Dan Gilbert is optimistic/feeling risky going forward.

• hoops23

  

  Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert offers bullish optimism after dismissing Mike Brown as coach
  By Brian Windhorst, The Plain Dealer
  May 24, 2010, 8:26PM
  
  CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers have 36 days until July 1. It just may be the most important 36 non-game days in franchise history.
  
  After firing coach Mike Brown late Sunday, the team appears to have left itself at a crossroads just ahead of July 1, when LeBron James will likely choose to become an unrestricted free agent.
  
  Some would say the instability of a coaching search in this crucial time frame puts the team in a danger zone when it comes to re-signing James. That is a realistic point of view.
  
  Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, however, seems to see it as an opportunity. As is Gilbert's style, that is an optimistic and aggressive point of view.
  
  "This is one of those times.”
  
  "The expectations of this organization are very high," Gilbert said in a statement Monday, eschewing the normal routine of holding a press conference when making a coaching change.
  
  "Although change always carries an element of risk, there are times when that risk must be taken in an attempt to break through to new, higher levels of accomplishment. This is one of those times."
  
  There is one thing not up for debate, something that Gilbert is apparently counting on. No matter what happens, James will be a Cav until July and that gives Gilbert and General Manager Danny Ferry 36 valuable days of James' attention.
  
  Just over five weeks, Gilbert might say, of taking risks in a final pitch to convince James to re-sign.
  
  That means attempting to make a big splash with a coaching hire. Gilbert swung for the fences in 2005 when he last looked for a coach, interviewing Phil Jackson and courting Larry Brown through back channels while Brown was head coach of the Pistons.
  
  That was when his win at all costs reputation wasn't established, James was just a one-time All-Star, the Cavs hadn't made the playoffs in eight years and had no general manager. The belief is that now Gilbert's sell job could be easier.
  
  Though the uncertainty surrounding James would seemingly create pause in firing the most successful coach in team history, Gilbert doesn't seem to feel that way. He apparently sees the team, coming off two 60-win seasons and with still a good chance to re-sign the two-time Most Valuable Player, as a place coaches want to come.
  
  Which is why he's ready to move to another coach.
  
  "After a long and deep analysis of all of the factors that led to the disappointing early ends to our playoff runs over the past two seasons, we concluded that it was time for the Cavaliers to move in a different direction," Gilbert said.
  
  It is expected he will chase the big names, likely willing to spend top dollar in a market when rivals are tightening their budgets.
  
  Yet the coaching aspect might only be a part of the activity.
  
  Gilbert hinted two weeks ago that he may be willing to trade or buy into the draft, which will take place eight days before the start of free agency on June 24. Currently, the Cavs don't have a draft pick. However, as teams look to control cap space and save money, some first-round picks are expected to be available.
  
  The Cavs also may be active in the trade market, which will begin in earnest next month. The Cavs do have a couple of tradeable assets, none more so than the contract of Delonte West. Worth $4.6 million, West is only guaranteed $500,000 if he's released by August. The potential savings for other teams could be the base of a trade that could upgrade the roster ahead of the start of free agency.
  
  Last season, the Cavs used a similar partially-guaranteed contract, that of Sasha Pavlovic, to help them execute the Shaquille O'Neal trade that saved the Phoenix Suns millions in June.
  
  There are four other players -- Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Leon Powe and Sebastian Telfair -- who are going into the final year of their contracts and would be trade assets. But the team could also get more radical and have discussions about some of their core players with longer contracts.
  
  It is possible the Cavs will re-visit trade talks with the Golden State Warriors -- who they nearly made two different trades with last season -- and perhaps the Philadelphia 76ers among others.
  
  If all of that seems a tad murky, the decision to fire Brown combined with James' free agency has opened all of it up. About the only thing that is clear, as Gilbert said himself, is the franchise is getting ready to take some risks.

  -- http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/05/cavaliers_owner_dan_gilbert_of.html
  
  Uh, yes.. Love reading this and LOVE having this guy as the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Reading this article single handedly got me pumped up for our upcoming offseason.
• devil1197

  He is the main reason why I think LeBron stays.
• hoops23

  

  Me to.
  
  Not only because of basketball, but because of the business side of things as well.
  
  I think LeBron trusts Gilbert to do whatever is needed. He may not have that same trust in the Bulls owner (who's history has been shaky)
• devil1197

  Gilbert will throw any sort of money at coaches, is willing to take on a huge luxury tax via trades, and is looking to buy into the draft.
  
  There aren't too many owners out there that are better than Gilbert imo.
  
