New York Post reporter Marc Berman writes that if the Cavaliers hire a new coach before the start of free agency it probably means LeBron James is not going anywhere. According to Berman's sources, expect the team to wait until July to find out LeBron's  intentions before making a hire. "They almost have to wait, simply because the candidates would be...

New York Post reporter Marc Berman writes that if the Cavaliers hire a new coach before the Tony Gutierrez / Associated PressLeBron James start of free agency it probably means LeBron James is not going anywhere.

According to Berman's sources, expect the team to wait until July to find out LeBron's  intentions before making a hire.

"They almost have to wait, simply because the candidates would be different depending on what LeBron does," one league source said.

James’ publicist said the vacationing superstar would have no comment on Brown’s dismissal, which came 10 days after the Cavaliers’ stunning second-round playoff ouster to the Celtics that left James’ Cleveland future in serious doubt.

Several coaching candidates are available, including Kentucky coach John Calipari.

Meanwhile, Calipari, who is close friends with James confidant William Wesley, repeatedly has denied he is moving on from Kentucky after being rumored for the Bulls’ open coaching job in a package deal with James.

But, according to a source close to James, Wesley will switch his role on June 1 from ambigious player adviser connected to James’ agent Leon Rose to an official representative for coaches and general managers. Calipari will become Wesley’s first client.

LeBron Madness

Not only is everyone, including President Barack Obama, talking about LeBron James, even Lakers coach Phil Jackson may make a move to join into the LeBron James fun.

Fanhouse.com columnist Jay Mariotti writes 

It would be enticing, sure, for Jackson to coach James after coaching Jordan, Bryant and O'Neal. But there's no guarantee that LeBron will end up in Chicago. The firing of Brown, who often was criticized by James for his substitution patterns and bizarre game plans, might open the coaching door in Cleveland for John Calipari, James' good friend. Wasn't it curious to see Calipari, during the Game 5 debacle in which James shockingly laid down, sitting across from the Cavaliers' bench with LeBron's agent? By dismissing Brown on Monday, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert sent an olive branch to James and is telling him that he can hire the next coach.

That school up north -- University of Michigan -- has admitted to a series of violations in its football program. The school insisted the problems related to practice time and the activities of graduate assistants. The school hopes the self-imposed sanctions will satisfy the NCAA. Penalties self-imposed by the Michigan football program Tuesday: Michigan said it will cut back practice and training time...

Marvin Fong, The PDThat school up north -- University of Michigan -- has admitted to a series of violations in its football program. The school insisted the problems related to practice time and the activities of graduate assistants. The school hopes the self-imposed sanctions will satisfy the NCAA.

Penalties self-imposed by the Michigan football program Tuesday:

Michigan said it will cut back practice and training time by 130 hours over the next two years, starting this summer. It also trimmed the number of assistants -- the so-called quality-control staff -- from five to three and banned them from practices, games or coaching meetings for the rest of 2010.

 

Cleveland sports bloggers look at Shin-Soo Choo's celebrity in his home country, talk about Mike Brown's firing and who could be next and talk Browns' quarterbacks.

Want more Cleveland sports blogs? Check out more headlines on our Fan Blog page.

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerShin-Soo Choo has been one of the few bright spots for the Indians in 2010. Meanwhile, his home country is taking notice.

Indians

'64 and Counting: "During the gap between the end of the 2009 season and the start of the 2010 campaign, there was a documentary on Shin-Soo Choo's life broadcast on Korean television. And it wasn't sequestered to an ESPN-like specialty cable channel; it was on the Korean equivalent of NBC ... during primetime. Imagine how popular an American athlete would have to be to merit a one-hour documentary of their life shown on NBC in primetime. Not even LeBron could pull that off; his documentary is just an indie feature film. Just." » Read more

Cavaliers

Cavs: the blog: "That would be true any year, but it's never been more true than it is this summer. With so many potential franchise players choosing where they're going to play next season, perception is everything. On some level, it doesn't matter if Mike Brown can coach or not at this point. Lots of people think he's a bad coach, and that is a big deal with this free agency market. Even if (if) LeBron believes in Mike Brown, do you think a guy like Chris Bosh would beg for a sign-and-trade because he wants to play for Mike Brown? Regardless of how the Cavalier brass felt about him, they ultimately weren't left with much choice in this situation. And that's a shame, because Mike Brown didn't deserve to have it end like this." » Read more

WaitingForNextYear: "A retread veteran coach who has been unemployed for at least a season or two will not entice James and/or other top level players. A rookie head coach would likely be considered as a step back from Brown, a coach who had been criticized for his lack of experience prior to joining the Cavaliers. So this leaves Gilbert with the marquee names – the Phil Jacksons and Mike Krzyzewksis of the world. Men with winning teams in areas that adore them. The downside of what they could be left with if LeBron James were to leave would be gigantic." » Read more

