Daily NBA Fix 5-17-14: Don’t Look For Coaching News Out Of Cleveland
By Phil Watson
Welcome to the Daily NBA Fix for Saturday, May 17, the morning after the NBA’s first dark night since the playoffs began almost a month ago.
With no games on the schedule, the Daily NBA Fix will focus on the happenings around the Association, beginning with the news out of Cleveland on Friday that was actually an explanation on why there will be a dearth of news out of Cleveland for awhile.
Newly appointed general manager David Griffin said the Cavaliers don’t have a timetable for hiring a replacement for head coach Mike Brown, who was fired last week, just one season into his second stint on the Cavs’ bench, after finishing 33-49 and missing the postseason for the fourth consecutive year.
Griffin told the Associated Press that the club doesn’t “have a real specific timetable” for hiring a new coach and that he does not “anticipate anything happening anytime soon.”
Brown was fired the first time after the 2009-10 season, when Cleveland was 61-21 but lost to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Following that season, in case you missed it, LeBron James was sent to the Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade deal shortly after the Cavaliers hired Byron Scott to replace Brown.
Scott lasted three seasons as Cleveland posted a 64-166 record. The Cavs brought back Brown and signed him to a five-year contract.
There had been reports that Cleveland would have some initial contacts with coaching candidates at the NBA scouting combine in Chicago, but Griffin denied those reports.
Cleveland has some intriguing young pieces, including All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving and young shooting guard Dion Waiters, but there have been multiple reports of their relationship being about as serene as that between fire and dry kindling.
There’s usually a video in this spot, so here’s a phantom cam look at the best of the draft combine, because the only thing better than players going through mostly meaningless drills is players going through mostly meaningless drills r…e….a….l…l…y s….l….o…..w…..l….y:
What’s Happening Around The Association, in 30 links or less
Across The Atlantic
Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is reportedly a fan of Marcus Smart’s competitive spirit. (Celtics drafting a point guard rumor alarm!)
The Brooklyn Nets may be looking at an extreme roster makeover this summer.
Mark Jackson is reportedly on Phil Jackson’s radar to be the next coach of the New York Knicks (because that pairing seems like it would work out so well, what with both guys being so well-known for compromise and harmony).
The Philadelphia 76ers are looking for good lottery mojo.
The Toronto Raptors met with Canadian natives Tyler Ennis and Nik Stauskas at the combine, while Aussie Dante Exum was all the rage.
Central Chatter
Chicago Bulls’ draftee Nikola Mirotic and his Real Madrid squad are preparing to take on Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Euroleague final.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will work out Ohio State forward LaQuinton Ross next week.
Stan Van Gundy says “not so fast” to the conclusion that the Detroit Pistons will break up the Josh Smith-Greg Monroe-Andre Drummond frontcourt trio. (The Detroit Free Press may call it a Big Three, but I have seen Big Threes, I have worked with Big Threes and you, sirs, are no Big Three.)
Not a lot of folks are giving the Indiana Pacers much of a chance in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Milwaukee Bucks spent some time in Chicago talking to Dante Exum and Julius Randle.
Southeasterly Sails
The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly interested in disgruntled Houston Rockets big man Omer Asik.
About to be put out of work because of a name change, the Charlotte Bobcats mascot, Rufus Lynx, is “retiring,” complete with a video because, you know … yeah.
The Miami Heat are getting just what they expected to get in the conference finals.
The Orlando Magic talked to five top prospects at the combine.
After the Washington Wizards went 0-3 at home in their Eastern Conference semifinal series, Tom Van Riper takes a look at home-court advantage.
Southwest Trails
Would the Dallas Mavericks still be playing had they landed one of their big-name targets?
The Houston Rockets are mentioned as a possible trade destination for Brooklyn point guard Deron Williams.
Basketball is king in Memphis, even if it isn’t the Grizzlies.
New Orleans Pelicans players are rallying with Saints’ players against a workers’ compensation bill in Louisiana.
This young San Antonio Spurs fan really likes Tony Parker.
North By Northwest
Denver Nuggets coach Brian Shaw is reportedly drawing some interest from Phil Jackson’s Knicks.
A New York columnist speculates that Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love might have reservations about the Lakers with Kurt Rambis as coach.
The Oklahoman’s Anthony Slater wonders what Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks will do.
The Portland Trail Blazers have extended head coach Terry Stotts’ contract.
There’s a former Utah Jazz point guard interested in being the team’s coach and it’s not John Stockton.
Pacific Breezes
Golden State Warriors broadcaster Jim Barnett was on Mark Jackson’s **it list, too, it seems.
Blake Griffin wants the Donald Sterling cloud to leave the Los Angeles Clippers … soon.
Mitch Kupchak is open to the idea of dealing the Los Angeles Lakers draft picks.
The Phoenix Suns are looking for a little bit of lottery magic.
The Sacramento Kings are hosting a pre-arena vote, pre-draft lottery rally.