INDEPENDENCE — When Mike Brown interviewed for the Cavaliers' head coaching job, he was a little-known assistant coach with the Indiana Pacers.
Most people thought he was the former NBA player by the same name, some guy known as the "Brown Bear."
He sat across the desk from Cavs owner Dan Gilbert in 2006. Gilbert had watched his team fail miserably on the defensive end in former Coach Paul Silas' tenure. In his mind, he wanted someone to adopt a defensive culture.
When Brown emphasized defense first and foremost, Gilbert knew he had found his man. He hand-picked Brown over more established coaches like Flip Saunders and Eric Musselman. He certainly hasn't regretted his decision.
"That same plan I gave Dan Gilbert when I interviewed is sitting in my office right now," Brown said. "If you read it, you would think we scripted everything from Day One to where we are right now.
"It's something I believe in. I'm glad my guys stuck with it. I'm glad Dan and (GM) Danny (Ferry) stuck with it and, hopefully, it will pay off with the ultimate prize sooner than later."
Shocking report
Even though Cavs forward/center Ben Wallace's legs were healed, he was still experiencing pain.
That's when the Cavs decided to send him to shock wave therapy.
The pain was excruciating during the therapy on both legs, almost the worst he said he's ever felt.
"When it hurt the way it hurt while they were doing it, it can't help but feel better," he said.
He said he's getting treatments once a week.
"It's something like when your body is telling your arm that it's healed, but it's still hurting," Wallace said. "You shock it and wake it up so your body can heal naturally.
"I'm feeling as good as I'm going to feel for the playoffs."
Cavs guard Mo Williams injured his shoulder in the Atlanta series. When asked when he was injured, he replied, "I don't remember.
"At this point in the year, everyone is banged up and dealing with some sort of injury. Some you just have to maintain and get through it. I don't think it will be a problem at all."
He has been getting his shoulder taped for games and practices.
"It's precautionary stuff to make sure you don't get too banged up," he said.
Draft workouts
Even though the playoffs are in the conference finals stage, the Cavs are preparing diligently for the June draft.
They are expected to host some individual workouts this week with Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez, Missouri forward Leo Lyons, Tennessee forward Tyler Smith and South Dragons forward Joe Ingles.
In mid-June, New Jersey is hosting a giant workout camp for prospects. Just about the entire league will be on hand.
Among the draft-eligible players scheduled to participate are Tennessee-Martin guard Lester Hudson, Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Omri Casspi, UCLA point guard Darren Collison, Arizona forward Chase Budinger, Wake Forest guard Jeff Teague, UConn guard A.J. Price and Louisville forward Terrence Williams, North Carolina guard Wayne Ellington, UCLA guard Jrue Holiday, Pitt forward Sam Young, North Carolina forward Danny Green and North Carolina forward/center Tyler Hansbrough.
The Cavs have the Nos. 30 and 46 picks in the June 25 draft.
