In other news, I guess it is time to totally dismantle Orlando and build from scratch?

the latest Lebron news and gossip:

 

Chicago billboard for Lebron: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/06/bulls-fans-wooing-lebron-james-with-billboard.html

 

Lebron on Larry King Live: http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/columns/story?id=5241556

 

"Keep Lebron in Cleveland" rally at Crocker Park http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=137161&catid=3

Also CWRU....http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/?p=29053

 

And of course, the Michael Symon story...which is on hundreds of news sources already: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/02/iron-chef-to-lebron-james_n_597973.html

 

 

You forgot about the "Beards for 'Bron" campaign.

the latest Lebron news and gossip:

 

Chicago billboard for Lebron: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/06/bulls-fans-wooing-lebron-james-with-billboard.html

 

Lebron on Larry King Live: http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/columns/story?id=5241556

 

"Keep Lebron in Cleveland" rally at Crocker Park http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=137161&catid=3

Also CWRU....http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/?p=29053

 

And of course, the Michael Symon story...which is on hundreds of news sources already: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/02/iron-chef-to-lebron-james_n_597973.html

 

 

 

Keep LeBron in Cleveland at Cracker Park.  Great, just great.

Danny Ferry resigns as GM of Cleveland Cavaliers

By Brian Windhorst, The Plain Dealer

June 04, 2010, 1:50PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio --

 

In a decision that is surprising and perhaps throws the Cavaliers into more uncertainty, Danny Ferry resigned as the team's general manager today.

 

In an interview with the The Plain Dealer, Ferry said the decision was mutual after the sides had talks about a new contract earlier this week. Ferry's five-year deal that he signed when he came to the team in 2005 was scheduled to expire at the end of June.

 

Ferry will be replaced by top assistant Chris Grant, who has been functioning in the role of almost a co-general manager for the last several years.

 

It will now be Grant and Gilbert who hire the next coach after another of the organization's top leaders, Mike Brown, was fired as last week.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/06/danny_ferry_resigns_at_gm_of_c.html

 

Woah! The plot and drama thickens!

So LeBron now has to pick a coach and a GM?

Chris Grant has already been named the GM.

My best guess is that whomever Gilbert is eyeing to take over for Mike Brown as coach will also want some significant input on personnel decisions.

 

IMO, Ferry was a very good GM, but he was playing with a loaded deck - owner willing to spend whatever it takes and the majority of other teams in the league looking to dump payroll.

 

Windy is also saying that there was no way Ferry would have stuck around through a Calipari hiring.

 

So.... that leads me to conclude, we are exploring the Calipari option and also looking at veteran coaches such as Larry Brown, who will want to have some control in front office decisions.

Larry Brown?? I didn't realize we were rebuilding!

Oh my lord: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/nyregion/05lebron.html

 

Though he doesn't mention it, I'm pretty sure the reporter (a NYT staffer, not a freelancer) is from Shaker Heights.

Oh my lord: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/nyregion/05lebron.html

 

Though he doesn't mention it, I'm pretty sure the reporter (a NYT staffer, not a freelancer) is from Shaker Heights.

YOu're correct

i wanna smak him around for that header, particularly because its ny that is begging, but it looks like he already got his for making stuff up while covering the iraq war  :-o

 

http://gawker.com/039934/alan-feuer-38-corrections-and-counting

 

Latest rumblings are that Tom Izzo is Gilbert's top choice.  Bob Finnan, the beat reporter for the News-Herald, even claims that an offer has been extended.  Other reports are saying "not yet"

 

BTW, the coach the Bulls just hired is represented by CAA, the 'World Wide Wes' agency.  It is possible the Bulls either just made a calculated move or got played like a fiddle.  IDK... the Thibbedeau (sp?) hiring is very similar to the Mike Brown hiring here.  No head coaching experiece, career assistant promoted all the way from the video room, defensive specialist.  I read that the Celtics considered him to be a key assistant but not a possible replacement for Doc Rivers should he leave to spend more time with his family in Florida.

Writer from Cleveland Scene ponders whether we are better off without Lebron...

 

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/...nt?oid=1922333

 

I don't agree with the premise, but some valid points are made.

I wouldn't get too much going on the Tom Izzo front.  He passed up a job with the Atlanta Hawks back in 2000 when they had a more stable front office and an owner that didn't live to serve a superstar player who may or may not be around much longer.  Sure, Gilbert is an MSU guy, but i doubt that it would be enough for Izzo to leave the school.

