Is there something to be said about fate? Last night, the Boston Celtics did not appear to be an aging team. It seemed as if the ghosts of Red Auerbach and Dennis Johnson led their beloved Celtics on this hazy May night over a more talent-laden Cleveland Cavaliers team and in the process may have cost the beleaguered city of Cleveland their most treasured athlete.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, you should know that LeBron James is about to become a free agent and this has been a topic of conversation for the last two seasons. With LeBron answering questions about this on a daily basis, the Cleveland star at times seemed more interested in his personal endeavors as opposed to those of the city of Cleveland. This is sad on a number of levels and in the end, when LeBron James decides to cash in, Mike Brown may have to cash out of the city of Cleveland.
A Cleveland Fairytale
LeBron James grew up in Akron, Ohio and is the ultimate “Hometown Son” gone good story. The Cavs want him bad and made numerous trades and have tried to move mountains to keep him appease the young superstar. If LeBron stays in Cleveland, he can make $125 million for the next six seasons. This does not include endorsement money and he is already an international star. James has stated openly he wants to keep his options opened and his pending free agency played a role in the Cavs underachieving last night. If James does leave, he may become the most hated figure in sports since Art Modell betrayed the people of Cleveland and took their Browns to Baltimore in 1995.
Last night James scored 27 points, had 19 rebounds and 10 assists for a triple-double. Statistics tell one story, the game tells another. James had nine turnovers and often jogged up the floor. There was a point in the game where James didn’t seem to care one way or another and the fierce competitor we have all grown to love looked like a tame athlete whose mind was elsewhere.
While there were many sad moments for the fans of Cleveland in the 94-85 loss, the saddest moment came with just under a minute to go. While down by seven points and with the ball, the Celtics kicked it out to burn the clock. An animated Mike Brown was jumping up and down for the team to foul and play hard until the end. LeBron James and his teammates ignored their coach and sat back and did nothing as the Celtics ran out the clock. The look on Mike Brown’s face was horrible and could be equated to a parent who no longer has the respect of their child.
Rumors are already swirling that Brown will be fired for University of Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari. Calipari and James share the same agent and it appears that the Kentucky coach and James have developed a close friendship. In an attempt to keep James, Calipari may become part of the package for any team that wants him.
Mike Brown
While the media is crucifying Brown, how quickly they forget that this former NBA Coach of the Year lead a young Cleveland team to the NBA Finals in 2007 well ahead of schedule. While Brown had James on the roster, he also built a team that may not have been as good as their record appeared and prior to this season overachieved. Brown knows basketball well and is a great coach and if his time in Cleveland is up, we can only hope this young coach gets another chance somewhere to show the world he is a talent.
John Calipari
When it comes to talent and character, comparing Mike Brown to John Calipari is like comparing the movie “The Departed” to the movie “Dude, Where’s My Car” with Brown being the former and Calipari being the latter.
Mike Brown has been to an NBA Championship. Mike Brown won a ring as an assistant to San Antonio Spurs and has been a winner everywhere he has ever coached.
John Calipari has never won anything despite always “recruiting” the best talent. We need to use the word recruiting lightly because every place Calipari leaves goes on an NCAA violation. Just ask the University of Massachusetts or Memphis. And by the way, if we remember correctly, Calipari did coach the New Jersey Nets from 1996 to 1999 and posted a record of 72 wins and 112 losses and missed the playoffs two of his three seasons before being fired. How can anyone honestly compare these two individuals?
Parting Words
The press conference at the end of the night said it all. As LeBron James spoke to the media, he seemed emotionless and told reporters, “A friend of mine told me tonight, you have to go through nightmares before you have your dream.” Well LeBron, if this is a nightmare to you; you have certainly lived a charmed life. With unemployment at a record high in our country with Cleveland suffering the effects, you make over $20 million a season, the people of Cleveland would literally die for you and you have more God-given ability than anyone who has ever stepped on a basketball court. We all wish we could live your nightmare Mr. James.
If there is any justice in the sports world, LeBron James will continue to be the Hometown Hero in Cleveland but this is unlikely. LeBron James should know that if he popped his knee tomorrow, the likes of John Calipari would not “blow up” his cell phone but the loyal fans of Cleveland would.
To quote the great Bruce Drennan, “I love you Cleveland.” Let’s hope LeBron does too.
Comments
My take on this whole thing is . . . . Mike Brown wasn't coaching the Cavs---LeBron was. He may know basketball, but he is young and uneducated, and can't be a leader no matter how hard he tries. Rivers was in charge of his team---Brown wasn't. It was obvious in the time-outs! I think LeBron should go on to New York and fulfill his dreams! The Cavs can recover with the players they already have---play Z and Andy more, also Gibson. It isn't rocket science!
I disagree with the last comment. Z is getting old and Gibson has to improve. Mike Brown did a fine job and the organization was more interested in keeping LeBron than winning it all.
Something that never ceases to amaze me is just how little sports writers know about the game they write about. Anyone that thinks Mike Brown is a good coach, doesn't understand the game. Anybody who couldn't tell LeBron was hurting, doesn't know the game. In watching nearly every game the Cavs played this year, it was painfully obvious that Mike Brown doesn't understand offensive schemes, or in game defensive match ups. Given the chemistry most of the year, his practice coaching must be descent, so he isn't a total loss. But he clearly doesn't analyze in game problems well
Mike brown is not a good coach at all.... The only thing is if James leaves cleveland he will be doing more work....The bench in cleveland is so deep... He will go to another team that only have enough money to pay him and not other players we will see.. He will stay and Mike brown will go... If hes out for Money it doesnt matter because cleveland can pay him the most.!!!
NO "I" IN TEAM
NO BUT THERE IS A I IN WIN! People need to understand that lebron is no michael jordan. Jordan would have fought to the end in that game. Lebron give up long before the game was over. Jordan would have drove to the basket on every play and got to the free throw line.
It's amazing that people don't give Mike Brown credit for anything. The guy got them to the championship 3 years ago. He must know something.
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NO BUT THERE IS A I IN WIN! People need to understand that lebron is no michael jordan. Jordan would have fought to the end in that game. Lebron give up long before the game was over. Jordan would have drove to the basket on every play and got to the free throw line.
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