Mike Brown Hired as Head Coach

[Douglar]

Again, as I've stated in previous posts, I'm not huge on the Mike Brown hire because I don't believe his style is conducive to winning championships. It's way to fixed in its approach and inflexible to change. However, that type of structure is exactly what this young team needs. It needs a defensive system installed and someone who is willing to teach every basic principal from the top down. It isn't enough to have an assistant coach working late hours on individual development. This team needs a guy who holds everyone acountable to the same standards he holds himself too. The old "lead by example" motto fits here.

One thing that Mike Brown requires as a coach is player buy-in. He knows the problems that come when everyone on the team doesn't have a blind trust in their team mates. He wants the players to trust each other and he wants the players to trust him.

One of the main ways that he gets there is by listening to the players' feed back in the film sessions. If a player thinks that he's got a better idea than he does, Coach will agree to try the player's ideas for a several games, and then hit the player with film showing why he'd rather do things differently if it doesn't work out. He's not inflexible to the people he works with, but it is one of the reason's why Mike Brown teams come out of the gate slowly.

One of the reasons Coach Brown seems inflexible to fans is because he doesn't want to be a "master of panic". He knows that most players need to feel a certain amount of trust from the coach. He prefers to change strategies slowly so that players have time to understand why changes are going on, and they don't feel like they are getting yanked because of a few unlucky bounces. Much like a good black jack strategy, it might not win every hand, but it pays off over time.

Often Mike Browns plans get pretty elaborate. That can work if he's got a vet team that knows what he wants, but isn't conducive to teaching the young guys. Back in 2005, he had to simplify a lot. Much of the stuff that looked good on paper when he showed up had to get tossed to fit the personnel and the experience. For example that "Z hard show" on the pick and roll that was a signature of past Mike Brown defenses showed up in his first year, but had to get scraped before the end of January 2006 because the team wasn't ready for it. It came back with tuning and training and worked well by the end of 2007. I'm fairly confident that he can tailor his approach to his players, using November and December as a test lab to incorporate player feed back, identify mistakes on the big stage that don't show up in practice, scale back on stuff that the players aren't ready for yet, and come up with something that's at least an average NBA defense by the all star break of next year.

Hard working guys like Zeller and Tristan should do very well on defense under Brown. He will scale back on the complexity if he's giving them stuff that's too hard for them, and spend as much time as they can handle drilling them on the stuff that they can do. I think Zeller will go from a total defensive liability to a smart positional defender before the end of next season. He might not look like a defensive natural, but I think we'll see good plus/minus numbers from him sooner than many expect.

I've got no idea how things will work out of offense, but he's got a lot of the stuff he likes. He's got a instinctual pick and roll big man in Varejao. He's got guards that can turn the corner to dent a zone. He's got enough passing to get those hockey assists when a defense reacts. He's got enough shooting to beat teams that pack the paint. He's got a transcendent scorer in Kyrie that can win close games when the team grinds out a win. He's got the ammo that he needs to make stuff work. He's also got the advantage that it's practically impossible for him to look any worse than what we saw this year.

I'm more optimistic about the coaching situation than I was two months ago when I thought we'd see Scott back for another year of physically punishing workouts, confusion on the court, and laissez-faire game planning.

 

[Frank Reynolds]

Awesome stuff Douglar and Billmac. Gave me a new perspective on the hire.

 

[Tornicade]

Ill buy on Cavs having trust issues on the court. That is one area I think Brown will be a definitive improvement over Scott

 

[billmac91]

One of the reasons Coach Brown seems inflexible to fans is because he doesn't want to be a "master of panic". He knows that most players need to feel a certain amount of trust from the coach. He prefers to change strategies slowly so that players have time to understand why changes are going on, and they don't feel like they are getting yanked because of a few unlucky bounces. Much like a good black jack strategy, it might not win every hand, but it pays off over time.

Only thing I'd take exception with is above. He seems inflexible to fans because when the games mean the most (playoffs) he refuses to make any meaningful adjustments that go against the system he built. The Orlando and Boston series are all the proof anybody really needs. There were easy fixes in both series, or at a bare minimum, adjustments he had to try, and refused to do it for any substantial amount of time.