  Roster wise, I don't expect to be watching Mo Williams or Delonte West next year as a Cleveland Cavalier, along with either Parker or Moon. Possibly JJ Hickson if a big deal arises, as he'll be a center part along with saving 4.1 million instantly from West's contract.
• hoops23

  

  Moons contract is worth 3 million
  
  AP's is around 2.6
  
  Delonte is 4.6 (only 500k guaranteed)
  
  Powe is around 1 mill.
  
  Bassie is at 2.6 (assuming he accepts his PO, which he undoubtedly will)
  
  That's a lot to work with, especially when you have a young talented prospect in JJ Hickson to throw in there as well.
• BR1986FB

  ESPN (Mike & Mike) already have it as a forgone conclusion that Phil Jackson will team up as a packaged deal with Lebron & Bosh in either Chicago or New York.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  BR1986FB wrote: ESPN (Mike & Mike) already have it as a forgone conclusion that Phil Jackson will team up as a packaged deal with Lebron & Bosh in either Chicago or New York.

  M&M are a bunch of front running goons. They change their mind every 20 sec and I would hardly consider them a source of anything, not even entertainment. Have they gone through their arbitrary rankings yet of who's winning the title next season yet?
• BR1986FB

  Commander of Awesome wrote:

  BR1986FB wrote: ESPN (Mike & Mike) already have it as a forgone conclusion that Phil Jackson will team up as a packaged deal with Lebron & Bosh in either Chicago or New York.

  M&M are a bunch of front running goons. They change their mind every 20 sec and I would hardly consider them a source of anything, not even entertainment. Have they gone through their arbitrary rankings yet of who's winning the title next season yet?

  I know. It was posted with sarcasm intended but the "rolleyes" smilie on my computer wasn't available.
  
  They mentioned Cleveland as a possible "afterthought" of Jackson & Lebron teaming up (obviously minus Bosh because the Cavs don't have the pieces to get that deal done).
  
  Just another case of ESPN showing that they are CLEARLY hoping that LBJ moves on to one of their "preferred" markets.
• thedynasty1998

  

  Sportscenter mentioned this morning Bosh potentially being traded to the Lakers for Bynum.
  
  I'm not one who usually gets upset with their bad reporting, but it was just idiotic. I didn't think they were in the business of spreading rumors?
• miller45452003

  BR1986FB wrote: ESPN (Mike & Mike) already have it as a forgone conclusion that Phil Jackson will team up as a packaged deal with Lebron & Bosh in either Chicago or New York.

  These jackoffs oughta go jump in the sack with Jim Brown.
• miller45452003

  Chris Broussard can jump in that bed as well. All these fuckeheads are gonna commit suicide when he signs his 3 year extension in Cleveland.
• miller45452003

  Avery JOhnson is the only watchable analyst on ESPN. Almost sounds as if he wants a shot in Cleveland with LBJ.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  miller45452003 wrote: Chris Broussard can jump in that bed as well. All these fuckeheads are gonna commit suicide when he signs his 3 year extension in Cleveland.

  This is an example of what I've said for the last few years--Broussard jumped ship very recently, and it wasn't based on anything he saw. Because he used to say none of that would matter in LeBron's free agency (like losing). But ESPN is like the regular media covering political candidates. You can't get elected without the coverage. They're unfairly covering this entire thing and I think that it's VERY clear that they don't want LeBron back in Cleveland. And it makes sense, bigger market=more money for the media. But it's pathetic for them to stoop to that level. Broussard was just on SC talking about the possibility of Phil Jackson coaching in Chicago and how LeBron already likes the prospects of playing with Rose and Noah. Why doesn't he mention Gilbert wanting to pay Jackson out the ass? I don't get it, for real. I wish Dan Gilbert would come out and make a Cuban-like statement and slam the media for this, but maybe he doesn't see it. ESPN is walking a fine line with this issue, they're getting away from news and trying to use their influence to control things.
  
  How about I write the book that I've wanted to write on this and you guys get busy finding some SERIOUS capital? There may have never been a better opportunity to take down ESPN than there is right now. They're bush league on most fronts these days--and it's gotten progressively worse in the last 2-3 years. The LeBron thing is the most pathetic thing I've ever seen from them.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  miller45452003 wrote: Avery JOhnson is the only watchable analyst on ESPN. Almost sounds as if he wants a shot in Cleveland with LBJ.

  LOL when I read the first sentence I was going to say the 2nd one in response. It's not almost though, the clearly does. He was definitely making it clear that there is nothing wrong with Cleveland and very quietly hinting that he'd be willing to go there.
  