Curse of Cleveland: "After having the best regular-season record for two straight seasons, the team failed to even make it to the NBA Finals in either year. In his first three seasons, Brown's team were gutsy, defensive-heavy, and they overachieved. ... But, in the last two seasons, when the team's talent was far superior, they underachieved." » Read more

LeBrowns Town: "But Brown is not free of fault by any means. His inability to be a complete coach and adapt quickly to match-ups led to his downfall. His defensive mindset hindered a team that was built to be on the offensive. With this past year’s roster, the Cavaliers were at their best playing small and fast, getting out on the break and getting easy buckets off of layups and dunks. The exact opposite of what Brown preaches." » Read more

Browns

Cleveland Reboot: "For those of you not already on the Jake Delhomme Bandwagon – or at least not aware that the slumping veteran QB represents the team's best chance for 2010 success – it's time to wake up. Like it or not, as Delhomme goes, so goes the Browns' offense in 2010. Despite the fact the offense will be a run-oriented attack – thanks to those low-quality offerings at wideout." » Read more

Dawg Scooper wonders if D'Qwell Jackson is versatile enough for the Browns' defense.

The fate of the Cavs is in owner Dan Gilbert's hands. Is he up to the task?

Tony Dejak,
Associated PressCavs owner Dan Gilbert faces a task more daunting that guarding LeBron on a one-on-one breakaway: finding a new coach for team that may or may not have its superstar.Cleveland, Ohio -- Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has dumped the winningest coach in Cavaliers history. The consensus is that Mike Brown had to go. Maybe he wasn't the cause of the Cavs' collapse against Boston, but as the coach, he has to take the blame.

But LeBron James' pending free agency makes the task of replacing Brown that much more daunting. And, while the King is getting all the ink in that regard, he's not the only Cleveland player who may have played his last game at The Q. Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Shaquille O'Neal become free agents just like James on July 1.

The uncertainty of just who is going to be on this team will have to weigh on any coaching candidate's mind, and could influence his decision. Clevelanders want Phil Jackson, but there's no way a coach with his resume is going to want to come into a rebuilding situation.

Unless, of course, Dan Gilbert has powers of persuasion we don't know about.

Olmsted Falls, Ohio - Administrators at Olmsted Falls did not have to search far to find a replacement for boys basketball coach Pat Donahue. The district only had to look down the bench at assistant coach Chris DeLisio, who was named as Donahue's successor on Monday. Donahue resigned last month after 21 seasons.

Olmsted Falls, Ohio - Administrators at Olmsted Falls did not have to search far to find a replacement for boys basketball coach Pat Donahue.

The district only had to look down the bench at assistant coach Chris DeLisio, who was named as Donahue's successor on Monday. Donahue resigned last month after 21 seasons.

DeLisio, 31, played two seasons for Donahue and has been an assistant coach at the school for the past 11 years, serving as the junior varsity coach for the past nine years. His junior varsity teams compiled a 100-58 record and won six Southwestern Conference titles in the past eight seasons.

A 1995 graduate of the school and a 1999 graduate of Ohio University, DeLisio teaches social studies at the high school. The Bulldogs were 33-14 and made two district championship appearances in DeLisio's two seasons as a player.

Windhorst says he'd be surprised if Phil Jackson left Los Angeles to coach the Bulls again.

PD file photoDan GilbertWelcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports. The five-minute show will post on weekday mornings.

• Talk about whether fans should have faith that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert can find a quality coach and keep the Cavaliers among the league's elite teams. What do you think? Take the poll now posted on the Starting Blocks blog.

• Talk about the Cavaliers with Plain Dealer beat writer Brian Windhorst. Brian discusses why he'd be surprised if Lakers coach Phil Jackson returned to Chicago to coach the Bulls if LeBron James decided to sign there; and what Gilbert will try to accomplish as he seeks a new head coach and prepares for the free-agency period, which starts July 1.

SBTV will return Wednesday with Plain Dealer Browns writer Tony Grossi as the guest.

Former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown was set up to fail, writes Kelly Dwyer on Ball Don't Lie Yahoo.com blog.  With LeBron James(notes) running that franchise as he saw fit, and the nebulous triptych that was the Brown/Danny Ferry/Dan Gilbert rotation alternately making half-decisions and crossing wires the wrong way, Brown just didn't have a chance. Win a championship or...

APFormer Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown.

With LeBron James(notes) running that franchise as he saw fit, and the nebulous triptych that was the Brown/Danny Ferry/Dan Gilbert rotation alternately making half-decisions and crossing wires the wrong way, Brown just didn't have a chance. Win a championship or take a hike. Perhaps Brown should have won a championship.

Well he didn't, and maybe that is the main reason why Brown was let go, right? Dwyer writes what Brown has done is not why he was ousted.

But "his fault" never played in part in this dismissal. Because this was James' call. Brown needed to go, no doubt, but he needed to go just because a hypothetical 2010-11 pairing with LeBron James would be just too untenable for all involved. And by "all," I mean James. He is The Light.

