision to make," he said.  "Mike was very hard-working and dedicated, but we felt it was in the best interest of the team to make a change at this time. We appreciate Mike's efforts and contributions and wish him and his family the best of luck."

Assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff will serve as the interim head coach for the Lakers' game Friday night against the Golden State Warriors with a coaching search to follow.

Brown did not take the firing easily.  "I have great respect for the Buss family and the Lakers' storied tradition and I thank them for the opportunity they afforded me," he said in a statement. "I have a deep appreciation for the coaches and players that I worked with this past year and I wish the organization nothing but success as they move forward."

The team's disappointing start came after completely rehauling the roster in the offseason with the hopes of winning a championship.  They brought in point guard Steve Nash and traded for All-Star center Dwight Howard to play alongside superstar Kobe Bryant.

Some potential candidates for the job include Phil Jackson, Mike D'Antoni, Jerry Sloan, Nate McMillan, and Mike Dunleavy.  D'Antoni was fired by the New York Knicks last season but coached Nash for years with the Phoenix Suns.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Bobcats Close to Next Coach

Brian A. Westerholt/Getty Images(CHARLOTTE, N.C.) -- The Charlotte Bobcats are still in need of a coach.  President of basketball operations, Rod Higgins said on Thursday that the team is growing closer to a decision.

There was a possibility of hall of fame coach Jerry Sloan becoming one of the candidates, but Higgins told the team that Sloan withdrew from being considered.

The final two candidates are Indiana Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw and Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Quin Snyder who both had a second round of interviews earlier this week with Higgins and Bobcats owner Michael Jordan.

"They are impressive candidates," Higgins said.

But will there be any others that the Bobcats consider before choosing the next head coach in Charlotte?

"Maybe," Higgins said. "I want to be as transparent as possible but at the same time there are certain things we want to keep private."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Shaquille O'Neal Declines Invitation To Magic GM Job

ABC/Lorenzo Bevilaqua(NEW YORK) -- The man with too many nicknames to mention could have had another one on the way but instead declined the Orlando Magic general manager job that is currently vacant.

Reports were that the former all-star center Shaquille O'Neal could be headed back to Orlando, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard on Thursday.

But after reports, O'Neal decided he would stay put in his current career.

"When I first heard about the vacancy for the Orlando Magic general manager position, I was clearly intrigued," O'Neal said in a statement Thursday. "I was drafted by the Magic, I have a great love for the franchise, and I have made the city of Orlando my home. Additionally, I have great admiration and respect for the DeVos family."

O'Neal is currently a NBA analyst for TNT.

"However, this is not a job I have an interest in pursuing. I feel very fortunate to be with TNT and to have the best job in sports. I look forward to many more years with Charles (Barkley), Kenny (Smith) and E.J. (Ernie Johnson). I wish the best for the Magic and I am confident that they will select a great GM and coach."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Jerry Sloan Seeking New Coaching Opportunity

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- The former Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is looking to get back into coaching in the 2012-13 season.  Currently there are two open coaching positions with the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Bobcats.

Sloan stepped away after 23 seasons in Utah after the 2011 season, but told the Salt Lake Tribune Tuesday that he has spoken with Bobcats owner Michael Jordan about the coaching job in Charlotte.

"Obviously, you probably wouldn't win (a title) right off the bat," Sloan told the Tribune of the Bobcats' opening. "But sometimes it's not all about starting on top."

The 70-year-old Sloan ranks third all-time in regular-season NBA coaching victories with 1,221 and will possibly be coaching a Bobcats team coming off the worst winning percentage in NBA history in 2012.

"If there's some interest in me, fine. If there's not, I understand that, too," Sloan said.

The NBA Hall of Famer could meet with the Bobcats as early as this week, according to reports.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio