Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Sports Geek.
I’m not normally one to gloat (especially when I never wanted to be right in the first place), but – I told you so!
Last year, after the Cavaliers lost to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference finals, I highlighted the many serious shortcomings of Cleveland’s newest version of Marty Schottenheimer – head coach Mike Brown. Brown’s inability to make good adjustments during the game, combined with a blind reliance on talent to overcome strategy, cost the Cavs a shot at the 2009 NBA Finals.
Rather than acknowledge Brown’s problems last year and fire him when they SHOULD have, the Cavs’ owner (Dan Gilbert) and GM (Danny Ferry) allowed the regular season accolade of “2009 Coach of the Year” to cloud their judgment – a decision that has now come back to haunt them (possibly at the expense of LeBron James).
Getting Outcoached
Without rehashing shortcomings of Mike Brown that I already highlighted 12 months ago, I will simply reiterate a couple key indicators:
- Lack of Halftime Adjustments: The Cavaliers were outscored in the third quarter by the Boston Celtics by a total of 30 points over their four losses in the six-game series.
- Poor Execution When it Matters Most: The Cavaliers were out-rebounded 144-168 in the four games they lost to the Celtics, and 230-239 overall. Likewise, the Cavs had 71 turnovers to the Celtics 53 during their four losses, and 93 to 76 over the entire series.
- Matchup Problems: Once again, Mike Brown failed to play the matchup game, and the result was that Rajon Rondo, who is generally a B-class point guard, ended up looking like a superstar against the seemingly hapless Cavaliers. Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison were ineffective, and LeBron (hurt elbow or not) was completely shut down for much of the series.
Creating a Culture of Winning Being Laid Back
Added to those problems that were evident even last season, however, came a new realization as the ALLEGED best team self-destructed once more. Mike Brown has no control over the players on his team.
During a January 27 interview, Mo Williams was quoted as saying that Shaquille O’Neal called the Cavaliers, “the most laid back team he’s ever played on.” At the time the comment seemed innocuous enough, but in hindsight that is a VERY telling statement.
Consider some of the other teams that Shaq has played for that weren’t “laid back:”
2005-2006 Miami Heat: Coached by Pat Riley all the way to a championship.
1999-2004 Los Angeles Lakers: Coached by Phil Jackson, won THREE NBA championships, and reached the Finals a fourth time.
Coaches who create and demand a championship culture actually WIN championships, while coaches who are laid back get laid back effort. That is not a coincidence!
The Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics because Mike Brown is an impotent coach who has failed to lead, instead delegating that responsibility to his players.
During games, players (including LeBron James) could often be seen clowning around on the bench, rather than paying attention to what was going on out on the court. It was silliness, plain and simple, which by itself is not a major crime. The Cavs were winning games AND they were having fun. Consequently, the fans were all having fun with them.
Those acts, however, were symptoms of a bigger problem.
From overly elaborate, choreographed player introductions to that STUPID “gooseneck” gesture, it should have been evident THEN that the team spent FAR TOO MUCH time focusing on trivial (and CHILDISH) games, and probably not nearly enough time focusing on winning a championship.
If THIS is how seriously they approached the regular season, why should we have believed their approach to the playoffs would be any different?!
Rather than committing 100 percent to building and maintaining a championship culture, where WINNING was the top priority, Mike Brown allowed his team to instead commit to making up fancy handshakes as though they were forming a secret club for sixth-graders.
Phil Jackson would NEVER tolerate that kind of foolishness from his players. Even with larger-than-life personalities on his teams such as Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Dennis Rodman, Jackson was the unquestioned leader. He maintained the role as coach and boss, and DEMANDED that his players act accordingly, as was the case for Pat Riley with all of his championships in Miami and Los Angeles. Mike Brown, however, is apparently okay with unfocused goofing off, which has been paid off in kind.
Everyone on the Cavaliers’ team simply EXPECTED to reach the Finals. The problem is that no one actually helped them prepare to get there, and that is where Mike Brown has ultimately failed. The result was an ineffective performance by unprepared players against a team who KNEW what to expect, and (more importantly) HOW to win when it mattered most.
Good luck to the Boston Celtics and their coach, Doc Rivers, who truly embody the essence of being a CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM – something the Cavaliers may never be – at least with Mike Brown at the helm!