Think about that. This guy is a free agent and he influenced a team's head-coaching position to the point where someone loses a job. There are other, legitimate, factors behind Brown's necessary dismissal, which we'll get to in a bit, but the fact that Brown was dumped because of the anticipated whims of a player who won't even be under contract in five weeks is just astonishing.

The Cavaliers, writes Dwyer, got rid of the most successful coach in team history long after most teams have set to interviewing and hiring new coaches, based on the expected preferences of LeBron.

Coach Rich Rodriguez says he hopes NCAA issues won't become a distraction for players as they prepare for 2010 season.

Tony Ding, Associated PressRich Rodriguez

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan admitted today to a series of violations in its storied football program and insisted the problems related to practice time and the activities of graduate assistants were not enough to warrant major punishment from the NCAA.

"I would characterize today as a day of relief," athletic director David Brandon said.

Michigan released more than 150 pages detailing its investigation and self-imposed sanctions it hopes will satisfy the NCAA, whose staff will hold a hearing on the case in August. A final decision on NCAA penalties could take months, but coach Rich Rodriguez is not worried about that distracting his players.

"I don't think this ongoing case will affect them at all," Rodriguez said. "I think our players are very excited about the season and our staff is excited."

The sanctions included a recommendation for two years of probation for the NCAA's winningest football program, which is 8-16 in two seasons under Rodriguez. The school also said seven people, including the coach, had been reprimanded and another was fired. (Are the self-imposed penalties enough? Take today's Starting Blocks blog poll.)

"We believe that probation is typically one of the outcomes of major violations," Brandon said. "Probation puts your program under a microscope."

The school said it should not be tagged as a repeat offender despite a 2003 scandal in the basketball program -- a key argument, since the designation would almost certainly mean harsher penalties from the NCAA.

"We're imposing on ourselves what we believe is corrective actions," Brandon said in an interview with The Associated Press. "Ultimately, the NCAA will decide what the appropriate sanctions and penalties are."

A spokeswoman from the NCAA did not immediately return a message Tuesday.

Michigan said it will cut back practice and training time by 130 hours over the next two years, starting this summer. It also trimmed the number of assistants -- the so-called quality control staff -- from five to three and banned them from practices, games or coaching meetings for the rest of 2010.

"I'm glad to get that over with," Rodriguez said Monday night in Midland at the Michigan AP Sports Editors Meeting. "But that is just part of the process."

The violations came to light last fall during a second straight losing season for Rodriguez, who will return for his third season at Michigan this fall. Anonymous players told the Detroit Free Press that they were exceeding NCAA limits on practice and training time, prompting school and NCAA investigations.

The NCAA has outlined five potentially major rules violations, all related to practices and workouts. It accused Rodriguez of failing to promote an atmosphere of compliance in his program -- a charge Michigan vehemently denied even as it acknowledged an overall failure by the athletic department.

"We think that is overly harsh," Brandon said. "We do believe that there were things he could've done better and Rich would be the first to agree that details he delegated shouldn't have been in retrospect."

Brandon said the school decided not to take away scholarships or eliminate coaching positions.

"That's usually a result of something deemed to be an offense that created a competitive advantage," Brandon said. "Those kind of sanctions are also typically related to academic fraud, gambling, recruiting violations and extra benefits."

The school conceded that some of the violations "are major when considered as a whole" and are "major in part because they occurred for well over a year and, thus, were not isolated. The University has self-imposed significant penalties that correspond with the violation."

Besides the letters of reprimand, one staffer who worked under Rodriguez at West Virginia before joining him at Michigan, Alex Herron, was fired after his claim of not being present during some activities was discredited by players.

The school said two main problems -- too many people acting as coaches and too many hours being put into football by the players -- occurred in part because of "inattention by the football staff."

"The university agrees that it failed as a whole to adequately monitor its football program to assure compliance regarding the limitations upon the number, duties and activities of countable football coaches and the time limits" for practice," it said. "The university also agrees that Rodriguez failed to satisfy the monitoring responsibilities required of head coaches."

After his hire from West Virginia, Rodriguez filled all five quality control positions in the program -- essentially assistants to assistants who were paid $17 per hour to "run errands for the coaches, check on student-athlete class attendance and academic issues, and chart plays."

The school said the staff "crossed the line in specific situations and engaged in 'coaching activities'" as defined by the NCAA.

Rodriguez also told school investigators he didn't know about forms used at Michigan to track athletes' activities until last summer, 18 months after he was hired, and he said no one ever told him those forms were not being filed with compliance officials by his program.

Rodriguez's response was submitted by his attorney, Scott Tompsett. He said the coach was "very disappointed that his administrators failed to provide the job descriptions on multiple occasions and he is disappointed that the compliance staff never brought their failure to his attention. Rodriguez has always had an open-door policy for anyone to bring matters to his attention."

The school said it had discovered the paperwork problem and was working on it when the story broke. The bigger issue was the lack of communication. The school said the football program didn't provide requested information to the compliance office, which failed to alert Rodriguez -- who "should have paid closer attention to his subordinates."

