Mike Brown

[SalvadoranCavsfan]

I don't understand why the Cavaliers went and rehired Mike Brown. He was only good because of LeBron, without LeBron he is exposed. Just like Phil Jackson without MJ, KOBE, SHAQ, he's nothing.

Very good post. Great insight.

 

[Lyric]

Very good post. Great insight.

Sarcasm? lol

 

[Damien O'Connel]

Sarcasm? lol

 

[RedBlackAttack]

I don't understand why the Cavaliers went and rehired Mike Brown. He was only good because of LeBron, without LeBron he is exposed. Just like Phil Jackson without MJ, KOBE, SHAQ, he's nothing.

Brown is actually a big reason LeBron became one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA. It's easy to forget that, under Paul Silas, James was considered a defensive liability.

Also, the Cavs were better this year... much better (+11 wins). If we make the same improvement next season, we're over .500 and close to 50 wins.

There is an argument for getting rid of Brown. If Griffin is let go and the FO is changed again, it would make sense to allow the new guy to hire his own coaching staff. But, your viewpoint lacks nuance/insight. It sounds like something I'd hear a caller say on one of our (awful) sports talk radio stations in Cleveland and that's not a good thing.

You don't have to like Brown and I have my own misgivings about some of his approaches/strategies, but to entirely dismiss him as a product of James... I'd urge you to dig a little deeper. He's highly respected in basketball circles (which is why he got the Lakers job and has been a head coach for nearly a decade) and he's coached some pretty damn good teams. As we all know, tossing a bunch of talent together doesn't always result in wins.

Everyone talks about how those Cavs teams were all LeBron James and nothing else in terms of the roster, but never give credit to Mike Brown for winning 60+ games in back-to-back seasons. Those were good "teams" (regardless of talent) and Brown was a big reason why. He's also a big reason why the Lakers were very good in his one full season there, and then they stunk when he left and MDA stepped in.

His biggest mistake in his return season to Cleveland was his either convincing the front office or agreeing to allow Bynum in that locker room. The team was so much better when he was gone, it wasn't even funny. Actually, it was kind of funny. The team was 11-23 with him and 22-26 without him. And, that 22-26 mark was when the team was fraught with injuries to key guys. During the 11-23 start to the season with Bynum, the team was remarkably healthy.

I'm not going to put all this season's ills on Bynum's doorstep, but the numbers don't lie.

My two cents.

 

[Gimme Some Mo]

I'd love Thibs. You look at that roster and it is terrible. It is remarkable that they have won as many games as they have without Rose and quickly declining Boozer. They play as hard as any team out there. I am too lazy to look up their offensive outputs with Rose on the team, but you can't blame Thibs for the offense this year. Their best scorer was DJ Augustin FFS.

 

[RedBlackAttack]

I'd love Thibs. You look at that roster and it is terrible. It is remarkable that they have won as many games as they have without Rose and quickly declining Boozer. They play as hard as any team out there. I am too lazy to look up their offensive outputs with Rose on the team, but you can't blame Thibs for the offense this year. Their best scorer was DJ Augustin FFS.

The chances of us getting Thibs are even less than us signing Melo this offseason, which is saying something. He isn't leaving Chicago and, if he does, it won't be to coach the Cavs. I think everyone would love to have Thibs. I guess there's no harm in dreaming.

 

[shoes22]

The chances of us getting Thibs are even less than us signing Melo this offseason, which is saying something. He isn't leaving Chicago and, if he does, it won't be to coach the Cavs. I think everyone would love to have Thibs. I guess there's no harm in dreaming.

Chicago wants to fire him...

 

[supermario21]

Chicago wanted to fire him the year after they made the ECF. They waited the longest time to extend his contract and didn't renew one of Thibodeau's favorite assistants.

 

[Maximus]

Brown is actually a big reason LeBron became one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA. It's easy to forget that, under Paul Silas, James was considered a defensive liability.

Also, the Cavs were better this year... much better (+11 wins). If we make the same improvement next season, we're over .500 and close to 50 wins.

There is an argument for getting rid of Brown. If Griffin is let go and the FO is changed again, it would make sense to allow the new guy to hire his own coaching staff. But, you're viewpoint lacks nuance/insight. It sounds like something I'd hear a caller say on one of our (awful) sports talk radio stations in Cleveland and that's not a good thing.

