Breaking: Cavs Fire Mike Brown
2014-05-12
In a stunning move, the Cavs have released Mike Brown after one season as head coach. In a press release that simultaneously removed the “interim” title from GM David Griffin’s job description, Mike Brown was fired.
“This is a very tough business. It pains all of us here that we needed to make the difficult decision of releasing Mike Brown. Mike worked hard over this last season to move our team in the right direction. Although, there was some progress from our finish over the few prior seasons, we believe we need to head in a different direction. We wish Mike and his family nothing but the best,” said Gilbert.
David Griffin was praised for his work in taking over from Chris Grant. Gilbert Continued.
We chose David as our GM because we believe he is the best person to lead our franchise at this critical time and into the future. David brings over two decades of experience. He knows the ins and outs of this league as well as anyone and is also an outstanding talent evaluator.
More importantly, he is a General Manager who is aligned with our culture and philosophy which is the foundation of how we do business. David is not only passionate about his own job but also cares deeply about the success of everyone around him. His presence alone creates an infectious positive environment with players, coaches, front office people and even our fan base.
The timing was bizarre to say the least, and the status of $16 million dollars remaining on Mike Brown’s contract has not been discussed. The press release ends with a note that Griffin is leading an “immediate” search for a new Cavaliers head coach.
D’antonis system would work with this Cavs team. His system did not work with the Knicks nor the Lakers and part of his problem as a coach is that he either doesn’t know how or just unwilling to change his system to accomodate the talent he has. The good news for the Cavs is IF they decided to go that route then the teams talent would match the coaches system – and that’s something we should look forward to. I’m still not a D’antoni fan, but I’m o.k. with any coaching system that can maximize our players. In the ideal… Read more »
@Rodney,
So then….your argument is basically that we have a better fit of players for a specific coaches system, and that’s important because said coach failed before because he was unable to adapt his system to the talent he had to work with.
Again….no thanks.
Dantoni’s system requires a pg how can shoot and use screens. Irving isn’t the best with screen but he can shoot. Melo has a terrible fit, and so has No knees Amare combined with Tyson Chandler. Bennet at the 4 and Irving at the 3 would be a great start. Hawes/Andy/Zeller all fit much better than no knees Amare and Chandler did. We would need a 3 and D Shawn Mario type but that is a start of an Offense that could spread the floor and run
I’m just not on board with the firing after only one year, especially considering the team’s dramatic improvement on D and the 17-16 record to end the season, but the same time I understand that you really can’t have a coach who doesn’t have his players’ respect and attention. Only one thing is clear: this roster as currently constructed is not cutting it. Sounds like David Griffin recognizes that at least.
I just couldn’t make it through another season like last season. Some of you have real short-term memories.
@Rodney- D’antoni’s style in the east would be dominating? Really? In four years with the Knicks, and a roster including the likes of Melo, David Lee, Chandler, and Stoudamire, the best he ever did was 42-40, reaching the playoffs just once. D’antoni is Mike Brown’s mirror on the offensive end. He rode the coattails of a transcendent talent (in this case, Steve Nash) to make a career for himself. His system of play was innovative at the time, and worked well for a couple years….until the rest of the league figured it out, and he proved incapable of making any… Read more »
I’m kinda for D’antoni. In the east right now those suns would be dominating. We have great personel for it. It’s probably the best way to use Irving, Bennett, and Zeller. TT, Dion and Karasev could do it easily. In the east all you need to do to be great is be great on one side of the court or good at both. Indianna almost great on Defense and bad on offense. The heat are good at both. A great offensive team could win the east
Mark Price as Coach anyone? I think he’ll be a nice coach for our team. Plus I think if we hire him we’ll save ourselves stacks of money.
It was obvious that the Cavs needed a new head coach, Mike Brown tried his hardest to reach playoff at the expense of the rooks and it backfired. He should have been a teacher and not worry about his job security after all, he had a guaranteed contract. Cavs really didn’t improve, the Lakers game is a good example of it and Heats game and many others proved lack of direction and leadership . David Griffin is in a good position to make an impact and change the culture of the Cavs for years to come. At the end we… Read more »
What fantastic recipe to continue our losing run. Just keep sacking coaches ? Give the dude a train wreck of a team for one season. Brown gets stuck with Bynumm, two star players fist-fighting, the worst #1 draft pick in 30 years, Jarrett Jack and yet the team still improved. So now what Gilbert? What reputable coach do you think would want to come to Cleveland?
