Just Another Wasted Effort
April 20, 2008Barry Bonds: Incognito
April 21, 2008You couldn’t ask for much more from Saturday’s Cavs game. It was physical, there were countless lead changes, and in the end, we came out on top. Like most people, I was extremely thankful that the Cavs changed up the offense for some of the fourth quarter, allowing Daniel Gibson to bring the ball up with LeBron playing off of the weak side.
Could it be? Mike Brown making a crucial coaching move, and having it actually work? Perhaps not. Though a bit late on the uptake on my part, Brian Windhorst sheds some light on the late-game play calling:
The two baskets LeBron made in the stretch run that basically decided the game were very impressive for a couple of reasons. One, they were started by Daniel Gibson with LeBron coming off a weakside curl screen set by Zydrunas Ilgauskas. By putting LeBron way away from the ball, it makes double teaming and tilting harder. I was all set to give Mike Brown credit for this when after the game he said it was Eric Snow’s idea. Snow, who is already starting his coaching career, brought it up in a coaches meeting earlier this week.
It wasn’t so long ago that we touched on Snow’s likely future within the league, and how he’ll make for an excellent coach. If what is being reported is actually true, you can count me in on the group that is thrilled to see Snow’s impact on the game – even if it is while wearing a suit.
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14 Comments
According to Finnan, the Cavs may need a couple new coaches next year anyway: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19502390&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21848&rfi=6
“There could be two changes on Mike Brown’s coaching staff this summer. Hank Egan could retire at the end of the season, and if Larry Brown lands a head coaching job some where, he could ask John Kuester to join him.”
I’d be all about him coming aboard, but you have to wonder how that would work. it’s likely a tough transition to go from peer-to-boss…
Scott, that happens all the time. For example, whenever a colleague gets promoted to a supervisory position. If the players already respect his view and he already knows how to relate to them it may even work better. Snow seems to have similar traits to Mike brown, except possibly (hopefully, easily?) a better understanding of game flow.
Thanks, Adam. I guess I was speaking in more of a general term, mostly pertaining to the business world as that’s what I’m more familiar with. And in regard to ‘understadning of the game,’ let’s hope that’s the case.
I doubt that next year he would want to give up the 7 million he is owed and be an assistant coach to retire and be a coach, so it might have to wait a year. But smart point guards like Snow make great NBA coaches, see Avery Johnson. I wouldn’t mind having Snow replace Brown in a couple years, it appears Snow knows how to effectively use Lebron
I think the Avery Johnson scenario is a perfect template of how this could work out. The Dallas players obviously had a ton of respect for Avery, and it made his transition smooth. If these players respect Snow, it could work out really well. If they don’t respect him, though, it would be a disaster. Regardless, if Mike Brown needs to hire an assistant next year, don’t be shocked if they try to find a way to give Snow the job. I’d assume a settlement on his contract could be reached.
Rock, maybe Larry Brown could just replace Mike and then John Kuester wouldn’t have to leave.
Coach Snow – I like the sound of that. So glad to know Eric is having an impact even if he’s not playing.
You need to be careful what you wish for with Larry Brown, though. He has a bad habit of destroying franchises in his wake. It’s kinda like making a deal with the devil….you’ll get instant results, but you like the way it ultimately ends up.
And recall how little he played LeBron in the olympics… That really worked out well.
Well, I don’t think he’d sit LeBron now…
Anyone know how badly Gilbert hurt his wrist? I keep seeing the word “sprain.” So looking forward to that matchup; I’ll be sad if Gilbert isn’t Gilbert.
Carolyn…as usual, Windhorst is on the ball: http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/2008/04/21/arenas-will-play-tonight/
“Just got back from the Cavs and Wizards shootarounds. Gilbert Arenas had his right wrist wrapped but he didn’t seem to be showing any ill effects from spraining it on Saturday. In fact he was taking bets from teammates while shooting one-handed shots from halfcourt and his routine 30-footers. However, based on what I saw I do not expect him to start.”
RK: Thanks for the info. Let the games begin.