Cavs stuck in LeBron limbo

LOS ANGELES -- With Tom Izzo's decision Tuesday to stay at Michigan State, the Cavaliers are right back where they've been since their stunning playoff loss to the Celtics: in LeBron limbo.

Izzo couldn't come to terms with leaving East Lansing without knowing if he'd be coaching LeBron James or not -- even if it was for $6 million a year. LeBron has strategically removed himself from the Cavs' coaching search, and in fact hasn't said a word publicly about the organizational demolition that the loss to Boston fueled. Unless you count the Larry King love fest on CNN, James hasn't publicly addressed the firing of coach Mike Brown or the unceremonious departure of general manager Danny Ferry.

Word is that while he didn't reject the notion of Izzo coaching the Cavs, he didn't entirely endorse it, either. In any event, LeBron apparently wouldn't even speak with Izzo about his intentions when it comes to his impending free agency. In fact, one person who has been in contact with the Cavs' front office said LeBron has been incommunicado with team officials, as well.

So once again, the Cavs are held hostage by LeBron. They can't move forward with any serious offseason plans -- franchise-shaping plans -- until they know whether LBJ is staying or going. Cavs GM Chris Grant has the least enviable job in the NBA, other than the media relations director of LeBron's next team, whatever that might be. (I'll expand on that another time, but for now, to say that LeBron is high maintenance is like saying Shakira has been known to slightly gyrate her hips from time to time.)

Two NBA team executives told CBSSports.com Tuesday that the Cavs were busily proceeding with their coaching search even before Izzo's decision became public, with much of the focus centering on former Hornets coach Byron Scott. One of those people said the Cavs were screening numerous candidates. But Scott, or any other candidate, would want the same information Izzo was unable to glean about LeBron's future. And Scott's situation also will be affected by how the Finals end for the Lakers. If Phil Jackson decides to step down, Scott is the most plausible candidate waiting in the wings to replace him.

Those executives also said Grant was performing his due diligence on the trade front, asking several teams about acquiring draft picks. The Cavs have no picks in the 2010 draft, having traded them to Washington (first round) and Phoenix (second round). But even in that pursuit, the executives said Grant's hands are tied because he can't possibly know what kind of trades to make if he doesn't know whether LeBron will be on the team. Grant is trying to proceed as though LeBron will stay, but as Izzo's situation proved, that's an exceedingly difficult tightrope to walk.

Nelz0n Since: Jan 22, 2008	Posted on: June 16, 2010 1:17 am Cavs stuck in LeBron limbo All Lebron has to do to stop all this backtalk is tell everyone if he is staying or leaving. He has to know by now if he is gonna leave Clevland or not, and if he doesnt, then i dont even know what to say, that makes me hate him more. No... you're not getting it. Do you share the same animosity towards, say, Wade, Bosh, Johnson and -- every other free agent??? Because, uhh, they haven't decided yet either. See, this comes back to that same thing i was telling Berger. You genuinely conceive hate outside the realm of reality to appease your semi delusional mind. Because that's what you want... [ Reply to Comment ]
jbelle7435 Since: Nov 27, 2008	Posted on: June 16, 2010 12:09 am Cavs stuck in LeBron limbo would this entice Lebron to stay with the CAVS : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Player -coach [ Reply to Comment ]
AATRIBE Since: May 5, 2010	Posted on: June 15, 2010 11:58 pm Cavs stuck in LeBron limbo All the national media members are throwing in their 2 cents want LBJ to leave Cleveland. ESPN reported 2 day's ago LBJ was 100% behind the hiring of Izzo. Was ESPN lying or just throwing in their 2 cents in.Of course Gilbert is talking to LBJ look at the firing of Mike Brown & Danny Ferry you honestly think LBJ didn't have a hand in that. And look at a bigger picture. There is one coach out there that I'm sure LBJ and Gilbert would want but he's still coaching-MR. JACKSON.- Their are rumors flying Phil still want's to coach but it won't be in L.A. Chicago hired a coach, New Jersey hired a coach, all that's left will be L.A. Clippers, L.A. Lakers & Cavs. The Lakers already told Jackson their cutting his salary to $7 mill. He wants 12-14 mill. Good -Bye L.A. The Clippers are terrible and that leaves LBJ and Cleveland. The national media will cry and boo-woo and the knicks will still suck-so what!!!! The other Rumor I heard on the radio was the Cavs are going after Byron Scott(Another Laker candidate if Jackson leaves). Byron Scott coached Chris Paul with the Hornets.They say Paul loved playing for Scott. And Paul want's out of new orleans.Thats why the Cavs are trying to by draft picks so they can trade players( WILLIAMS, WEST,POE, ect... and picks for CHRIS PAUL.The Cavs have alot of guys in the final year of a contract that teams will pick up to dump payroll later. 7 of the top 10 teams picking in the draft are broke & are shopping players 1 of them are the Hornets. So Don't cry or be surprised when the Cavs sign LBJ & trade for Paul.I just love when bloggers only tell half the story .HATERS!!!!!!!!!!! [ Reply to Comment ]
Go Bearssssssss Since: Feb 2, 2007	Posted on: June 15, 2010 11:09 pm Cavs stuck in LeBron limbo Oh, but it is Lebron's fault, both ways. All Lebron has to do to stop all this backtalk is tell everyone if he is staying or leaving. He has to know by now if he is gonna leave Clevland or not, and if he doesnt, then i dont even know what to say, that makes me hate him more. If he is leaving, he doesnt have to know where yet, he simply needs to say he plans on leaving. Its that or he is staying, in which case his job is very easy. Either cease control of the coaching search himself, or do what he should do and take a backseat. The cavs would have a coach by now if Lebron told them he was gonna be there and signed on now. [ Reply to Comment ]
Nelz0n Since: Jan 22, 2008	Posted on: June 15, 2010 10:32 pm Cavs stuck in LeBron limbo So... LeBron hasn't said anything official - yet your opinion is formulated by what he is supposedly thinking. And by that, i mean what you want him to think. If LeBron offers insight in the coaching search then he is bigger than the organization, the franchise, the CITY... given too much control. But when he takes the stance he's taking now - he's holding the Cavaliers hostage. See how that works? It's a lose-lose for a closed mind such as yourself. Nobody is tying LeBron into this discussion but you. And by you - i mean the media... cause you're all alike. I'm a Cleveland fan first and of course i'd like to know now what LeBron is going to do with his future... but i'm also realistic. I realize the situation. Now go write a piece on how blogs like these are overshadowing the Finals... oh wait... [ Reply to Comment ]
bloodpee Since: Mar 4, 2008	Posted on: June 15, 2010 8:19 pm Berger stuck on LeBron's peen ... [ Reply to Comment ]

