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I know Mike Brown has had a growing number of critics lately, I thought this article might shed some light on how important he is to retaining Lebron. If we had a coach right now like Silas or Larry Brown, there would be no chance of Lebron signing and extension this summer. The fact that Mike Brown is such and honest and personable guy has really helped him establish a bond with Lebron. A superstar's relationship with his coach is so important. This will be a major factor for Lebron re-upping this summer.....along with max money and the extra year. :chuckles:
Cavs coach, James work from same page
First impression huge for Brown
By Marc J. Spears
Denver Post Staff Writer
Cavaliers star LeBron James says he has a comfort level with coach Mike Brown, left. I respect a man like that, James says. (AP / Mark Duncan)
New Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown had reason to be nervous about "King James."
After all, LeBron James is the NBA's top young star, will make more than $100 million just in endorsements in the next few years and could be a restricted free agent next year. Brown knew he needed to make a good first impression.
Brown said he began seeing eye to eye almost instantly upon taking over as Cavs coach June 2. The secret? Not talking hoops when they first hung out. And not being intimidated.
"I just wanted to get to know him for who he was and the people around him, his family and his friends," Brown said after his team worked out at the University of Denver on Tuesday. "I just went to his place. All his boys were there. His wife, well his girlfriend, but I call her his wife, was there. I just got to meet his crew.
"The Miami-Detroit (playoff game) was on, we watched that, and I went home. I didn't want to talk basketball with him when I first met him because we were going to talk plenty of basketball for years to come. I wanted him to understand that I wanted to get to know him and cared about him as a person."
Brown's personal approach worked.
"Comfort level, I have that around him," James said recently. "I respect a man like that."
Before meeting James, Brown talked to a few people who had coached him. One was San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who was an assistant coach for the 2004 U.S. Olympic team. Another was Cavaliers assistant Kenny Natt.
James, who knew little about Brown before the hire, made calls to find out about his new boss, too.
"I talked to some of his former players," James said. "I was able to get a good feel for him."
Brown said he didn't feel the least bit intimidated by James. After all, as an assistant coach, he worked with all-stars such as Chris Webber, Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest.
"I felt like I've been around some pretty good players," said Brown, who spent five seasons with the Nuggets as a video coordinator and scout. "I felt like I had solid relationships with them. And the way I got that is mainly by showing them respect. If I show them respect, they'll respect me back. From there, be honest. And the last thing is be yourself."
Popovich told Brown to treat every player the same and hold them accountable, no matter who they are.
"(Brown) basically has the same relationship with everyone on the team," Cavs guard Larry Hughes said. "He accepts and listens to what everyone has to say, from the top guy to the bottom guy."
Nuggets coach George Karl said he can relate to what Brown is going through when thinking back to his first head coaching job with Cleveland in the 1984-85 season. He didn't see eye to eye for two months with World B. Free, the free-shooting Cavs star. He agreed to give Free 20 shots a game if Free started playing better defense.
"There is always a moment where a new coach has a new direction or better direction," Karl said. "It doesn't start on the right road every time. There are always going to be some detours and some distractions. World and I are pretty good friends now."
Although the injured-plagued Cavs have dropped four consecutive games, they enter tonight's game 20-15 and James is averaging a career-high 31.1 points.
"He's great," James said of his new coach on Tuesday. "He's put us in a position to win ballgames. That's all you can ask."
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
Cavs coach, James work from same page
First impression huge for Brown
By Marc J. Spears
Denver Post Staff Writer
Cavaliers star LeBron James says he has a comfort level with coach Mike Brown, left. I respect a man like that, James says. (AP / Mark Duncan)
New Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown had reason to be nervous about "King James."
After all, LeBron James is the NBA's top young star, will make more than $100 million just in endorsements in the next few years and could be a restricted free agent next year. Brown knew he needed to make a good first impression.
Brown said he began seeing eye to eye almost instantly upon taking over as Cavs coach June 2. The secret? Not talking hoops when they first hung out. And not being intimidated.
"I just wanted to get to know him for who he was and the people around him, his family and his friends," Brown said after his team worked out at the University of Denver on Tuesday. "I just went to his place. All his boys were there. His wife, well his girlfriend, but I call her his wife, was there. I just got to meet his crew.
"The Miami-Detroit (playoff game) was on, we watched that, and I went home. I didn't want to talk basketball with him when I first met him because we were going to talk plenty of basketball for years to come. I wanted him to understand that I wanted to get to know him and cared about him as a person."
Brown's personal approach worked.
"Comfort level, I have that around him," James said recently. "I respect a man like that."
Before meeting James, Brown talked to a few people who had coached him. One was San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who was an assistant coach for the 2004 U.S. Olympic team. Another was Cavaliers assistant Kenny Natt.
James, who knew little about Brown before the hire, made calls to find out about his new boss, too.
"I talked to some of his former players," James said. "I was able to get a good feel for him."
Brown said he didn't feel the least bit intimidated by James. After all, as an assistant coach, he worked with all-stars such as Chris Webber, Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest.
"I felt like I've been around some pretty good players," said Brown, who spent five seasons with the Nuggets as a video coordinator and scout. "I felt like I had solid relationships with them. And the way I got that is mainly by showing them respect. If I show them respect, they'll respect me back. From there, be honest. And the last thing is be yourself."
Popovich told Brown to treat every player the same and hold them accountable, no matter who they are.
"(Brown) basically has the same relationship with everyone on the team," Cavs guard Larry Hughes said. "He accepts and listens to what everyone has to say, from the top guy to the bottom guy."
Nuggets coach George Karl said he can relate to what Brown is going through when thinking back to his first head coaching job with Cleveland in the 1984-85 season. He didn't see eye to eye for two months with World B. Free, the free-shooting Cavs star. He agreed to give Free 20 shots a game if Free started playing better defense.
"There is always a moment where a new coach has a new direction or better direction," Karl said. "It doesn't start on the right road every time. There are always going to be some detours and some distractions. World and I are pretty good friends now."
Although the injured-plagued Cavs have dropped four consecutive games, they enter tonight's game 20-15 and James is averaging a career-high 31.1 points.
"He's great," James said of his new coach on Tuesday. "He's put us in a position to win ballgames. That's all you can ask."
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
