Izz-No—So Where Do The Cavs Turn Now?
I respect Tom Izzo for staying put where he’s happy and comfortable at Michigan State, but I think a great deal of his hesitancy to take the Cavaliers job hinges on Lebron James’ uncertainty to stay in Cleveland. My feeling if Izzo knew FOR SURE that he’d be coaching Lebron at the NBA level that he would have given the Cavaliers job a shot. But without that guarantee, there was no guarantee the Cavaliers could field a competitive team, thus Izzo would have given up the comfort of being a legend at his current job to run the risk of being fired in 4 years if the Cavs failed to win an NBA title.
So where do the Cavs turn now? PHIL JACKSON. He has more than hinted he’d be happy to wrap up his Lakers coaching career after this season, but not necessarily retire from coaching. I’m certain he would view the chance to coach Lebron as motivation to stay in basketball. There’s just one problem—-will Phill live in Cleveland? No offense to our northeastern Ohio friends, but sunny LA to LAke Erie might be a bit of a disappointment. Still, Phil should be target #1.
Otherwise, Byron Scott has talked to the Cavs about this job and remains a strong candidate. He has a decent track record in the NBA as a player and coach, but if Jackson leaves the Lakers job he’d be a strong candidate for that job as well.
Who else? Why not hire Mark Jackson off the ABC broadcast team? Insightful guy who’s been in the hunt for coaching jobs before.
With an Izzo-less future, the Cavs had better aim for big bait (Phil) to keep their big fish (LBJ) in their pond.