Rodriguez regretted that he didn't adequately monitor certain aspects of his program, but added in his response that following NCAA bylaws was not a "one-man job."

"We're not happy to be in this process, but we're handling it in a professional and transparent manner before we move on," Brandon said. "The NCAA will hear our case in August, then will deliberate as long as is needed -- and that could be weeks -- before making a decision that we can agree with or choose to appeal."

Click here to read Michigan's entire response.

Who will coach the Cavs next season? Who's the most important of the Browns' unrestricted free agents? What should the Indians do about Justin Masterson? Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto was online, tackling those questions and more

Terry Pluto tackles your questions live every Tuesday at noon.

Among the other topics discussed:

- Are any of the rumored big name coaching candidates a real possibility?

- What does Jake Delhomme bring to this team instantly?

- And much more!

Click on the play button below to listen or download the MP3 podcast here to listen on the go.

A veteran speaks out and it works ... for the Chicago White Sox, who proceed to pummel the Indians, 7-2.

Lisa DeJong,
The Plain DealerJustin Masterson has a potentially record-breaking streak going ... and he'd just as soon not see the mark: His 11 consecutive losses, counting the one Monday night against Chicago, are two away from tying the Tribe record.

Cleveland, Ohio -- What's the secret of – TIMING – comedy? Exactly.

The Indians' record is no joke, though. That's why there are more tears -- and jeers -- at Progressive Field than laughs and giggles.

And now, the Indians have run into the resurging White Sox, a team they handled earlier in the season. More accurately, the ONLY team they handled earlier in the season.

Veteran Chicago pitcher Jake Peavy, the National League Cy Young winner in 2007, gave his team a talkin' to, and they responded with a 7-2 win over the struggling Tribe on Monday night at Progressive Field.

Chicago Tribune reporter Mark Gonzales tells the tale:

"There ain't no ifs, ands or buts about it," Peavy said before the Sox cruised to their third win in their last four games. "(Cleveland) has a few injuries. We have to win this series. I'm not sugarcoating anything. Hey, we've got to play good baseball. We've got to beat teams that we feel like we should beat.

"That's not a knock against the Cleveland Indians. They're hurt right now, they're not playing their best baseball. If we want to be where we think we need to be, you have to win series."

The Sox (19-25) took a step forward while cutting their deficit to seven games behind American League Central leader Minnesota.

"I hope we're going in the right direction," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "We just got to keep winning games."Peavy intimated there is no better time for the Sox to start playing better and gaining ground.

"We're going to Tampa this weekend," he said. "You look at going into the best team in baseball and you try to go 2-2 and win the series here and you come off the road 4-3. We have a favorable schedule over the next month.

"We still believe in this team, and I'm happy to be in a situation where, from the owner to the general manager, they're going to try to win. There's not going to be, and Kenny reiterated it, 'Listen, we're not mailing it in; we're trying to get better.' I'm excited to be a part of that."

After this seven-game trip, the Sox open a nine-game homestand against Texas, Cleveland (currently without Grady Sizemore and Asdrubal Cabrera) and Detroit, followed by nine games against sub-.500 teams -- the Cubs, Pittsburgh and Washington.

"I'm hesitant to say we have a favorable schedule because big league ballclubs are big league ballclubs, and anything can happen on any given day," Peavy said. "But we feel like we can get going."

The White Sox definitely have the horses to get back into the hunt for the AL Central crown. And the Indians?

Hmm. OK, these 25 Indians walk into a ballpark . . . and fall down.

Not very funny, is it?

There is an up side, though: The spiel Tribe management spewed when Cleveland acquired him from Boston in the Victor Martinez trade makes great fertilizer. Farmers sell it by the wagonload.

Bob McDonald, writing for clevelandleader.com, put it in perspective:

Last year, Cleveland Indians management made a pretty big deal about the prospects they were given in the trades they had made. Many fans called them a salary dump. The Tribe front office then threw a bunch of stats out.

One of those prospects with tremendous upside, the Indians believed, was Justin Masterson, who they got in the Victor Martinez deal to Boston. With so many good pitchers in the Red Sox rotation, it was thought that Masterson, who was coming out of the bullpen at the time, would have been better served on a roster where he could get work in as a starter.

So, it was time to move on, and after a one-game stint in relief, Masterson was put in the starting rotation. His career as an Indian has been rather unspectacular. Sure, he picked up his first win on August 20th against the Angels. But he hasn't won since.

It's been 11 decisions later, and Masterson is still winless in 2010, most recently getting blasted by the Chicago White Sox. To be fair, his last opportunity to win a game against the Kansas City Royals was destroyed by the ever-reliable Indians bullpen.

But at this point, you have to wonder if either Masterson isn't ready for primetime or if the Tribe didn't do enough to make him ready. Wasn't new pitching coach Tim Belcher supposed to fix this? Or is Masterson the victim of the lack of offense that's dogged the Indians all season?

Masterson's 11 consecutive losses put him only two away from tying the team record, so at least we've got that to look forward to.