Those close to the organization have said it's because he builds a core system that he wants every member of the team to buy into. It's not any different than a team like San Antonio that expects a "plug & play" mentality from its bench based on the system. It's no coincidence Mike Brown comes from the Popovich tree. Everyone buys in, everyone plays within the system, the system works consistently well. The issue has always been: (1) San Antonio has more talent (2) Even Popovich goes off the page once in a while if something is killing him.

This is more opinion on my part, but I think Mike has always been afraid to make huge adjustments in series and games because it would show a "chink in the armour" if you will. Having LeBron guard Rondo would have been an ackknowledgemnt by Brown that his defensive "system" was compromised. Instead he died a slow death of paper-cuts as Rajon Rondo abused Parker & Williams while we never made any meaningful adjustment. The same can be said against Orlando where possesion after possesion we watched Ben Wallace get abused trying to defend Rashard Lewis in the corner. We never committed to a "small-ball" line-up that could have really put Orlando in a compromised position.

At the end of the day it is in-game adjustments and strategy vs. the dependence on a system that got you to where you are. Mike is the type of guy that relies on a core system that he feels if executed properly, gives the team the best chance to win. His problem has always been that in a 7 game series, flaws tend to rear their heads. Good coaches, IMO, make necessary adjustments and take calculated risks (LeBron defending Derrick Rose, Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, Rajon Rondo all once he started playing for the Heat as an example).

We could go in circles all day, but I think Mike's system is perfect for this young Cavs team and really has very little downside in an 82 game regular season. It forces guys to buy into a system that steadies a team during a grueling 82 game schedule. That consistency is key in the NBA. Unfortunately, he becomes insanely exposed over the course of a 7 game series.

I think all Cavs fans will be thrilled just to get back into post-season play, and I have zero doubts that begins next year.

 

[KB]

Hard working guys like Zeller and Tristan should do very well on defense under Brown. He will scale back on the complexity if he's giving them stuff that's too hard for them, and spend as much time as they can handle drilling them on the stuff that they can do. I think Zeller will go from a total defensive liability to a smart positional defender before the end of next season. He might not look like a defensive natural, but I think we'll see good plus/minus numbers from him sooner than many expect.

I've got no idea how things will work out of offense, but he's got a lot of the stuff he likes. He's got a instinctual pick and roll big man in Varejao. He's got guards that can turn the corner to dent a zone. He's got enough passing to get those hockey assists when a defense reacts. He's got enough shooting to beat teams that pack the paint. He's got a transcendent scorer in Kyrie that can win close games when the team grinds out a win. He's got the ammo that he needs to make stuff work. He's also got the advantage that it's practically impossible for him to look any worse than what we saw this year.

I'm more optimistic about the coaching situation than I was two months ago when I thought we'd see Scott back for another year of physically punishing workouts, confusion on the court, and laissez-faire game planning.

Great post!

I think people over look Zeller and I think he was bad becuase there was no defensive system in place this season but I think he is under rated as a positional defender atm.

If you look on hoopsdata they have Zeller down for drawing 19 charges this year. Tied for 8th most in the league. It will be interesting to see if that goes up with Mike Browns system since Andy and Z were able to draw all sorts of charges

http://www.hoopdata.com/defrebstats.aspx?team=%&type=tot&posi=%&yr=2013&gp=0&mins=0

I think people will be surprised with the way Zeller and Andy play on the floor together next year (Andy being healthy of course)

 

[Cavatt]

Great post!

I think people over look Zeller and I think he was bad becuase there was no defensive system in place this season but I think he is under rated as a positional defender atm.

