Gilbert Leaves Cavs' Future in Inexperienced Hands

 

Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert is entering a crucial phase in the team’s history.  Their resident superstar, LeBron James has two years remaining on his contract (assuming the team will exercise the fourth year option), and could choose to move on to another team with a better chance to win a championship.

 

The people Gilbert chose to move the Cavs into position to win and win big, and therefore make James want to stay in Cleveland have no track record in their newly hired positions.  This is a tremendous risk on the new owner’s part.

 

Head Coach Mike Brown comes highly regarded, and apparently was considered one of the top assistant coaches in the NBA.  He is defensive oriented, which is greatly needed if you saw last year’s Cavs play, and he is very young, which will serve him well in relating to a very young roster.

 

But, most new head coaches have learning curves, and Brown cannot afford to have a long one.  He needs to win, and win quickly.  A playoff spot is what everyone needs to expect in the 2005-06 season, so Brown better adjust quick to his new position.  He does have a veteran assistant coach, Dick Egan, to help with the process, but still he has never been the guy in charge before.  There is a difference being the players friend as an assistant, and being the boss.

 

New General Manager Danny Ferry has been around the NBA his entire life, and has learned from some of the great basketball minds in the country.  But, he has never managed a salary cap, never made a trade with an experienced NBA GM, and never been the final word on talent evaluation.  Ferry is under the same pressure as Brown to win quickly.  Since he was aquired by the Cavs for the popular Ron Harper, if he doesn’t make it desirable to keep James in Cleveland, he could be the most hated sports figure in Cleveland sports history.  Not much pressure there!

 

Perhaps Brown is the next Gregg Popovich, and Ferry is the next Red Auerbach.  Everyone has to start somewhere.  However, with the franchise entering this crucial phase , it’s a tough spot to put people who have no proven track record. 

 

MW