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