Brown Needs to Put His Foot Down

 

New Cavaliers coach Mike Brown came to Cleveland with a defensive reputation.  He served as an assistant to the Spurs’ Gregg Popovich and the Pacers’ Rick Carlisle, both coaches who stressed the defensive part of the game.  In his first 20 games in charge of the Cavs, Brown’s team has not displayed much ability defending the opposition.  With the season 1/4 of the way through, the new coach has to do something to turn it around.  Maybe even something drastic…

 

Like making an example of his superstar, LeBron James.

 

Supposedly, James has a good relationship with his new coach, so it would not be stepping on LBJ’s toes.  In fact, you could clue him in to the plan if you want.  The next time James is not performing well on the defensive end, Brown should have him take a seat next to the coach.  If that doesn’t send a message to the Damon Joneses, Luke Jacksons, and Donyell Marshalls on this team, nothing will.  You don’t try on defense, you do not play, no matter who you are.

 

This stance needs to start tonight against the Denver Nuggets.  Cleveland needs to be show more effort and be more physical on defense.  Especially guys like Alan Henderson and Zendon Hamilton, who are on the team to do the grunt work.  Maybe Brown should give players like that more time at the expense of those unwilling to defend. 

 

The one thing the Cavs do not need is Ron Artest.  As ESPN Radio’s Mike Greenberg said " Run as far away from Artest as you can".  The one thing this team does not need is an unstable personality.  James is still a kid, Drew Gooden is a young player, so are Anderson Varajao, Luke Jackson, and Sasha Pavlovic.  They need to learn with veterans who play and act the right way, not be exposed to a nut case.  The wine and gold do need a physical defender, but you can get a role player for that purpose.

 

The Cavs are a team with many, many new players.  They will get better as the season goes on from the experience of playing together.  However, they do need to know the importance of defense.  It isn’t too early to begin concentrating on that end of the floor.

 

JK