 

He's always said that his goal is to win 2 titles at MSU. If he accomplishes that, i could see him moving to the NBA as more likely...but not probable.

Most people I have talked to actually do not want Izzo.  Very rarely does a college coach make a successful transition to the NBA.  The reason why the rumor is going around is because the interest is definitely there, and unlike other instances, Izzo's people did not immediately shoot down the rumors.

 

And don't misunderstand Dan Gilbert.  He hardly lives "to serve a superstar".... he lives to win a championship and made SIGNIFICANT investments to see that through without yet seeing a return on those investments.  He is simply protecting his assetts at this point.

No question that Gilbert wants to do what he needs to in order to keep his superstar (and the hottest commodity in the league).  I have just read some stuff about him and taking Ferry out and those reports make it seem that it was at LeBron's behest.

 

I quit following the NBA when my Pistons signed Ben Gordon.  I knew the NBA had nothing for me at that point.

 

As far as Izzo not "shooting it down" he never does because he's an honest guy.  He tells it like it is and if someone offers him gobs of money that would be impossible to ignore, he'd have to take it.  He's not like Calipari and guys like that.  I agree that college coaches don't have a high success rate.  I think that's another reason Izzo wouldn't take that job.

i 2 tha izzo from windhurst -- plus west & williams are trade bait -- i hate to say it, but all this sounds like an organization out of control  :|

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5259123

 

ps -- i added to this espn pipe dream post because i liked it:

 

if we are looking at the college level for nba coaching then why not hire Mike Krzyzewski as (Co)GM/Head Coach since he's already coached lebron to a gold medal and bring in Lenny Wilkens and Mike Fratello as assistant coaches along with LeBron's shooting coach Chris Jent. there it is -- bonus is lebron stays!

 

 

For one, Coach K really is untouchable.  And second, I hear that Gilbert holds Izzo in higher regard.

 

West is trade bait because his contract is HIGHLY valuable to a team looking to slash payroll.  The other team would trade for him and then cut him with a $500,000 buyout.  Williams is trade bait because he couldn't stop my sister from getting to the rim.  I'm not sure they are going to find any takers for Williams though due to the length and size of his contract.

 

Diaspora, Izzo has indeed immediately shot down speculation from the Pistons, Timberwolves, and other teams in recent years when his name came up.  The Hawks job, to my knowledge, is the only one he gave any consideration to and that was 10 years ago when he was a younger coach.  Here, he is obviously contemplating the possibility.  Money talks and Gilbert has plenty of it.

 

Personally, I would prefer a former NBA player who has some coaching experience.

 

Here is a list of the coaches of recent NBA champions... since the first Jordan-Bulls 3-peat -

 

Phil Jackson

Doc Rivers

Pat Riley

Larry Brown

Greg Popovich

Rudy Tomanovich

 

Only L Brown came out of college and even he took awhile to make it to the championship.  PJax, Rivers, Riley, Tomanovich all played in the NBA.  L Brown played in the ABA.  Coach Pop is the only one who did not have a significant playing career.

For one, Coach K really is untouchable.  And second, I hear that Gilbert holds Izzo in higher regard.

 

West is trade bait because his contract is HIGHLY valuable to a team looking to slash payroll.  The other team would trade for him and then cut him with a $500,000 buyout.  Williams is trade bait because he couldn't stop my sister from getting to the rim. I'm not sure they are going to find any takers for Williams though due to the length and size of his contract.

 

Diaspora, Izzo has indeed immediately shot down speculation from the Pistons, Timberwolves, and other teams in recent years when his name came up.  The Hawks job, to my knowledge, is the only one he gave any consideration to and that was 10 years ago when he was a younger coach.  Here, he is obviously contemplating the possibility.  Money talks and Gilbert has plenty of it.

 

Personally, I would prefer a former NBA player who has some coaching experience.

 

Here is a list of the coaches of recent NBA champions... since the first Jordan-Bulls 3-peat -

 

Phil Jackson

Doc Rivers

Pat Riley

Larry Brown

Greg Popovich

Rudy Tomanovich

 

Only L Brown came out of college and even he took awhile to make it to the championship.  PJax, Rivers, Riley, Tomanovich all played in the NBA.  L Brown played in the ABA.  Coach Pop is the only one who did not have a significant playing career.

