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A friend worth defeating
Pacers proud of ex-assistant Brown; eager to beat him, too
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter
Mike Brown spent two years as the associate head coach of the Indiana Pacers before he was hired to lead the Cavaliers this past summer.
The time under coach Rick Carlisle helped groom Brown. The years were so good that his former team will welcome him with open arms tonight when the Cavs play the Pacers at the Conseco Fieldhouse.
"I want to beat him, no question," said Pacers forward Stephen Jackson on Tuesday. "I am happy for him, but obviously when he comes in here we have to give him a . . . whooping."
One of Brown's greatest strengths as an assistant with San Antonio, Washington and Indiana was his relationship with the players. It was Brown who helped develop All-Stars Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal and Tim Duncan. It was Brown who spent time with every player to help them understand different concepts.
"He knows the game," Jackson said. "He knows anything about any team in this league. He knows what to do and what not to do on the court. He's been around great coaches. He's got a lot of experience. He's got [a championship with the Spurs]. I just think his knowledge of the game and the way he can get along with players makes you want to play harder for a coach you really like."
O'Neal certainly liked playing under Brown. The Pacers star told reporters that players were so comfortable with Brown that they would share anything with him.
That type of trust is paramount to players. O'Neal is also not surprised with the Cavs' start.
"His defensive strategies are one of the best in the league," said O'Neal. "He has those guys off and running. He has those guys feeling like they can compete. They have enough talent, but obviously talent doesn't win games. When you get somebody behind you that gives you the cue to be the best player you can be . . . it shows up in the win-loss column. That's what he does."
So far, Brown has done quite well as a first-time head coach. The Cavs are the hottest team in the league with an eight-game winning streak. They also lead the league in scoring (105.4 points per game) and average margin of victory (10.3).
Carlisle is happy for Brown's early success.
"Mike has all the attributes you look for in a good head coaching candidate," Carlisle said. "He's knowledgeable, great with people, hard working. He's flexible in how he sees the game. He paid his dues. He's doing a great job. My money right now, it's early, but he'd be Coach of the Year. He'd be one of the top candidates for that."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
bwright@plaind.com, 216-999-6136
Limping Jones still uncertain for Pacers
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter
Damon Jones' injured ankle did not let the point guard practice on Wednesday and he is listed as probable for tonight's game against the Indiana Pacers.
In the second quarter against the Celtics on Tuesday, Jones rolled his ankle while helping to defend a Ricky Davis drive. Jones had to be assisted off the court and watched the second half in street clothes on the bench. Following the game, Jones said that he will not rush coming back but added he has never missed a game due to injury and wants to keep that streak intact.
Jones, who signed with the Cavs as a free agent during the off-season, is averaging 8.7 points per game as one of the team's best outside shooters.
If Jones can't go, Mike Wilks will likely back up Eric Snow, or Larry Hughes will see some action at the point guard position.
Miller time:
Former NBA great Reggie Miller said LeBron James' incredible start makes him the leading MVP candidate.
"Definitely, if you have to pick an MVP this year [based on] the first 10 or 11 games, LeBron would probably come out of everyone's mouth," Miller said during a conference call earlier this week. "He's playing unbelievably. Not only that, but he has his team believing and playing well."
Miller said the off-season additions have all worked for the Cavaliers.
"I know they've added some guys like Larry Hughes, but the pick-up I'm really high about is Donyell Marshall," Miller said. "He spreads the floor for them and it gives LeBron and Larry Hughes the opportunity to drive. [Marshall] draws the big men away from the paint because of his shooting."
Big time:
The Cavs' 123 points on Philadelphia last weekend was the franchise best since March 25, 2003, when the Cavs scored 124 at Golden State. Since 1991, the team is 40-2 when it scores more than 120 points.
Notable: A victory tonight will push the Cavaliers' winning streak to nine games. . . . The last time the Cavs won nine straight or more was from Nov. 21 to Dec. 11, 1997, when they won 10 in a row. . . . Over the last two games, LeBron James and Larry Hughes have combined for 134 points. . . . The Cavaliers (9-2) lead the league in scoring (105.4) and in margin of victory (10.3). . . . The Pacers (6-3) have won two straight overall and four straight at home. . . . Jermaine O'Neal leads the Pacers in scoring at 21.6 points per game.
