Disconcerting Sentence Written about Tom Izzo and the Cleveland Cavaliers (UPDATED)
by KJ@theonlycolors on Jun 6, 2010 5:07 PM CDT
in Michigan State Spartans Basketball
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Coulda done without this:
[Cleveland Cavaliers GM Dan] Ferry fought to retain Brown, but [Owner Dan] Gilbert, a staunch Michigan State man, is determined to hire away Tom Izzo.
Those words were written yesterday by Yahoo! Sports NBA writer Adrian Wojnarowski. I pay almost no attention to the NBA, so I can't speak to exactly how credible Wojnarowski is (there's nothing else in the article to back up the specific claim made above), but Yahoo! Sports has broken some big stories in recent years, so you can't fully dismiss the possibility this is something real.
Izzo has always admitted that competing at the NBA level holds some appeal for him, and, if he were ever going to leave for the pros, you'd think he'd be looking for a situation in which competing for an NBA title was a real possibility. Coaching a Cleveland Cavaliers team able to retain LeBron James' services would absolutely fit that description.
So, like, YIKES.
Stepping back some and look at the rest of Wojnarowki's piece, though, I think there's reason to think this situation isn't likely to play out as straightforwardly as the blockquoted sentence above would indicate. Here's the rest of the paragraph that follows that sentence:
Unless James tells him he wants John Calipari, and then they’ll hire John Calipari. As much as anything, the Cavaliers are giving the franchise completely over to James and his inner circle now. Whatever he wants to stay, he’ll get. Now, Ferry isn’t there to play the wet blanket anymore. He never feared fighting Gilbert on issues because he had stature, money and, truth be told, he didn’t need the job.
An earlier segment of the article focuses on Dan Gilbert's willingness to serve as James' "enabler," hiring people associated with James, allowing his friends to ride on the team airplane, etc. If James does return to the Cavs (the lead in the Wojnarowski piece is how the Bulls are setting themselves up for a run at James by hiring Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau, who's associated with "Worldwide Wes"), can you really see Tom Izzo accepting a position in which it's crystal clear he's not the final authority in terms of how his team operates on the court?
For now, I'm going to hang my peace of mind on Andy Katz's recent interview with Izzo, which was subtitled "Michigan State coach Tom Izzo isn't going anywhere until he wins another national title." (Probably a bit of hyperbole there, given that there's no specific statement from Izzo in the piece to that effect. But still.)
Nevertheless, stay prepared for a few more disconcerting sentences to be written before this is all over.
UPDATE: Well, here's the first batch of those additional disconcerting sentences:
The Cavaliers want to make a big splash with their next coaching hire.
According to a league source, they are centering their efforts on bringing in Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.
In fact, they've already made him an offer to be their coach, the source said. It's going to take a lot of money to convince Izzo to leave the confines of the college ranks.
That's from the News-Herald, a newspaper in northeast Ohio--an odd source, I'd say, given the scrutiny the LEBRONSTAKES are getting from major media outlets.
The whole thing still seems fairly implausible--Izzo accepting an offer more so than Gilbert making it. As several commenters have pointed out, the timing is all wrong, with the pieces for a run at a second national title in place (and, frankly, no heir apparent to take over the program Izzo's built in East Lansing in plain view).
Bump the YIKES-meter up from 3 to 4 (on a 10-point scale), I guess.
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Theres zero chance Izzo would leave
at this time of the year. It would leave the program he built scrabbling . I have no doubt that if he leaves it will be right after a season to give him and MSU the time to find the best replacement possible.
"You think our war drill is something now. Next year is going to be fist fighting."- Tom Izzo
Go Spartans
Not worried
Izzo ain’t going somewhere where it’s clear that ownership is kowtowing to one player. He might go to the NBA someday, but it won’t be somewhere that one of the players practically owns the team, and it won’t be halfway through the offseason, and it won’t be when he has unfinished business here with a team having a chance to win it all after coming close two years in a row.
Not quite as ludicrous as the Izzo-to-Oregon rumors that were flying around earlier, but it’s close.
Bump for zen-mode
I just don’t see it happening and I’m not going to sweat until the ink gets wet.
Allen will stay straight.
Kaminski will choose the Green.
Izzo goes nowhere.
Ommmmm.
Doesn't add up for a lot of reasons.
1. Timing, as mentioned above.
2. Uncertainty, as LeBron going back to Cleveland is far, far from a sure thing.
Not buying it right now. But you never know.
Izzo leaving in the middle of the offseason would torpedo the coming season, as Monty would be the only option at this point. You’d then in effect be starting over, and recruiting would be completely buried.
Yikes is right.
POST UPDATED
Scroll back up, ladies and gents.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Jun 6, 2010 7:39 PM CDT reply actions
TOC just tweeted that the offer has gone public.
http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/06/06/sports/nh2604471.txt
If it’s gotten this far, it’s not a good sign at all.