 

I would trade williams before west.  My Grandmother has more game.  Seriously.  She balls and shes in her 80s.  Ship williams and bobbie of together

There is nothing wrong with Mo's offensive game.  He is one of the best shooters in the league.  Don't forget about the time when we didn't have anybody that could hit an open jumper (the Lucious Harris, Kevin Ollie era).  It is his defense that just doesn't cut it.  My friend who is a Buck's fan tried to tell me this back when we got him.  Still, we paid such a low price, I can't complain.

 

I love Delonte.  He has been my favorite Cav for the past three years... Lebron included.  However, his mental issues have made him entirely unpredictable and, like I said above, the structure of his contract makes him our best asset.

 

On Boobie... have you ever looked at his numbers for games he starts?  Not too shabby.  I think he and Telfair both have some serious unfulfilled talent.

^ you arent kidding re boobie+telfair. they rarely saw action, well boobie rarely this season, but yeah only upside there. tradebait too perhaps?

 

i dont see that gilbert has the money, quite the opposite. hes barely a billionaire today and was a mere millionaire only a few yrs back. regardless, he is a carpetbagger who's biggest private spending interests are and always will be out of state and who ohio is going to let suck its gambling money dry. cant you see cleveland sports are already second banana to the younger dolan brother and see where that has gotten us? whatver yeah i'm ranting lol! just hoping that chinese connection is seriously helping behind the scenes. if he's thinking money first, then it wont be gilberts pockets but a strong cavs linkup via jianhua huang to the chinese market, where they already love him, that will keep a sober thinking lebron with the cavs. thats where he'll pick up his gold bricks in advertising and endorsements, not ny. access to a billion chinese fans, thats the secret "money makin" carrot!

I think the idea of getting rid of West is that hopefully you can get someone to take William or Jamison's contract, too.  I'm hearing all kinds of crazy rumors, like getting Monte Ellis and the second pick from Golden State, Chris Paul and Emeka Okafur from New Orleans, or Bosh and Turkoglu from Toronto.  All three offer opportunities to get better, but also require that the Cavs take on a big contract or two in exchange for one of their big contracts.  It will be interesting to see how everything plays out--this is the most important offseason in team history.

There is nothing wrong with Mo's offensive game.  He is one of the best shooters in the league.  Don't forget about the time when we didn't have anybody that could hit an open jumper (the Lucious Harris, Kevin Ollie era).

 

Here is what is wrong with Mo Williams, and I generally like Mo Williams:

 

Mo Williams is an undersized 2 guard.  He has trouble beating people off the dribble when people apply a lot of pressure to him.  He is not one of the quicker point guards in the league, doesn't have ridiculous ball handling skills and is an average passer at best, and doesn't finish well when he is able to get inside.  What he is good at is shooting open jump shots.  The problem is that he's tool small and doesn't play good enough defense to be a stand around shooter.  We need a point guard.  We need a guy who can handle extreme pressure from other fast guards like Rondo or Tony Parker or Chris Paul or the Allen Iverson of old or Steve Nash, who can guard them, and who can drive and dish or finish so Lebron doesn't have to every time.  We have enough other guys that can stand around and shoot 3's.  If you notice, we looked horrible when teams turned up the pressure a notch and Lebron was out of the game.  We had noone else in the game often times who could get by a defender.  That is the type of point guard we need, someone who can get around or blow by their defender and cause the defense to have to make a decision instead of being able to stick to their man like glue for 24 seconds.

^And he doesn't show up to the playoffs. And he also had horrible shot selection

^And he doesn't show up to the playoffs. And he also had horrible shot selection

 

I think he "doesn't show up to the playoffs" each year because teams really turn up the heat on defense and he can't handle it.  (I think it's ridiculous guys paid that much to play a sport don't play that hard every game, but that's a different discussion.)

^^^ We MIGHT already have that guy in Telfair.  Don't forget that he came straight out of HS and is relatively young.  Hopefully, he has matured, both physically and mentally, to handle an NBA season.

 

I think the idea of getting rid of West is that hopefully you can get someone to take William or Jamison's contract, too.  I'm hearing all kinds of crazy rumors, like getting Monte Ellis and the second pick from Golden State, Chris Paul and Emeka Okafur from New Orleans, or Bosh and Turkoglu from Toronto.  All three offer opportunities to get better, but also require that the Cavs take on a big contract or two in exchange for one of their big contracts.  It will be interesting to see how everything plays out--this is the most important offseason in team history.

