Re: Windy: Offer to Shaw or Scott could come soon
Story on Cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/06/brian_shaw_begins_coaching_int.html
Brian Shaw begins coaching interview with Cavaliers; sources say team wants to name a coach by Thursday
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers are in the homestretch of their coaching search. At least, they hope so.
After being granted permission last week and then setting up the plans over the weekend, the Cavs welcomed Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw to town for what is expected to be a two-day interview on Monday. According to a source, Shaw is planned to be the final candidate to interview in person.
Sources also indicate the Cavs want to have a coach hired by Thursday, when LeBron James will officially enter free agency.
The Cavs have held in-person interviews with a handful of candidates during their month-long search -- including Tom Izzo, who turned the job down, and Byron Scott. The fact that the Cavs have continued their search illustrates the care in which they are taking in the process.
Although Shaw is the last person in, it doesn't necessarily mean he's emerged as the top candidate. There is no doubt the team is intrigued by Shaw and have already done a fair amount of background research before setting up his visit.
But with no previous head coaching experience at any level, Shaw's interview with Cavs General Manager Chris Grant and owner Dan Gilbert will likely hold extra importance.
Especially interesting to the front office will likely be Shaw's views on how the complex triangle offense, which Shaw learned playing for and then coaching with Phil Jackson over the last decade, might work for the Cavs and James. Or how it might not.
However, there's another Jackson element in play. The Lakers' legend is considering retirement and may not give the team an answer until the end of the week. If Jackson steps down, Shaw will be an immediate candidate to take over. So will Scott, who the Cavs have spoken with in depth on at least three occasions.
Balancing the potential of coaching the two-time defending champs or taking over the Cavs' position may become a tough choice for Scott and Shaw. It could mean the Cavs still won't be able to move at their desired timetable.
In an interview with Yahoo! Sports on Monday, Scott said he's interested in the Cavs job and not waiting on Jackson or James.
"I’m not sitting and waiting on Phil Jackson," Scott told Yahoo. "That ain’t me. I’m not waiting on anybody. I would coach there without LeBron. But they got a good shot at getting him back."
