While We’re Waiting… LeBron Speaks on Future, Mike Brown to be Replaced by Jeff Van Gundy?
Written By: Scott | Category: Best of the Web | Comments: 18While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.
“You want to continue to get better, that’s all you can ask. We got better this season and I feel this team will be better next season. You don’t want to take a step backward. I thought we went forward from the Boston series to this year and hopefully we can go forward one more time next year. I’ve always expressed the fact that I love playing here. Fans were great and have always been great. Losing this series doesn’t affect the way I will continue to approach the game here in Cleveland.” [LeBron James per Brian Windhorst]
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“There’s little sense in criticizing James for not speaking with the media Saturday – it’s the only thing he didn’t do in this series. He averaged 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists. He offered leadership and defense. He saved Game 2 with an all-timer of a buzzer-beater. And it wasn’t even close to enough.” [Dan Wetzel/Yahoo! Sports]
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Cleveland’s own Mike Golic one-hops the his “first pitch” at Progressive Field [NESW Sports]
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“While there has been some low-level complaining, mostly from agents, the NFL league office was contacted about the ‘voluntary’ trip to Hartford, Conn. by the Browns rookies and staff. The league office replied that no rules are being broken and that there was nothing exceptional about the trip — outside of the good nature being displayed by Browns players and staff in traveling to conduct the event. At this critical juncture of their careers, rookies and others who want the highly paid opportunity to serve as an NFL player have to do “whatever it takes” to win a job. Granted, the trip to Hartford is voluntary, but for a player, the opportunity to continue to gain hands-on coaching within the head coach’s framework is essential.” [Lane Adkins/The OBR]
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And finally, Will Mike Brown be fired and replaced by Jeff Van Gundy after winning Coach of the Year?? NBA FanHouse thinks so. [Tim Potvak/NBA FanHouse]
Author: Scott
Scott is a co-founder/editor of Waiting For Next Year who resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Feel free to follow him on Twitter or email him at scott@waitingfornextyear.com.Scott has written 1700 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
Best overall record, home-court advantage throughout, MVP, Coach of the Year, GM of the Year, Owner of the Year, AND WE STILL DON’T WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP!
If it didn’t happen this time, folks, it ain’t ever gonna happen. So at least we don’t have to get our hopes up anymore.
LeBron’s interview was mixed for me. I appreciate that he gave props to his fans, and was supportive of his teammates. However, I think he was wrong about not sticking around after the game. I remember he stuck around after being swept in the finals in ‘07 and congratulated Tim Duncan, and even joked around with him. Youtube it (I’m too lazy). Anyways, I can understand why he didn’t want to stay…I’m just saying that this is a new thing from LeBron. I always thought (imagined?) him to be a player who celebrates in style and loses with grace that’s not really common in the NBA. I didn’t really see that Saturday night. I am pointing this out because its unusual. I think its unusual, because, well, he was furious. If not talking to the press is what he had to do to not say something he would later regret, then I am fine with that.
we didn’t get GM of the year…Denver did
[Sporting News] GM of the Year…
ah i see
It’s like the VMA of music awards, but still!
As I told the guys this morning, one of the things I love about hockey in the playoffs is that teams spend 4 to 7 games beating the snot out of each other, and then ALWAYS line up and shake hands after a series is clinched. Just an awesome aspect of that sport.
So, as a fan, there’s a part of me that wished LeBron had stuck around and done that. But, on the other hand, this isn’t tee-ball. There are no participation ribbons. For as much complaining as Howard did about the officiating in this series–and for as much complaining as his COACH did about it, too–I honestly don’t blame LeBron for not wanting to shake their hands afterwards.
JVG? I’ll disown the franchise as a fan if this happens. Also, Lebron will certainly leave.
Think of the potential ECF rematch, though!
LeBron! Howard! Van Gundy! Other Van Gundy! It’s the NBA on TNT!!
Well, after 6 games of carrying a team of panicked and tense players and being mocked constantly Lebron didn’t want to stick around. Can’t say I blame him.
This is the first time Lebron was supposed to win and he didn’t. He did everything he could for his ‘favored’ team and no one else showed up (outside of Delonte). I have a feeling he was ticked and would have said something he shouldn’t have
this whole post-game handshaking thing is a tad overblown. it really doesnt bother me too much. dwight howard just won the EC championship, and he was really worried about lebron shaking his hand?? (of course not!) all the magic players were jumping around, dancing and hugging. is lebron supposed to force his way into the huddle to shake guys’ hands? is he supposed to stand around and wait? its really not a big deal. he was pi$$ed and left the court. its not like this was game 47 of the regular season.
JVG cant have a worse offensive gameplan than Mike Brown.
I could draw up “Give the ball to LeBron”
Does anyone actually think with the way Ferry and Gilbert talk about Mike Brown that they would actually fire him? I certainly do not.
@Craig: It’s almost Shapiro/Wedge-esque, yes.
I just read that fanhouse article – is that a serious piece? There’s absolutely NO WAY Mike Brown gets fired.
I’m sick of all this talk about LBJ walking off th court, I like to see that from my guy. This isn’t the old school anymore, he doesn’t HAVE to congratulate the Magic on a victory where Howard camped in the lane for 12 seconds, Hedo had that dumb ass look on his face all series, and Mikael Pietrus bobbed his head everytime he hit a 3.
Why doesn’t anyone talk about how with about 15 seconds left, Howard screamed for the ball, got it and hoisted a 3 pointer to try and driveup the score, while time was still on the clock. THAT was a classless move, check the tape of it and look at LBJ’s reaction. I bet you’ll have a different opinion.
Also if JVG is hired I won’t even care about the Cavs.
No way Brown gets fired (and no reason he should).
FWIW, interesting NBA clip showing Jackson drawing up a play: “[to Kobe] Where do you want it?” “Right here (points at diagram).” “Okay.”
Yes, LeBron should have probably gone over; at the same time, it’s understandable that he ran off like that. He did say he e-mailed Howard, he gave a reasonably reason as to why he did so, and while it was not the classiest move, it wasn’t some kind of disrespectful move. It’s not like the Magic were lining up to shake hands either; they were celebrating all over (which is fine, too).
@#2 – I wouldn’t stick around either. The Spurs, top to bottom, were a class-act in 2007, so I can see congratulating them in victory. Orlando? That team earned nothing but my disdain in this series. I want to like Dwight Howard, but all I saw in this series was a whiny punk (who, coincidentally, learned to hit free throws). Even LeBron doesn’t complain that much about every call and non-call. What if Howard had connected with Wally’s face with that elbow he threw? Pietrus is the Eddie House of Orlando and Turkoglu is smug.
Why skake hands with a team that acted like 10 year olds the whole series? Even worse than the Cavs did?