 

Most of the crazy rumors you are hearing are pipe dreams.  Forget about Paul.  Not going to happen.  Never.  NO is changing ownership and is not going to trade away their franchise centerpiece.  And if Paul WAS on the table, there would be a multitude of teams that could and would outbid us.

 

I hear the Bosh rumor as well, but I believe that it only legitimately exists in the minds of 13 yr old Cavs fans.  Once again, we don't have the assets to outbid the teams that are interested.  Latest I hear is a possible deal involving the Lakers and Andrew Bynum.  We don't have a young 7 foot legitimate center to offer them.  Besides, Bosh would have to agree to the trade because he will be a free agent.

 

Golden State does not have the 2nd pick.  They have the 6th pick.  Philly has the second pick and it has been rumored that they MAY be willing to part with it if some team will take Elton Brand and the 4 years/$60 mill+ left on his contract.  I find that unlikely though.

 

Golden State is the most realistic and intriguing possiblity to me.  Although Ellis would not be my preference.  He is a knucklehead IMO and cares more about personal stats.  Team productivity tends to drop with him on the court.  However, it is hard to judge when you play for a team like GS, so I would not completely rule him out.  I would much rather take Maggette, and I hear that GS wants to rid itself of his contract.  He is older but much more efficient in his productivity.  To take on his contract though, I want that 6th pick.

^^^ We MIGHT already have that guy in Telfair. Don't forget that he came straight out of HS and is relatively young. Hopefully, he has matured, both physically and mentally, to handle an NBA season.

 

I hope so.  I like Telfair and was actually hoping he might get a little PT in the playoffs.

Diaspora, Izzo has indeed immediately shot down speculation from the Pistons, Timberwolves, and other teams in recent years when his name came up. The Hawks job, to my knowledge, is the only one he gave any consideration to and that was 10 years ago when he was a younger coach. Here, he is obviously contemplating the possibility. Money talks and Gilbert has plenty of it.

The only consideration that Izzo is giving to this is because he figures this will be his last shot at the NBA.  Now, the factors that keep him at MSU are the following: his family has deep roots in East Lansing and he's coached there his entire professional career (minus a cup of coffee in Tulsa) at MSU.  He's making $3 million a year (and i've heard the money being tossed at him from Cleveland isn't a lot higher than that...in the $4-5m range) so his family is already set for life.  He has a team that is coming back that is expected to rival his 2000 national championship team and will likely be a favorite to win it all.  He's on the cusp of being a legendary coach if he gets a second title.  He's already a hall of famer, he would become a legend.

 

As far as Coach K being untouchable?  no one is, but Coach K, Izzo and Roy Williams are probably as close to it as you can come.  There isn't a word for how i would feel if Izzo left MSU.  Shocked doesn't even come close to describing it.

Diaspora, Izzo has indeed immediately shot down speculation from the Pistons, Timberwolves, and other teams in recent years when his name came up.  The Hawks job, to my knowledge, is the only one he gave any consideration to and that was 10 years ago when he was a younger coach.  Here, he is obviously contemplating the possibility.  Money talks and Gilbert has plenty of it.

The only consideration that Izzo is giving to this is because he figures this will be his last shot at the NBA.  Now, the factors that keep him at MSU are the following: his family has deep roots in East Lansing and he's coached there his entire professional career (minus a cup of coffee in Tulsa) at MSU.  He's making $3 million a year (and i've heard the money being tossed at him from Cleveland isn't a lot higher than that...in the $4-5m range) so his family is already set for life.  He has a team that is coming back that is expected to rival his 2000 national championship team and will likely be a favorite to win it all.  He's on the cusp of being a legendary coach if he gets a second title.  He's already a hall of famer, he would become a legend.

 

As far as Coach K being untouchable?  no one is, but Coach K, Izzo and Roy Williams are probably as close to it as you can come.  There isn't a word for how i would feel if Izzo left MSU.  Shocked doesn't even come close to describing it.

 

according to windhorst, it is $6m a year + other "incentives"... and coach k has already told everyone no.  Izzo hasn't done that.  Not sure how I feel about a college coach coming in... I guess we'll see what happens.

 

by the way, it appears... Dan Gilbert is to MrNYC as Mayor Jackson is to tedolph.  :)

^Allegedly, the other "incentives" includes free use of a private jet whenever he wants.

 

Izzo definitely would not be my first choice, just because of past precedent of college to NBA coaches.  However, I would not be upset with the hiring either.  Gilbert is a gambler and Izzo would be the ultimate "roll of the dice" for this franchise.

