Is Michigan State coach Tom Izzo pulling a Brett Favre? Michael Rosenberg writes in The Lansing State Journal that Izzo loves the attention that the Cleveland Cavaliers are giving him with a contract offer. I think he loves this attention. Absolutely loves it. He loves knowing that the NBA teams might want Tom Izzo from Iron Mountain in the...
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.Is Michigan State coach Tom Izzo pulling a Brett Favre? Michael Rosenberg writes in The Lansing State Journal that Izzo loves the attention that the Cleveland Cavaliers are giving him with a contract offer.
I think he loves this attention. Absolutely loves it. He loves knowing that the NBA teams might want Tom Izzo from Iron Mountain in the Upper Peninsula. But also, I think he loves that other people know it.I think he wants everybody at MSU to understand that he could leave at any time. I think he gets a violent reaction to the mere notion of being taken for granted - by his administration, his fans or the media.
Rosenberg writes that Izzo and MSU are made for each other. He's a small-town guy in a small town. But apparently, the small town stuff isn't enough.
Izzo is a chronic complainer, and I can see where that might drive administrators a little crazy. The man never seems happy. But again: If you want Izzo, you get the full Izzo, and he did not bring MSU this far by being happy.
Not so successful
If Tom Izzo becomes the coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, he could join a long list of college to first-time pro coaches who have not been successful. Here's a list of a few coaches who had a rude awakening when they joined the NBA.
* Dick Motta, Bulls, Bullets, Mavericks, Kings, Nuggets, 1968-97, 935-1017.
* Bill Fitch, Cavaliers, Celtics, Rockets, Nets, Clippers, 1970-1998, 944-1106.
Roy Rubin, Philadelphia 76ers, 1972-73, 4-47.
John MacLeod, Suns, Mavericks, Knicks, 1973-1991, 707-657.
Dick Vitale, Detroit Pistons, 1978-79, 34-60.
Jerry Tarkanian, San Antonio Spurs, 1992, 9-11.
P.J. Carlisimo, Portland Trail Blazers/Golden State Warriors, 1994-2009, 204-296.
John Calipari, New Jersey Nets, 1996-99, 72-112.
Rick Pitino, Boston Celtics, 1997-2001, 102-146.
Tim Floyd, Chicago Bulls, 1998-2001, 49-190.
Lon Kruger, Atlanta Hawks, 2000-2002, 69-102.
Leonard Hamilton, Washington Wizards, 2000-01, 19-63.
Mike Montgomery, Golden State Warriors, 2004-2006, 68-96.
* Won NBA title.