Newton Out, Ferry In?

[Karma]

The Cavaliers have told Milton Newton, once considered the front-runner to become the team's general manager, that it will not need his services, according to an NBA source.

Newton, director of player personnel for the Washington Wizards, is considered by many as a bright up-and-coming executive. According to a league source, Newton was not offered a position because of his lack of experience. Newton, 39, was director of player personnel for the NBDL from 2000 to 2003 before joining the Wizards.

Since Newton has a close relationship with Detroit Pistons coach Larry Brown, who several league sources expect to become the Cavs president of basketball operations, this move could indicate Brown no longer is coming to Cleveland. But sources say not hiring Newton will have no bearing on Brown's decision.

Brown has said that his decision to coach or to become a team executive will be based on his health and what advice he's given by doctors. Brown has had bladder-related complications because of hip surgery.

At this point, it would appear Danny Ferry, director of basketball operations for the San Antonio Spurs, has become the front-runner for the Cavs' GM job. Ferry spent 10 years with the Cavs as a player.

Following the news conference that announced Mike Brown as coach on Thursday, owner Dan Gilbert said the structure of the front office may include a president and GM or just one position.

www.cleveland.com

Well at least it isn't one of Larry's boys like we all expected, or one of Gilbert's Detroit boys. The much maligned Danny Ferry may be returning. This is one odd summer.

 

[Glen Infante]

I am for Danny Ferry to become GM here, but don't we have to wait til the Spurs season is over to even talk to him? Sounds like meddling to me again...

 

[highplainsdrifter]

I don't think Larry Brown would be the best for this team. Mark Stein, Chad Ford think it's not a good idea, and Bill Walton is "gagging himself with a spoon."

Danny Ferry could be great, the Spurs sure are excelling with him in the front office. My concern is Cavalier fans still holding a grude against him. He wasn't the player Cavs fans hoped, and I'm sure many are still bitter over the Ron Harper trade. He may be the best choice, but can Cavs fans give him a clean slate?...........................

 

[West Remy]

Interesting

Worst Case Scenario: Cleveland combines GM and president into one position and Larry Brown winds up controlling the front office.

Best Case Scenario: Cleveland hires Ferry or another candidate for GM, leaving Larry Brown only eligible to become team president. Things would be even better if Brown isn't involved in Cleveland's front office in any way, shape or form. Cleveland hires another candidate to fill the role of president as well.

 

[PIP]

damnit ferry "JUST GO AWAY"

 

[Pioneer10]

Why can't Gilbert get over his Detroit fetish and get some guys with a track record and experience like Rick Sund.

I don't have a big problem guys like Brown and Ferry but we're going to be awfully inexperienced. A front office of Sund as president and Ferry as GM would be very effective without all the baggage and headaches that Larry Brown comes in

 

[E-Light]

Welcome Danny Ferry to Cleveland. Again.

 

[TruBuckeye22]

i would hope no one in Cleveland would hold a grudge against Ferry because he didn't live up to expectations as a player. one career has nothing to do with the other or else Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas would be great executives. besides it wasn't Ferry's fault that the Cavaliers gave up Harper and like 100 draft picks for him.

 

[CRWine+Gold]

Bill Walton is "gagging himself with a spoon."
QUOTE]

Well in that case, I am all for bring in Larry, Bill Walton is the biggest idiot in the sports world. If he died, I would be an incredibly happy man.

 

[NarlCavs]

I'd be fine with a Danny Ferry hire for GM. He has all the makings of a very good GM and comes from the best organization in the NBA in San Antonio.

People need to get over Ferry's playing career in Cleveland and the Harper/Ferry trade. Ferry was always a class act and hard worker. He never lived up to the hype as a player but did carve out a long career as a solid role player. He's been around the NBA his whole life, was coached by and worked with quality people and has gained valuable experience with the responsibilities he's been given with the Spurs.

I really hope Gilbert can get over his crush on Larry Brown and start taking a realistic look at that possible move. Maybe the turning down of Newton is the 1st sign of that happening.

Rick Sund couldn't be hired until July since his contract with Seattle runs until June 30. That's awfully late to make a hire.
I posted in another thread how Gilbert should just continue down the path he took with the coaching hire of hiring good younger candidates to fill these openings. A Ferry/Scott Perry front office would be fine with me. Perry is in Detroit's front office is is respected and considered a good talent evaluator.

 

[King]

I like the idea of hiring Ferry. He sounds like he would do a very solid job. I dont have a grudge against him like a lot of other cavs fans do. Probably because I'm too young to remember much of him or anything else from that time.

 

[Kypus]

I'd rather have a GM with more experience, and it would be better if we had the team president already locked in. But...we don't.

As far as Danny Ferry, I think we need more information from his own mouth in what he would be willing to do to help. I mean face it, this gig will be an uphill battle for whoever takes it. The owner already gave the coach a frickin' clock as a welcome present. In this old article I found he says he wants to be a GM. But he would have to have some huge cajones to a team with no working command structure and no established accountability. (Gilbert fired Silas rather easily) And where he is already associated with mediocrity.