 

Don't worry diaspora, I doubt Izzo bites... but he, unlike Coach K, certainly is seriously considering the possibility.

 

Gilbert is supposed to hold a press conference this afternoon, so maybe we will find out more.

^^^ We MIGHT already have that guy in Telfair.  Don't forget that he came straight out of HS and is relatively young.  Hopefully, he has matured, both physically and mentally, to handle an NBA season.

 

I think the idea of getting rid of West is that hopefully you can get someone to take William or Jamison's contract, too.  I'm hearing all kinds of crazy rumors, like getting Monte Ellis and the second pick from Golden State, Chris Paul and Emeka Okafur from New Orleans, or Bosh and Turkoglu from Toronto.  All three offer opportunities to get better, but also require that the Cavs take on a big contract or two in exchange for one of their big contracts.  It will be interesting to see how everything plays out--this is the most important offseason in team history.

 

Most of the crazy rumors you are hearing are pipe dreams.  Forget about Paul.  Not going to happen.  Never.  NO is changing ownership and is not going to trade away their franchise centerpiece.  And if Paul WAS on the table, there would be a multitude of teams that could and would outbid us.

 

I hear the Bosh rumor as well, but I believe that it only legitimately exists in the minds of 13 yr old Cavs fans.  Once again, we don't have the assets to outbid the teams that are interested.  Latest I hear is a possible deal involving the Lakers and Andrew Bynum.  We don't have a young 7 foot legitimate center to offer them.  Besides, Bosh would have to agree to the trade because he will be a free agent.

 

Golden State does not have the 2nd pick.  They have the 6th pick.  Philly has the second pick and it has been rumored that they MAY be willing to part with it if some team will take Elton Brand and the 4 years/$60 mill+ left on his contract.  I find that unlikely though.

 

Golden State is the most realistic and intriguing possiblity to me.  Although Ellis would not be my preference.  He is a knucklehead IMO and cares more about personal stats.  Team productivity tends to drop with him on the court.  However, it is hard to judge when you play for a team like GS, so I would not completely rule him out.  I would much rather take Maggette, and I hear that GS wants to rid itself of his contract.  He is older but much more efficient in his productivity.  To take on his contract though, I want that 6th pick.

 

You're right, I was confusing a few of the rumors I heard mentioned on the radio yesterday (Reghi and Roda shows).  It was Elton Brand's albatross of a contract that would come with the 2nd pick.

 

I don't think anything is off of the table.  The Cavs have a few chips that they can use to get better and get rid of a few big contracts.  It would take a lot of work, perhaps a 3+ team deal, and probably cost the team a player like Andy or JJ, but I believe that the Cavs can get that Robin type of a player.  This is, after all, the NBA, where not every team is looking to improve in the short term.  Some are simply looking to cut salary.

hmmm... windhorst reports that izzo "held a meeting with his players yesterday"...

 

me thinks this actually might happen.

He is supposedly meeting with the AD and MSU Prez either tomorrow or Friday.  While the college to NBA thing worries me, there is not an "ideal" candidate out there.  There's no hiding the fact that Gilbert wants to make a "big splash".... and this would be it.

 

Also, some guy from SpartanNation (Hondo Carpenter) had lunch with Izzo yesterday and said he thinks that Izzo is going to take the offer.

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/06/09/sports/doc4c0fcd4a9a52b306149899.txt

 

Former MSU coach: Izzo’s decision hinges on LeBron

 

By Bob Finnan

 

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo appears to have genuine interest in the Cavaliers’ vacant head coaching job.

 

That sentiment comes from one of Izzo’s mentors, former Spartans coach Jud Heathcote.

 

He is supposedly meeting with the AD and MSU Prez either tomorrow or Friday.  While the college to NBA thing worries me, there is not an "ideal" candidate out there.  There's no hiding the fact that Gilbert wants to make a "big splash".... and this would be it.

 

Also, some guy from SpartanNation (Hondo Carpenter) had lunch with Izzo yesterday and said he thinks that Izzo is going to take the offer.

 

Lol...don't take anything that Hondo says seriously.  The dude thought Izzo was a serious candidate for the football job before they hired Mark Dantonio.  He has no credibility. He's a fat guy with a TV show (small market, cable access quality, etc.) and a website.

ahhh... nothing like writing an article based on someone else's "gut feeling"

^I'd love for someone to find me an article about the Cavs this off-season that isn't based on someone's gut feeling.