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that six Pale Hose have now been mentioned as potential trade bait: Bobby Jenks, Paul Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski, Mark Buehrle, Andruw Jones and J.J. Putz.

"Obviously, we know if we were eight games up we wouldn't be hearing these types of rumors about guys going anywhere," Putz said. "Basically it's just rumors, so I don't know how much there really is to look into. I think more in the offseason rumors are the ones that have more momentum behind them."

Not that some of these rumors with the Sox aren't building momentum.

One National League scout said Monday that there were more teams than just the Philadelphia Phillies interested in Sox relievers, as bullpen problems seem to be springing up all over baseball.

The point would seem moot for now, especially after general manager Ken Williams told the players last week in a team meeting that there were no plans to trade anyone.

At least not yet.

When did Larry Dolan buy the White Sox?

When asked if Masterson would stay in the rotation, Acta said, "We'll see. When we make that decision, it won't be a knee-jerk reaction right after the game."

Aaron Laffey relieved Masterson and allowed one run on two hits in three innings. Asked if Laffey was a candidate to replace Masterson, Acta said "Anyone in an Indians uniform is an option. Does that narrow it down for you?"

Whoa, a bit testy there, eh?

In his Indians Insider column, Hoynesie actually found a few positives for the Tribe: Between them, relievers Tony Sipp and Chris Perez have 29 games without allowing an earned run. Oh, and catcher Lou Marson may be hitting a paltry .212, but he's thrown out 33.3 percent of the baserunners he's faced, Hoynesie said. That's good for No. 2 in the AL.

Check out the LeBron-O-Meter, our way to assess at a glance the chances LeBron James will stay in Cleveland.

Why, you ask?

Well, yesterday the Cavs fired the winningest coach in their history, at a time when there aren't a lot of other candidates who would seem to be a good fit as replacement. As Cavs beat writer Brian Windhorst says today in Starting Blocks TV, Dan Gilbert has his work cut out for him.

Yes, LeBron often openly criticized Mike Brown and, yes, his exit leaves the door open for the Cavs to hire James' friend, Kentucky coach John Calipari, or his USA Basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke. However, it's going to take tens of millions to sign either of those coaches and neither will agree to anything until LeBron makes up his mind.

And if James wanted to play for Phil Jackson, it's more likely the Zen Master will be coaching in Chicago (D'oh!) next season -- if he changes teams at all.

If you were LeBron, would you want to stick with a team that lacks a coach? Even if you could help pick the next one, would you want one of the unemployed coaches out there?

Team wants some stability and continuity during the process of establishing a new coaching staff.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerCleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown, who was let go this week, is flanked by his assistant coaches Michael Malone (left) and Melvin Hunt on the bench during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against Boston.

PD file photoChris Jent has grown close to LeBron James through the years.Cleveland, Ohio - The Cavaliers made one coaching move this week in dismissing head coach Mike Brown. But it was only one move.

According to sources, the team did not let go Brown's assistants and that fact is not a formality. Especially with the strong reputations and relationships of key players, especially LeBron James, have with Brown's tenured staff.

The basic reason the Cavs did not let assistants Mike Malone, Melvin Hunt and Chris Jent go was because the team is looking to retain some stability and continuity over what could be a long process in establishing a new coaching staff.

That is generally a quality basketball decision, though firing some or all assistants with the head coach often happens in the NBA.

Brown had several other members on his staff including veteran assistant Hank Egan and developmental assistants Bryant Moore and Lloyd Pierce. But Malone, Hunt and Jent were the men on the bench during games and the men with the heavy responsibility. They may also be ones that have a legitimate future with the organization.

Despite the intense focus on having an "all in" season, the Cavs" assistants were given contract extensions last summer and are all signed through next season.

Some of that was a reward for good work. Some of that was to give them some security because Brown's contract ran through 2011. And some was to protect the team's interests going forward even if Brown was let go.

A couple of them could play into the team's future and not just running working for draft prospects and free agents. There is even a possibility they could become candidates to replace Brown depending on how the coaching search plays out.

Jent, who does have some limited head coaching experience after filling in as an interim coach with the Orlando Magic in 2005, has developed a very strong reputation as James" personal shooting coach. Depending on how things play out, if James re-signs with the Cavs there is good chance Jent would remain with the team.

James and Jent became close during the 2006-07 season when Jent in charge of the Cavs" player development program. Over the past three summers, Jent and James have traveled the world together so that James could continue to work on shooting no matter where his commitments took him. Jent has even gone on vacations with James, a guest on his private jet.

During that time, James" shooting improved and Jent's responsibilities under Brown increased. He was promoted to a full assistant last year and began taking on more in-game and scouting work and moved to the bench from behind the bench, a key promotion in the NBA.

As a trusted coach who knows James personality and work habits well, there is a good chance Jent will be a desired assistant no matter what team James decides to sign with.

