Quavvy
Situational Stopper
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Sorry if this is a repost.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/bask...-05-14-lebron-brown-future-in-cleveland_N.htm
In the wake of the Cleveland Cavaliers' disappointing and early playoff exit, against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said on Friday he will evaluate the franchise from top to bottom.
Gilbert refuted a Sports Illustrated report that Cleveland coach Mike Brown has been fired, but he did not give Brown or General Manager Danny Ferry, who is in the last year of his contract, a vote of confidence.
"We're just going through the evaluation process," Gilbert said. "It's not going to be a long time. … But we're not going to make rash decision."
Gilbert said he expected the evaluation process to last 7-10 days.
The finish to MVP LeBron James' season came to an unexpected and anti-climatic end in Game 6 vs. Boston on Thursday.
A month ago, the Cavaliers were favored to, if not win the NBA championship, at least play in the Finals.
A James-Kobe Bryant, Cavs-Los Angeles Lakers Finals had appeal. The NBA and ABC were dreaming of huge ratings.
Today, the dream remains unfilled.
Drama also remains. Will Brown and Ferry be fired? If they are, who will replace them?
The biggest question: Where will James play next season? He can and is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent July 1.
His decision will affect the NBA, the Cavaliers and northeast Ohio, which watched James grow from homegrown teen hoops sensation at Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary into a two-time NBA MVP and global icon with the Cavaliers.
He is adored there. A giant banner near Quicken Loans Arena says: "Born here. Raised here. Plays here. Stays here."
His decision will also help determine where the rest of a highly regarded free agent group ends up, including Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh, both All-Stars.
The Cleveland franchise has almost doubled in value since James' rookie 2003-04 season, according to Forbes.
"We fully believe this is the best franchise for him to play at," Gilbert said. "We'll do every thing in our power to attack great talent and keep talent."
As he has done all season, James stayed non-committal about his future, saying, "I love the city of Cleveland, of course" in one breath and "at the same time, I'll give myself options" in the next.
He said he will sit down with his advisors and map out a strategy and then execute it. His team includes business partner Maverick Carter and agent Leon Rose.
"Me and my team are going to figure out what's the best possibility," James said in the minutes after Game 6.
James will have plenty of suitors lined up with nearly $100 million. The scenarios are tantalizing:
• In Chicago with guard Derrick Rose, another prominent free agent and a new Bulls coach.
• In New York with the Knicks and another big-name free agent.
• In Miami with Wade.
• Re-upping with the Cavaliers, who can offer him the longest deal worth the most money.
James doesn't have to sign a maximum contract, either. He can sign a three- or four-year deal and re-explore his options then.
If that's the case, he could see where the New Jersey Nets are in three or four years with a new arena in Brooklyn and new billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov of Russia willing to spend what it takes to win.
However, James and his group will also have to gauge the new collective bargaining agreement. The CBA expires after next season, and there is a strong possibility the length and worth of contracts will be less than they are now.
Getting top dollar now before a new CBA kicks will be a consideration for James, ever the businessman as well as top athlete.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/bask...-05-14-lebron-brown-future-in-cleveland_N.htm
In the wake of the Cleveland Cavaliers' disappointing and early playoff exit, against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said on Friday he will evaluate the franchise from top to bottom.
Gilbert refuted a Sports Illustrated report that Cleveland coach Mike Brown has been fired, but he did not give Brown or General Manager Danny Ferry, who is in the last year of his contract, a vote of confidence.
"We're just going through the evaluation process," Gilbert said. "It's not going to be a long time. … But we're not going to make rash decision."
Gilbert said he expected the evaluation process to last 7-10 days.
The finish to MVP LeBron James' season came to an unexpected and anti-climatic end in Game 6 vs. Boston on Thursday.
A month ago, the Cavaliers were favored to, if not win the NBA championship, at least play in the Finals.
A James-Kobe Bryant, Cavs-Los Angeles Lakers Finals had appeal. The NBA and ABC were dreaming of huge ratings.
Today, the dream remains unfilled.
Drama also remains. Will Brown and Ferry be fired? If they are, who will replace them?
The biggest question: Where will James play next season? He can and is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent July 1.
His decision will affect the NBA, the Cavaliers and northeast Ohio, which watched James grow from homegrown teen hoops sensation at Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary into a two-time NBA MVP and global icon with the Cavaliers.
He is adored there. A giant banner near Quicken Loans Arena says: "Born here. Raised here. Plays here. Stays here."
His decision will also help determine where the rest of a highly regarded free agent group ends up, including Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh, both All-Stars.
The Cleveland franchise has almost doubled in value since James' rookie 2003-04 season, according to Forbes.
"We fully believe this is the best franchise for him to play at," Gilbert said. "We'll do every thing in our power to attack great talent and keep talent."
As he has done all season, James stayed non-committal about his future, saying, "I love the city of Cleveland, of course" in one breath and "at the same time, I'll give myself options" in the next.
He said he will sit down with his advisors and map out a strategy and then execute it. His team includes business partner Maverick Carter and agent Leon Rose.
"Me and my team are going to figure out what's the best possibility," James said in the minutes after Game 6.
James will have plenty of suitors lined up with nearly $100 million. The scenarios are tantalizing:
• In Chicago with guard Derrick Rose, another prominent free agent and a new Bulls coach.
• In New York with the Knicks and another big-name free agent.
• In Miami with Wade.
• Re-upping with the Cavaliers, who can offer him the longest deal worth the most money.
James doesn't have to sign a maximum contract, either. He can sign a three- or four-year deal and re-explore his options then.
If that's the case, he could see where the New Jersey Nets are in three or four years with a new arena in Brooklyn and new billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov of Russia willing to spend what it takes to win.
However, James and his group will also have to gauge the new collective bargaining agreement. The CBA expires after next season, and there is a strong possibility the length and worth of contracts will be less than they are now.
Getting top dollar now before a new CBA kicks will be a consideration for James, ever the businessman as well as top athlete.
