A sports blog by and for Midwest Sports Fans
The NFL season is half over, and many stories that seemed oh-so important back in August now have little bearing on the season.
We fans fretted and conversed about the lockout and missed training camps, the kickoff rule change, a certain “Dream Team” in Philadelphia, and a #1 overall draft pick who just wasn’t going to cut it as an NFL quarterback; but few predicted the Bengals, Giants and 49ers would lead their divisions at this point.
It is now official: Mike Brown will be the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. He will be filling the giant shoes of Phil Jackson while taking on the role of coaching another superstar in Kobe Bryant.
Many are surprised by Brown’s hiring, but his career accolades prove that he is worthy.
According to numerous sources (and updating this report just recently posted by Jerod), the Lakers have been in serious conversations with ex-Cavs head coach Mike Brown. But this morning I’m getting word that the Lakers now plan to hire Brown as their new head coach.
When Phil Jackson announced he was stepping down after this season, I and many others assumed that his top assistant Brian Shaw would end up taking over the team. Apparently his viability as a candidate for the job was overstated by the media (shocking, I know), and the Lakers have zeroed on two options:
Update: Devon says Brown to the Lakers is close to a done deal.
This past weekend was largely dominated by the NBA Conference Finals, but many other interesting stories occurred in the sports world. Here are just a few, including very unfortunate news about a baseball legend.
May 13, 2010.
The date which could be known as the final day of the Cavaliers as an elite.
The day that hell broke loose in every media outlet, and the day that Twitter had sprung at least 3 types of trending topics which included either LeBron, Cavs, Cavs suck, and plenty of others surrounding the LeBron/2010 hoopla.
But since then, basketball has been played. The Magic were vanquished, as were the Suns, and the Finals was set. Set in great fashion it was, with the two most historic franchises in NBA history; the Lakers and Celtics.
But this is not about that, this is about how the Cleveland Cavaliers are falling apart. In a way, it much resembles the Roman Empire.
Some things just make you shake your head in confusion.
Hearing that Mike Brown was “relieved of his head coaching duties” by the Cleveland Cavaliers has to be at the top of my list of recent head-shaking events.
Last year Brown was named “Coach of the Year”, had LeBron James as the undisputed leader of the Cavs with his first MVP award, and was sitting on top of the NBA with the best record in the league. They lost, but we all had great hope.
This year Brown still had LeBron, the Cavs went out and acquired the legendary Shaq to “get the King his ring”, again came up at the top of the entire league with 61 wins, had the best home record, and everything seemed possible for the Cavs to go all the way to the NBA championship. Again LeBron won MVP, only the 10th player in NBA history to win that prestigious award back to back.
A year ago Mike Brown had it all, except that elusive Championship. Again this year Mike Brown had it all. He had everything necessary to go the distance with a team full of chemistry and talent, belief in themselve,s and the record to back it up.
And yet, this year Mike Brown got a pink slip instead of a title. Hence the head-shaking confusion on my part.
[Editor's note: This article was sent to me about a week ago, in the immediate aftermath of the Cavs' epic collapse against the Boston Celtics. In the heat of all the LeBron free agency talk, I overlooked posting it.
While going through my email this morning I happened upon the article once more. I think it is almost more insightful and appropriate now, a week later, when we still don't really have any more of an explanation for the Cavs' terrible play against Boston than we had a week ago.]
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I come from Buffalo, a town known for its “almost but not quite” teams. We long for a champion, and for that reason I have come to love watching the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James.
Why?
Because they play with a love of the game, and have a team mentality that has propelled them to the top of the league two years in a row. LeBron deservedly won MVP two years in a row, the team was the top seed this year, and they had made all the necessary tweaks and additions to win the NBA title this year.
Or so we all thought.
So, what happened?
One of the must-follow Twitter accounts during this NBA season, and especially over the past few days, has been @CavsWITNESS. If you are a long-suffering Cavs fan (excuse the redundancy) he is a must follow because he is not only informed, but also eternally optimistic.
