In a shock move, Cleveland Cavaliers have sacked chief coach David Blatt and replaced him with his assistant Tyronne Lue.
The Cavaliers are the current leaders of the Eastern Conference and last season the Israeli coach led them to the NBA finals, where they lost 4-2 to Golden State Warriors.
Blatt's dismissal came after the Cavaliers had won 11 of their last 13 games and his 83-40 record since becoming the Cavs coach 18 months ago was the seventh best in NBA history.
Head of the NBA Coaches Association and Dallas Mavericks Coach Rick Carlisle said: "I'm embarrassed for our league that something like this can happen like this. It's just bizarre.
"It just leaves you with a bit of an empty feeling, because Blatt's a great guy, and he did a great job there."
Blatt's dismissal has not been a complete surprise. NBA teams are increasingly dominated by mega stars and the Cavs LeBron James, though denying involvement, is likely to have initiated the change.
Blatt, who won the European title with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2014 and a bronze medal with Russia's Olympic basketball team in 2012, has remained tight-lipped except for a formal statement.
"I am proud of what we have accomplished since I have been the Head Coach and wish the Cavaliers nothing but the best this season and beyond." Sources close to Blatt say he is eager to take up a new challenge in the NBA.
Carlisle said: "David Blatt is going to be a highly sought-after coach this summer if and when there are openings, if he chooses to stay.
"After this, you just hope a guy like this is still open to coaching in the NBA."
The Cavs fans vented their anger by booing James and his team off the court after they slumped to an 83-96 home defeat to the Chicago Bulls in their first post-Blatt game.
To get more from Life, click here to sign up for our free Life newsletter.