Silas Fired - The Orange Mane

gunns · 03-21-2005, 12:49 PM

Updated: Mar. 21, 2005, 1:38 PM ET
Cavs have dropped nine of 12 games
ESPN.com news services

CLEVELAND -- Paul Silas was fired as coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday with his team fighting for a playoff spot after leading its division earlier this year. Long-time NBA assistant Brendan Malone will be the interim coach.

AP Photo/Tony Dejak
While Silas has helped James' career soar, the rest of the team has struggled.
Silas told The Associated Press he was informed of the change at a morning meeting with general manager Jim Paxson and new owner Dan Gilbert. Silas' son, assistant Stephen Silas, also was fired.

"They didn't think the team was performing as well as it should be and they wanted to make a change," Paul Silas said.

Malone's first game as the Cavaliers' head coach will be Tuesday night at home against Detroit.

Despite superstar LeBron James, fellow All-Star Zydrunas Ilgauskas and a veteran bench, the Cavaliers have struggled since the All-Star break. They have lost nine of 12 and nine straight road games, including Sunday's 105-98 loss to Toronto when James scored a franchise-record 56.

According to league sources, the Cavaliers are interested in Cleveland native Flip Saunders as the possible successor to Silas, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports. Since his firing in Minnesota, Saunders has said he plans to sit out the rest of this season, but his ties to the city and his lengthy experience coaching another star player out of high school -- Kevin Garnett -- have Cleveland's attention.

"We believe in our players, and that progress just wasn't being made," Paxson said at a news conference Monday. "We have 18 games left in this season. We're fifth in the Eastern Conference right now, and we felt that if we didn't make this decision that we were jeopardizing our ability to be a playoff team this year."

The Cavaliers entered the All-Star break at 30-21, then went into a slide, the decline marked by personnel issues.

The trouble may have culminated Sunday when Silas benched starting guard Jeff McInnis and replaced him with Eric Snow. Snow did not score in Cleveland's loss at Toronto and McInnis, despite being dressed and available, didn't play.

Earlier this season, Silas threw Snow off the bench after the two exchanged words during the first quarter at Detroit, a move that stunned the team because of Snow's reputation as a leader.

Last week, Silas was fined $10,000 by the team for a derogatory comment he made about Utah forward Carlos Boozer.

Silas made the remark to reporters a day before Boozer was to return to Cleveland after leaving the Cavaliers as a free agent last summer. Boozer didn't travel with the Jazz because of a foot injury. Silas later apologized.

Silas, 61, joined Cleveland in June 2003 after being fired by the New Orleans Hornets, having led them to the playoffs four straight times.

Malone, in his first season with the Cavaliers, was the first coach of the expansion Toronto Raptors, spending one season with the team. He's been an assistant with New York, Indiana, Seattle and Detroit in 19 years of NBA coaching.

"We felt the change today was necessary. It's going to put us in a better position to win," Gilbert said.

The Cavaliers are the ninth team to make a coaching change since the start of the season, nearly one-third of the league. They join Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis, Minnesota, New York Knicks, Orlando and Portland.

gunns · 03-21-2005, 12:52 PM

Rest of the story:

Silas and James made for a formidable duo last season, leading the Cavaliers to a 35-47 record last season -- an 18-game turnaround. He seemed to have the respect of his players, who played hard for him and were improving.

However, in the offseason, the club lost Boozer after allowing him to become a free agent. It was the first sign of real trouble.

The Cavaliers started this season strong, staying in first place for most of the first two months of the season, but injuries and inconsistency led to the recent losing streak.

Silas was hired to be James' first professional coach and to mentor the 18-year-old star. James has soared from rookie of the year last season to All-Star this year, but the rest of the team has struggled.

That became apparent Sunday in the team's third straight loss. While James had a career day, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 or more points, the Cavaliers were miserable on defense and the reserves were outscored 34-1.

In 16 NBA seasons as a player, Silas averaged 9.4 points and 9.9 rebounds in 1,254 career games. Twice selected as an All-Star, he won three NBA championships -- two with Boston and one with Seattle.

As a coach, he has a record of 355-400 with the Clippers, Hornets and Cavaliers. His Hornets teams (both in Charlotte and New Orleans) went 13-16 the playoffs.

Bronco LB 59 · 03-21-2005, 12:52 PM

What is the average shelf life of a NBA coach these days? Two and a half weeks?

Clockwork Orange · 03-21-2005, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronco LB 52

What is the average shelf life of a NBA coach these days? Two and a half weeks?

I dunno, it took the Nuggets three tries to get it right this season.

RaiderH8r · 03-21-2005, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

I dunno, it took the Nuggets three tries to get it right this season.

I'm a Sonics fan, Coach Karl will blow it in the playoffs......trust me.....f'n nuggets and Dickinme Motumbowumbo

CBF1 · 03-21-2005, 01:52 PM

I cant believe that Brawn got his coach fired. Looks like he is also running his team like Kobe is. Players just have too much power in the decision making process now.