Well last night, in the aftermath of the Cavs’ Game 6 loss to the Celtics, during a time when Twitter vitriol for Mike Brown was predictably strong, @CavsWITNESS tweeted something that got the wheels spinning in my head:
It must be said, Mike Brown is a good man and good coach. He also must learn tough lessons of youth. Do recognize what has been done here. Brown’s time in Cleveland has passed. It is not, however, the deeply tragic story you are feeling right now. Time will show.
What really stuck out to me was line I bolded for effect: Do recognize what has been done here.
And it got me to wondering if any coach in NBA history (maybe even in sports history) had ever done so much while earning so little respect.
There is only one way to accurately describe what happened last night in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland:
Perhaps not so coincidentally, the three letters above represent the same WTF number of shots LeBron James made last night.
Really, WTF doesn’t even describe last night’s game. Cleveland and LeBron pretty much rolled over, on their home floor, in a must win game, in a performance that even the Atlanta Hawks would have considered soft.
Every sports news outlet from Bristol to Bangkok will be dissecting LeBron’s poor play last night and assessing what it may or may not mean for his future in Cleveland. I thought I’d throw my two cents in as well, although with a little bit of a difference perspective.
Well this isn’t good.
Troubled Cavs guard Delonte West, who was recently arrested for gun possession in Maryland, reportedly skipped today’s first practice as the Cleveland Cavaliers opened training camp.
Here is the somewhat ominous quote from Mike Brown assessing the situation:
The Bears almost got out of the offseason with no major injuries. Until now. Charles Tillman has had back surgery to remove a disc fragment. Tillman is prone to back problems, as it has sidelined him before in previous years.
The main concern is will he be able to play the opener? The Bears management believes so. Injury in the defensive backfield for the Bears is not new. Mike Brown has missed most of the past 4 seasons, with Achilles, calf, and Lisfranc injuries.
What could hurt the Bears is if Tillman does miss some of the first few games, especially when they play Green Bay and Pittsburgh. Those two teams have very good passing quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger. These dangerous quarterbacks could throw all over the Bears, just like last year, without the right leadership in the secondary.
The Bears passing defense wasn’t all that great last year to begin with, even with a healthy Tillman. They ranked 30th out of 32 teams in passing defense. An injury like this, if it is prolonged or nagging, could be devastating to the Bears defense. With the possibility of Mike Brown getting injured also, as he has every year since 2004, and the possibility of Tillman missing a few games, the Bears playoff chances could be hindered by a limping set of DBs.
But Tillman missing games is still unsure. He could be totally fine by the time the season starts. We will just have to wait and see.
Injuries are what every team wants to avoid, but you can never avoid it completely during any season. The key is to have your team ready to play without the injured player. New guys need to step up and take charge when a leader gets injured.
With Jay Cutler now taking the reins, the Bears have a chance to compete in the NFC. Defense will still be key though, just like it always has been. They need to stay away from major injuries, get a lot of wins, and hopefully get a second chance this decade at the Super Bowl.
* – Charles Tillman photo credit: Suzy Allman for The New York Times
ESPN’s Chris Broussard reported yesterday morning on Sportscenter that the trade deadline talks involving Shaquille O’Neal to the Cavaliers earlier this season never actually died, and are currently gaining new momentum. While he noted that the deal is not imminent, from all indications former teammates Steve Kerr (Suns GM) and Danny Ferry (Cavaliers GM) appear to be talking about it.
The current Shaq reports now mark the (3rd) major rumor to involve the Cavaliers in the last week. Its not you Chris, we’re just a little skeptical at this point.
First it was a Slam Magazine report at the beginning of the week that said the Cavaliers had recently ‘opened negotiations with free agent Center Rasheed Wallace.’ Then towards the end of the week Pro Basketball News wrote a piece saying that the Cavaliers front office was in ‘disarray’, and that Coach of the Year ‘Mike Brown’s job was in jeopardy.’