Pacers proud of ex-assistant Brown; eager to beat him, too
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter
Mike Brown spent two years as the associate head coach of the Indiana Pacers before he was hired to lead the Cavaliers this past summer.
The time under coach Rick Carlisle helped groom Brown. The years were so good that his former team will welcome him with open arms tonight when the Cavs play the Pacers at the Conseco Fieldhouse.
"I want to beat him, no question," said Pacers forward Stephen Jackson on Tuesday. "I am happy for him, but obviously when he comes in here we have to give him a . . . whooping."
One of Brown's greatest strengths as an assistant with San Antonio, Washington and Indiana was his relationship with the players. It was Brown who helped develop All-Stars Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal and Tim Duncan. It was Brown who spent time with every player to help them understand different concepts.
"He knows the game," Jackson said. "He knows anything about any team in this league. He knows what to do and what not to do on the court. He's been around great coaches. He's got a lot of experience. He's got [a championship with the Spurs]. I just think his knowledge of the game and the way he can get along with players makes you want to play harder for a coach you really like."
O'Neal certainly liked playing under Brown. The Pacers star told reporters that players were so comfortable with Brown that they would share anything with him.
That type of trust is paramount to players. O'Neal is also not surprised with the Cavs' start.
"His defensive strategies are one of the best in the league," said O'Neal. "He has those guys off and running. He has those guys feeling like they can compete. They have enough talent, but obviously talent doesn't win games. When you get somebody behind you that gives you the cue to be the best player you can be . . . it shows up in the win-loss column. That's what he does."
So far, Brown has done quite well as a first-time head coach. The Cavs are the hottest team in the league with an eight-game winning streak. They also lead the league in scoring (105.4 points per game) and average margin of victory (10.3).
Carlisle is happy for Brown's early success.
"Mike has all the attributes you look for in a good head coaching candidate," Carlisle said. "He's knowledgeable, great with people, hard working. He's flexible in how he sees the game. He paid his dues. He's doing a great job. My money right now, it's early, but he'd be Coach of the Year. He'd be one of the top candidates for that."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
bwright@plaind.com, 216-999-6136
Limping Jones still uncertain for Pacers
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter
Damon Jones' injured ankle did not let the point guard practice on Wednesday and he is listed as probable for tonight's game against the Indiana Pacers.
In the second quarter against the Celtics on Tuesday, Jones rolled his ankle while helping to defend a Ricky Davis drive. Jones had to be assisted off the court and watched the second half in street clothes on the bench. Following the game, Jones said that he will not rush coming back but added he has never missed a game due to injury and wants to keep that streak intact.
Jones, who signed with the Cavs as a free agent during the off-season, is averaging 8.7 points per game as one of the team's best outside shooters.
If Jones can't go, Mike Wilks will likely back up Eric Snow, or Larry Hughes will see some action at the point guard position.
Miller time:
Former NBA great Reggie Miller said LeBron James' incredible start makes him the leading MVP candidate.
"Definitely, if you have to pick an MVP this year [based on] the first 10 or 11 games, LeBron would probably come out of everyone's mouth," Miller said during a conference call earlier this week. "He's playing unbelievably. Not only that, but he has his team believing and playing well."
Miller said the off-season additions have all worked for the Cavaliers.
"I know they've added some guys like Larry Hughes, but the pick-up I'm really high about is Donyell Marshall," Miller said. "He spreads the floor for them and it gives LeBron and Larry Hughes the opportunity to drive. [Marshall] draws the big men away from the paint because of his shooting."
Big time:
The Cavs' 123 points on Philadelphia last weekend was the franchise best since March 25, 2003, when the Cavs scored 124 at Golden State. Since 1991, the team is 40-2 when it scores more than 120 points.
Notable: A victory tonight will push the Cavaliers' winning streak to nine games. . . . The last time the Cavs won nine straight or more was from Nov. 21 to Dec. 11, 1997, when they won 10 in a row. . . . Over the last two games, LeBron James and Larry Hughes have combined for 134 points. . . . The Cavaliers (9-2) lead the league in scoring (105.4) and in margin of victory (10.3). . . . The Pacers (6-3) have won two straight overall and four straight at home. . . . Jermaine O'Neal leads the Pacers in scoring at 21.6 points per game.
