http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/ian_thomsen/04/29/sonics/1.html
Gilbert's steep learning curve
The new ownership group in Cleveland, led by 42-year-old internet entrepreneur Dan Gilbert, didn't wreck the Cavaliers' season by firing coach Paul Silas because the damage had already been done. But Gilbert does bear responsibility for undermining the authority of management. The Cavs went south after Gilbert's initial meetings with Silas -- meetings so exasperating that Silas no longer wanted any part of what had been a dream job -- coaching LeBron James. Combined with Gilbert's lame-duck treatment of GM Jim Paxson, the Cavs suddenly found themselves without meaningful leadership down the stretch.
New owners who want to be the next Mark Cuban need to remember three things: (1) Cuban is very, very smart (which is not to say that Gilbert isn't); (2) Cuban earns the right to call the shots because he spends all his time around the team, so he has learned from experience; and (3) Cuban's first act in Dallas was to express confidence in coach Don Nelson's management team, with the understanding that Nelson (in spite of the Mavs' losing record and their nine-year playoff drought) knew far more about pro basketball than he did. The result was that Nelson redoubled his efforts for an owner who showed faith in him rather than doubt. The Mavs were 9-23 when they met their new owner, and went 31-19 thereafter (and have been contenders ever since). The Cavs were 31-23 when Gilbert took over, and went 11-17 thereafter.
Silas bears responsibility, too, for reacting negatively to his new boss. But most winning coaches likely would have expressed a similar reaction.
The good news for the Cavaliers is that Gilbert is figuring it out -- and quickly. Last week he quietly summoned player personnel director Mark Warkentien to run basketball operations until a new GM is hired. Warkentian's first mission was to stop in Chicago (en route to Cleveland from his home in Portland) on Monday to meet with Herb Rudoy, the agent for Cleveland's free-agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
"It was a good meeting," said Rudoy. "I think Mark wanted to talk in order to give the owners a sense of where we are. I appreciated it, and Zydrunas appreciated it."
Rudoy was bemused by Gilbert's recent assessment to the Cleveland Plain Dealer that Ilgauskas' return was a 50-50 proposition. The behind-the-scenes truth -- as illustrated by Warkentien's visit -- is that Gilbert isn't going to let go of his 7-foot-3 center without due diligence.
Since undergoing surgery in 2001 to successfully realign his left foot, Ilgauskas has emerged as a two-time All-Star, averaging 15.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks while missing just five games -- none because of foot problems. Those feet can't be insured in his next deal, but Rudoy has said that he's willing to discuss incentives that would serve as a kind of alternative insurance to Cleveland should Ilgauskas break down again. To lose an elite center who is still improving and who wants to stay in Cleveland would be infinitely worse than the loss of Carlos Boozer last summer. "You know what the first question is that every coach is going to ask the new owners," asks Rudoy. "'Are you going to re-sign Ilgauskas?'" says Rudoy.
It will be interesting to see if Gilbert will consider promoting Warkentien to GM. Traditional basketball people will have trouble adjusting to Gilbert's ownership team, but Warkentien is an outside-the-box thinker who shares their philosophy of examining every alternative. In addition, Warkentien has forged one of the league's best draft records in previous stops with Seattle and Portland. But it would take a gutsy owner to fire Paxson in order to promote his assistant.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This article is written by a very respected writer so I'm pretty sure it's acurate.
Gilbert may actually want Z back.
Mark Warkentian has been running basketball operations, GOOD sign. We know Gilbert doesn't know nothing about basketball, i'm glad he's letting people who have experience in the business do their work. It said he may be considered as the new G.M. He might not be a bad idea, a respected drafter at least. If we can't bring in a john hammond or a jerry west, this guy might be a very valid option.
Gilbert's steep learning curve
The new ownership group in Cleveland, led by 42-year-old internet entrepreneur Dan Gilbert, didn't wreck the Cavaliers' season by firing coach Paul Silas because the damage had already been done. But Gilbert does bear responsibility for undermining the authority of management. The Cavs went south after Gilbert's initial meetings with Silas -- meetings so exasperating that Silas no longer wanted any part of what had been a dream job -- coaching LeBron James. Combined with Gilbert's lame-duck treatment of GM Jim Paxson, the Cavs suddenly found themselves without meaningful leadership down the stretch.
New owners who want to be the next Mark Cuban need to remember three things: (1) Cuban is very, very smart (which is not to say that Gilbert isn't); (2) Cuban earns the right to call the shots because he spends all his time around the team, so he has learned from experience; and (3) Cuban's first act in Dallas was to express confidence in coach Don Nelson's management team, with the understanding that Nelson (in spite of the Mavs' losing record and their nine-year playoff drought) knew far more about pro basketball than he did. The result was that Nelson redoubled his efforts for an owner who showed faith in him rather than doubt. The Mavs were 9-23 when they met their new owner, and went 31-19 thereafter (and have been contenders ever since). The Cavs were 31-23 when Gilbert took over, and went 11-17 thereafter.
Silas bears responsibility, too, for reacting negatively to his new boss. But most winning coaches likely would have expressed a similar reaction.
The good news for the Cavaliers is that Gilbert is figuring it out -- and quickly. Last week he quietly summoned player personnel director Mark Warkentien to run basketball operations until a new GM is hired. Warkentian's first mission was to stop in Chicago (en route to Cleveland from his home in Portland) on Monday to meet with Herb Rudoy, the agent for Cleveland's free-agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
"It was a good meeting," said Rudoy. "I think Mark wanted to talk in order to give the owners a sense of where we are. I appreciated it, and Zydrunas appreciated it."
Rudoy was bemused by Gilbert's recent assessment to the Cleveland Plain Dealer that Ilgauskas' return was a 50-50 proposition. The behind-the-scenes truth -- as illustrated by Warkentien's visit -- is that Gilbert isn't going to let go of his 7-foot-3 center without due diligence.
Since undergoing surgery in 2001 to successfully realign his left foot, Ilgauskas has emerged as a two-time All-Star, averaging 15.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks while missing just five games -- none because of foot problems. Those feet can't be insured in his next deal, but Rudoy has said that he's willing to discuss incentives that would serve as a kind of alternative insurance to Cleveland should Ilgauskas break down again. To lose an elite center who is still improving and who wants to stay in Cleveland would be infinitely worse than the loss of Carlos Boozer last summer. "You know what the first question is that every coach is going to ask the new owners," asks Rudoy. "'Are you going to re-sign Ilgauskas?'" says Rudoy.
It will be interesting to see if Gilbert will consider promoting Warkentien to GM. Traditional basketball people will have trouble adjusting to Gilbert's ownership team, but Warkentien is an outside-the-box thinker who shares their philosophy of examining every alternative. In addition, Warkentien has forged one of the league's best draft records in previous stops with Seattle and Portland. But it would take a gutsy owner to fire Paxson in order to promote his assistant.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This article is written by a very respected writer so I'm pretty sure it's acurate.
Gilbert may actually want Z back.
Mark Warkentian has been running basketball operations, GOOD sign. We know Gilbert doesn't know nothing about basketball, i'm glad he's letting people who have experience in the business do their work. It said he may be considered as the new G.M. He might not be a bad idea, a respected drafter at least. If we can't bring in a john hammond or a jerry west, this guy might be a very valid option.
Last edited:
I don't want to jump to the next scene, but if Phil Jackson (magically) becomes our coach, then Z gets resigned. 