  Should be high on the list for the Cavs IMO, I'd be happy with an Avery Johnson hire if they can't get Phil or someone bigger.
• Con_Alma

  Where is Danny Ferry in all of this? How long is his contract through?
• thedynasty1998

  

  But can Gilbert go out and offer Jackson $20 million a year (which I don't believe will happen) before Lebron signs? It's a double edged sword, if Lebron's not around Gilbert doesn't want to spend that much on a coach. And Jackson doesn't want to coach in Cleveland if Lebron's not around.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  thedynasty1998 wrote: But can Gilbert go out and offer Jackson $20 million a year (which I don't believe will happen) before Lebron signs? It's a double edged sword, if Lebron's not around Gilbert doesn't want to spend that much on a coach. And Jackson doesn't want to coach in Cleveland if Lebron's not around.

  Any coaching decision is going to be discussed with LeBron. If Phil signed with the Cavs, he knows LeBron would be there--because if he did, LeBron won't leave. That seems like a no brainer to me, ESPN is trying to paint this as a dilemma for the Cavs, but it isn't a dilemma AT ALL.
• BR1986FB

  SQ_Crazies wrote: Broussard was just on SC talking about the possibility of Phil Jackson coaching in Chicago and how LeBron already likes the prospects of playing with Rose and Noah. Why doesn't he mention Gilbert wanting to pay Jackson out the ass?

  No mention of this by Mike & Mike either. Just "ooooh, what if Chicago or NY offered Phil $12 million per year....oooooh?" When didn't I just read somewhere on here that Gilbert was prepared to throw $20 million at Jackson to make a "splash?" Don't hear them mentioning THAT stuff.
• BR1986FB

  Con_Alma wrote: Where is Danny Ferry in all of this? How long is his contract through?

  They were talking about Ferry on WKNR yesterday. Reghi seems to think there's no chance in Hell that Cleveland lands a Jackson, Riley or Popovich so to make this "splash" they will turn their eyes to Coach K & Tom Izzo. Ferry is tight with Coach K while Gilbert has a mancrush on Izzo. I think eventually that Ferry & Gilbert are going to butt heads and Ferry will be gone.
• thedynasty1998

  

  In Mike & Mike's defense, they said that the Bulls contacted Jackson's people, or vice versa, so they are not just making stuff up. Plus, Golic is from Cleveland, so it's not like he's some New York or Chicago homer.
  
  And how can it be discussed with Lebron prior to free agency if Lebron can't even visit other teams prior to that? Sure in a perfect world Lebron says, "You get me Phil Jackson and I stay here." But I don't think it's that simple. No matter who is in place in Cleveland, Lebron is going to visit the other teams and listen to their sales pitch.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  thedynasty1998 wrote: Plus, Golic is from Cleveland, so it's not like he's some New York or Chicago homer.
  

  But he is an ESPN homer. I'm telling you, there is a behind the scenes, collective media effort to do whatever they can to get LeBron to move to a bigger market.
• thedynasty1998

  

  SQ_Crazies wrote:

  thedynasty1998 wrote: Plus, Golic is from Cleveland, so it's not like he's some New York or Chicago homer.
  

  But he is an ESPN homer. I'm telling you, there is a behind the scenes, collective media effort to do whatever they can to get LeBron to move to a bigger market.

  I don't buy it. Does Greeney want him in Chicago? Yes, because that's where he's from.
  
  Do certain people want him in NYC? Sure. But I really don't think that ESPN is dumb enough to think they can pursuade Lebron by reporting on rumors. Lebron has people in the know and he knows moreso than anyone at ESPN what's going on behind the scenes.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  If you don't buy it, then I'm sorry for you--but I'm not surprised, you're clearly one of those who is sucked in by whatever they tell you.
• BR1986FB

  By the time free agency starts, Phil Jackson's people (if he's interested in other markets) will talk to Lebron & Bosh's people, Lebron & Bosh will tweet, etc and there will be some kind of "plan" in place before July 1.
  
  No doubt in my mind that Lebron will make the rounds to EVERY team that is courting him. He's not just gonna say "forget it boys, I'm staying in Cleveland." He's an egomaniac who likes to be mentally given hand jobs by his followers...a "Master of Puppets" if you will. It's just way he operates.
• Skyhook79

  

  "He's an egomaniac who likes to be mentally given hand jobs by his followers...a "Master of Puppets" if you will. It's just way he operates."
  
  
  If thats the case then he will never Leave Cleveland as long as sleeper and sq_crazies are around with their ambidextrous abilities.