at this time. We appreciate Mike's efforts and contributions and wish him and his family the best of luck." 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 Lakers went 0-8 during the preseason last month for the first time in franchise history before stumbling into the regular season with an 0-3 start, losing to Dallas , Portland and the Clippers . After finally beating Detroit last Sunday for their first win, the Lakers looked listless again in a loss at Utah on Wednesday. Stephen Dunn/Getty Images There's no question that the team's lackluster performance during the first five games of the season played a large role in Mitch Kupchak 's decision, but what certainly didn't help Brown's case was L.A.'s 0-8 preseason record, because that's what initially raised red flags within the organization. That's because with a roster featuring Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash and Metta World Peace, there's just no justification for a 1-12 record in the team's last 13 games, including preseason contests. In conversations on Thursday, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak made a case to Lakers owner Jerry Buss and executive vice president Jim Buss to give Brown more time before deciding to fire him, sources told Y! Sports. Brown also made a case to management that he could get the Lakers into championship contention, sources said. Unfortunately for Brown, neither Buss