For the record I was never much of a fan of Potato Head, but this is such a bad move.
Both. Player/coach…
Should we wait until before or after we sign LeBron to name Thibs our new head coach?
Much has been made about Griffin’s oft-used term of “fit”. That probably pertains to the roster as well as the coach. Methinks Griffin/Gilbert aren’t done dropping bombshells. I think the June/July timeframe is going to be really interesting.
I don’t like this one bit. Pick a guy and stick with him. The Cavs were getting better – much better under Brown. Wait until they’re not getting better, or are getting worse, if you’re going to ditch him. Seriously, we don’t know how good or not good a Mike Brown team that doesn’t have Lebron on it can be. But we do know that switching coaches often prevents young players from maturing and teams appear to regress. You got to give a coach 2 – and preferably 3 years before you can judge progress. It wasn’t until the second… Read more »
Yeah, but we all know it’s not because Kyrie got criticized by MB.
Been pretty established that Kyrie pouts at this point…
Busiest this place has been in weeks, nice to see you all! KJ if Irving pouts when getting told he’s not the greatest thing ever then I guess we know we can just trade him.
“And pouts,” I meant to write.
I think that SVG has a rep as being too hard on guys. In other words, he could destroy Kyrie, who it has been reported/said puts his head down bad pours at the slightest criticism. In other words, I don’t see SVG as a real choice…
I am on board with Fred Hoiberg. Played in the league but has put in the miles and time on the coaching trail. Deserving a chance.
Mark Jackson plays more iso-ball than Brown and arguably less creative on the offensive end as a coach. The difference is/was he had better talent and chemestry around Steph Curry than we do with Kyrie. I can’t say I’m a D’antoni fan, but I honestly do think his offensive strategy would work very well with our current talent. A young team with several good ball handlers and bigs like Hawes and Bennett and even TZ who can all run and shoot reasonably well. This team is perfect for the D’antoni system. But, let me reiterate, I am not a fan… Read more »
Definitely hope they do it right and get the guy they want this time. I think top of my list is SVG and Kerr. Karl or D’Antoni would be acceptable (maybe). I don’t really have an opinion on others. Kevin Ollie might be fun.
Overall, I’d prefer someone younger and driven over an old hand. Someone who really gels with Griffin.
“Three cheers for Dan Gilbert’s courage. Men are few and far between who correct $20M mistakes in one year.”
Admitting mistakes is easy. Actually correcting them is a bit trickier. Gilbert still has yet to show he can do the hard part – assembling a competent front office.
Mark Jackson is basically more interested in being a preacher in LA than being the coach at GS and was, in the opinion of some, a giant prick. Let’s nip this in the bud, he’s not coming to Cleveland and we should count ourselves lucky.
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/68070/mark-jacksons-way-and-the-highway?ex_cid=espnapi_public
I’m on the Mark Jackson train as well…though isn’t he really really entrenched in Oakland community? Is he looking to coach again so soon? He would be a fantastic mentor for Kyrie from an attitude standpoint. Three cheers for Dan Gilbert’s courage. Men are few and far between who correct $20M mistakes in one year.
bring back Lenny Wilkens and give him another shot at the Ring he should’ve gotten in the late 80s :P
seriously tho, Mark Jackson would be great for Kyri3 and Dion…Schimmys Deep in the Q!!
This move feels similar to Haslam’s clearing of the decks after making his one-year mistake (albeit in two separate steps with Grant and now Brown). Here’s hoping Gilbert does a greater job of due dilligence this time around. Think Kerr is too far down the road with Knicks job. No to Karl/D’Antoni/Gentry. Wouldn’t mind seeing Mark Jackson or Lionel Hollins get the job.
I am with you on Bennett, KJ. I think he could have a monster sophomore year.