03-21-2005, 12:49 PM	#1
gunns I WANT DEFENSE! Defense, defense, defense Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Always Hoping Posts: 11,658 Adopt-a-Bronco: Defense	Silas Fired Updated: Mar. 21, 2005, 1:38 PM ET Cavs have dropped nine of 12 games ESPN.com news services CLEVELAND -- Paul Silas was fired as coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday with his team fighting for a playoff spot after leading its division earlier this year. Long-time NBA assistant Brendan Malone will be the interim coach. AP Photo/Tony Dejak While Silas has helped James' career soar, the rest of the team has struggled. Silas told The Associated Press he was informed of the change at a morning meeting with general manager Jim Paxson and new owner Dan Gilbert. Silas' son, assistant Stephen Silas, also was fired. "They didn't think the team was performing as well as it should be and they wanted to make a change," Paul Silas said. Malone's first game as the Cavaliers' head coach will be Tuesday night at home against Detroit. Despite superstar LeBron James, fellow All-Star Zydrunas Ilgauskas and a veteran bench, the Cavaliers have struggled since the All-Star break. They have lost nine of 12 and nine straight road games, including Sunday's 105-98 loss to Toronto when James scored a franchise-record 56. According to league sources, the Cavaliers are interested in Cleveland native Flip Saunders as the possible successor to Silas, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports. Since his firing in Minnesota, Saunders has said he plans to sit out the rest of this season, but his ties to the city and his lengthy experience coaching another star player out of high school -- Kevin Garnett -- have Cleveland's attention. "We believe in our players, and that progress just wasn't being made," Paxson said at a news conference Monday. "We have 18 games left in this season. We're fifth in the Eastern Conference right now, and we felt that if we didn't make this decision that we were jeopardizing our ability to be a playoff team this year." The Cavaliers entered the All-Star break at 30-21, then went into a slide, the decline marked by personnel issues. The trouble may have culminated Sunday when Silas benched starting guard Jeff McInnis and replaced him with Eric Snow. Snow did not score in Cleveland's loss at Toronto and McInnis, despite being dressed and available, didn't play. Earlier this season, Silas threw Snow off the bench after the two exchanged words during the first quarter at Detroit, a move that stunned the team because of Snow's reputation as a leader. Last week, Silas was fined $10,000 by the team for a derogatory comment he made about Utah forward Carlos Boozer. Silas made the remark to reporters a day before Boozer was to return to Cleveland after leaving the Cavaliers as a free agent last summer. Boozer didn't travel with the Jazz because of a foot injury. Silas later apologized. Silas, 61, joined Cleveland in June 2003 after being fired by the New Orleans Hornets, having led them to the playoffs four straight times. Malone, in his first season with the Cavaliers, was the first coach of the expansion Toronto Raptors, spending one season with the team. He's been an assistant with New York, Indiana, Seattle and Detroit in 19 years of NBA coaching. "We felt the change today was necessary. It's going to put us in a better position to win," Gilbert said. The Cavaliers are the ninth team to make a coaching change since the start of the season, nearly one-third of the league. They join Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis, Minnesota, New York Knicks, Orlando and Portland.

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03-21-2005, 12:52 PM	#2
gunns I WANT DEFENSE! Defense, defense, defense Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Always Hoping Posts: 11,658 Adopt-a-Bronco: Defense	Rest of the story: Silas and James made for a formidable duo last season, leading the Cavaliers to a 35-47 record last season -- an 18-game turnaround. He seemed to have the respect of his players, who played hard for him and were improving. However, in the offseason, the club lost Boozer after allowing him to become a free agent. It was the first sign of real trouble. The Cavaliers started this season strong, staying in first place for most of the first two months of the season, but injuries and inconsistency led to the recent losing streak. Silas was hired to be James' first professional coach and to mentor the 18-year-old star. James has soared from rookie of the year last season to All-Star this year, but the rest of the team has struggled. That became apparent Sunday in the team's third straight loss. While James had a career day, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 or more points, the Cavaliers were miserable on defense and the reserves were outscored 34-1. In 16 NBA seasons as a player, Silas averaged 9.4 points and 9.9 rebounds in 1,254 career games. Twice selected as an All-Star, he won three NBA championships -- two with Boston and one with Seattle. As a coach, he has a record of 355-400 with the Clippers, Hornets and Cavaliers. His Hornets teams (both in Charlotte and New Orleans) went 13-16 the playoffs.

03-21-2005, 12:52 PM	#3
Bronco LB 59 Ring of Famer Keep your head up dog Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Leucadia CA Posts: 6,068	What is the average shelf life of a NBA coach these days? Two and a half weeks?

03-21-2005, 01:52 PM	#6
CBF1 Ring of Famer No avatar is the new avatar Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 14,907 Adopt-a-Bronco: Jack Del rio	I cant believe that Brawn got his coach fired. Looks like he is also running his team like Kobe is. Players just have too much power in the decision making process now.