News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan writes how despite his many accomplishments with the Cavaliers, Mike Brown was always blamed when things went wrong. He was often second-guessed. Players turned their back on him during the postseason. He was relieved of his duties when Brown failed to get the job done in the 2010 playoffs. Gilbert will likely make a run...
Former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown.News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan writes how despite his many accomplishments with the
Cavaliers, Mike Brown was always blamed when things went wrong.
He was often second-guessed. Players turned their back on him during the postseason.
He was relieved of his duties when Brown failed to get the job done in the 2010 playoffs.
Gilbert will likely make a run at Lakers coach Phil Jackson, if he becomes available after the postseason.
But the only way Jackson would consider the Cavs is if they throw a lot of money his way — perhaps as much as $12 million a year — and James re-signs with the team.
But Finnan points out that signing Jackson, just like signing James, is a big if.
But much is hinging on James. If he decides to leave, all bets are off.
Support for Brown
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers and Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy were not happy when they heard the news about Mike Brown's firing.
Van Gundy pointed out in Projo.com many of Brown's accomplishments, like advancing to the NBA Finals in 2007, winning coach of the year award in 2009 and guiding the Cavs to the best regular season record for two straight years.
“I believe Mike had the highest winning percentage of any active coach,” said Van Gundy. “Not many of us coaches in the league have been more successful than Mike.”
Van Gundy said he felt it was clear that Brown was fired because of his team’s playoff meltdown against the Celtics.
“He got fired on the basis of three games,” he said.
Action Jackson
ESPN reports the Chicago Bulls have reached out to Phil Jackson to gauge his interest in returning to the Bulls. The team has not made any direct contact with the coach, but people close to Jackson have been contacted.
The Bulls have talent, money to spend on free agents, but more importantly, they have a shot in signing LeBron James. All of these possibilities are attractive to any coach.
Jackson, who is in the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, would likely only be interested in coaching Chicago if James signed there. If Jackson and James joined the Bulls, Jackson would have the unparalleled opportunity to have coached Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and James.
Did the right thing
San Francisco Chronicle reporter Gwen Knapp writes the firing of Mike Brown was the right thing to do for several reasons. The main reason is that great players need the right coach to become a champion.
Knapp gives an example that Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal all had the right coach in Phil Jackson.
The standard line about a coach's firing, particularly when the coach has a winning percentage in the vicinity of Brown's .663, is that getting rid of him won't solve all of the team's problems. But even if the Cavaliers can't find a proper replacement, or James leaves regardless of whom they hire, firing Brown will remain the right move. If Cleveland hadn't done it, Stern might have been forced to fine the Cavaliers for tampering with their own ambitions.