However, Cavs beat reporter Brian Windhorst crushed both of those rumors no sooner than they surfaced. He called the possible signing of Rasheed Wallace both impossible and illegal. He then wrote that the reports about Mike Brown’s job being on the line were simply, false.
But Windy hasn’t shut down the Shaq rumors yet, and until I hear otherwise, I am of the opinion that Broussard’s report has legs. It certainly seems plausible.
As mentioned, Danny Ferry and Steve Kerr have a relationship that dates back to their playing days on the Cavaliers together. The Suns are looking to dump salary, and Shaq carries a big number ($20 mil). The players the Cavaliers are reportedly dangling include Sasha Pavlovic and Ben Wallace, and their contract situations fit that motive for Phoenix. Pavlovic’s contract can be bought out for less than $2 mil, and Wallace is hinting at taking his major dollar contract and retiring – possibly accepting a buyout to do so. There is a chance for the Suns saving nearly $10 million dollars with the move.
As a Cavaliers Fan, I am really hoping Windhorst doesn’t stomp this one out like he did the last two. We need this one to be true. I don’t even want to get into how much Shaq would help this team right now…let’s just say – he would help a lot – and see what happens.
* – Shaq photo via Deadspin
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JD Shaver is a featured columnist at Midwest Sports Fans who also runs Shaver Sports, where they discuss everything you ever wanted to know about Cleveland sports.
JD Shaver’s contributions to Midwest Sports Fans are sponsored by BigTimeGameBoards.com, the company that helps you tailgate like a champion with our high quality cornhole boards, sets and accessories. And if you don’t know what cornhole is, you aren’t a Midwesterner.
This weekend is stacked. No two ways around it, this is the biggest weekend for MMA until UFC 100. I know my heavyweight hero Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic is coming back next weekend at UFC 99, and that a very interesting fight between Wanderlei SIlva and Rich Franklin will be headlining, but those matches are no match for the quality of fighter we will see in action this weekend.
Sunday June 6, 9pm ET on Versus WEC presents Brown Vs Faber 2
This is my pick for fight of the weekend. No matter how it ends, as long as it happens no other fight holds the interest this does. Urijah Faber is 22-2 and was considered an unstoppable featherweight until last November when Mike Brown man handled him for just over 2 minutes then scored a TKO victory. Both fighters have fought once since then. Both scored first round submission victories, and both plan on doing the same in this fight.
While both fighters are determined and skilled, I just cant see Faber loosing this. In his last fight (a rematch Vs. Jens Pulver) Faber came to the ring with an air of victory. He could have been fighting Brock Lesner that day and won. His will was so strong that it came through the TV and let you know, as soon as you saw him, that he was going to win decisively. That being said, Browns domination of Faber in the first fight was surprising. Faber never stood a chance on that day and Brown seemed to have his number. I really hope this fight goes past the first round.
Saturday June 5, ,10pm ET on Showtime Strikeforce presents Lawler Vs Shelds
For me, the headlining match isn’t the biggest match on this card. While I fully expect Robbie Lawler and Jack Shelds to tear the house down and have a great fight (who could forget the two EliteXC contest between Lawler and Smith?) I am much more interested in the match between Andrei Arlovski and Brett Rogers. This could very well be showcasing 2 of the three best Heavyweights outside of the UFC (Fedor being the other), maybe I am a little overzealous to name Rogers as a top heavyweight, but that dude has potential to be a star. I believe him to be much better the Josh Barnett (whom Fedor is fighting in August) and I can see him having a very bright future in MMA. I hope Arlovski can hold Rogers off, but I’m not sure I can see it happening. No matter the outcome of this fight, the UFC needs to do all it can to sign whoever wins.