Does anyone have info on Izzo’s recruitment of LeBron when he was in high school? Izzo offered him (who wouldn’t) and he was in the top-7 according to Rivals. I wonder how that plays into it.
I still don’t think Izzo leaves for this situation. He would be second fiddle in Cleveland for a few years; in Michigan, he’s king for the rest of his life.
Izzo/LeBron
At some point (McDonald’s game maybe), James told a reporter that, had he gone to college, he would have played at MSU. But Shannon Brown was sitting next to him at the time, so it was interpreted as a jesting comment.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Jun 6, 2010 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Je also said he would want to go to Dayton and turn them into a powerhouse
and UNC and Duke. like 5-6 diff schools. It changed when someone asked him every time
"You think our war drill is something now. Next year is going to be fist fighting."- Tom Izzo
Go Spartans
FYI
I made the 2012 Hotlist on the assumption Izzo will be here! Oh man, don’t even want to think about it.
If it's public, and it's a serious report, I would guess we'll hear something shortly.
For recruiting purposes if nothing else.
Shortly?
Seems likely that Izzo is going to take some time to consider it. I don’t know what the timetable might be but unless he’s 100% solid on not leaving MSU right now this at least should merit some time at the Izzo dining table.
One way to look at it, I guess.
Either way, it’s not good. The constant speculation as to when Izzo is going to depart is a bonanza for those who want to recruit against MSU, however.
An update from Adrian Wojnarowski via Twitter
Despite published report, two sources close to MIchigan State’s Tom Izzo say the Cavs still haven’t made him an offer. “Not yet,” one said.
and another...
In talking to Izzo people, sense is Cavs franchise is too unsettled for him to leave Mich State now. NBA intrigues him, but he’s cautious.
Less attractive
When I heard talk of Izzo and LeBron to Chicago, that seemed like possibly the most attractive coaching offer I’d heard to lure Izzo from MSU. I agree – Cleveland? Not so much.
Conversations
I wasn’t privy to the conversations Izzo had with Summers and Lucas, but I imagine there was some encouragement on his part for them to return. If that were the case, it would be taking the low road for Izzo to bolt right now. I think he is too much of a stand up guy to go for having his cake and eating it. I say he stays.
If Izzo ever bolts for the NBA
That team instantly becomes my new favorite NBA team.
Oh god, I hope it’s not the Bulls.
Who would be next
Pretty much 100 percent agree Izzo wouldn’t leave now, for this. He has too much coming back in a probable final 4 team and this Payne-Appling class looks like a gem. But IF (massive if) Izzo were to leave anytime in the near future I’d worry about a replacement. I like Monty but I’m not sure he’s head man material yet. Is the gig enough to lure Skiles back to MSU? Do you go outside the program? Thoughts I wish there was no reason to contemplate.
by TahoeSparty on Jun 6, 2010 11:46 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
I'm much more concerned than you all appear to be
If Lebron agrees to come back and play for Izzo, a big IF, but not an unrealistic one, I think he goes.
Obviously we may not know the answer to that until Free Agency on July 1, which will make this month truly suck.
But the opportunity to coach a player like Lebron in his prime on a team that had the best record in the East last year would be too good to pass up. Most college coaches fail because they are forced into taking over a team that is young, bad, or both young and bad. This would be a chance to coach a once in a generation talent. Izzo would hate to leave MSU in the middle of the offseason like this, but if he thinks he wants to try his hand in the NBA some day (something he has not denied) then he will probably never get a better opportunity than this.
So yes, for now it seems unlikely. You have a 4 on a scale up to 10. I’m more like a 6, with the possibility of going to 11 if Lebron starts expressing an interest in playing for Izzo.
Well argued
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Jun 7, 2010 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions
thanks
I hope to God in a week people can respond to this post and call me an idiot, because izzo’s said definitively he won’t leave.
I just don’t think this gets resolved until Lebron’s situation gets resolved… Although rexrode’s text message from Izzo made me feel a little better.
Wojnarowski
Speaking to KJ’s comment on Wojnarowski, my perception from reading his stuff and that of the Yahoo writers in general, is that he writes opinion pieces, not investigative/standard reporting pieces. Recently, he’s been on his own soapbox railing against Lebron (his selfishness, his ego, his childishness, etc etc etc). This piece seems to be a continuation of that line – how Lebron is forcing the Bulls to make a decision they wouldn’t ordinarily make and forcing the Cavs to get rid of Ferry/Brown. It’s obvious that Woj also thinks Dan Gilbert is partially to blame for enabling ’Bron and his entourage. So, given all that, I read very little into his mention of Izzo – it seemed almost like an aside and was given no support.
This is not to completely disregard other (actual) reporting on this topic, but just to say that I wouldn’t put a lot of weight on Woj’s mention.
I disagree
I’m a big NBA fan and he’s probably the most reliable NBA source you’ll see. For the past couple years he’s broke a lot of NBA news and been on top of everything. After reading this I have no doubt that Cleveland is very interested in Izzo. The question is, is Izzo interested in them?