All Lebron has to do to stop all this backtalk is tell everyone if he is staying or leaving. He has to know by now if he is gonna leave Clevland or not, and if he doesnt, then i dont even know what to say, that makes me hate him more.

No... you're not getting it. Do you share the same animosity towards, say, Wade, Bosh, Johnson and -- every other free agent??? Because, uhh, they haven't decided yet either. See, this comes back to that same thing i was telling Berger. You genuinely conceive hate outside the realm of reality to appease your semi delusional mind. Because that's what you want...

Cavs stuck in LeBron limbo

All the national media members are throwing in their 2 cents want LBJ to leave Cleveland. ESPN reported 2 day's ago LBJ was 100% behind the hiring of Izzo. Was ESPN lying or just throwing in their 2 cents in.Of course Gilbert is talking to LBJ look at the firing of Mike Brown & Danny Ferry you honestly think LBJ didn't have a hand in that. And look at a bigger picture. There is one coach out there that I'm sure LBJ and Gilbert would want but he's still coaching-MR. JACKSON.- Their are rumors flying Phil still want's to coach but it won't be in L.A. Chicago hired a coach, New Jersey hired a coach, all that's left will be L.A. Clippers, L.A. Lakers & Cavs. The Lakers already told Jackson their cutting his salary to $7 mill. He wants 12-14 mill. Good -Bye L.A. The Clippers are terrible and that leaves LBJ and Cleveland. The national media will cry and boo-woo and the knicks will still suck-so what!!!! The other Rumor I heard on the radio was the Cavs are going after Byron Scott(Another Laker candidate if Jackson leaves). Byron Scott coached Chris Paul with the Hornets.They say Paul loved playing for Scott. And Paul want's out of new orleans.Thats why the Cavs are trying to by draft picks so they can trade players( WILLIAMS, WEST,POE, ect... and picks for CHRIS PAUL.The Cavs have alot of guys in the final year of a contract that teams will pick up to dump payroll later. 7 of the top 10 teams picking in the draft are broke & are shopping players 1 of them are the Hornets. So Don't cry or be surprised when the Cavs sign LBJ & trade for Paul.I just love when bloggers only tell half the story .HATERS!!!!!!!!!!!

Cavs stuck in LeBron limbo

Oh, but it is Lebron's fault, both ways.

All Lebron has to do to stop all this backtalk is tell everyone if he is staying or leaving. He has to know by now if he is gonna leave Clevland or not, and if he doesnt, then i dont even know what to say, that makes me hate him more.

If he is leaving, he doesnt have to know where yet, he simply needs to say he plans on leaving. Its that or he is staying, in which case his job is very easy. Either cease control of the coaching search himself, or do what he should do and take a backseat. The cavs would have a coach by now if Lebron told them he was gonna be there and signed on now.

Cavs stuck in LeBron limbo

So... LeBron hasn't said anything official - yet your opinion is formulated by what he is supposedly thinking. And by that, i mean what you want him to think. If LeBron offers insight in the coaching search then he is bigger than the organization, the franchise, the CITY... given too much control. But when he takes the stance he's taking now - he's holding the Cavaliers hostage. See how that works? It's a lose-lose for a closed mind such as yourself. Nobody is tying LeBron into this discussion but you. And by you - i mean the media... cause you're all alike.

I'm a Cleveland fan first and of course i'd like to know now what LeBron is going to do with his future... but i'm also realistic. I realize the situation. Now go write a piece on how blogs like these are overshadowing the Finals... oh wait...

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