Malone, who has captained the Cavs playoff opponent preparation for the last five years, is one of the most respected young assistants in the league. Last season he was the Cavs" defensive coordinator, part of a new role Brown created. In that role, he quickly earned the trust of the team's veterans including James. James told people he appreciated the "voice" Malone had with the team.

This season he was moved to offensive coordinator after assistant John Kuester left to become the head coach of the Detroit Pistons. Brown moved him to that role, he said last year, because of his faith in Malone's work ethic in practice and in the film room, where the majority of the coordinator's job was.

At the time various players, including James, questioned the move because of how well Malone had done with the defense in the 66-win season in 2008-09. But Malone went on to help the Cavs to the best offensive season in Brown's tenure. With new plays that took advantage of Shaquille O'Neal plus upgraded shooting on the roster, the Cavs finished ninth in scoring, third in field-goal percentage and second in 3-point percentage.

Hunt was the Cavs defensive coordinator this season, helping the Cavs once again be one of the top defensive units in the league during the regular season. He was also in charge of working with the team's big men and has helped in the development of J.J. Hickson.

This week, LPGA/PGA pro Kathy Cassese of Airport Greens Golf Course demonstrates three ways to hit a punch shot after an errant drive.

Local pros solve your swing problems in a weekly instruction video with Plain Dealer columnist Bud Shaw.

This week, LPGA/PGA pro Kathy Cassese of Airport Greens Golf Course in Willoughby Hills demonstrates three ways to hit a punch shot after an errant drive.

Need help with your game? Explain your problem to golf@plaind.com in an email. We will select one email each week. All videos are archived.

Rod Thorn, the Nets' team president, says Brown 'did a tough job very well.'

APCould ex-Cavaliers coach Mike Brown rejoin LeBron James in New Jersey? There are six NBA teams looking for head coaches: the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Hornets, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers.

Already, reporter Dave D'Alessandro of NJ.com writes about former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown's possible future.

Rod Thorn, the Nets team president and general manager, has not conducted an interview yet, but he has talked to several candidates by phone.

And will you give a definitive number, once and for all, about how many guys you’ll sit down with, we asked.

“Well….say four to six,” he replied.

And so -- we asked ever so cleverly -- is there a chance that figure was increased by one just this morning? (Cavaliers fire coach Mike Brown after five seasons)

“Maybe,” he said with a telling laugh.

Good coach, we suggested.

“He certainly is,” Thorn agreed. “He did a tough job very well.”

Four years ago, Ghana native Kwaku Danso had no idea how to play the game of football. Today, he's in Berea, trying to create a future as a Cleveland Browns defensive lineman.

Mark Duncan,
The Plain DealerKwaku Danso, a 28-year-old rookie who could even crack the first string at East Carolina, grew up in Ghana and learned to play football only three years ago.

Cleveland, Ohio -- Sports is all about the dream. Kids dream of scoring the touchdown that wins a Super Bowl, of crushing the title-grabbing homer in Game 7 of a World Series, of completing a hat trick and filling the Stanley Cup with grape Kool-Aid.

Starting Blocks is going to let you in on a little secret: Those kids can be 5 or 55; the dreams remain the same.

Which is why the story of Kwaku Danso is so heartwarming. He is, as yahoo.com writer Les Carpenter says, the unlikeliest of Browns rookies.

Who could have imagined? Rarely is there such a thing as a 28-year-old rookie in the NFL – let alone one raised in Ghana who learned to play the game just three years earlier, after walking into the head coach's office at East Carolina and saying he wanted to join the team, then never once making a tackle. Sometimes he must wonder if one of the Browns coaches will run onto the field and pull him off, saying it is all a mistake.

But there is no error. The Browns have indeed signed an undrafted free agent whose entire college career consists of three brief appearances at the end of ECU blowouts. And they did so because a few weeks earlier, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan – observing on East Carolina's pro day – noticed Danso step through a door at 6-foot-5, 336 pounds and gasped "Who the hell is that?" to the Cleveland scouts standing beside him.

Unfazed by the information that Danso had never advanced beyond a brief appearance at second string on the East Carolina depth charts, Ryan was transfixed as the player bench-pressed 225 pounds 39 times. So much so that even after Ryan continued to scout players with much better pedigrees at more important schools, Danso was the one he kept remembering. And when Browns head coach Eric Mangini told him he could have one player to bring in with the intent of keeping around for most of the year to develop, Ryan knew immediately whom he wanted.

"I like the look in his eye," Ryan says. "You have to root for a guy like that."

Yeah, coach. You do.

Baltimore Ravens owner Steven Bisciotti said he's opposed to a Super Bowl in the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Despite his contention that a blizzard of epic proportions could force postponement of the biggest event in sports, owners are likely to go ahead and approve the holding of the 2014 Super Bowl in Jersey, according to digitalsportsdaily.com.

Michael David Smith, who writes for profootballtalk.com, doesn't quite buy Bisciotti's logic.