On the flip side though, he's had success both as a player (has a Ring) and in management with San Antonio. If he really WANTS this job he can be successful. Just don't give him a 10 year contract.

This article isn't dated but I think it's from this year's playoffs.

http://aol.nba.com/cavaliers/news/ferry_article_050524.html

Are there any similarities between the Spurs and Cavaliers?
Danny Ferry: Well, they’re both in the NBA. (laughs) The Cavs have gone through such big changes in the last few years, some good and some bad.

One great thing about the Spurs is just the stability of the organization. This team has great stability from the ownership right through to the coaching staff with Gregg Popovich. Hopefully, going forward that’s something that happens for the Cavs. Because having stability is a huge key for any organization.

Do you ever have a chance to follow the Cavaliers from San Antonio?
DF: When you play in Cleveland as long as I did, you have deep feelings for the team and the city and the community. So I keep an eye on the Cavaliers and I’ll always be a Cavs fan. And I’ll always consider myself a Cav. But right now, I’d have to say I bleed black and silver.

Somewhere in there are my Cavalier colors and always Blue Devil blue. (laughs) I think I’ll always be both.

What are some of your duties as President of Basketball Operations with the Spurs?
DF: I’m involved in all parts of the decision making process: Scouting, contracts, the collective bargaining agreement. I’ll be in negotiations with free agents, draft choices. Right now I’m preparing for tonight’s Draft Lottery.


Ferry appeared in six postseasons with Cleveland.
Jonathan Daniel
NBAE/Getty Images
How did you wind up in the Spurs front office?
DF: When I was done playing, the Spurs asked me to be a part of the organization. I work with great people. They’ve been great with me. I was able to be a part of an NBA Championship organization as a player and now in the front office, so it’s been a wonderful opportunity for me. My heart is in San Antonio.

In Cleveland, the Cavaliers were part of the sports landscape. In San Antonio, the Spurs are the only game in town. What’s that like?
DF: In San Antonio more than most cities there’s more of a collegiate atmosphere. The team – because they’re the only professional team in town – is rooted in the fabric of the city. They’re involved in the community. The relationship goes deep for the people; as fans they’re so strong and so passionate. San Antonio’s unique in that regard.

What are your goals as a member of the Spurs’ braintrust?
DF: My goal now is to be a good contributor to what we’re doing here; help us make decisions to win the Championship today tomorrow and for years to come. That’s the goal and that’s the focus. I really enjoy what I’m doing.

That’s the focus, and someday being a GM somewhere would be a goal of mine.

Do you have any regrets from your playing days?
DF: No. I got to pay basketball for living for a long time. It’s something I would have been doing in the park after work if I didn’t play in the leauge. To be able to do it full time for 13 years as a profession is unbelievable. I got to know people I’ve got to know.

From my time in Cleveland – getting to know guys like Mark Price, Larry Nance, Brad Daugherty and Steve Kerr to San Antonio, with guys like David Robinson and Tim Duncan, it’s just been such a great opportunity.

Is there a favorite moment you look back on in a Cavaliers uniform?
DF: I don’t think there’s one specific moment. There’s a bunch of moments, times that I look back at. (The Cavaliers) getting to the Eastern Conference Finals was very exciting to be part of.

And, I’d have to say the year we finished fourth seed when nobody expected us to. The team with Bobby Phills and Terrell Brandon and Mike Fratello; we really overachieved that year and it’s always rewarding to overachieve. Cleveland was such a great experience. I loved living there and playing there. They were great memories.

I’m really fortunate to be associated with two of the best organizations in the NBA.

 

[Marty Mar]

Man, I actually liked Danny Ferry. He wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he did bomb some three's and some mid range jumpers when we needed it.

He was a very good shooter off the bench, and I miss watching him play.

:chuckles: I'm dead serious.

 

[Pioneer10]

I'd be fine with a Danny Ferry hire for GM. He has all the makings of a very good GM and comes from the best organization in the NBA in San Antonio.

People need to get over Ferry's playing career in Cleveland and the Harper/Ferry trade. Ferry was always a class act and hard worker. He never lived up to the hype as a player but did carve out a long career as a solid role player. He's been around the NBA his whole life, was coached by and worked with quality people and has gained valuable experience with the responsibilities he's been given with the Spurs.

I really hope Gilbert can get over his crush on Larry Brown and start taking a realistic look at that possible move. Maybe the turning down of Newton is the 1st sign of that happening.

Rick Sund couldn't be hired until July since his contract with Seattle runs until June 30. That's awfully late to make a hire.
I posted in another thread how Gilbert should just continue down the path he took with the coaching hire of hiring good younger candidates to fill these openings. A Ferry/Scott Perry front office would be fine with me. Perry is in Detroit's front office is is respected and considered a good talent evaluator.

My point is why not bring in Ferry as GM and then bring in Sund as president of basketball operation when he does became availble? This would be much better then dragging Cleveland through this whole Larry Brown fiasco

 

[E-Light]

Sund is soon to be signing a deal with the sonics, media report. Along with nate mcmillian.