This Strikeforce event will also showcase someone who is becoming a begrudging favorite of mine, Nick Diaz. He will be fighting Scott Smith in what will probably turn into a stand up war. Smith has a habit of being in the most intense battles in MMA. His 
chin seems to be made of adamantium and his fist are of steel. Nick Diaz however is a BJJ black belt who fancies himself as a boxer. In my opinion, the smart move would be for Diaz to take Smith down and try to submit him, but I don’t think he will. This fight wont go all 3 rounds, but however long it does last, it will be a war. Diaz will trash talk, and maybe even flip the bird. Diazs’ brother (UFC fighter Nate Diaz) will stand on the outside talking smack and almost definitely flipping the bird. Smith will take a ton of punishment, seem to be knocked out, then comeback again and again. In the end I don’t know who will win. I am starting to really enjoy the side show that is the Diaz family, but I also really pull for Smith who seems to be a good guy with a family to feed. After this fight is over I just hope both fighters aren’t too hurt and can move on to their next fights soon.
While UFC 99 doesn’t happen for another week, it hasn’t exactly been quiet over at the Zuffa offices. For those of you who don’t know, The Ultimate Fighter 10 started filming this last week and the big news coming out of the taping doesn’t concern either Rashad Evans or Quintin “Ramapge” Jackson who are the coaches, nor does it concern the reported 4 former NFL players who are on the show this season. 
It seems that Kimbo Slice has won the “Brass Balls” award for the week by joining the cast of TUF 10. This is a guy who was criticized by UFC President Dana White almost none stop just over a year ago as being a freak show. White always stated that Kimbo could come on TUF if he ever wanted to get a UFC contract, well it appears Kimbo decided to take him up on it.
I am pulling for Slice. If that guy can get his head together and get and sort of condition he could be really good for MMA. He was in the 1st and 3rd most watched events in the history of MMA and has ridiculous charisma . With the UFC in need of some, what I call, placeholder stars no one could be better for them then Kimbo.
Congratulations are in order for Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown who was named the 2008-09 NBA Coach of the Year today. Among Brown’s many accomplishments this season in Cleveland:
[Note: Follow the links for great deals on Cavs Playoff Tickets or all NBA Playoff Tickets
from Stubhub.]
But more important than any quantifiable accomplishment is the close relationship that Mike Brown has built with superstar LeBron James.
This year’s Cavs have amazed NBA observers with their team chemistry and camaraderie. Much of that can be attributed to Mike Brown trusting LeBron James, LeBron James trusting Mike Brown, and the positive vibes trickling down throughout the entire team. Brown obviously trusts his best player to also be a team leader, and LeBron has certainly fulfilled that role as much, if not moreso, than any superstar in recent NBA history.
As to the voting for this year’s award, Mike Brown received 55 first place votes in the NBA Coach of the Year voting and finished with 355 total points. Rick Adelman finished second and Stan Van Gundy finished third. The combined point totals of Adelman and Van Gundy would not equal Brown’s, making Brown the clear winner. The NBA Coach of the Year is voted upon by NBA writers and broadcasters.
Said Cavs owner Dan Gilbert:
“Mike Brown is one of these rare people that has nearly every tool in his tool box,” Gilbert said in a statement. “He is smart, hard working, and selfless. He is curious and hungry to learn. He is philosophically driven and derives his decision making from his strong philosophy.”
Brown becomes only the second Cavaliers head coach ever to be named NBA Coach of the Year. Bill Fitch was also named Coach of the Year when he was in Cleveland during the 1975-76 season. Below is the complete all-time list of past NBA Coach of Year Award winners.