If you look on hoopsdata they have Zeller down for drawing 19 charges this year. Tied for 8th most in the league. It will be interesting to see if that goes up with Mike Browns system since Andy and Z were able to draw all sorts of charges

http://www.hoopdata.com/defrebstats.aspx?team=%&type=tot&posi=%&yr=2013&gp=0&mins=0

I think people will be surprised with the way Zeller and Andy play on the floor together next year (Andy being healthy of course)

One of the problems with Zeller is that he always gets in the way of the penetrating guard, but no one was there to help on the weakside and take his man. That meant Dunk after Dunk. Gee and even Tristan have not been picking up Zeller's man once Zeller helps on the guard. Mike Brown will not allow this to happen, and will make sure the guards also box out. Andy was getting abused in this way this past year too. The help D was only one rotation long, so it makes the center look like an asshole.

 

[Toph]

Awesome stuff Douglar and Billmac. Gave me a new perspective on the hire.

Pretty sure this is the shortest post I've ever seen from you Frank :chuckles:

 

[KilgoreTrout]

I can't believe they couldn't do better. I refuse to believe it, actually.

 

[Zen]

I can't believe they couldn't do better. I refuse to believe it, actually.

You wanted lawrence frank eh?

 

[falcon2294]

IMO i think adding mike brown was the best move would could have made. When he was here before, he took lebron to the next level. When he was in LA bynum had his best season as a pro. I think he knows how to get the most out of his players. I think hes very underrated in adjusting his system to fit his players better. Thinking of what he will do to kyrie, waiters and tts game next year is making it hard for me to sleep at night. I give grant a 10/10 for bringing him back

 

[Tornicade]

My preference would of been to keep Scott. My reservations on Mike Brown is that it will take time for his system to get ingrained into the Cavs but s=Scott would of been putting in his system next year anyways.

Scott and his gang did have solid game preparation this season and according to Thompson he had alot of confidence in them (which means whether they listened or not what was being shown typically turned out accurate". This will help Brown since he is a game film junkie and has a young core who already understand s the importance of it.

I also like that Brown is looking at guys with coaching experience who has first hand experience with his system. I think assembling these types of assistants will acerlate the learning curve especialy if that familiarity is spread out amongst the positional coaches.

It will be nice to see guys do what their good at. Scott as a teacher wanted to build his players weaknesses and then let them do what their good at.. Brown will be the opposite. he will have them do what they are good at then work on their weaknesses. Brown imo is inheriting a well rounded roster with guys who were brought into the nba the right way.

 

[Douglar]

Here's a funny from the Onion-- Someone on their staff must be a Cavs fan.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/cavaliers-impressed-with-mike-browns-willingness-t,32303/

CLEVELAND—A week after hiring the former Lakers head coach, Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant announced at a press conference Wednesday that the team was most excited about Mike Brown’s total willingness to coach the Cavaliers. “From the moment he expressed some interest, we knew we had our guy,” said Grant, detailing the rigorous interview process they conducted with Brown to ensure the one-time NBA Coach of the Year was serious. “Obviously, we like his experience and trust his ability to develop the young talent on our team, but what really sold us most was the fact that he evidently wants to coach here. We honestly couldn’t say that about any other candidates we considered.” After finishing with the league’s third-worst record, Grant said the Cavaliers will next turn their attention to the draft, where they hope to add yet another talented young player who doesn’t want to be in Cleveland

 

[KingDelonte13]

Clippers lose. Nets lose to depleted Bulls team. What do the Bulls and Grizz have in common? Defensive Identity. This Bulls Nets series was so great because it pitted one team devoid of any superstars against a team that has an abundance of talent.

This Mike Brown hiring looks better every day. With so many coaching vacancies out there now, its easy to see why Grant and Co. moved as quickly as they did. Maybe i'm looking way too deeply into this, but i think this Bulls victory is yet another confirmation that our franchise is headed in the right direction.

 

[Tornicade]

Clippers lose. Nets lose to depleted Bulls team. What do the Bulls and Grizz have in common? Defensive Identity. This Bulls Nets series was so great because it pitted one team devoid of any superstars against a team that has an abundance of talent.

This Mike Brown hiring looks better every day. With so many coaching vacancies out there now, its easy to see why Grant and Co. moved as quickly as they did. Maybe i'm looking way too deeply into this, but i think this Bulls victory is yet another confirmation that our franchise is headed in the right direction.