"I'm not sold on it," Bisciotti said. "The idea of cold weather certainly doesn't scare us. The idea of a two-foot snowstorm does. After what we've been through in Baltimore in the last three months, you really have to wonder if logistically it's possible the darn thing could get postponed. I don't think you could get people into the Meadowlands, 70,000 people into the Meadowlands, in a two-foot snowstorm in New York."

True, it's theoretically possible that a blizzard could postpone the Super Bowl. It's also possible that a blizzard in Detroit or Minneapolis could have made it impossible for 70,000 fans to get to the domed stadiums that have hosted Super Bowls in those cities. And it's possible that a blizzard in Baltimore could postpone the AFC Championship Game. Does Bisciotti also think the Ravens shouldn't be permitted to host postseason games?

For that matter, it's possible that an earthquake could postpone a Super Bowl in California, or that severe storms and flooding could postpone a Super Bowl in Florida. There's no place on earth that's immune to a natural disaster.

These doomsday scenarios about weather affecting the Super Bowl are getting ridiculous. Football always has been and always will be played outdoors in bad weather. There's no reason the Super Bowl should be any different.

Starting Blocks is no fan of New York, to be honest. But look at it this way: A blizzard there would mean a certain locale froze over, which in turn MUST mean that the Browns made the Super Bowl.

Browns president Mike Holmgren was looking for a leader at quarterback and made the leap of faith to sign Delhomme ... jettisoning Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn. If all goes as planned, Delhomme will be the ninth opening-day starter in 12 seasons when the Browns kick off Sept. 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Florida.

"To come here, if you'd asked me that before the start of the ['09] season, I would have said, 'Absolutely not.' I wanted to stay in Carolina and finish," Delhomme said on the third day of the Browns' organized team activities.

"But to be here, it's very refreshing. I've been here since March 15, our first day.

"It's just something new. Things might have gotten stale for me. It's like you get new life injected into you."

Browns coach Eric Mangini doesn't like to make comparisons but said Delhomme's exuberance reminds him of Brett Favre, whom Mangini coached in 2008 with the New York Jets.

"He's got great energy," Mangini said of Delhomme. "'He reminds me a little bit of Favre that way. He enjoys practice. He enjoys being around the guys. He is able to be serious and still keep things light."

Well, cool! In the words Starting Blocks is sure Delhomme heard growing up in Breaux Bridge, La., near New Orleans, "Laissez le bon temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!) 

"Time to make a change. Masterson as a starter is starting to look worse than Carmona as a closer. It's okay to play the kids, but give them a shot to have success." - 4denver

View full sizeBen Margot, Associated PressJustin Masterson has struggled since coming to the Indians and being converted to a starter.

In response to the story Justin Masterson loses 11th straight decision as Indians fall to White Sox, 7-2, cleveland.com reader 4denver thinks it's time to move Masterson back to the bullpen. This reader writes,

Time to make a change. Masterson as a starter is starting to look worse than Carmona as a closer. It's okay to play the kids, but give them a shot to have success.

"If we dont land Phil Jackson or Coach K, then firing Mike Brown really wasn't worth it. I dont see any of the other names as improvements, which is something the Cavs must do at the coaching position." - LukeClevelander

View full sizeAPFormer Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown.

In response to the story No shortage of candidates (and long shots) in the Cleveland Cavaliers' hunt for a new coach, cleveland.com reader LukeClevelander thinks the Cavaliers have to land one of the big-name coaches to justify firing Mike Brown. This reader writes,

If we dont land Phil Jackson or Coach K, then firing Mike Brown really wasn't worth it. I dont see any of the other names as improvements, which is something the Cavs must do at the coaching position.

Matthew Clemmens, 21, pleaded guilty to one count each of simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment and admitted intentionally vomiting on a police captain and his 11-year-old daughter in the stands April 14. He appears to have recovered from injuries he received when other fans subdued him.

Matt Rourke, Associated PressMatthew Clemmens, of Cherry Hill, N.J., looks out a car window as he is driven away from a courthouse in Philadelphia, Tuesday. Clemmens pleaded guilty to intentionally vomiting on a man and his 11-year-old daughter in the stands during a Philadelphia Phillies game.

Tiger Woods will continue his comeback effort at Jack Nicklaus' Memorial Tournament in Columbus.

UPDATED: 8:05 p.m.

AP FileTiger Woods will defend his title at the Memorial Tournament founded by Jack Nicklaus next week. He also is expected to play in the Wednesday skins game with Nicklaus at Muirfield in Dublin, Ohio.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Tiger Woods will return to defend his title at The Memorial Tournament outside Columbus next week, according to the Golf Channel.

Officials at the Memorial said they would have no official word either way until Woods makes his plans known through the PGA Tour, but tournament spokesman Tom Sprouse said all along the event has felt good about Woods' intentions.

"If he's healthy, he'll be here," Sprouse said Tuesday.

Woods hasn't been healthy, though, withdrawing from the The Players Championship on May 9 because of a neck injury. He hasn't played since. But according to the Golf Channel, Woods will use Jack Nicklaus' event at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin as his warmup before the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach two weeks later.

