Posted on Monday 21 March 2005 by Shawnie Boy @ 4:29 pm
Look, I like Paul Silas. I think what he said about Boozer wasn’t a big deal, especially if you look at the context in which he said it. That being said, it was time for him to go. Eric Snow played 40 minutes against the Raptors in a starting role and didn’t score a point. Every loose ball went to the Raptors. As Pax said in the press conference this afternoon, the Cavs’ opponent on Friday night, the Sixers, played as though they were fighting for their playoff lives, as did the Raptors yesterday. The Cavs, with the exception of LeBron, were playing as though it was still November.
Some will say Silas couldn’t find the right rotation. I believe he didn’t have the patience to find it.
There is no good reason why Silas never stuck with Pavlovic for more than 5-10 minutes a game. He is the only player on this team (minus LBJ) who, with the right coach giving him the minutes and allowing him to build confidence, can hit an outside shot with some consistency. I just hope that he’s a major player down the stretch, as this team has enough talent to make some noise in the playoffs, let alone make the playoffs.
Silas is the perfect assistant coach - but when it comes down to X’s and O’s, he’s second rate. New owner Dan Gilbert obviously won’t stand for that, and I am glad this team has an owner willing to make this choice at this time, knowing he’ll get criticized.
Just saw on the ESPN wire… Paxson has formally released Silas today so
that the Cavs can resign him to a multi-year deal. But the rumor spreading
fast states that Silas will bypass the Cavs offer and sign a multimillion
dollar deal with the Jazz.
Silas did a good job. Obviously the new ownership wants to have their own man, it is as simple as that.
Paxson won’t be far behind.
Yeah, I agree — I think Gilbert wanted Silas out and his guy, whoever that may be, in. Honestly, the fact that this guy, who I think is a mortgage broker with no prior NBA experience, would come in and fire his head coach two weeks after he bought the team…while the team is fighting for a playoff spot…blows me away. Sounds like he’s got an ego. Is this our version of Daniel Snyder? Bring back Gund!
I agree with Kading24 regarding Mr. Gilbert. To come in and whack Silas with 18 games remaining with a few weeks of being the owner under his belt is amazing. Either we have a genius here or we are in for a long ride. Maybe Gilbert and his “boys” didn’t like Silas’s style!!! This could be a lost season within days.
Look at the Cavaliers since Dan Gilbert took over.
Pre Gilbert, the Cavs had a professional coach who had the team in first place much of the season. He may not have been popular with the players or owner but I do not know very many managers of any kind of team that are beloved by their staffs.
Supposedly Dan Gilbert was telling Paul Silas who to play!!
Dan Gilbert appears to have the same enormous ego as did Stepien and he comes from an industry, insurance, that is filled with stupid and delusions people, as did Stepien (advertising).
Now the Cavs are only 3 games over .500 and only 4 games separate us from Orlando for the last playoff spot.
If we start trading future draft picks for unskilled stiffs, I am going to start getting nervous.
In Gilbert’s defense, the Cavs were struggling long before he made the coaching move. It’s not like the team was playing inspired ball for Silas over his final few weeks.