You don't have to like Brown and I have my own misgivings about some of his approaches/strategies, but to entirely dismiss him as a product of James... I'd urge you to dig a little deeper. He's highly respected in basketball circles (which is why he got the Lakers job and has been a head coach for nearly a decade) and he's coached some pretty damn good teams. As we all know, tossing a bunch of talent together doesn't always result in wins.

Everyone talks about how those Cavs teams were all LeBron James and nothing else in terms of the roster, but never give credit to Mike Brown for winning 60+ games in back-to-back seasons. Those were good "teams" (regardless of talent) and Brown was a big reason why. He's also a big reason why the Lakers were very good in his one full season there, and then they stunk when he left and MDA stepped in.

His biggest mistake in his return season to Cleveland was his either convincing the front office or agreeing to allow Bynum in that locker room. The team was so much better when he was gone, it wasn't even funny. Actually, it was kind of funny. The team was 11-23 with him and 22-26 without him. And, that 22-26 mark was when the team was fraught with injuries to key guys. During the 11-23 start to the season with Bynum, the team was remarkably healthy.

I'm not going to put all this season's ills on Bynum's doorstep, but the numbers don't lie.

My two cents.

I agree with most of your post, but MB didn't convince anyone to bring on Bynum. I also think most of this season's misgivings should be put on Bynum's doorstep...along with a steaming pile of poo.

 

[RedBlackAttack]

Chicago wants to fire him...

Chicago wanted to fire him the year after they made the ECF. They waited the longest time to extend his contract and didn't renew one of Thibodeau's favorite assistants.

I guess I hadn't been paying close enough attention to the inner-workings of the Bulls' coaching staff. I remember the rumor during the season that the Knicks were considering trading for him ala Doc Rivers to the Clippers, but I dismissed that as pure conjecture. And, I also knew that there was a difference in opinion between Thibs and the FO as far as the direction of the team, but didn't realize he was really on the chopping block. That is insane to me, but then again, the Bulls are the same organization that essentially forced the GOAT into retirement and broke up one of the greatest teams of all-time.

With all of that said, is it just the Cleveland pessimist in me that believes -- even if Thibs is fired -- he likely won't consider this a potential landing spot?

I'd love to think we have a shot at him.

I agree with most of your post, but MB didn't convince anyone to bring on Bynum. I also think most of this season's misgivings should be put on Bynum's doorstep...along with a steaming pile of poo.

It seemed like a natural assumption that he lobbied for Bynum, since Brown really featured Andrew in LA which is why he had his most productive season as a pro under MB. Guess that's why we shouldn't assume. I'm with you on the poo.

 

[Maximus]

It seemed like a natural assumption that he lobbied for Bynum, since Brown really featured Andrew in LA which is why he had his most productive season as a pro under MB. Guess that's why we shouldn't assume.

It absolutely does...but that wasn't the case. DG owns the Bynum signing.

 

[MirORich]

It absolutely does...but that wasn't the case. DG owns the Bynum signing.

DG owns the Bynum signing.

But does he know "own up to it", understand the position it put the team in, and have any bit of a more tempered approach in to how he should interact with the FO in terms of not trying to meddle?

 

[AllforOne]

Just like Phil Jackson without MJ, KOBE, SHAQ, he's nothing.

And vice-versa. Remind me, how many rings did MJ/Kobe/Shaq win without Phil?

Let's try a little experiment. Find a light in your house that has a dimmer switch. Turn the light off, and turn the dimmer all the way down.

Now, turn the light on. No light.

Next, turn the light off, and then turn the dimmer on. Again, no light.

Next, turn the light on, with the dimmer still on. Voila, you have light.

Now for the tricky part: apply what you've learned with this light switch to analyzing the effects players and coaches have on each other.

 

[Jack Brickman]

It absolutely does...but that wasn't the case. DG owns the Bynum signing.

He didn't so much own it as fire someone else for it. :chuckles:

 

[CornerThree]

After witnessing what's going on vs. Indiana in round 1, it sickens me we haven't moved on from Brown. Our too little too late run towards the playoffs maybe cost us a chance of winning a series.