http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5271586 [rquoter]Tom Izzo is apparently closer to saying yes to the Cleveland Cavaliers than previously thought, a source told ESPN.com's Andy Katz on Thursday. That source discussed Izzo's future with a close confidant of Izzo's who is coaching in the NBA. The source told Katz that Izzo, who talked to his team earlier this week about his interest in the Cavaliers, is leaning toward taking the job if it is offered. "Three weeks ago that wasn't the case, but it has changed,'' the source said. A person familiar with his travel plans told The Associated Press that the Michigan State coach arrived in Cleveland on Thursday afternoon.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Cavs are not commenting on their coaching search. Izzo landed at County Airport in Richmond Heights, Ohio. His plane, which left East Lansing, Mich., was diverted there because of the number of TV cameras at Burke Lakefront Airport, the person said. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert did arrive at Burke, which is a short drive from Quicken Loans Arena, the Cavs' downtown home. "Coach Izzo made me aware he is meeting with Cleveland," Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis said in a statement. "The details of any meetings are between him and me." Izzo isn't the only coach interested in the Cavaliers job, which may or may not include the chance to coach free agent LeBron James. Wednesday night, an NBA Eastern Conference executive with knowledge of the Cavaliers' thinking told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard that Byron Scott is a strong candidate to be offered the job. The executive told Broussard that Scott is on equal footing with Izzo. Former Michigan State coach Jud Heathcote gave ESPN.com's Andy Katz his take on whether his successor, Tom Izzo, should take the Cleveland Cavaliers' job -- and LeBron James is a key part of that. Blog Scott, a former Los Angeles Lakers guard who has coached the New Jersey Nets and the New Orleans Hornets, has spoken with members of the Cavaliers' front office the past few days. Late Wednesday night the talks took on a more serious nature, the source told Broussard. Scott is expected to have a formal interview with the team before the end of this weekend. Izzo, meanwhile, said recently he wouldn't leave Michigan State until the school won another national championship. But that feeling apparently has changed. He met with his players Tuesday, according to Spartans associate head coach Mark Montgomery, updating them on Izzo's interest in the Cavs job. Izzo did not give any indication of whether he would take the job, but a source told Katz that Izzo told the team he has a lot of thinking to do. A member of the Michigan State Board of Trustees said earlier this week that Izzo already has turned down an offer from the Chicago Bulls this offseason. A source within the Bulls' organization denied that to ESPNChicago.com's Nick Friedell, though the source did say Izzo and the Bulls had talked[/rquoter]
I think this is a signal that LeBron may not be coming back. If you going to REBUILD . . .and maybe start with younger stars why not a college coach. Rocket River
If you are Tom Izzo, why make this move if LeBron doesn't come back? If LeBron leaves, the Cavs go back to the dumpster where they belong no matter how good a coach he is.
This. No offense to Cleveland, but if LeBron doesn't come back, they will be at best a 7th seed in the East next season.
Probably should have posted this earlier: http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/06/tom_izzo_visits_with_cleveland.html Byron Scott a good plan B or I guess good coach for Cleveland if Izzo doesn't take it?
Post I made earlier about this subject: He's definitely an upgrade over Mike Brown, and Mike Brown wasn't a bad coach, it's just he was bad at in game adjustments. Izzo is one of the best coaches in the entire country, college or NBA, he'll do good.
Sorry for the double post(edit option would be quite nice here), but it didn't copy the text I previously quoted:
I disagree with your take. Being good in college with an inferior roster does not translate into the NBA in my mind. The coaches that get their players to work do it out by well... outworking their opponent. Getting the kids on the same page. You cant apply that mentality to an 82 game season managing millionaire family men. You take that small potatoes mentality and run Lebron into the ground you wont last.
It depends on how Izzo coaches. If he's winning because he's teaching young players how to play correctly, has a better offensive/defensive system that suits his players... then that does translate to the NBA. Especially these days when kids are jumping pro after just 1-2 years, and really could use the education. If Izzo's winning because he gets his players to exert 110%, then you may be right, and that NBA players may not care of his stuff. Regardless, at least Izzo doesn't have the typical college-to-pro jumps where the coach can't handle the fact that he doesn't have the vastly superior talent most of the time. But he does need to learn how to massage egos.
Supposedly Izzo is in a players meeting right now (6:45 pm). Many suspect he's telling the players first what his decision is.
Hiring an overrated college coach to coach the biggest ego in the game = disaster that ends in two years or less.
How is he overrated? He coached the Spartans to six final four appearances. Who was better in the last 10 years? I think he will stay where he is, but Izzo would be a good hire for Cleveland.