Well said, Hot Sauce, though no amount of facts seem to be able to derail the meme that this team was some kind of utter disaster. Which I have pointed out previously, is pure hyperbole.
Anyone, here’s hoping Griffin gets it right…
Btw, I have irrational exuberance regarding Bennett in the summer league this year. Weird…
George “Don’t call me Marty Schotenheimer” Karl has a .599 regular season win percentage and .432 playoff.
Obviously playoffs are harder, but that is not a good differential.
George Karl is my choice. He has succeeded everywhere. When he was here he had Ted Stepien’s roster of nothing. We started the season something like 4 -19 and then made the playoffs. We gave Boston fits that series and were within one shot of winning games.
@Leo – The progress is as follows: The team was 24-58 last year, and was 16-33 to start the season. They then finished 17-16 in their last 33 games. Brown took a team on the verge of implosion, and got them to play above .500 for the last half of the season. That was major progress. And it demonstrated that the team did not quit on him. All that said, firing him is not wholly unreasonable. He had his limitations, and the team clearly played better when it was uptempo. Bringing in an uptempo guy could really work well. I… Read more »
@Leo
I wouldn’t call it an “abject failure”. The team improved, they played better defense. However, Brown just leaves a lot to be desired as a coach.
I agree that we need a new coach, but he wasn’t an unmitigated disaster.
what progress did he make? this was such an abject failure of a season I’m surprised this didn’t happen sooner. This team was talented enough to not only make the playoffs but depending on seeding could’ve won a series in the pathetic East. Hiring this clown back set this team back yet another year and as mentioned above the main core will go through a 3rd coach already.
I wish Gilbert would buy the Indians too.
Kudos to Gilbert for spending the money. He made the choice based on what he felt was best for the team and not his personal finances.
Agree with everybody. It is sad in that Mike is a good guy, and was making “some” progress. But, it is a tough world, and the Cavs need to find a top coach. Slightly similar to the Browns. They had a succession of clowns running things. Chud was a big improvement, at least up to mediocre, kind of like Mike Brown. I think the Browns now have a crew that knows what it is doing. We will see. At least the GM and coach don’t look like guys you could bully at a pickup BB game. Now Griffin has to… Read more »
Btw, I want NOTHING to do with Gentry or D’Antoni. Just heard Adrian Griffin, an asst for the Bulls, mentioned as being on the Cavs radar.
Dumb as a rock move from one of the the worst run organizations in the entire NBA,
A. Who would ever want to coach this team with the way they hire and fire coaches? No one, so expect an even worse coach than Brown or Scott next year.
B. What free agent would want to sign with this team? None, so expect the dregs of the earth to fill any open spots.
C. If you are Kyrie, would you want to sign an extension with this team? No? I thought so.
Well done Gilbert… well done!
From what little we know, a “real interview process” was done for the GM. Why wouldn’t it for the coach as well? Also, keep in mind that this is far more about a new GM bringing in “his guy” than it is the failings, perceived or real, of Mike Brown. Keep it real, kids.
they need to get it right this time—like nate said do a real/ professional interview process this time—the coach and his style needs to develop young talent /progress in win totals –be attractive style for players TO STAY AND WANT TO COME TO CLEVELAND—-let the search begin
Please, for the love of God, let the Cavaliers conduct a real interview process.
Say what you will, Dan Gilbert is one committed owner. Good news, IMHO. I have liked Griffin since he took over from Grant, and with any luck he can bring someone in to make us a state-of-the-art, winning team.
This year was a huge improvement over last — fighting for a playoff spot until the last couple of games. Next year we’ll take the next step and get into the playoffs.
I am pretty ambivalent about this move for a few reasons but I do understand that a “new” GM wants to hire his guy. However, if we end up with somebody like D’Antoni or worse, someone like Alvin Gentry, than I will be against the firing oh Brown fully, because I believe defense wins and Brown made this rag-tag collection of guys a far better defensive team by the end of year than even I thought he could. I just worry that this is Dion’s 3rd coach in 3 years and Kyrie’s and TT’s 3rd in 4 years. So much… Read more »