Not much Mike would of been able to do with the defense last season either.

I do hope that light bulb goes on this season though.

speaking of the Griz. In their build they went from 28th to 21st and just continued improving. but there was alot of young teams that 2nd year. the 21st ranking was 109.5 wiht lionel hollins at the helm ours was 109.4 the next season the Griz improved to 19th but still at a 109.9

it wasnt until gasol and mayo had a season under their belt. Conley had 2. and gay 3rd. before the defense showed a significant improvement.

You can find many "build through the draft" builds with similiar progression. an assembly of youth. bad defense. a defensive spike in year 3 or or 4 of the youth movement. at least in the successful ones.

 

[BigErieCavsFan]

Pretty shitty writeup - http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mike-brown-cavaliers-solution-old-problem-163000258.html

Last week's rehiring of Mike Brown inevitably brought flashbacks to when Cleveland was at the center of the basketball universe.




When Brown was last courtside with the Cavaliers, you couldn't turn on anything with a screen and not see a game, a commercial, an article, or some kind of commentary on the Cavaliers. That was when the Cavaliers were amassing a league-best 61-21 regular-season record, a favorite to win the championship, and, oh yeah, had the best player in the world in LeBron James.

And then it all fell apart.
When the Cavaliers crumbled against an inferior Celtics team in the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals with a combustible mix of lackluster play and ineffective coaching, Mike Brown was banished and LeBron fled Cleveland in a way that only Art Modell could appreciate.
Fast-forwarding three seasons, Cleveland isn't the center of the basketball universe anymore; it's not even on the map. The Cavaliers put on a clinic this past season on how to lose both games and fans en route to a dismal 24-58 record. Gone are the sold-out arenas, nationally televised games, and playoff runs that breathed life into the fanbase and flooded Cleveland's downtown bars every spring for five years.
The only thing that remains from those days is a lesson: Elite players and coaches are not coming to Cleveland.
Even when LeBron was filling the arena every night, top-tier free agents and coaches couldn't be recruited by the small-market team with the miserable winters. If they couldn't land the Ray Allens, Amare Stoudemires, and the Phil Jacksons, they have no shot now.
Hopefully, something was learned in Cleveland in the aftermath of 2010. Perhaps following in the footsteps of other self-sustaining small-market teams like the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder will serve as a blueprint for building a legitimate contender through savvy drafting, the extension of current players' contracts, and solid coaching rather than praying for outside help.
That's why Mike Brown is the best hire for the Cavaliers. He's simply the best coach Cleveland can attract.
It's true that the Cavaliers' offense under Mike Brown had less movement than a 65-and-over YMCA league. It's also true that he couldn't capture a title in his previous tenure while coaching the best player in the world and that he just got ousted from Los Angeles earlier this season after a 1-4 start (ask Mike D'Antoni if he thinks the coaching was the problem).
But the one thing Brown did do in Cleveland was turn a one-man team into a contender through the implementation of a defense-first philosophy. During Brown's last season in Cleveland, the Cavaliers ranked near the top of the league in key defensive categories like defensive efficiency, opponent's points per game, and opponent average scoring margin.
And there's reason to believe he could do it again with the Cavaliers' core group of players. The return of former NBA All-Defensive Team member Anderson Varejao to a lineup that includes young players like Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters, who have shown an aptitude for defense, and Kyrie Irving, who has the athleticism to learn to play defense, could help give the Cavaliers an identity.
When you factor in future additions that will be garnered from their four picks scheduled for the upcoming draft--one guaranteed to be in the top six--with the amount of cap space that they have, a playoff run shouldn't be out of the question in 2014.
They already have the pieces in place; it's up to the cast-off coach to figure out how to put them together to bring the Cavaliers back to NBA relevancy.
But maybe Mike Brown's offense will disintegrate again into a 48-minute series of one-on-one matchups, and maybe Brown's defense won't take. If that happens, the calls to recruit Phil Jackson, LeBron, and every other future Hall of Famer in the league will certainly come. But if history is any indicator, there will be no one answering.
Adam Redling is a freelance writer from Cleveland, OH.