OC Zip
Dirt Bag
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2005
- Messages
- 23
- Reaction score
- 9
- Points
- 3
We won't know about Gilbert for at least 2 years. At that time, we can look back at this year and say the dude got a bad rap or the talking heads were right.
In the meantime, here are some random thoughts:
Stephen A. Smith is obviously an entertainer (like him or not). He's created a tv persona (loud, opinionated, surly) that is getting him noticed. Good for him (I guess), but he rarely says anything of real substance. Most of these national cable tv guys need to be controversial to stand out, especially guys that never played in the NBA.
Not sure how to read Gilbert in that interview. On one hand, he rips the reporters for saying he passed notes to Silas. On the other hand, Gilbert says Silas "would almost never play the promising young guys." And, the new coach should "accept feedback and at least listen to all suggestions." If you combine those comments, it can certainly be interpreted that Gilbert suggested to Paul to play the promising young guys. Or, it could be more general philosophy. Maybe the feedback and suggestions he was talking about are those that come from the GM and players (not the owner).
But, the meddling owner label is a funny thing. Most fans wanted Silas to play AV and Sasha a lot more (and the crusty vets a lot less). Now, considering the guy who buys the team is pretty much the team's biggest fan (after investing $375M), can you really blame the guy if he did suggest that Silas play those guys more. I don't have a dime invested in the team (other than a baseball hat) and I was yelling at Silas to play those guys. If I owned the team, "basketball knowledge" or not, it would be hard not to say anything when Lucious is out there bricking jumpers. I do think owners should hire smart guys and get out of the way, but I'll cut the new guy a little slack.
Finally, I agree with Gilbert's surgery analogy. If this team was so fragile that they fell apart two years in a row down the stretch, then (even if they did look good for most of the year), they needed to go under the knife. Might as well have that happen now and start fresh. The Paxson/Silas/J-Mac crew probably was never going to get us to the finals. So, why wait 2 more years and make changes then. Many have said it before, but it's OK that he did some dirty work this year (even if the playoffs were the sacrifice). But, Gilbert only has one chance to get this (GM, coach, free agency) right. So, let's wait and see.
Oh, and by the way, I know it's another thread, but, living out here in SoCal, I see a lot of Lakers games. And, if it comes to a sign-and-trade with Z, we (Cavs) don't want anything the Lakers have to offer. Odom is recovering from surgery, is really a small forward, and plays passive most of the time. Caron Butler is OK, but mostly a slasher. Chucky Atkins is basically J-Mac. Devean George is horrible. He can't make a shot (worse than Newble). The list goes on. There's a reason the Lakers missed the playoffs and had a worse record than the Cavs. I'd try a sign-and-trade with Philly for Dalembert and someone else. AI ain't getting any younger (or healthier). They might do it and try to win with an AI/Korver/Webber/Iggy/Z combo next year. Who knows???
In the meantime, here are some random thoughts:
Stephen A. Smith is obviously an entertainer (like him or not). He's created a tv persona (loud, opinionated, surly) that is getting him noticed. Good for him (I guess), but he rarely says anything of real substance. Most of these national cable tv guys need to be controversial to stand out, especially guys that never played in the NBA.
Not sure how to read Gilbert in that interview. On one hand, he rips the reporters for saying he passed notes to Silas. On the other hand, Gilbert says Silas "would almost never play the promising young guys." And, the new coach should "accept feedback and at least listen to all suggestions." If you combine those comments, it can certainly be interpreted that Gilbert suggested to Paul to play the promising young guys. Or, it could be more general philosophy. Maybe the feedback and suggestions he was talking about are those that come from the GM and players (not the owner).
But, the meddling owner label is a funny thing. Most fans wanted Silas to play AV and Sasha a lot more (and the crusty vets a lot less). Now, considering the guy who buys the team is pretty much the team's biggest fan (after investing $375M), can you really blame the guy if he did suggest that Silas play those guys more. I don't have a dime invested in the team (other than a baseball hat) and I was yelling at Silas to play those guys. If I owned the team, "basketball knowledge" or not, it would be hard not to say anything when Lucious is out there bricking jumpers. I do think owners should hire smart guys and get out of the way, but I'll cut the new guy a little slack.
Finally, I agree with Gilbert's surgery analogy. If this team was so fragile that they fell apart two years in a row down the stretch, then (even if they did look good for most of the year), they needed to go under the knife. Might as well have that happen now and start fresh. The Paxson/Silas/J-Mac crew probably was never going to get us to the finals. So, why wait 2 more years and make changes then. Many have said it before, but it's OK that he did some dirty work this year (even if the playoffs were the sacrifice). But, Gilbert only has one chance to get this (GM, coach, free agency) right. So, let's wait and see.
Oh, and by the way, I know it's another thread, but, living out here in SoCal, I see a lot of Lakers games. And, if it comes to a sign-and-trade with Z, we (Cavs) don't want anything the Lakers have to offer. Odom is recovering from surgery, is really a small forward, and plays passive most of the time. Caron Butler is OK, but mostly a slasher. Chucky Atkins is basically J-Mac. Devean George is horrible. He can't make a shot (worse than Newble). The list goes on. There's a reason the Lakers missed the playoffs and had a worse record than the Cavs. I'd try a sign-and-trade with Philly for Dalembert and someone else. AI ain't getting any younger (or healthier). They might do it and try to win with an AI/Korver/Webber/Iggy/Z combo next year. Who knows???