The good news is that there a lot of reasons I can’t see Izzo leaving now and you’ve all mentioned them above plus he told Andy Katz last week he won’t consider a jump to the NBA unless he wins a second NCAA title. However, as trivialstuff pointed out, IF Lebron agreed to stay in Cleveland assuming Izzo is the coach then I think he’s gone. That’s too good of an opportunity to pass up on. I just don’t see Lebron committing to stay in Cleveland before free agency even begins. He wants to be courted by other teams, see what they have to offer and potentially form a package deal with Bosh or Wade. He can’t do any of that until the free agency period begins in July.
FWIW
I tweeted at Wojnarowski as to what he was basing his statement that Izzo is definitely interested in the position on. He replied via private message: “What his guys tell me…”
Extremely vague, to state the obvious. I don’t think Izzo has an entourage he’s in constant conversation with about his future.
This whole thing is within the realm of plausibility, but making hard statements about what’s going on without any sort of identification of a real source is bothersome.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Jun 7, 2010 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Another way to look at it that i just thought of
Do you think “his guys” could refer to Dan Gilbert’s entourage rather than Izzo’s? It makes more sense given that Wojnarowki cites a league source.
by Pete Rossman on Jun 7, 2010 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Wouldn't be surprised if Wojnarowski is talking to Izzo himself...
with an agreement that Izzo not be quoted directly.
I would be very surprised at that
I’d guess he’s talking to people in Izzo’s extended circle who are just speculating about what Izzo’s thinking based on what they know about him.
On Pete’s comment: I don’t doubt Woj’s statement that Gilbert wants Izzo. I’m not buying that he has hard info that Izzo is definitely pursuing this.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Jun 7, 2010 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I think Izzo
is at least doing a little information gathering. The main thing he’d be trying to gauge is whether Lebron is staying in Cleveland.
I’m definitely a little nervous, but Izzo won’t take this job unless he knows Lebron is staying and I really doubt Lebron is ready to make that commitment until he’s had a chance to talk to other teams and key free agents once free agency begins in July.
Izzo would be crazy not to at least hear them out and talk it over with the fam
I’m repeating myself, I know, but I have to believe that, even if the chances of Izzo taking it are slim, he and his family have to at least give the Cavs a fair hearing. I’m really not nervous that there may be truth here. Of course the Cavs would want Izzo and Izzo owes it to himself to hear what they have to say.
Timing will be a big issue.
From a program perspective, the longer Izzo waits to make a call, the longer it holds recruiting hostage.
Hard to see Izzo doing that to the program, waiting until mid-July. But there’s not much to do but wait. He’s certainly earned the right to check things out.
Cavs fans with thoughts
Hello. Big Cavs fans, here, just adding thoughts.
1.) I have no idea how serious Izzo is about heading to the NBA. I do know more about Dan Gilbert. Gilbert likes Izzo, is very aggressive, and would throw a lot of money at him, should he deem it necessary. I have no idea how important $$$$$ are to Izzo, but Gilbert would make it as tough as possible to say no.
2.) Bob Finnan is not a great source. The News Herald is a mini-paper. Brian Windhorst, who writes for Cleveland’s main paper (Plain Dealer)) and contributes to ESPN. Until he says Izzo has an offer, everything is hearsay (I know Izzo said as much so far anyways). He has a fully verified Twitter account and constantly updates his blog at cleveland.com. He’s the best source of info in all of this.
Whatever happens, good luck next season, and here’s to a healthy Kalin Lucas.
Thanks
Both points are helpful (although only the second is encouraging from our standpoint).
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Jun 7, 2010 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
http://twitter.com/pdcavsinsider
Have been told #Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has been in contact with Izzo. He didn’t say “no” straight off but most certainly didn’t say yes. 16 minutes ago via web
Spent 3 hours last night trying to confirm Izzo report and was unable. Other than he’s high on list, which was reported 2 weeks back. 18 minutes ago via web
Mich. St AD tells AP #Cavs have not offered Tom Izzo contract. All of my sources tell me Izzo on list but Cavs still considering options. 21 minutes ago via web
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Jun 7, 2010 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Thoughts
I think that the biggest factor (as many have stated above) is the LBJ factor. Not only the “will he return?” question, but the “who does he want to play for?” question. If LBJ returns, but voices an opinion about who he wants to play for, my impression is that will be a done deal as far as who the Cavs are going after. Would LBJ want to play for a tough, discipline oriented, defensive and rebounding focused coach? I just don’t see the NBA’s anointed superstar wanting to sign up for that long term.
I still question the Izzo effectiveness potential in the NBA in general due to the change in attitudes and mentality. Would an entire team of highly paid “me first” types give Izzo the same commitment that he demands from college kids? Would he be able to leverage the same level of program control with an owner, GM and more intense media? Izzo is a smart guy, and I don’t see him not considering this.
Still, sounds like a better offer than those we have seen in the past. I give this 4 tin foil hats out of 10.
"It's a trap!"
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