On the day the Cavaliers hired a new coach, their star forward was entertaining guests (aka potential suitors) in a downtown building.
View full sizeJay-Z and the Nets were in town today to make their pitch to LeBron James."Why is Scott an ex-Nets and ex-Hornets coach? Because he's perfect for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The same qualities that pushed him out of New Jersey and New Orleans make him perfect for this team.
"Perfect for LeBron James(notes), too, if James comes back. Scott is hardly known for pushing his teams too hard, usually preferring a bit of time on the links to an extra round of practice on the court, and Cleveland has long preferred to toss a pushover or two James' way. This is an extension of that, while bringing along a talented, veteran coaching voice at the same time.
"Scott can coach, but he's not in Cleveland to push anyone over the top. If James returns, he'll work the status quo, keep the ball in LeBron's hands and watch the wins pile up. If James leaves as a free agent this month, Scott will be able to preside over a rebuilding process with nary a peep.
"Shaw would have likely gone in a different direction. He would have wanted say in personnel matters had he brought in a version of Los Angeles' sideline triangle offense, and bringing in a first-time head man to lord over a trying rebuilding process is no picnic for team, player or newly head'ed coach."
The blog WaitingForNextYear has this to say on Scott:
"The first question most people ask then is ‘What does this mean for the Cavs?
"It means the Cavaliers are getting a coach who is generally, although not universally, respected by NBA players. He’s a guy who won Championships with the Lakers as a player and been in two NBA Finals as a coach. He’s brings in the most successful resume of any coach in franchise history other than Lenny Wilkens.
"Of course, none of this is what people are asking about when they say ‘what does this mean’. What they really want to know is what this means with regard to the Cavs’ chances at bringing back LeBron James."
Now about those meetings
According to ESPN's Chad Ford, the Nets' meeting with LeBron James today went well:
"How did it go? A source close to the Nets said their meeting with LeBron was 'tremendous.' How tremendous? 'Front runner tremendous.'
"The Nets continue to project confidence that they have the inside track on LeBron. If they get him, sources say they have a deal in place to move Kris Humphries to clear additional cap space to make a max offer to Chris Bosh or another free agent of his choosing."
The New York Times reports on the Knicks' meeting with LeBron James:
"After two years of diligently creating the cap room to pursue James — but without being able to say so publicly, D’Antoni got a little giddy.
"'You know what was good? LeBron James being there,' D’Antoni said. 'No one can call me for tampering. It's liberating, really.'
"Knicks president Donnie Walsh said James was noncommittal at the meeting. 'We were given a chance to explain our franchise and what we want to do,' he said."