The report also said Woods would join Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker, Rory McIlroy, Kenny Perry, Zach Johnson and Sean O'Hair in a nine-hole Skins Game next Wednesday. That event has replaced a pro-am at the Memorial, with Woods and Nicklaus playing together last year.

Woods, the only four-time winner of the event, shot a final-round 65 a year ago to beat Jim Furyk by a shot. Memorial Tournament director Dan Sullivan said previously Woods has been committing to tournaments on the Wednesday before this year, though the deadline for players isn't until Friday at 5 p.m. The 72-hole event tees off on Thursday, June 3.

There have been too many strikeouts when it comes to the Indians and the amateur baseball draft.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerFormer second-round pick Brian Tallet contributed one win (and two losses) to the Indians' organization from 2002-05, becoming just another failure in the team's unproductive efforts in the annual amateur draft. For the franchise to ever rebound, those failures must end, and soon, says Terry Pluto. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With Grady Sizemore injured, Trevor Crowe now appears at the top of the Indians' batting order. Good for Crowe, who was the Tribe's first-round draft pick in 2005.

But think about this: Between 2000-06, the Indians have drafted 28 players in the first and second rounds. Of those 28, Crowe is the only non-pitcher in the majors.

You can say, "Well, they did draft a lot of pitchers back then."

Try these names: Jeremy Guthrie (2002), Brian Tallet (2000) and David Huff (2006). Guthrie's next start will be his 100th in the bigs, the most made by any Tribe draft pick since 1998 first-rounder CC Sabathia. But Guthrie, who was waived by the Indians, is not exactly a star. Now with Baltimore, his career record is 29-38 with a 4.27 ERA.

As for the other two, Tallet has a 15-18 record and 4.37 ERA in 192 career games for Toronto. A member of the Tribe's rotation, Huff is 13-14, 5.51 in 31 career starts.

Jeremy Sowers (first round, 2004) was 18-30 with a 5.18 ERA for the Tribe over several seasons, but he's now in the minors.

So Crowe, Tallet, Huff and Guthrie are the only four out of those 28 high picks.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerCorey Smith was the Indians' top choice -- 26th overall -- in the 2000 draft, but never threatened to make the Indians' big club before being released in 2004. He is now with the Dodgers' Class AA team in Chattanooga, in his 11th pro season, still chasing the majors.I bring this up because the Tribe will be selecting fifth on June 7. It's the third draft for Brad Grant, who can't be blamed for the past failures. His top pick in 2009 is Alex White, just promoted to Class AA Akron (two earned runs in seven innings). His 2008 first rounder is Lonnie Chisenhall, who was impressive early in the season at Akron before landing on the disabled list with a sore shoulder.

It's far too early to evaluate Grant's work. Most players need three to five years after being drafted to reach the majors. But think about this: Crowe's 214 big-league at-bats is the most of any Tribe first-round pick since Manny Ramirez in 1991.

First-round strikeouts between Ramirez and Crowe are Mike Aubrey (2003), Brad Snyder (2003), John Drennen (2005), Corey Smith (2000), Danny Peoples (1996) and David Miller (1995). Only Aubrey (135 at-bats) made the majors.

Remember the powerful Tribe teams of the 1990s? Jim Thome (13th round, 1989), Albert Belle (second, 1987), Charles Nagy (first, 1988), Richie Sexson (24th, 1993), Brian Giles (17th, 1989), Russell Branyan (seventh, 1993) and Jaret Wright (first, 1994) were all products of the draft.

But the Indians have not drafted and signed a player in any round who has made an All-Star team since Sabathia was the 1998 first rounder.

In the last decade, the best picks have been Kevin Kouzmanoff (sixth, 2003), Ryan Garko (third, 2003), Ryan Church (14th, 2000) and Ben Francisco (fifth, 2002). Only Kouzmanoff has been a regular player in the last five seasons. Also on this list is Luke Scott (9th, 2001), who hit 48 homers over the previous two seasons for Baltimore.

Garko is now in the minors. Francisco (Philadelphia) and Church (Pittsburgh) are backup outfielders. On the current roster, Tony Sipp (45th, 2004) and Aaron Laffey (16th, 2003) have contributed. Jensen Lewis (third, 2005) is expected to be recalled from the minors at some point.

Luck is part of it. Adam Miller (2003) would have been a major leaguer, but had a freak finger injury that may end his career. Aubrey was a big-league hitter, but could never stay healthy. Matt Whitney (2002) was a very promising third baseman until he shattered his leg in a pickup basketball game.

But middle-market teams must draft well make up for their lack of dollars to spend on high-priced free agents.

The Tribe has fared much better in the Latino market -- Fausto Carmona, Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta, Bartolo Colon. They have made superb trades for other teams' prospects: Shin-Soo Choo, Asdrubal Cabrera, Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Jake Westbrook are some examples.

Maybe Crowe will bloom at the age of 26. He entered Tuesday's game heading .286. But when it comes to drafting, signing and developing talent American talent, the Indians have been in a 10-year slump.