| Year | Coach of the Year | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962-63 | Harry Gallatin | St. Louis Hawks | 48-32 |
| 1963-64 | Alex Hannum | San Francisco Warriors | 48-32 |
| 1964-65 | Red Auerbach | Boston Celtics | 62-18 |
| 1965-66 | Dolph Schayes | Philadelphia 76ers | 55-25 |
| 1966-67 | Johnny "Red" Kerr | Chicago Bulls | 33-48 |
| 1967-68 | Richie Guerin | St. Louis Hawks | 56-26 |
| 1968-69 | Gene Shue | Baltimore Bullets | 57-25 |
| 1969-70 | Red Holzman | New York Knicks | 60-22 |
| 1970-71 | Dick Motta | Chicago Bulls | 51-31 |
| 1971-72 | Bill Sharman | Los Angeles Lakers | 69-13 |
| 1972-73 | Tom Heinsohn | Boston Celtics | 68-14 |
| 1973-74 | Ray Scott | Detroit Pistons | 52-30 |
| 1974-75 | Phil Johnson | KC-Omaha Kings | 44-38 |
| 1975-76 | Bill Fitch | Cleveland Cavaliers | 49-33 |
| 1976-77 | Tom Nissalke | Houston Rockets | 49-33 |
| 1977-78 | Hubie Brown | Atlanta Hawks | 41-41 |
| 1978-79 | Cotton Fitzsimmons | Kansas City Kings | 48-34 |
| 1979-80 | Bill Fitch | Boston Celtics | 61-21 |
| 1980-81 | Jack McKinney | Indiana Pacers | 44-38 |
| 1981-82 | Gene Shue | Washington Bullets | 43-39 |
| 1982-83 | Don Nelson | Milwaukee Bucks | 51-31 |
| 1983-84 | Frank Layden | Utah Jazz | 45-37 |
| 1984-85 | Don Nelson | Milwaukee Bucks | 59-23 |
| 1985-86 | Mike Fratello | Atlanta Hawks | 50-32 |
| 1986-87 | Mike Schuler | Portland Trail Blazers | 49-33 |
| 1987-88 | Doug Moe | Denver Nuggets | 54-28 |
| 1988-89 | Cotton Fitzsimmons | Phoenix Suns | 55-27 |
| 1989-90 | Pat Riley | Los Angeles Lakers | 63-19 |
| 1990-91 | Don Chaney | Houston Rockets | 52-30 |
| 1991-92 | Don Nelson | Golden State Warriors | 55-27 |
| 1992-93 | Pat Riley | New York Knicks | 60-22 |
| 1993-94 | Lenny Wilkens | Atlanta Hawks | 57-25 |
| 1994-95 | Del Harris | Los Angeles Lakers | 48-34 |
| 1995-96 | Phil Jackson | Chicago Bulls | 72-10 |
| 1996-97 | Pat Riley | Miami Heat | 61-21 |
| 1997-98 | Larry Bird | Indiana Pacers | 58-24 |
| 1998-99 | Mike Dunleavy | Portland Trail Blazers | 35-15 |
| 1999-00 | Doc Rivers | Orlando Magic | 41-41 |
| 2000-01 | Larry Brown | Philadelphia 76ers | 56-26 |
| 2001-02 | Rick Carlisle | Detroit Pistons | 50-32 |
| 2002-03 | Gregg Popovich | San Antonio Spurs | 60-22 |
| 2003-04 | Hubie Brown | Memphis Grizzlies | 50-32 |
| 2004-05 | Mike D'Antoni | Phoenix Suns | 62-20 |
| 2005-06 | Avery Johnson | Dallas Mavericks | 60-22 |
| 2006-07 | Sam Mitchell | Toronto Raptors | 47-35 |
| 2007-08 | Byron Scott | New Orleans Hornets | 56-26 |
| 2008-09 | Mike Brown | Cleveland Cavaliers | 66-16 |
Now that Mike Brown has earned some hardware, his Cavaliers look to continue their quest for the ultimate piece of hardware. After throttling the Pistons in Game 1, the Cavs host Detroit again Tuesday at 8:00 ET on TNT. Cleveland is favored by 11.5 — and anyone who watched Game 1 will no doubt be leaning towards taking the Cavs with the points.
The more immediate question than the Cavs’ quest for an NBA Title is whether LeBron James can hold off Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade to win his first NBA MVP Award. Follow the link for an analysis of the 2009 NBA MVP Award and a list of the past MVP winners.
(Mike Brown and LeBron James photo above by Drew Hallowell / Getty Images North America)