 

He is supposedly meeting with the AD and MSU Prez either tomorrow or Friday.  While the college to NBA thing worries me, there is not an "ideal" candidate out there.  There's no hiding the fact that Gilbert wants to make a "big splash".... and this would be it.

 

Also, some guy from SpartanNation (Hondo Carpenter) had lunch with Izzo yesterday and said he thinks that Izzo is going to take the offer.

 

Lol...don't take anything that Hondo says seriously.  The dude thought Izzo was a serious candidate for the football job before they hired Mark Dantonio.  He has no credibility. He's a fat guy with a TV show (small market, cable access quality, etc.) and a website.

 

Well.... where there's smoke - (BREAKING NEWS) http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/?p=29584

 

^Windy is saying this is not true... unless Izzo met again with the players today.

Believe me, as an MSU guy i have been following this like crazy and i'm confident to say that no one knows what is happening except Izzo.  Reports are flying around and blogs are saying all sorts of stuff both ways.  It makes for great headlines and wonderful speculation (i'm sure the Detroit Free Press and News are loving the number of hits they're getting) but i'm not sure there's anything we'll learn until Izzo is ready to announce it (whichever way he goes).

 

I still stand by my statement that i doubt he's going anywhere.

Believe me, as a Cavs fan everyone is following this like crazy.  That includes ESPN, Yahoo, CBS, Fox, every major and minor media outlet.  One thing we know for sure is that he is DEFINITELY and strongly considering the offer.  If he bites, everybody here will go nuts - 1/2 will be ecstatic and the other half will pull their hair out.  It would be a very controversial decision, yet definitely the kind of big story move Gilbert wants.

Izzo could be using this as a play to get more money/years from MSU.  Now some are saying that MSU may offer Izzo the job for life.

^I don't think that is in Izzo's character.... not saying the life tenure offer isn't for real.

 

Why wouldn't he have used the Bulls' interest in him the same way?

Izzo has a contract for life.  It's a 7 year deal that automatically rolls over every year.  If he makes this move it is nothing to do with money and everything to do with deciding that this is his last shot at an NBA gig and a title.  He's also said (as recently as this week) that he wants another title at MSU that will really elevate the program to another level.  He's not happy that with all the success that he's had at MSU he doesn't get automatic recruits like Kentucky, UNC or Duke.

 

He can be a little prickly with the press and a little thin skinned.  I think he's a hell of a coach, but i'm not sure he's an NBA personality.

things are getting interesting.

Strong rumors that IZZO is visiting Cleveland today...how's the weather??

 

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo reportedly will visit Cleveland today, meet Cavaliers officials

Brian Windhorst, The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tom Izzo has flirted with NBA jobs before and then backed away from the edge only to stay at Michigan State.

 

There's a chance that is what could be happening with his latest suitor, the Cavaliers. But there's no doubt the Michigan State coach is getting closer to that edge.

 

According to a Michigan State source, Izzo has scheduled a trip to Cleveland on Thursday to meet with team officials and possibly tour the Cavs' facilities. Whether or not Izzo will go through with the trip is unknown.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/06/sources_say_msu_players_believ.html

 

 

It is a bee-a-utiful day here on the lake!  Sunny and 72 degrees with just the right amount of breeze.

Izzo is here.  No word on whether it is just a visit or if the pen will be put to paper.

 

MSU fans are planning a rally for him tonight to encourage him to stay.  I don't blame them, as he has been great for that program, getting the most out of the talent he has.  However, I do not think I would feel the same.  I am a huge OSU football fan and have been for my whole life.  'Senator' Tressel is the greatest thing since sliced bread IMO and I hope he stays at OSU forever.  However, if the NFL came calling and he truly wanted to test the waters at the next level, I don't know that I would openly discourage him from taking the job.  I would be mad at him for leaving for another college program, but that would be more of a lateral move.  I don't think he would be half the NFL coach that he is in college, but that would just be my best guess.  Of course, OSU football is OSU football and always will be.  Not sure if MSU fans have as much confidence in their program minus Izzo.

Izzo spent over 9 hours with the Cavs today.  Decision should come shortly. 

 

Cavs have lined up Byron Scott should the Izzo plan fail.  And I don't care what they say, Scott IS "plan B".... even if he may be the much wiser pick, having both played and coached in the NBA Finals whereas Izzo has 0 NBA experience.  Izzo is a much higher risk/reward pick.... and his hire would have Dan Gilbert written all over it.